Forbbiden Cultivation Ch 0035

******** Expedition (III) *********

It's been four deadly boring days. No sex. No talking to the girls, other than a few "letters." Ning seems desperate for sex. Rui keeps her at bay and forces her to train. The jobs are repetitive and boring. Nothing new. At least, the students are starting to behave more seriously. Dangers are starting to lurk. There's already been one injury.

The beasts in this area can be the equivalent of stage six. Like some of the lower students. Most are stage four and five, though.

We've set up a stronger camp than usual. It'll be the base camp. Now comes the most dangerous part for the slaves.

The lucky ones will stay here, tending to the needs of those who stay. The rest will be distributed among the small exploration groups. These're made up of students. To hunt or gather. If they're careful, they won't stray too far from the base camp. That way, they can get help if there's trouble. If they're not, they can get bigger rewards. Or never come back.

These're the worst for us. They're the ones who, if they find themselves in trouble, will get rid of us. Either to flee faster, or to make us serve as bait. They're the most ambitious, and often the cruelest.

The sect itself lets everyone follow their own path. Among those who take the most risks, many will die at one time or another. But those who survive will be stronger. The stars of their generation. Those who take the least risks will probably not be as prominent. But there'll be more of them, they'll survive longer. And that doesn't just apply to this exploration.

We, as slaves, can't choose where we go. In fact, we don't even know what many of the groups will do. Sometimes, I think they don't even know themselves. Either way, I stay close to Liang. That way, it's easier for us to be together.

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"You, who're from stage one, come with us," a student points to Liang.

I grit my teeth. He's one of Pu Rong's "minions." And I don't like his expression.

"We need another one. Let him come too. Before others get him," another student points out to me.

Almost imperceptibly, but I'd say that Liang has breathed a sigh of relief. Maybe, I imagined it. But I'm glad to be with her.

It's a group of about 15. They're going to hunt and "look for opportunities". They need porters and workers. The ring they've been given is too valuable. It's reserved for the loot they get. The truth is that it'd be more efficient for them to carry the luggage themselves. But they prefer to be "fresh for whatever may happen".

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The journey has been exhausting. They've made us go at a fast pace and very loaded. They could have used the rings. Right now, they're empty.

I'm better than Liang, I have better qi control. And a larger reserve. Although it's not easy to mobilize it. I have to open the seal of the rest of my power to do it. And I'm afraid they'll discover me. It shouldn't be a problem, since they're all from the Genesis realm. They shouldn't be able to sense my power. But sometimes there're exceptions. And there're 15 of them.

At least, they let us rest in peace. Some students didn't like that a couple of them wanted to bother Liang. More than anything, they don't want her to slow them down.

The loot for the day has been rather meager. Five or six beasts that were at most at stage five. And a few herbs they picked up. Although it's clear that they're not experts. However, they don't seem too disappointed either. They're just passing through. They're heading to a specific area. Apparently much more dangerous and "full of opportunities." Difficulty between stage six and seven. I'd say more like "full of danger." Especially for Liang and me.

Although we're tired, that doesn't stop us from being given other tasks. Setting up tents. Meals. Liang gets groped when she serves it, but it doesn't go any further. Again, the "Pu Rong minions." I don't know if I could control myself if there weren't more students. She doesn't even flinch. I know she's used to it. And I know she hates it.

At least, we don't have to stand guard, so we can sleep. Mostly because two slaves at stage one aren't fit to stand guard. They wouldn't think the same if they knew about my Qi Detection. I think there're some students who use it too. Two or three of them. Although their mastery seems a lot more rudimentary than mine. As if they've started using it just for this expedition.

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The next day, we arrive at the desired area. They call it the Hyena Forest. Apparently, those're the dominant beasts. Not the highest level ones, but they hunt in packs.

They would be dangerous for our group. But from what I've heard, we have something to make us not particularly attractive. That way, the pack won't gather to hunt us. A kind of talisman that makes us "unappetizing." It seems a bit precarious to me. I hope it really works. The idea of being surrounded by hundreds of beasts isn't very appealing.

They have set up camp in some caves. Liang and I stay in the camp. Skinning the prey. Cutting up the meat. We cook some it. We also dry with stones some more. Those stones give off heat when we apply qi to them. We have to use most of our qi for that. Well, someone's qi at stage one. It's tiring for Liang. So, I put in a little extra of my own. Without her noticing, I think.

Then, there's treating the hides. Sometimes, we have to grind bones. Sometimes, we store them. Or remove the fat. It depends on what we're told to do. We don't go out with the hunters, but we don't have a free moment. And there's always a student on duty ordering us what to do.

It's really tiring. It wasn't that much work at first, but now there's more prey than we can handle. So, the students have to pitch in too. After all, they'll get contribution points for what they bring in. Or they can sell it in the town themselves.

I don't have much time to distract myself. The work never ends. Not even to watch the girls fighting each other, naked. Or when Rui and Ning are engaged in more pleasurable activities. At this rate, I don't know if the double dildo will last long.

It's not until the fifth day there that they give us an extra task.

"Make her eat," Pu Rong orders us.

They've brought a baby tiger. Female. They've tied her to a stake. Apparently, they've killed her mother. They want her alive, since they sell very well.

"She's beautiful," Liang murmurs, reaching out to caress her.

She quickly pushes her hand away, after being scratched by the small, sharp nails. The cub shows us her teeth.

"Grrrrrrr."

"Are you okay?" I worry.

"It's just a scratch," she assures, while sucking the wound. Saliva is disinfectant, and the best we slaves have to treat ourselves.

We cut some pieces of meat into very small pieces. The baby continues to growl. She smells and eats them. Quite a bit more than you might think from her size. She hasn't eaten for two days. Ever since she was captured. The cub don't stop grunting as she devours them.

"Poor thing, she's a slave now too," Liang laments.

She doesn't seem to mind the scratch. We leave her there, while we get back to work. If we get too distracted, we're likely to earn a whiplash.

Some are a bit despotic. The others don't care. Luckily, they're tired, and want us working. And, for now, they leave Liang alone. Although I don't know how long that will last. If the work slows down, I know there're some scum who'll use her for sexual release. And I don't know how to stop them.

I've thought about running away with Liang, but I don't know what would happen after that. I couldn't go back to the sect. And there's no other way out of this forest. None suitable for me. The beasts are too dangerous if we venture far away.

"Nice tiger. We'll get a lot of points for it," says a newcomer.

"It's ours, we captured it," another student objects.

"We agreed to share everything among all of us."

"We only talked about the skins, meat and bones, not about live animals."

They argue for a while. Then, more join in. It doesn't seem like they've reached any agreement. Quite the opposite. This could end badly.

In fact, the next day, none of them have gone hunting. The excuse is that there is a good deal of prey to prepare. And that's true. But it's clear that that's not the real reason. They're watching each other. And it only gets worse as more arrive.

The different groups don't stop arguing. Now, also about the distribution of skins and so on. They haven't come to blows yet. Although, I fear the worst. That they end up fighting and killing each other.

That would mean that they'd come after us afterward. To eliminate witnesses. So, they could claim that the others have suffered some kind of accident. No one could prove otherwise. It happens often. Although, I don't know how many times it's "natural".

Pu Rong's group is one of them. They seem to be allied with another group of four. Even if it's a temporary alliance.

Liang says that the thing with the cub is just the straw that broke the camel's back. That they've been arguing for days now. That there was already tension between them. Almost from the beginning. It's clear that I should pay more attention.

For our part, we've made some progress with the cub. At least, it doesn't attack us anymore. Although, she did bite me when I tried to pet her. Her teeth are small and very sharp. Luckily, Inner Armor has prevented it from being a serious injury.

I had to confess to Liang that I know a little about that technique. Although, I haven't recognized how much I've mastered it. That I read it in the copyist's workshop was credible. It's the only explanation I can give her.

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Almost half of the group has left after three days of tension. They've taken slightly less than their share. In exchange, they've taken what was already prepared. They've left behind what remains to be done. They prefer to return as soon as possible and prepare another hunt. With another group. At least, the tension has decreased. There're eight students left. Pu Rong's among them.

"When they finish, if we have time, you can have fun with her. For now, let them work," I hear them say.

I'm seriously considering whether I can handle all of them. With the help of the girls, it'd be easier. I know that it's normal for a slave. And that it isn't the first time. But it's the first time that I can do something. However, the next day the worries are different.

"We're surrounded by hyenas!" one of the students announces. She's frightened.

"How's it possible!? Shouldn't they ignore us?" Pu Rong asks, terrified.

"Maybe, the traces of blood?" another suggests.

I'd wondered how they concealed the traces. It's necessary to do it to avoid danger, along with the protection of the base. Now, I've just realized that they weren't doing it at all. Can they really be so inept?

Little Grumpy bites me. I had her in my arms, and I've squeezed a little too hard. Because of the tension. She hasn't bitten hard though. Just a warning. The cub has gotten used to the two of us. She growls at the rest.

"What can we do!? We have to get out of here!" a fourth student enters in panic.

Everyone is terrified. I'm opening the seal. The situation is critical, and I don't plan on dying here. I might get in trouble. But death is worse.

"What if we throw the meat at them? That way, it'll distract them, so we can escape," another suggests.

"We can't throw it far enough. They won't go away," another adds.

"Let's use the slaves. Let the hyenas run after them," Pu Rong suggests.

I was expecting something like that. But coming from her, it makes me hate her even more.

"You, come here."

We obey. We can't do anything else. Liang is shaking.

I've cut the rope and send the cub to a remote area of the Residence. I've left the other part of the rope under the sheets where she usually hides. As if she were still there. That way, they won't notice right away. I've grown fond of her. I don't plan on leaving her here.

And that's not the only thing I've picked up. I've taken pieces of meat. And even bone powder. Even though I don't know what it'll be useful for. And a couple of hides have disappeared. More would've been too suspicious. I've also taken a knife, a sheet, salt, sugar...

The cub is looking around, puzzled. I've left next to her the worn blanket she usually sleeps on. She stays on it, looking around for a while. Then, she walks around. I've reserved a small space for her for now. When I can, I'll fix it better. Now, I have other problems.

"We'll get through this, trust me," I whisper to Liang, taking her by the hand. She looks at me and tries to smile. But she can't. I guess she thinks I'm just encouraging her.

"Run there when you're told. If you're fast, you might survive," one of them orders us.

The tips of swords are pressing against our backs. To make sure we obey. They gather everything and prepare to run to the other side. Except some meat to leave behind.

When they're ready, they push us out of the barrier. In front of the pack of hyenas. Sacrificing us to save themselves.