n

n

n

"These cultists are absolutely discusting, I was wondering if what I was doing was really right or not killing these people who have not yet attacked me, however clearly I have no more doubts.

" Yue said with a calm but sinister look, then started wandering to collect the loot before leaving. However before collecting the loot, he took some deep breaths and calmed himself, so as to not let his anger cloud his judgement.

n---- About Half A Hour Later ----

n

"Time to leave this filthy place.

" Yue mumbled to himself, wondered. 'What is that creature, it seems to be eating the corpses?'

n*Crunch *Crunch *Slurp

n'Hmm, it looks kind of cute. I wonder why they have a cute white leopard? It seems to still be a youngling as well, maybe it was starved and that is why it is eating these dead corpses?' Yue wonders as he watches the cute snow leopard looking creature. 'It has such beautiful bluish silvery eyes.'

nYue then says aloud.

"Hello little one, I am Yueliang. I mean you no harm, however have some questions.

"

nThe beautiful snow leopard looked up at Yue, and wondered. 'Is he talking to me?'

n

"Yes, I am talking to you.

" Yue smiles and nods.

nThe snow leopard jumps a little in surprise, then asks.

"What are you? Humans should not be able to understand animals.

"

n

"I am a human, well, I do have dragons blood flowing through me. However the reason we can talk is one of my skills, Soul Communication.

"

n

"Hmm, so what did you want to ask?

" She asks.

n

"Well, I was curious, I thought Snow Leopards only ate what they kill? Did they starve you?

"

n

"Yes, these filthy humans, always doing filthy and depraved acts, stole me from my parents a few months ago waiting for me to grow before doing their depraved acts on me. However I do not see what that has to do with this. You killed them, and they are fresh so it is not the worst.

"

n

"How terrible that that had to happen to you, if you want, you can follow me, or I can help you find your parents later? Also, how did you know I killed them?

"

n

"Well at least they did not do anything to me yet, anyways I had to leave my family soon regardless, so no need to find them, as for following you, I will decide soon. However for your last question, unlike those foolish humans, us 'animals' can see, and sense a lot more. My turn to ask a question. Why do you even want me around? Most humans just want 'animals' or 'beasts' as battle support but you seem strong.

" She said.

n

"I just figured we could be friends or something. I have a place that you can live in peacefully should you want. Of course, you would have to help every so often.

"

n

"Mmm, I see. I will go with you for now, and decide later. How does that sound?

"

n

"Wonderful, thank you. I will add snow as well to make you more comfortable, so you will not have to worry about being too hot.

" Yue replies happily.

n

"How considerate, thank you. Shall we get going?

" She asks.

n

"Of course, however the path I took I would have to carry you if you do not mind.

"

n

"While I would not mind, I prefer keeping my paws on the ground if I can, so follow me please.

" She says while turning around and moving her head in a motion saying 'come along'.

nWhile walking Yue asks.

"By the way, I never caught your name, if you do not mind.

"

n

"As I am sure someone like you knows, all creatures aside from humans do not have names, unless given one. Names are powerful, even on humans if used properly. Not only do names empower us, raising our race to the next level, they also are used for control, thus most will not accept one unless they really trust the creature offering the name.

"

n

"I have heard that before, I guess I forgot. My apologies, however if you want one, I would gladly give you one.

"

nHearing this, her eyes opened wide, and she slowed her steps for an almost imperceivable moment. However she tries saying casually.

"You do not have to pity me, or apologize with such a thing, I know just how dangerous it is to name.

"

nCutting her off Yue says.

"It is not pity, nor an apology. Also you need not worry about the danger. I have named two tigers already, and soon I will name the rest of my subordinates. I am a man of my word, I said I would name you because I want to, and that is the truth.

"

n

"Hmm, I see, well if you still feel that way later then maybe. However I still worry your nice personality is just a ruse.

"

n

"Take as long as you need, by the way I noticed we passed through 3 illusionary rock walls, and are walking through a maze, where are we going exactly?

" Yue wondered as even he did not notice the they were illusions until she walked through them.

n

"Path 58, there are many exits and entrances, these paths make travel as close as a bird flies.

"

n

"I see, so do you know where it will take us out?

"

n

"It leads to a cave near a goblin town. However I heard them say it was wiped out recently.

"

n

"Is it between four countries?

" Yue asked as this seems like a worrisome coincidence, and for some reason he has not been teleported back yet either, so he wondered. 'It is because this is the path back or are there more to kill?'

n

"From what they say yes, although I have only been there once. I do not pay much attention to human affairs anyway, but what else could I do in that place?

"

n

"Well that is wonderful then.

"

n

"What? Why? Are you planning on living there or something? Living between four countries is about as dangerous as you can get you know.

"

n

"Haha, it is alright, I am actually the one who wiped them out, made a town there, and currently reside there. At least this trip will be much faster, however it seems I will need to keep an eye on those tunnels now that I know they exist. By the way how did you know of the illusions?

"

n

"Well there are many ways, however the simplest one for you would be the one foolish humans seem to take for granted the most. Can you guess which it is?

" She asks in her cute voice.

n

"Hmm, something humans take for granted would be many things but you mentioned senses earlier so clearly it is one of those right?

"

n

"Very good, you got it on your first try, while you can use any of your senses to find illusions, hearing will rarely deceive you in everyday life. Use your hearing like bats do, and rely less on your eyes. But that does not mean give up on them, you should train all your senses. Do you understand?

"

n

"Yes, thank you very much.

"

n

"By the way, if what you say is true, why have you come here?

"

n

"Well, I have some special abilities and because I am a little weaker right now, I needed to kill these people to get stronger.

"

n

"Clearly you do not want to talk about it. I understand.

"

n

"No no, you have it wrong.

" Yue said and she turns to look at him out of curiosity and he continues.

"You see, my abilities are difficult to explain, and because someone could try using it against me, then unless we have a contract I try to keep quiet about my unique abilities.

"

n

"Hmm, well if that is true, then maybe someday I might see it, however for now, let us continue. We are almost there.

" She says excited to finally leave this lousy cave.

nThe two continued the next five minutes in silence, as they enventually walked into a cave that had a light at one end pretty far away. Yue then asks her with an innocent and childish smile.

"Want to race to the end?

"

n

"You do not know what you are getting yourself into.

" She says looking forward to playing with this interesting human.

n

"Alright, as soon as this pebble hits the ground we start. Got it?

" Yue said as he picked up a pebble.

nShe nods and gets ready to run. Then Yue tosses the pebble and they wait for it to land.

n*Tik. *Tik. *Tik. The stone sounded as it skipped across the ground.

nThe two began running, and after a few seconds she had a few meter lead already. 'Wow she is fast, it seems I might have to try a bit harder if I want to win.' He thought as he suddenly pushed off the ground with his next step, passing her by 10 meters in the blink of an eye, then slowing back down.

n'It seems that was a one time use boost. This is so much fun.' She smiled thinking, after getting rid of her initial surprise while still building up speed.

nShe caught up again quickly, and Yue had to use the skill once more by the time they were nearing the cave entrance. Both smiling as they are running, and having fun with each other.

nOne meter left, and she is in the lead, just about to pass it, he times his next boost just right, and boom. The two make it out side and she asks.

"What was that? How you boosted your speed I mean. Also, that was a tie right?

"

n

"Yes a tie, at least I think so. (Yue chuckles) Anyway, it is a cultivation ability, while your chi is being circulated through your body, use it like launching an arrow from a bow. Although in this case the arrow being chi, and the bow being your foot, of course you guide the chi back into yourself so as to not waste it.

" Yue explains.

nThen Yue continues.

"You can do the same thing in other ways of course, however since I am still learning I am not the most skilled yet. For instance if you make the chi in yourself move in certain ways, you can make yourself stronger, healthier, faster, and do so much more.

"

n

"Hahah, yes, I know about chi, all animals do. However the surprising thing is that a human is actually cultivating on this planet, rather than using their so called magic. It is basically just cultivation tricks meant for low level cultivators, that is how they are extending their life after all. They cultivate, although with broken techniques.

"

n

"Really, all animals know of it?

" He asked surprised.

n

"Of course, we do not easily forget our origins unlike people. Either way, because our bodies are different we do it slightly differently. And those animals people call beasts or monsters, just cultivate different than their species, so they can have better boosts in strength all at once, but is weaker overall. Well for some anyway, there is one technique that creates a real core, however we do not use that anymore, as we get killed for it too often, but we still remember it.

"

n

"That sounds awesome, could I learn?

" Yue asked with stars in his eyes.

n

"You do not need to worry about it as you are already a core cultivator. If you did it, you would have to waste your cultivation and it would take a while to regain it. Plus, yours seems more powerful anyway if I am not wrong.

" She said while looking at his dantian, and observing it.

n

"Well, either way, we should head back to town.

" Yue says to her, while his stomach growls a little from the smell of something delicious off in the distance.

nSmelling this scent that seems to be coming from the town, she nods and says.

"Yes I agree.

" While almost drooling. They both, without saying anything, started running to the town in another race. 'I will definitely win this time.' She thinks to herself, hoping to best him this time.

n