Chapter 32: Chapter 32: The Rattling Stops
Yellow-Ranked Battle Techniques.
A proper technique used by cultivators.
It was a classification made because of the presence of qi. Any technique that requires use of qi along with complex moves comes under this category.
But even someone without qi could use this technique as long as they could handle the strain it put on their bodies.
Shen Yuan wanted to use this very moment to learn the technique.
’Although the power would be low without qi. I should use this opportunity to improve my focus.’ It was not that Shen Yuan was unserious about the threat this beast posed to him.
No, quite the contrary. He was doing this because he understood the rinks.
Shen Yuan kept his eyes on the Rattlesnake as he recalled everything he had memorized about The Silent Reaper Step.
When a Reaper comes to claim someone’s life, no one sees or hears him coming. By the time you realize you are in his grasp, it’s already too late.
Shen Yuan was taking his time, but that did not mean that the beast would let his prey stay alive before its eyes.
Ratttt....
The Rattlesnake raised his tail and rattled it in the air, producing a high-pitched buzzing sound.
Hiss!
Taking a coil shape, the snake pushed against the ground, launching itself in the air.
Even with his mind focused on learning the technique, Shen Yuan saw the snake coming for his neck with its jaw wide open.
Dodge.
The command reached the mind after his body had already moved out of harm’s way.
[Predator’s Instinct]
Shen Yuan’s body knew how to react to danger long before his mind did.
He twirled on his left foot and slammed the back of the snake with the flat side of his axe, sending it flying.
The unranked beast flapped in the air like a long tern trying to fly but failed miserably.
Thump!
Just as it was about to hit a thick tree, the snake moved its tail and hooked it on the tree’s branch.
Then using the momentum of the throw, it took a complete turn and lunged back at Shen Yuan.
But unfortunately for the beast, the young man was already in a different spot.
With only his toes touching the ground, Shen Yuan moved awkwardly on the ground.
According to the technique, he had to press the toes into the ground before spreading out the weight across the sole of the feet and before the heel touched the ground...
He had to take another step.
Shen Yuan was awkward at first, but with the Mastery of Silent Steps, his own self-made technique, the boy was able to get the hang of it faster.
Now all he had to do was control the muscles of his feet while channeling the qi.
Since he lacked the qi, Shen Yuan had to go raw.
From the corner of his eyes, he caught a ball of spike only an inch away from his face.
’Shit. I lost focus for a second. What do I do...’
Ever since Shen Yuan reached Level 6, his strength and speed had reached a different class.
Even someone at the peak of the body-tempering realm would have a hard time killing him. But beasts of the same realm are a different story.
They were stronger, faster, and BETTER.
Not just because their skin and muscles are tougher and harder, but because they have survived all of their lives hunting in the wild.
In a straightforward fight, Shen Yuan felt he had to work a little harder.
Distribute all the points evenly.
Shen Yuan gave the command within his mind and felt the power coursing through his body.
Even though it was the difference of 1 point, it was more than enough for him at the moment.
Twisting his waist, Shen Yuan let the tail whistle above his head and struck the trees behind him.
Thwack!
The trunk of the tree caved in.
Shen Yuan did not let the snake pull the tail back and swung his axe. This time he did not use the flat side.
He could hear the sound of rattle cracking as the blade struck the end of the tail. ’This will take care of one of the major threats.’
Shen Yuan did not let the snake extend his long, knife-like fangs again and bite him. Instead, he tried to use the footwork of the Silent Reaper Step and pushed back.
The snake did not let the young prey out of its sight. It could see the heat signatures flickering on his body.
But the signatures were lower than what one would usually see normally.
Shen Yuan was slowly comprehending the movement skill.
Not only that. He was doing it in the middle of the battle.
Time continued to pass as the battle between the man and the snake carried on.
The Rattlesnake was unable to land a decisive hit on its prey, and Shen Yuan was not letting any chance to hurt the snake go by. Instead of taking his chances with a direct heavy strike, he took it slow and methodically.
Reckless moves like that would only endanger him and be counterproductive.
After fifteen minutes since he encountered the beast, Shen Yuan had barely gotten a few scratches here and there, but the beast was now lying lifelessly on the ground, riddled with wounds all over its body.
Greenish purple blood oozed out of its body, staining the ground.
Shen Yuan looked at the beast and contemplated taking the body away with him.
Selling the body of the snake might earn him a couple of Girds.
But...
’It will end up exposing the true extent of powers to those I prefer stay in the dark.’
Shen Yuan gave the body a last glance and flickered away, his footsteps no longer looking as crude as they did at the start.
Even after killing the Rattlesnake, Shen Yuan did not see any notification from the system.
Which only meant he was far away from comprehending the technique even to the beginner’s realm.
He might have breezed through the cultivation techniques with the powers of his brain, but with the battle techniques, he needed his body to show some results.
