Ultimate Magus in Cultivation World-Chapter 240: Training XVI

Hours passed as they crossed the open plains. The sun climbed higher, warming their backs, but the wind kept them cool. The grass bent gently under their steps, and for a while, the world seemed calm.

Han Yi wiped sweat from his brow, glancing around nervously.

"...It’s too quiet again... my stomach says something’s coming."

Mu Chen scanned the horizon, eyes narrowing.

"...Quiet doesn’t always mean safe. But we keep moving. Don’t give the world a chance to surprise us."

Yue adjusted her pack straps, keeping pace with Ling.

"...Every day, every step... I feel like I understand more. About danger, about survival... about us."

Lei Feng took a deep breath, feeling the weight of yesterday’s fights in his muscles, but also a strange steadiness.

"...We’ve survived what seemed impossible. And we’re still here. That counts for something."

Ling kept them moving steadily, eyes scanning the horizon.

"Keep alert. Open plains can hide predators, or worse. Stick together. Watch each other’s backs. Step by step, we move forward."

A faint shadow flickered at the edge of the plains, too fast to be fully seen.

Han Yi tensed immediately.

"...Not again... something’s watching us."

Mu Chen raised his stick, muscles coiled.

"...If it comes, we face it—like always. Together."

Yue clenched her fists, determination in her eyes.

"...We survived monsters yesterday. We can survive whatever this is too."

Lei Feng nodded, steadying himself.

"...Together."

Ling slowed slightly, giving them a brief glance.

"Stay sharp. Step by step. Whatever comes, we meet it as one. That is our strength."

The shadow shifted, moving closer—but the group was ready. Every scar, every bruise, every near-death moment had taught them the same lesson: survival depended on trust, focus, and each other.

And together, they would face whatever the plains had in store.

The shadow grew clearer as it moved closer—a massive, sleek creature, unlike anything they had seen before. Its body shimmered faintly, like scales reflecting sunlight, and its eyes glowed a pale, eerie green. It stalked silently across the grass, keeping low, studying them like a predator sizing up its prey.

Han Yi swallowed hard, stepping back instinctively.

"...It’s huge... and... quiet. Too quiet..."

Mu Chen tightened his grip on the stick, moving slightly in front of Han Yi. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

"...Stay calm. Don’t panic. Let it come closer. Then we act... together."

Yue’s hands trembled slightly, but she stood her ground.

"...I don’t know what it is... but we’ve handled worse. We can do this."

Lei Feng glanced at the others, his jaw firm.

"...No running. We stay together. That’s how we survive."

Ling held up a hand, signaling them to freeze.

"Watch its movements. Don’t make sudden gestures. We let it make the first move, then we respond in unison."

The creature’s gaze fixed on them, and it crouched slightly, tail flicking. Then, in a sudden blur, it leapt forward—faster than any wolf or boar they had faced.

"Move! Split and flank!" Ling shouted.

The group scattered, Han Yi diving to the side, Yue rolling behind a small rise, Mu Chen swinging his stick to deflect the creature’s path, and Lei Feng rushing to intercept its flank.

The creature landed with a thud, blades of grass flattening beneath its feet, and hissed—a sound like wind over stones. Its speed and power were overwhelming, but the group moved as one. Every dodge, every swing, every coordinated push slowed the creature, forcing it toward the open area Ling had been guiding them toward.

Han Yi panted, heart racing.

"...I can’t believe this... it’s like facing a shadow made of lightning!"

Mu Chen barked back, swinging his stick with precision.

"...Focus! Watch each other! Remember yesterday!"

Yue threw rocks to distract it, striking its side just enough to make it shift direction.

Ling called out, her voice steady.

"...Now! Lead it toward the ridge! We’ll use the slope like yesterday!"

The creature lunged again, and the group maneuvered expertly, guiding it toward the incline ahead. Its own momentum became its weakness, and when its feet slipped on the loose soil of the ridge, the team struck together, forcing it off balance.

The beast tumbled down the slope, crashing against rocks and dirt, groaning but not fully defeated.

Han Yi sank to his knees, shaking.

"...I survived... again... barely..."

Mu Chen exhaled, sweat running down his face.

"...Together. That’s how we keep surviving."

Yue nodded, determination and exhaustion mixing in her eyes.

"...Step by step... one battle at a time..."

Lei Feng’s voice was steady, a quiet strength shining through.

"...Together. Always together."

Ling looked over the ridge, scanning the creature below, then back at her team.

"It’s down for now. But this isn’t over. Rest, regroup, and stay alert. Every fight teaches us, and every fight shows us our strength—together."

The plains were silent again, except for the shallow breathing of the team and the distant sounds of wind and water. They had survived another impossible challenge, and the journey continued, each step binding them closer as a unit ready for whatever lay ahead.

The group stayed still for a moment, catching their breath and letting their pounding hearts slow. The creature below writhed slightly, its pale green eyes still watching, but it no longer moved aggressively.

Han Yi rubbed his arms and legs, still trembling.

"...I don’t think I’ve ever been this tired... or scared... or alive."

Mu Chen leaned on his stick, scanning the plains.

"...We can’t let our guard down. Even when it seems finished, anything can happen. But... we did well. Really well."

Yue slowly rose, brushing dirt from her clothes.

"...We survived... again. And we’re learning from each fight. We’re not helpless anymore."

Lei Feng straightened, looking over the plains with quiet resolve.

"...Each step, each battle... it’s shaping us. Stronger. Smarter. More prepared."

Ling gathered the team, her voice calm but firm.

"Rest briefly. Check each other for injuries. Eat if you need energy. Then we continue. The plains are not done testing us. But remember this—every fight, every threat... we face it together. That is our strength."

Han Yi muttered as he sat down, still catching his breath.

"...Together... yeah, I think I’m finally starting to get it. One step at a time... with you all."

Mu Chen gave him a faint smile.

"...Exactly. That’s how we survive. That’s how we keep moving forward."

Yue gazed toward the distant hills, a faint determination in her eyes.

"...Whatever waits ahead, we meet it as a group. No one left behind."

Lei Feng nodded, feeling the weight of their shared struggles.

"...Together. One step at a time."

Ling looked once more at the subdued creature, then at the plains stretching beyond.

"The path continues. The world will test us again. But we are ready—together. Always together."

The team moved slowly, carefully, each step measured and shared. The plains were quiet, the morning sun warming the grass around them. Ahead, the horizon promised more challenges, more dangers—but they walked forward as one, stronger for every trial they had survived.

And in that quiet moment, they understood clearly: no matter what came next, they would face it as a team, step by step, together.