Ultimate Magus in Cultivation World-Chapter 243: Train III

The group followed Ling’s words and took a short break. They drank water, ate a little food, and checked their packs and weapons. Everyone stayed close, watching the tree line and the hills ahead.

Han Yi sat on the grass, breathing slowly.

"...This break helps. I still feel tired, but not as bad as before."

Mu Chen nodded while tightening the strap on his pack.

"...Good. We’ll need that strength. The hills ahead could be harder than the forest."

Yue stood up and looked toward the slope.

"...At least we can see clearly here. No shadows hiding things right next to us."

Lei Feng checked the ground and the wind.

"...Weather seems stable for now. If we move steadily, we can reach higher ground before dark."

Ling looked at each of them.

"We don’t stay long. Just enough to recover. When we move, we move together. Keep your spacing. Watch the land and each other."

After a few minutes, Ling gave a small hand signal.

"...Alright. Time to move."

Han Yi stood up with a small groan.

"...Okay. Legs still work. That’s a win."

Mu Chen gave a short nod.

"...Step by step."

Yue adjusted her pack and moved into position.

"...Together."

Lei Feng took his place beside them.

"...No one left behind."

They began walking again, leaving the plateau behind and heading toward the low hills. The ground slowly rose, and the grass grew thinner under their feet. The wind was stronger here, but it helped cool them as they walked.

The hills grew steeper as they climbed. The ground was uneven, with small rocks and loose soil under their feet. The wind blew harder, carrying a faint smell of something unfamiliar from further up.

Han Yi paused to catch his breath.

"...These hills are tougher than I thought. My legs are complaining."

Mu Chen stayed close, scanning the area.

"...Slow down if you need. Don’t push too hard. Step carefully, and we’ll keep moving together."

Yue moved steadily, glancing at the slope ahead.

"...We’ve handled worse together. Just one step at a time."

Lei Feng adjusted his pack and nodded.

"...Focus on the path, not the climb. Watch each other. That’s how we stay safe."

Ling led them, careful to find the most stable ground.

"Keep your spacing. No one rushes. The wind can hide sounds—stay alert."

The climb was tiring, but the group moved steadily. Every so often, they paused for a moment, catching their breath and scanning the hills around them. Shadows of clouds moved across the slope, and the wind whistled softly through the rocks.

Han Yi looked up, wiping sweat from his brow.

"...I think we can make it... if we keep moving like this."

Mu Chen gave a short nod.

"...Step by step. Together."

Yue smiled faintly, despite the effort.

"...No matter how tough it gets, we face it as a group."

Lei Feng’s eyes were steady on the slope above.

"...Together."

Ling glanced back at them, then forward.

"The hill is steep, but we can reach the top. Stay close, watch each other, and move carefully. Step by step. Together."

Slowly but surely, they continued climbing, each step bringing them higher and closer to whatever awaited beyond the hills. The journey was hard, but they moved as one, ready for whatever came next.

After a long climb, they finally reached the top of the hill. The wind was stronger here, whipping through their hair and clothes, but the view made it worth the effort. Below them, the forest and plateau stretched far, and ahead, they could see another valley opening up.

Han Yi sank to his knees, breathing heavily.

"...We made it... I can’t believe we actually made it."

Mu Chen stood nearby, scanning the valley below.

"...Good. No sudden dangers visible for now. But keep your eyes open. Valleys can hide a lot."

Yue looked over the edge, eyes wide.

"...It looks... calm. Maybe we can rest properly here before heading down."

Lei Feng wiped sweat from his brow, taking a moment to stretch.

"...We’ve climbed well together. Rest a little, but don’t linger too long. We need energy for what comes next."

Ling gathered the group.

"Take five minutes. Check your packs, eat a little, and drink. Then we move down into the valley. Stay close, watch each other, and move carefully. Step by step—together."

Han Yi leaned back against a rock, letting the wind cool him.

"...I think I understand now. No matter how hard it gets, we can handle it... if we do it together."

Mu Chen nodded.

"...Exactly. Step by step. We face it as a group."

Yue smiled, fatigue mixed with relief. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

"...Together."

Lei Feng’s eyes scanned the valley ahead.

"...No one falls behind. We keep moving as one."

Ling looked at the group, then to the valley below.

"Alright. Break’s over. Time to move. Step by step, together."

One by one, they started down the hill, careful with each foot placement on the loose soil and rocks. The valley awaited, unknown and full of potential challenges—but they were ready. Together, they moved forward.

The slope leveled out as they reached the valley floor. Grass and small shrubs covered the ground, and a narrow stream wound its way through the center. The valley felt open compared to the forested hills, but shadows from the surrounding cliffs suggested hidden corners where danger could be waiting.

Han Yi glanced around nervously.

"...Feels... safer than the hills, but I can’t stop watching."

Mu Chen scanned the valley carefully, walking just ahead of Han Yi.

"...Stay close. Open spaces can be easy to see, but hard to hide. Stick together and watch each other."

Yue crouched briefly to inspect the ground.

"...No tracks of animals or signs of movement nearby. For now, it’s quiet."

Lei Feng took a deep breath, adjusting his pack.

"...Quiet doesn’t mean safe. Keep alert, but don’t let it slow us down. We move as a group."

Ling led the way along the stream, choosing the flattest path.

"Follow me. Keep spacing tight enough to support each other, but not too close to be an easy target. Step by step, we move forward. Together."

As they progressed, the stream curved toward a small grove of trees. Birds called from the branches, and the sound of running water offered a small sense of calm. The group slowed slightly to keep alert while moving efficiently.

Han Yi wiped sweat from his forehead.

"...This place... I feel like I can finally breathe a little."