The Other Side of A Cultivation Story

When it was almost a week before the predetermined time to start the bandit extermination, the participants came in droves to Han Valley.

Many came in groups of around three to seven. Some came in pairs and some came individually by themselves.

Surprisingly, it wasn't only the Mo Clan who came from the more renowned big clans. There were about two other clans who came to participate—they were probably after the fame and reputation more than the rewards.

"Look..," one cultivator yelled from the crowd. "It's the Meng Clan.

"And there's the Du Clan," another one exclaimed while pointing shyly to a group.

Both groups were led by heaven stage sage elders. Obviously, the Mo Clan was the real deal in the event—and many of the expectators and participants were eagerly waiting for the clan's team members' arrival to once again witness the 'Spirit Mount' skill of Elder Long.

However, while awaiting, most of the cultivators gathered in town were dumbfounded with the arrival of 'The Hunters' Plateau'—that was because each member of the Shu family's team confidently arrived riding a ferocious demonic beast with the sage realm black tiger in the lead.

"Isn't that 'The Hunters' Plateau' team?" one cultivator asked in surprise.

'They look strong,' many thought to themselves.

Of course the presence of the huge demonic beasts augmented the aura emitted by the group.

"Surely, this team would rake the spoils together with those big clans," one whispered to his fellow cultivators.

"We can't lose in this event," another one softly said.

"Us vagrant cultivators should team up to get better results..," a sage real cultivator explained, "..otherwise, we would end up getting nothing with all those big shots participating.."

Many agreed with that particular opinion so much so that several small groups immediately teamed up to make a much stronger group.

"You made in time."

Qai and the team hopped down their beasts and greeted back.

It was Shu Wei who made the remarks. He was awaiting for their arrival as they planned to show the duplicate of the map they made to Han Valley chief.

"The chief is waiting for us," Shu Wei said.

However, even before they made a step, the Mo Clan arrived in a style everyone was expecting.

"It's the Mo Clan," an Expert cultivator exclaimed.

Everyone who reacted to the yell looked at the direction and saw the huge 'Spirit' Python crawling fast as it approached the gates of the Han Valley.

And as the team approached the gathering area, they immediately went to where the Shu family was—'The Hunters' Plateau' team was easily seen obviously because of the demonic beasts who stood ferociously among the team members.

"Greetings Elder Long," Shu Wei said with a bow.

"No need for formalities Shu Wei," the elder replied. "You once faithfully served our clan.. so it's like we're a family.."

The elder looked at the demonic beasts and shook his head lightly.

"Your family never ceases to surprise me," the elder with a smile.

"Shu Qai.. Shu Liang..." Lin Qiao called softly.

"Oh if it isn't our shy girl Lin Qiao," Shu Liang replied in jest.

"I can see that you've become pretty strong in a matter of a single year..," Qai told Lin Qiao who appeared to be at the peak of Earth stage sage realm.

Lin Qiao just humbly nodded with a blush. She knew that she would be meeting Qai and Shu Liang as she was expecting that the Shu family would send for them again.

"I might be two levels stronger than both of you..," Lin Qiao said, "..but I cannot be compared to you in terms of wits and abilities."

Qai and Shu Liang simlpy smiled in respose to Lin Qiao's words.

"Come with us Elder Long," Shu Wei politely requested.

The elder looked at Shu Wei curiously as to what he meant.

"We're about to see the chief and show her something important," Shu Wei explained.

Thus, both the Mo Clan and Shu family proceeded to leave the gathering and went to chief Xing Yi's manor.

Everyone who saw the gestures of the two teams was taken aback.

"Don't tell me those guys are teaming up as well!?" one cultivator remarked.

Many who heard those words shook their heads in disbelief although that was the same idea they actually entertained when they saw the two groups walking together.

***************

Inside the chief's manor.

"We actually found this in one of the bandits we encountered on our way home the last time we were here," Shu Wu said as he explained the origin of the map before the Han Valley chief and few town elders.

The elders were inspecting the map intently to see if its authenticity.

"If all the things in this map were accurate, then we can have the advantage of finding the exact location of those bandits," one elder said.

The chief nodded. However, he also knew that by that time, the bandits must already have known that they lost a copy of the map and assume that Han Valley must have gotten its hands on it.

"Someone send our 'guide' here," Xing Yi instructed.