My Naija Guy In the Cultivation World

Chapter 10: Return of the Cultivators

The forest was quieter than usual as Kayode made his way through a narrow path, the Orb of Elemental Harmony safely tucked into his pouch. The power of the Guardian Beast's bloodline still coursed through his veins, making him feel stronger and more alert than ever.

Oba, draped lazily across his shoulder, flicked his tail. "You're being watched."

Kayode stiffened. "What? Where?"

"Everywhere," Oba replied, yawning. "And they're not exactly friendly."

Kayode glanced around, his senses heightened. He could feel faint traces of Qi signatures in the trees and bushes around him. Before he could react, figures began to emerge from the shadows, one by one.

The first to step forward was the rogue cultivator leader Mr. Ibu had humiliated days ago. His face was twisted in rage, and he now carried a long, glowing spear. Behind him were at least ten reinforcements, all armed and clearly stronger than the ones Kayode had faced before.

"Well, well," the leader sneered, his voice dripping with venom. "We finally found you, boy. Thought you could humiliate me and get away with it?"

Kayode groaned inwardly. "You brought this on yourself by trying to steal my egg in the first place."

The leader's eyes narrowed. "That 'egg'—or whatever treasure you're hiding—must be something extraordinary. How else could you summon that... thing to fight for you?"

Kayode blinked, realizing they were talking about Mr. Ibu. "Oh no," he muttered.

The leader's reinforcements spread out, encircling him. Their combined auras pressed down like a suffocating weight. "You're going to hand over that treasure, boy," the leader growled, "or we'll take it from your corpse."

Kayode glanced at Oba. "Any ideas?"

Oba licked his paw nonchalantly. "You could run, but they'd probably catch you. Or you could fight and hope you don't embarrass yourself."

"Helpful as always," Kayode muttered.

The leader raised his spear, its tip glowing with concentrated Qi. "Enough talking! Attack!"

The cultivators charged, their weapons gleaming as they unleashed coordinated strikes. Kayode darted to the side, his newfound agility allowing him to narrowly avoid a blade aimed at his neck.

He spun his staff, channeling the Guardian Beast's bloodline. "Tri-Tail Rend!" he shouted, slamming the ground with his staff. Three phantom tails of Qi erupted from the earth, sweeping through the attackers and sending several flying.

The leader snarled. "He's stronger than before! Be careful!"

Kayode didn't let up. He leapt into the air, spinning his staff to deflect incoming projectiles. His movements were sharper, faster, more precise—a direct result of his assimilation of the Guardian Beast's abilities.

"Not bad," Oba said, perched on a tree branch, watching the chaos. "But you're still holding back."

Kayode gritted his teeth. "I don't want to kill them!"

One of the cultivators smirked and fired a powerful Qi blast. Kayode barely managed to dodge, but the shockwave knocked him off balance. The leader seized the opening, lunging forward with his spear.

"Bloodline Devourer!" Kayode shouted instinctively. Dark tendrils of energy surged from his body, wrapping around the spear and halting its advance.

The leader's eyes widened. "What is this?!"

Kayode gritted his teeth, focusing his Qi. The tendrils twisted and tightened, pulling at the leader's weapon and sapping his energy.

The cultivator stumbled back, his strength visibly waning. "He's… he's absorbing my Qi!"

The other attackers hesitated, their confidence shaken.

Kayode took a deep breath, feeling the energy he had absorbed flow into him. His body felt lighter, stronger, and his mind clearer.

The leader snarled. "You think that's enough to stop us? Everyone, attack together!"

The cultivators regrouped, pooling their Qi into a massive combined attack. The energy surged toward Kayode like a tidal wave, threatening to crush him.

"Oba!" Kayode shouted. "Do something!"

The black dragon cat yawned and leapt down from the tree. "Fine. But only because this is getting boring."

Oba's golden eyes glowed, and an invisible pressure filled the air. The attackers faltered, their movements sluggish and uncoordinated.

"What… what is this?" one of them stammered.

"Fear," Oba said simply, his voice low and commanding. "You're standing before a king, and your bodies are finally catching on."

The cultivators dropped their weapons, trembling. Even the leader stumbled back, his spear falling from his hands.

Kayode stared in awe. "How… how are you doing that?"

Oba smirked. "A king doesn't share his secrets."

The leader gritted his teeth, his rage overpowering his fear. "This isn't over! We'll be back—with stronger reinforcements!"

Kayode watched as the rogue cultivators fled into the forest, their confidence shattered.

Oba returned to his usual perch on Kayode's shoulder, purring contentedly. "You're welcome."

Kayode sighed, his exhaustion catching up with him. "Thanks, I guess. But I really wish people would stop thinking I have some ultimate treasure."

Oba's eyes glinted mischievously. "That's because they're right. You do have a treasure, Kayode. They just can't see it."

Kayode froze. "What do you mean?"

Oba stretched lazily. "Figure it out, human. Fate's got big plans for you, and I'm not about to spoil the surprise."

The system remained silent, but Kayode could feel its presence, as enigmatic as ever. He knew this was only the beginning of the challenges ahead.