Yin & Yang Pleasures of Cultivation

"I suppose, even with an unfortunate start, luck could still shine brightly for us." The other Nobe's Fang member within Fruna's squadron had also joyously remarked on the excellent load they have.

When she had mentioned an unfortunate start, everyone else in the squadron recalled when they had first met up with Darcel's group. Even until now, none of them could ever possibly understand what happened.

And nearly all of them didn't want to know what was going on. 

The Silver Bloody hammer members and the other Nobe's Fang members were simply happy they escaped with their lives.

That young fox maiden wielded the most extraordinary prowess they ever seen in their lives! And that hatred spewing from her body was enough to make even them feel an incomparably cold shiver crawl down their spines.

But after that terrifying first meeting, their luck had surprisingly wholly changed! 

For them, it was just continuous treasure find after treasure find. Adding on to their luck was the fact they barely met any other squadron groups, and the ones they did meet barely gave them trouble.

Plus, there wasn't a single Spirit Monster they couldn't handle with their formations. So, all in all, they counted as probably the most successful year they ever had from the Competition year.

None of them were even thinking about Darcel's group at this point. None of them except for Fruna. 

Since Darcel's group left, she reasonably should just focus on her own group. Unfortunately, the prowess of that fox maiden already showed to her this was an issue outside her capabilities. 

But, even knowing that, Fruna could not forget about Darcel's group. She felt a tremendous debt to them that simply couldn't push away.

And after traveling out for a few miles, Fruna had finally come to her decision. She had suddenly stopped walking, prompting her squadron members to immediately gaze over at her.

Even though they were seemingly ignoring Fruna for a while now, they all were aware of this odd darkening mood from her. However, none of them dared to comment on it in fear of needlessly provoking her.

Still, they were highly curious about what was possibly bothering her. And now that she had stopped, the Silver Bloody Hammer and the Nobe's Fang members believed they would receive an answer.

However, the answer Fruna gave them was entirely out of their expectations. 

Fruna's expression morphed from slightly confused to determined in just a snap. "You four….we will split here. Go on without me. I need to figure something out."

"Wha-what?" 

The Silver Bloody Hammer and Nobe's Fang members honestly couldn't believe what they heard at first. But before anyone could properly comprehend what she said, Fruna turned her gaze towards the Vice-Captain.

"Qian, you are in charge here. I trust your leadership skills will be enough to safely guide everyone back to town." 

Fruna ordered in a firm tone that left zero room for any argument or discussion.

This sudden decision just seemed out of the blue, but after taking a moment to think over Fruna's reasons for wanting to leave on her own, realization struck everyone's mind then.

Vice-Captain Qian's expression quickly morphed into worry as she cautiously warned Fruna. "Captain….this is about them, right? You can't actually be serious about them! The level of enemies they have now is far beyond our comprehension."

"Agree. We will only end up getting in their way and losing our own lives at the cost." One of the Silver Bloody Hammer immediately followed up in the hopes of also convincing Fruna.

However, none of what they said or can be said will ever convince Fruna. The other members still hold an impressionable fear towards Darcel's group; Fruna doesn't feel any of that at all.

With a simple shake of her head, Fruna explained to them, "None of you simply understand how much debts I owe that trio. But don't fret. I will still stay in contact with you all, and our route going back home is the safest. Now then…."

At this point, Fruna knew her words and her actions wouldn't be understood by her members. So without waiting for their reactions, she swiftly turned around and gazed up to the skies.

A familiar sensation filled Fruna's entire body as she squinted her eyes at one specific part in the skies. 

And promptly then, Fruna took off into the skies, blasting off at swift speeds, going far into the horizon in just mere seconds.

The other squadron members were simply left alone, feeling utterly confused. Just what kind of debts run so deep that would make the normally calm Fruna make such a rash decision like this one?

"Sh-should we follow her?" 

The only other Nobe's Fang member warily asked. Although, this was more for formality's sake as neither she nor the Silver Bloody Hammer members wanted to actually follow.

And their Vice Captain Qian seemed to be in agreement as she let a low sigh while shaking her head. "Captain can reasonably handle herself. And anything involving that trio is out of our comprehension."

"....Do you all think we should inform Leader Ninu about this?" One of the Silver Bloody Hammer members asked this time. 

It was a bit strange, but out of everything they could distinctly recall about their terrifying Silver Leader Ninu, it is the fact she has a slight obsession with the trio.

Captain Qian ponders it for a moment before readily nodding her head. 

"I suppose we should. She seemed pretty hopeful to Fruna about the aspect of finding them. And perhaps she could actually help with this rather….complicated situation."

….

At the same time, on another Icy road just a few miles away from New Branch City, three hooded robe figures were slowly traveling together. These hooded figures were all extraordinary people that can cause waves wherever they go.

They are, Zhaun, Cui, and Kassidy, the high-ranking geniuses from the Ice NIne Tail Sect. Although, as of now, there was a subtle shift that had occurred between the three of them.

None of them held their heads up high anymore. Compared to when they first arrived in New Branch City, that air of elegance and pride was stripped away from them.

Kassidy couldn't suppress her actual appearance anymore, yet it barely weighed on Zhaun and Cui's mind. 

Both of them were far too caught up in thinking about their meeting with Masami and how they managed to miss the whole Mercenary Exchange Event because of her and her group!

No matter how heavy depression struck Zhaun and Cui, Kassidy didn't care at all. Instead, she was entirely focused on cradling the fox amulet in her hand. 

This item led to her Masami when first arriving in the City. But, ever since the change happened within that independent realm, it was absolutely useless now. 

Kassidy could barely rely on the fox amulet for her second meeting with Masami. Instead, she mainly went off the sensation of her bloodline that occurred whenever she felt close to someone of similar bloodline quality. 

And now, on the outside, nothing has changed. Besides some vague sensation, Kassidy couldn't sense anything useful from the fox amulet. 

And this lack of progress was causing her hatred to slowly fester even more than what it already is.

Finally, after walking for a while already, Zhaun couldn't stop his interest from growing any more. Even in his absolutely crushed state, he found it highly strange that Kassidy was radiating such intense emotions.

So he halfway turned around to Kassidy, asking her, "What's wrong? That fox amulet wasn't working for all of this time. You know it probably won't achieve anything later, right?"

Zhaun's words were like the last confirmation Kassidy needed. She knew how worthless this fox amulet is now, but she had no other leads on Masami other than this.

But at that moment, Kassidy did recall one idea she could try that would hopefully work. She stopped walking, causing Zhaun and Cui to peer over to her. 

Kassidy swiftly turned around immediately when their gazes landed on her and said without looking at them, 

"You're actually right. From here on out, go on without me. I have unfinished business to take care of."

Kassidy had then shot off into the skies, quickly disappearing from both Zhaun and Cui's sights. 

"She….well, she couldn't make it more obvious who she's going after. I can't believe she still wants to do this." Zhaun spoke while his gaze never left off where Kassidy had disappeared to. 

Finally then, Cui spoke for the first time since they began traveling to go home. "Let me guess….you're thinking about following her, right?"

"....Yea, I am." 

Zhaun started to violently clench his fist as hard-hitting memories struck his mind. "I mean, why the hell would she still chase after them after everything she did to us? No matter her pride, this decision is far too foolish and highly suspicious."

"Is that right? Then, let's follow her."

In a surprising manner coming from her, Cui readily agreed without a second thought. 

"Huh? You-ah?" Zhaun had immediately turned his attention over to her, nearly disbelieving what he just heard.

But Cui had already taken off to the skies, following right behind Kassidy's trail. Not wanting to be left out, Zhaun didn't delay any further and flew off to follow right behind Cui.