105 Chapter 99
Several days passed as Ai struggled with the new workout. Each day Mao would appear to have him start the same squatting. Anytime the youth faulted, he would have the time restarted. By the third day, Ai was left to continue the stance while Mao headed out with Wang to explore the area. Despite the awkward are between the two. They each took a side of the forest, rather than moving as a team. Since Ai would be left back at the base alone, Mao had set up an array that would not only keep Ai safe, but make sure the youth wasn't slacking off. It wasn't until the fourth day that the Wang finally found something of interest.
Heading back to the camp, Wang headed over to where Ai was, watching as the youth stood squatted down, his breathing even and not at all as heavy as when he'd started. Ai's gaze remained focused on keep his body in the correct position. After having mindlessly being told to keep the stupid pose for several days, he was finally starting to feel the progress from it. Not only was his body less stiff, he'd been began to realize that his sense of balance was starting to increase. Not to add in the fact that his physical core and legs were becoming stronger.
Wang crossed his arms, standing to the side as he tilted his head, watching the youth with a soft expression. At some point, Mao had returned, his hands moving to rest behind his back while he walked over. "He's getting there. Learning the Martial Movements will be easier once his core is stronger and has more balance to it." Mao stated while moving to stand a few steps away from Wang. "I found something, I came back to wait for you as agreed upon." Wang stated, his gaze not leaving Ai. "I think we should put the training off for later. For some reason I get this stranger feeling. Like Ai shouldn't be left alone." He finally said before turning to look back at Mao.
Mao stared at Wang for a while while, his gaze steady as he listened to Wang's statement. "Well, that could be valid. I suppose going into an unknown area without him will both have its plus and negatives to it. For one, he could be safe from the danger, or we could be trapped in with him stuck out here alone. That wouldn't be the best option." Mao stated, nodding with agreeing. "Ai, that's enough for today. We found something so we'll head out to check it out. This time you'll follow along." Mao stated calling over to Ai, waving his hand to deactivate the array around him.
Ai blinked, adjusting his body back into a standing position before stretching out his neck. Making his way over to Wang, he blinked between the two, a bit confused. "Okay, is there anything I need to bring or something?" he asked some what unsure. Mao had already told him that he shouldn't use his cultivation randomly in case it caused a bad reaction, however he really didn't know what else to do. It wasn't like he had much else to go on after all. Mao seemed amused by his statement however, letting out a low laugh. "No, you'll be fine without anything. If there's any need for any fighting. I'm sure Wang over there will gladly take the mantel." he stated while shrugging.
The statement caused Wang to frown, his arms crossing his chest. "Is there something funny about that?" he stated, not quiet sure what Mao was hinting out. However, it felt as if it were a target towards him. As if he'd done something wrong. Mao shook his head, a smile still playing on his lips. "Well, not really. It's just that the first time we met, you tried to get me to fight, when I wasn't going to." he stated while shrugging. "Even if I were with those idiots, It was clear that I hadn't been part of the fight." the statement caused Wang to nit his brows, his expression remaining the same. "You might not have participate in it, yet you also didn't say anything against it. It's better to be sure. If I had let you leave, then you attacked from somewhere else when we'd let our guard down?" he stated.
Ai pressed his lips together, looking back between the two while not really understanding what to say. However, his worry didn't last long, as Mao nodded, letting out a laugh. "That's true. What you did was correct. I wasn't really meaning anything bad by my statement. Actually I was merely stating that Ai wouldn't need to worry because you'd keep him safe. I'd have said I would, but despite everything, I'm sure you both still aren't completely sure you can trust me." Mao stated, waving a hand. "Instead of commenting about this matter, we should head out before it gets late. I'd rather not be out passed resting times."
Wang rolled his eyes as he began to lead the both of them towards the area he had found. Instead of cave, as Ai had thought it would be. The group of three came up to a large tree. The base of the trunk was thick and large, causing Ai's eyes to winded as he looked at it with surprise. Mao's expression also shifted, moving slowly to look around the large tree's base. "This is a Spiritual Tree?" he stated, seeming surprised. Wang shrugged, moving towards the base of the tree and pressing his hand against it. The trunk began to shift, slowly moving out of the way and showing a set of worn steps heading into the tree, upwards. Mao made his way over, looking inside the newly opened pathway.
"It appears the tree is a secret? This is new." Ai stated while making his way over, his gaze raising to follow the wooden pathway upwards. "Do we go in?" He asked, unsure. Both Mao and Wang glanced at each other before looking to Ai. "We will. However, I'll go first, followed by you then Mao. That way if something happens, either one of us can lend a hand." Wang stated while starting to head in. Ai rolled his eyes as he followed after, leaving Mao to take up the back. "I'm not someone that needs to be babied all the time you know. "Ai muttered while feeling a bit down. Since the fever, he felt as if he hadn't the right to do anything without someone's approval. Sure it could lead to his body given out on him but still. It wouldn't hurt to at least ask him, instead of ordering.
Wang frowned as he glanced back, feeling some what regretful of his own mouth. "I didn't mean it like that. I-" he began, however he was cut off by Ai's glare. Turning his gaze back, Wang started to walk up the stairs, unable to push the lingering worries aside while he did. The silence stretched out, Mao following behind. He found it a bit funny as to how the two reacted, however didn't state anything. If anything, it was a bit cute to see how the youth was so reliant on the larger male, however wished to be seen as someone who could think for themselves. To be honest, he wasn't really sure how the two managed to become so close. For one thing, Ai's race was rather reclusive and didn't go around humans any more than needed. Added onto the fact that they were also very rare to find within the lower realms.
The After making it up a handful of stairs, the group slowed down, the light from the entry way fading as it slowly turned into darkness. "Keep close, please." Wang stated. The ending part of it getting a low chuckle form Mao as the larger male used a spiritual tool to create a soft affect of light. Ai moved closer to Wang, seeming a bit happier that the male had changed his way of addressing his requests. Mao didn't comment on it. The rest of the trip up wasn't as worry inducing as one would think. With the light to guide them, they managed to reach the top. Just as Mao stepped of the stairs path, the room began to glow brightly with soft floating orbs of light. Showing what appeared to be an abandoned temple of some sort.
"Why is there a temple in a tree? And how can it fit?" Ai asked some what confused, looking around the space. Clearly the tree hadn't been this large. Even If it had been rather big… Mao laughed as he moved, exploring the visible space before them. "It's like everything else that seems inexplicable here. Someone with a great amount of power created a space separate from the world around it. Sealing that space within an object. A cave, a tree, or even just some hole in the ground. It matters not. Just depends on what they want." he stated.
Ai nodded as he moved to run his fingers along the side of the wall, reading the odd symbols. Wang moved to the center, looking around, as if trying to sense if there were any danger. Each person distracted with what they were looking at. However, when Ai turned to ask another question, he found that both Wang and Mao were no where in sight. His heart skipping slightly as he found himself sitting in the space alone
Heading back to the camp, Wang headed over to where Ai was, watching as the youth stood squatted down, his breathing even and not at all as heavy as when he'd started. Ai's gaze remained focused on keep his body in the correct position. After having mindlessly being told to keep the stupid pose for several days, he was finally starting to feel the progress from it. Not only was his body less stiff, he'd been began to realize that his sense of balance was starting to increase. Not to add in the fact that his physical core and legs were becoming stronger.
Wang crossed his arms, standing to the side as he tilted his head, watching the youth with a soft expression. At some point, Mao had returned, his hands moving to rest behind his back while he walked over. "He's getting there. Learning the Martial Movements will be easier once his core is stronger and has more balance to it." Mao stated while moving to stand a few steps away from Wang. "I found something, I came back to wait for you as agreed upon." Wang stated, his gaze not leaving Ai. "I think we should put the training off for later. For some reason I get this stranger feeling. Like Ai shouldn't be left alone." He finally said before turning to look back at Mao.
Mao stared at Wang for a while while, his gaze steady as he listened to Wang's statement. "Well, that could be valid. I suppose going into an unknown area without him will both have its plus and negatives to it. For one, he could be safe from the danger, or we could be trapped in with him stuck out here alone. That wouldn't be the best option." Mao stated, nodding with agreeing. "Ai, that's enough for today. We found something so we'll head out to check it out. This time you'll follow along." Mao stated calling over to Ai, waving his hand to deactivate the array around him.
Ai blinked, adjusting his body back into a standing position before stretching out his neck. Making his way over to Wang, he blinked between the two, a bit confused. "Okay, is there anything I need to bring or something?" he asked some what unsure. Mao had already told him that he shouldn't use his cultivation randomly in case it caused a bad reaction, however he really didn't know what else to do. It wasn't like he had much else to go on after all. Mao seemed amused by his statement however, letting out a low laugh. "No, you'll be fine without anything. If there's any need for any fighting. I'm sure Wang over there will gladly take the mantel." he stated while shrugging.
The statement caused Wang to frown, his arms crossing his chest. "Is there something funny about that?" he stated, not quiet sure what Mao was hinting out. However, it felt as if it were a target towards him. As if he'd done something wrong. Mao shook his head, a smile still playing on his lips. "Well, not really. It's just that the first time we met, you tried to get me to fight, when I wasn't going to." he stated while shrugging. "Even if I were with those idiots, It was clear that I hadn't been part of the fight." the statement caused Wang to nit his brows, his expression remaining the same. "You might not have participate in it, yet you also didn't say anything against it. It's better to be sure. If I had let you leave, then you attacked from somewhere else when we'd let our guard down?" he stated.
Ai pressed his lips together, looking back between the two while not really understanding what to say. However, his worry didn't last long, as Mao nodded, letting out a laugh. "That's true. What you did was correct. I wasn't really meaning anything bad by my statement. Actually I was merely stating that Ai wouldn't need to worry because you'd keep him safe. I'd have said I would, but despite everything, I'm sure you both still aren't completely sure you can trust me." Mao stated, waving a hand. "Instead of commenting about this matter, we should head out before it gets late. I'd rather not be out passed resting times."
Wang rolled his eyes as he began to lead the both of them towards the area he had found. Instead of cave, as Ai had thought it would be. The group of three came up to a large tree. The base of the trunk was thick and large, causing Ai's eyes to winded as he looked at it with surprise. Mao's expression also shifted, moving slowly to look around the large tree's base. "This is a Spiritual Tree?" he stated, seeming surprised. Wang shrugged, moving towards the base of the tree and pressing his hand against it. The trunk began to shift, slowly moving out of the way and showing a set of worn steps heading into the tree, upwards. Mao made his way over, looking inside the newly opened pathway.
"It appears the tree is a secret? This is new." Ai stated while making his way over, his gaze raising to follow the wooden pathway upwards. "Do we go in?" He asked, unsure. Both Mao and Wang glanced at each other before looking to Ai. "We will. However, I'll go first, followed by you then Mao. That way if something happens, either one of us can lend a hand." Wang stated while starting to head in. Ai rolled his eyes as he followed after, leaving Mao to take up the back. "I'm not someone that needs to be babied all the time you know. "Ai muttered while feeling a bit down. Since the fever, he felt as if he hadn't the right to do anything without someone's approval. Sure it could lead to his body given out on him but still. It wouldn't hurt to at least ask him, instead of ordering.
Wang frowned as he glanced back, feeling some what regretful of his own mouth. "I didn't mean it like that. I-" he began, however he was cut off by Ai's glare. Turning his gaze back, Wang started to walk up the stairs, unable to push the lingering worries aside while he did. The silence stretched out, Mao following behind. He found it a bit funny as to how the two reacted, however didn't state anything. If anything, it was a bit cute to see how the youth was so reliant on the larger male, however wished to be seen as someone who could think for themselves. To be honest, he wasn't really sure how the two managed to become so close. For one thing, Ai's race was rather reclusive and didn't go around humans any more than needed. Added onto the fact that they were also very rare to find within the lower realms.
The After making it up a handful of stairs, the group slowed down, the light from the entry way fading as it slowly turned into darkness. "Keep close, please." Wang stated. The ending part of it getting a low chuckle form Mao as the larger male used a spiritual tool to create a soft affect of light. Ai moved closer to Wang, seeming a bit happier that the male had changed his way of addressing his requests. Mao didn't comment on it. The rest of the trip up wasn't as worry inducing as one would think. With the light to guide them, they managed to reach the top. Just as Mao stepped of the stairs path, the room began to glow brightly with soft floating orbs of light. Showing what appeared to be an abandoned temple of some sort.
"Why is there a temple in a tree? And how can it fit?" Ai asked some what confused, looking around the space. Clearly the tree hadn't been this large. Even If it had been rather big… Mao laughed as he moved, exploring the visible space before them. "It's like everything else that seems inexplicable here. Someone with a great amount of power created a space separate from the world around it. Sealing that space within an object. A cave, a tree, or even just some hole in the ground. It matters not. Just depends on what they want." he stated.
Ai nodded as he moved to run his fingers along the side of the wall, reading the odd symbols. Wang moved to the center, looking around, as if trying to sense if there were any danger. Each person distracted with what they were looking at. However, when Ai turned to ask another question, he found that both Wang and Mao were no where in sight. His heart skipping slightly as he found himself sitting in the space alone
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