The Card Cultivation System
CCS-16 (Arc 2: The Journey)

"Well.hah....huh....."

Xika fell down in a sitting position. His face was very messy, his hair was dirty and on his face were tears that had dried up. Xika's tears had run out, to the point that her body was unable to shed any more tears.

Along the way, he did not stop crying. He also did not stop walking even for a moment.

And as a result, Xika was now falling without the slightest residual energy. If Hei Bao's group were here, Xika would easily be killed.

"At least look for a tree to shelter. After that you can rest"

Huo Bing was currently materializing his physique.

Xika followed Huo Bing's words.

He put all his strength into walking.

BRUK!

Xika fell down as soon as she tried to stand up.

"I don't seem to have any more energy."

"Hahhhh"

Huo Bing raised Xika with his feet then flew towards the nearby tree.

After arriving at the tree, Xika fell asleep.

Huo Bing just kept silent to look at the sleeping Xika. It was a natural thing, it was strange that Xika did not fall asleep.

From the Shaking Card, Xika had traveled for 3 days without a short break.

It was an unnatural thing for a Qi Gathering stage 1 cultivator. Indeed cultivators were stronger than ordinary humans, yet Qi Gathering stage 1 cultivators were almost no different from ordinary humans. Perhaps the elements of fire and wind and dozens of dantians played a big role in the trip this time.

Xika is currently on her way to the nearest town, Shattered Town.

Shattered Town is 5 days away from the Shaking Card when using horses.

If Xika wanted to head to Shattered Town, she would have to walk for about a week.

Xika's current condition did not allow for travel that far. At the most he could only walk 1 more day, then Xika had to rest longer than at the moment. And at that time, Hei Bao's group would not be far away anymore, it might even have arrived.

Huo Bing was afraid of the current situation Xika was unable to reach Shattered Town. It seems they have to take another route. Shattered Town was too clear after all. That city would be the first destination of the Hei Bao group, since that was the closest city. The only destination other than Shattered Town was the forest.

Shaking Card and Shattered Town were connected by a medium-sized road that could only fit 2 horse carriages simultaneously. With the left and right of the road is a wall that separates the road with the forest. The forest was still one piece with the Diamond Shake. It's just that because the size is too large it looks as if it is a different forest.

Xika was currently under a tree at the edge of the forest.

Huo Bing brought Xika to that place because it was quite safe according to Huo Bing.

First, it is located near a road that is often passed with humans, so it is impossible for any animals to attack. Second, Xika's current position was right under the tree covered by the road dividing the forest, even passers-by would not realize there was someone else behind the road wall. Third, the tree has leaves that are thick enough to be suitable for a place to rest.

Huo Bing decided to hunt and gather firewood while waiting for Xika to wake up.

5 hours later......

Xika woke up because her stomach was ringing.

He saw flames and a semi-transparent bird burning whatever meat.

Xika closed her eyes again.

He recalls the previous events.

The fight.

In his dwelling place.

Because himself.

Again.

Slowly tears flowed back on Xika's face, which was now staring at the stars.

Huo Bing looked at Xika who seemed to still be recovering from the previous incident.

He just silently chewed the food while continuing to look at Xika.

Xika changed her position. Now he sat face to face with Huo Bing.

Huo Bing thrust a meat to Xika.

Xika accepted it without a word.

"......"

"....."

They eat in silence.

Unable to stand the silence that ensued Huo Bing tried to start the conversation.

"Hey...."

But he was confused as to how to start a conversation. Usually the conversation just flowed with Xika, she did not even bother to think about the topic. Actually this time even Huo Bing had quite a lot of topics to talk about, but he was confused which one was suitable for Xika's current condition.

Xika only looked at Huo Bing who was calling out to her.

"......It seems we have to change our goals. Shattered Town was too obvious. The city will be easy to trace. Besides your current condition we can't continue on."

".........Do you have any other purpose?"

Huo Bing nodded.

"Our only option right now is the forest. At least entering the forest will make us harder to trace."

Xika nodded in understanding.

They continued the meal without conversation.

The night passed and now the morning changed.

Xika is better than yesterday. Neither his body nor his heart.

"Is your body better?"

Xika's body had currently recovered by 90%. It is natural considering yesterday Xika ate a lot of meat.

The meat that Xika ate was not ordinary animal meat but Spirit Beast meat. Spirit Beast meat contains qi so eating it can add qi in the body. But not too much.

Since Xika was still unable to reach the next level, then the qi she obtained from the Spirit Beast meat all went towards her body. As a result, Xika's body recovered almost completely.

"Then it's time for us to continue our journey."

Xika nodded.

"Which way are we going?"

"That's......" Huo Bing confusedly answered Xika's question, because indeed he also did not know the direction.

"Ertr...... There"

Huo Bing origin pointed in a direction. To make it more convincing he flew lead the way.

While Xika followed behind with a suspicious feeling.

Huo Bing suddenly stopped.

"What's wrong?"

"It seems like before we continue the journey, I will have to train you first so that you can adapt"

"Well....what should I do?"

"We go deeper first. I'm afraid the Hei Bao group found us near here"

So they walked again about 3 hours before stopping.

"This seems to be enough"

Huo Bing looked around him.

"So... What training are you going to give me?"

"Eeeeeeeee......."

Huo Bing was speechless hearing Xika's words.

"Don't tell me you haven't specified it after taking me for 3 hours?" xika asked with a piercing look.

"What's? Me? No. gabe. Of course not. I've been thinking about that for a long time."

But Xika was able to tell that Huo Bing had indeed not thought about that from her gaze.

'liar'

"So? What am I supposed to do?"

"eeeeee.... You'll collect your elements first. Yep! That's her! You need to gather your elements first before you can run the exercises from me"

Xika just kept quiet and looked at Huo Bing with a piercing gaze, while Huo Bing pretended to cough got a sharp glare from Xika.

"So what's next?"

"Emmm. Defense and healing are both important. Do you have any advice?"

"I think it's best. Healing is more important"

"......Did ya? We've been through the lake more than 5 times during our trip"

Huo Bing simply kept silent and widened her eyes by pretending to give a 'Right?' look?'

Then they walked again for 2 hours before finally finding a fairly large lake.

"This is the lake we passed!"

While Huo Bing only turned her gaze pretending not to listen to Xika's words.

It was Huo Bing who led the way. Worse, Huo Bing led the way confidently. He had even pointed at the same tree 3 times and said 'this is close, I know it' or 'a little more to the lake'.

Xika took a lot of breaths and then jumped into the lake.

He swam to the bottom of the lake and sat cross-legged.

Xika started to feel her surroundings.

He felt the cold water. Where the water goes spins.

Wait for. Spin around?

Isn't this a lake?

Xika immediately returned to the surface.

"What's wrong?"

Huo Bing who had already sensed something was amiss immediately asked.

"It looks like I'm"

"Run? You sure?"

Xika nodded in response.

Huo Bing looked at the lake that Xika entered carefully.

Then he shook his head.

"I felt neither the aura of a living being nor a spiritual treasure. Maybe it's just your feelings. Come back in and know the water"

Xika scratched her head that was not itching. He was sure it wasn't his feeling, but he went back into the lake.

He sat down on the lake and closed his eyes and felt his surroundings again.

Occasionally he would go out of the lake to take a breath and then go back into the lake.

Xika was still sitting at the bottom of that lake for a few days.