"Maybe this kid ain't that naive!"
"He didn't know mental energy was allowed but reacted in time!"
Hou was a surprised as the spectators, he didn't make the skull made of mental energy. In fact it wasn't his mental energy at all!
The snake used a lot of mental energy and dissipated; also the same the skull made by Mo Huai's remnant mental energy also was destroyed.
Instead of being distracted, Hou took the opportunity and kicked Kuang Ren squarely in his chest. With Hou's kick he made use of his natural strength laws that were converted from his physical body.
The kick caused Kuang Ren to be sent flying, however with his erratic drunken movement he stabilised. Like a cat spinning it's body mid air, he corrected his orientation and landed on the wall.
He then kicked off the wall and back to Hou. In anticipation, Hou tried to use his mental energy to strengthen his self.
'If mental energy can be made solid here, then it should be able to strengthen myself!'
Hou tried to release mental energy focusing it on his forearms. He held up his forearms in defense and just as Kuang Ren was to collide he fell.
Kuang Ren used his mental energy to pull him back to the ground and be free. While Hou was ready for his previous attack, his back was completely open.
Kuang Ren took the chance and while he was on the ground he swiped around Hou's entire body and kicked him to the ground.
Hou was kicked in the back and he fell, which Kuang Ren exploited. Kuang Ren took Hou in a grapple and held up his hand to his throat.
"I win, if I want I could use mental energy and kill you right now."
Hou let his struggle go and put his hands up,
"You win. You can release me now..."
Kuang Ren had sobered up and as he released Hou, he noticed his white robe with golden markings. His eyes dilated and his heart pumped quick,
"I was just joking haha, let me off direct disciple"
Kuang Ren had completely changed his tune, he put on an ignorant smile and tried to Placate Hou. However Hou didn't let him off scot free, he kicked him in the face. He was knocked onto he ground but did not retaliate.
"There you go, we're even. But a deal is still a deal, I'll buy you any one pill, follow me"
Kuang Ren instantly sat up,
"Really?!" His eyes lit up as he heard Hou's sigh.
"Yes, now get up before I change my mind"
Hou stood up and brushed off his robe, restoring it to the prestone white. There must be many mysteries with the robe to stay completely clean.
Kuang Ren similarly stood up and brushed his robe. However, unlike Hou's, his robe was dirty and stained. On his waist he did not have a weapon, but instead a gourd of alcohol.
Once he was sufficiently sorted, he put his fists together and bowed,
"I failed to recognise young master in my stupor, I apologise profusely!"
Hou looked at the man. He was a short and stout man, with a very large circumference. A plump man with wide chubby cheeks and a flushed complexion from the alcohol.
"I accept your apology, now dare not waste my time and show me to the pill house!"
"Yes sir, I will definitely!"
Kuang Ren walked out of the inn and held the door for Hou. Hou saw it and nodded, following him out. As they walked through the street Hou asked him a question,
"So what is your name, and I heard you're a rank 2 what does that mean?"
Kuang Ren thought it peculiar not to know but he did not question a direct disciple,
"My humble name is Kuang Ren. I will explain the system to you young master. There are three ranks of clouds. Those being Stratus, Alto and Cirrus in ascending order. Then each cloud can be stronger with the addition of Cumulus then Stratus. I am rank 2 in the first type."
"So you are Stratocumulus?"
"Yes sir, I may seem weak but I am actually stronger than you think. Although not as good as you of course, 'twas a fluke I won. No, you allowed me to win!"
"Don't pander to me, you won fair and square." Hou was getting tired of Kuang Ren's constant pandering.
Kuang Ren nodded and became silent, he walked through an alleyway and into a small shack. Hou brushed aside some falling plants and looked inside. Inside the shack was a crude alchemy set up and an old skinny man.
The man was drinking and didn't stop once Hou and Kuang Ren walked in.
"Old man Jiugui Zhang! That 10000 alcohol pill, hand it over!"
"Bah! As if a drunkard like you actually used your skills and got enough points!"
Hou saw an annoying argument was forming and buutred into the conversation,
"Excuse me, I'll pay. With...this"
As Hou was talking he pulled out the token that Mo Huai had given him to purchase anything he wanted. It was the jade slip with writing on it, "Direct Disciple of Nine Clouds Purple Miasma, Hou Zhigong".
Old man Jiugui Zhang saw this and fell out of his chair. The alcohol in his hand spilt and he quickly stood back up. He used some sort of divine artifact and a suit appeared on him, masking his strong alcohol smell.
"Of course you are a VIP, please take two as my apology for my looks before"
"No need, just give Kuang Ren the pill and I'll pay."
Jiugui Zhang slightly scoffed then realised what he did and covered his mouth. He carefully looked at Hou's reaction and as he saw nothing he continued. He silently gathered the 10000 alcohol pill and also another pill.
He came back to the 'counter' and handed Kuang Ren the pill. It was in a small box but even still Hou could smell strong liquor. Just as Hou was turning away to leave and do his own things, Jiugui Zhang called out,
"Young Master, please take this as an apology, it is a Refined Alto Cloud Mentality pill. It will increase your mental energy, please for free."
Hou thought for a second before taking it,
"Thank you"
Jiugui tapped his own dirty bronze slip onto Hou's jade token and bowed. As Hou and Kuang Ren walked out Hou started to think.
'Once I leave this... oh I know a name, Fatty Kuang, I'll finally be free to talk to Yue and Araxis. I didn't think Id talk so soon after pledging my path of true cultivation. I wanted to grow strong independent from them but still I go back to my masters...'