Chapter 33: Expedition
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Chapter 33: Expedition
The exploration team that had returned from the area had reported that the threat levels werent high, but the scouts actually ran into dozens of things they could not identify. After the training expedition filed onto the Flying Ship, one of the Elders gathered the disciples to explain.
We are now heading to an unexplored valley in the Saffron Swamp. You will be split up into teams of five and head out to map and explore the valley. This is only a training mission and youre all forbidden from fighting amongst yourselves just like within the Sect. If you discover anything beyond your means you are to return to the camp and notify the Elders.
The ship started to float over a depressing looking swamp. There was large yellow tinted cypress and mangrove style trees with large roots that seemed like a forest of pillars. The roots extended into the dark waters that seemed to be tinted a shade of violet. The violet waters and yellowed plants were similar to the violet and yellow of the Saffron, hence the name. It was a remote place, having required a few days to reach, Sage had not seen any sign of civilization for at least half a day.
Once the Flying Ship landed, the Elders pointed out a campsite and had the Disciples clear the area and gather some basic resources from the area. Sage along with one of the other elders started to set up defensive formations around the camp. He also drew out a few cages of Spirit Insects and set a few creatures that looked similar to a large grasshopper around the camp.
These little Alarm Crickets had powerful senses and were trained to act opposite to their normal instincts. Crickets would usually chirp away till a creature approaches too closely at which point they quiet down to stay hidden. These Alarm Crickets do the opposite, staying silent until someone comes close at which point they would chirp out loudly with a unique sound. An aggressor might not notice the difference between the Alarm Cricket and a normal cricket, but a properly trained cultivator could use them as a proximity alarm system that required no energy to operate and was difficult to disable.
It was hard to pick out a few small insects without using Spiritual Sense and if a person sweeps an area with their Spiritual Sense other cultivators with a stronger spirit power in the area would notice. Alarm formations were also set up at the outer ring of the formation arrays, but the Alarm Crickets could spread further and with the formations drawing attention the crickets would be even harder to notice. The disciples collected wood and set up tents, which went quite quickly with the help of Storage Pouches and Qi Techniques to manipulate objects from a distance. A few exploratory parties were sent out to forage for food, but they were sent into the already explored areas of the Saffron Swamp. The Camp was set up at the mouth of the unexplored Valley and the Disciples werent allowed into the valley till the next day. The initial instance of this chapter being available happened at N0v3l.Bin.
Ding Zhen and the others walked forward and pulled aside a curtain of vines to let Sage see a circular stone door on the face of the valley wall. It was covered in concentric circles filled with many small symbols.
We were afraid if we told the Elders of our fortuitous encounter here, theyd come in and take it all and just give us some points.
The five of them all had mischievous smiles on their faces and a bit of greed in their eyes. Nodding along with Ding Zhens description, one of the two girls, Chang Xia, helped out, Please Elder Brother Lang, dont tell the Elders and help us get in!
The other girl and two guys chimed in as well, adding in pleas for assistance and help keeping this secret. The four talking over each other excitedly before Ding Zhen finally held up a hand, What do you say, Brother Lang? We six will split the spoils! If theres anything we dont need we can make up a story and turn it in for points afterwards. This place looks so ancient, who knows what treasures it holds!
After a few moments of contemplation, Sage couldnt help but feel a bit of greed and excitement at having an adventure. Hed spent the last two decades in relative safety, living like his old life. A regimen of stability and slow growth. It was the safe life. The safe life had made him quite respectable, but it had never solved his real problem.
I cant just always live the safe life! If I dont face risk, can there be any big rewards? Do I want to always be the slow and steady guy?
Sage smiled at the five others and nodded his head, Lets do it!
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Chapter 33: Expedition
The exploration team that had returned from the area had reported that the threat levels werent high, but the scouts actually ran into dozens of things they could not identify. After the training expedition filed onto the Flying Ship, one of the Elders gathered the disciples to explain.
We are now heading to an unexplored valley in the Saffron Swamp. You will be split up into teams of five and head out to map and explore the valley. This is only a training mission and youre all forbidden from fighting amongst yourselves just like within the Sect. If you discover anything beyond your means you are to return to the camp and notify the Elders.
The ship started to float over a depressing looking swamp. There was large yellow tinted cypress and mangrove style trees with large roots that seemed like a forest of pillars. The roots extended into the dark waters that seemed to be tinted a shade of violet. The violet waters and yellowed plants were similar to the violet and yellow of the Saffron, hence the name. It was a remote place, having required a few days to reach, Sage had not seen any sign of civilization for at least half a day.
Once the Flying Ship landed, the Elders pointed out a campsite and had the Disciples clear the area and gather some basic resources from the area. Sage along with one of the other elders started to set up defensive formations around the camp. He also drew out a few cages of Spirit Insects and set a few creatures that looked similar to a large grasshopper around the camp.
These little Alarm Crickets had powerful senses and were trained to act opposite to their normal instincts. Crickets would usually chirp away till a creature approaches too closely at which point they quiet down to stay hidden. These Alarm Crickets do the opposite, staying silent until someone comes close at which point they would chirp out loudly with a unique sound. An aggressor might not notice the difference between the Alarm Cricket and a normal cricket, but a properly trained cultivator could use them as a proximity alarm system that required no energy to operate and was difficult to disable.
It was hard to pick out a few small insects without using Spiritual Sense and if a person sweeps an area with their Spiritual Sense other cultivators with a stronger spirit power in the area would notice. Alarm formations were also set up at the outer ring of the formation arrays, but the Alarm Crickets could spread further and with the formations drawing attention the crickets would be even harder to notice. The disciples collected wood and set up tents, which went quite quickly with the help of Storage Pouches and Qi Techniques to manipulate objects from a distance. A few exploratory parties were sent out to forage for food, but they were sent into the already explored areas of the Saffron Swamp. The Camp was set up at the mouth of the unexplored Valley and the Disciples werent allowed into the valley till the next day. The initial instance of this chapter being available happened at N0v3l.Bin.
Ding Zhen and the others walked forward and pulled aside a curtain of vines to let Sage see a circular stone door on the face of the valley wall. It was covered in concentric circles filled with many small symbols.
We were afraid if we told the Elders of our fortuitous encounter here, theyd come in and take it all and just give us some points.
The five of them all had mischievous smiles on their faces and a bit of greed in their eyes. Nodding along with Ding Zhens description, one of the two girls, Chang Xia, helped out, Please Elder Brother Lang, dont tell the Elders and help us get in!
The other girl and two guys chimed in as well, adding in pleas for assistance and help keeping this secret. The four talking over each other excitedly before Ding Zhen finally held up a hand, What do you say, Brother Lang? We six will split the spoils! If theres anything we dont need we can make up a story and turn it in for points afterwards. This place looks so ancient, who knows what treasures it holds!
After a few moments of contemplation, Sage couldnt help but feel a bit of greed and excitement at having an adventure. Hed spent the last two decades in relative safety, living like his old life. A regimen of stability and slow growth. It was the safe life. The safe life had made him quite respectable, but it had never solved his real problem.
I cant just always live the safe life! If I dont face risk, can there be any big rewards? Do I want to always be the slow and steady guy?
Sage smiled at the five others and nodded his head, Lets do it!
Chapter 33: ExpeditionThe exploration team that had returned from the area had reported that the threat levels werent high, but the scouts actually ran into dozens of things they could not identify. After the training expedition filed onto the Flying Ship, one of the Elders gathered the disciples to explain.We are now heading to an unexplored valley in the Saffron Swamp. You will be split up into teams of five and head out to map and explore the valley. This is only a training mission and youre all forbidden from fighting amongst yourselves just like within the Sect. If you discover anything beyond your means you are to return to the camp and notify the Elders.The ship started to float over a depressing looking swamp. There was large yellow tinted cypress and mangrove style trees with large roots that seemed like a forest of pillars. The roots extended into the dark waters that seemed to be tinted a shade of violet. The violet waters and yellowed plants were similar to the violet and yellow of the Saffron, hence the name. It was a remote place, having required a few days to reach, Sage had not seen any sign of civilization for at least half a day. Once the Flying Ship landed, the Elders pointed out a campsite and had the Disciples clear the area and gather some basic resources from the area. Sage along with one of the other elders started to set up defensive formations around the camp. He also drew out a few cages of Spirit Insects and set a few creatures that looked similar to a large grasshopper around the camp. These little Alarm Crickets had powerful senses and were trained to act opposite to their normal instincts. Crickets would usually chirp away till a creature approaches too closely at which point they quiet down to stay hidden. These Alarm Crickets do the opposite, staying silent until someone comes close at which point they would chirp out loudly with a unique sound. An aggressor might not notice the difference between the Alarm Cricket and a normal cricket, but a properly trained cultivator could use them as a proximity alarm system that required no energy to operate and was difficult to disable. It was hard to pick out a few small insects without using Spiritual Sense and if a person sweeps an area with their Spiritual Sense other cultivators with a stronger spirit power in the area would notice. Alarm formations were also set up at the outer ring of the formation arrays, but the Alarm Crickets could spread further and with the formations drawing attention the crickets would be even harder to notice. The disciples collected wood and set up tents, which went quite quickly with the help of Storage Pouches and Qi Techniques to manipulate objects from a distance. A few exploratory parties were sent out to forage for food, but they were sent into the already explored areas of the Saffron Swamp. The Camp was set up at the mouth of the unexplored Valley and the Disciples werent allowed into the valley till the next day. The initial instance of this chapter being available happened at N0v3l.Bin.Ding Zhen and the others walked forward and pulled aside a curtain of vines to let Sage see a circular stone door on the face of the valley wall. It was covered in concentric circles filled with many small symbols.We were afraid if we told the Elders of our fortuitous encounter here, theyd come in and take it all and just give us some points.The five of them all had mischievous smiles on their faces and a bit of greed in their eyes. Nodding along with Ding Zhens description, one of the two girls, Chang Xia, helped out, Please Elder Brother Lang, dont tell the Elders and help us get in!The other girl and two guys chimed in as well, adding in pleas for assistance and help keeping this secret. The four talking over each other excitedly before Ding Zhen finally held up a hand, What do you say, Brother Lang? We six will split the spoils! If theres anything we dont need we can make up a story and turn it in for points afterwards. This place looks so ancient, who knows what treasures it holds!After a few moments of contemplation, Sage couldnt help but feel a bit of greed and excitement at having an adventure. Hed spent the last two decades in relative safety, living like his old life. A regimen of stability and slow growth. It was the safe life. The safe life had made him quite respectable, but it had never solved his real problem. I cant just always live the safe life! If I dont face risk, can there be any big rewards? Do I want to always be the slow and steady guy?Sage smiled at the five others and nodded his head, Lets do it!
