After a few hours in, Ling encountered the apex Spirit Beast in the Yellow Zone, the Four Winged Eagle.
A massive bird with a wingspan well over ten meters, its feet and talons were as strong as metal. Its strong and sharp beak could tear anyone below Earth Realm into pieces!
"No wonder my surroundings are so quiet."
The Blood Spearhead which already took its form now has a short handle which could be used as a secondary blade at the other end of his spear.
Kyaaak!!!
The four winged eagle let out a deafening cry while its wings produced a strong gale. Lacerating, the tree trunks and slicing the leaves into pieces.
"I have to lure that bird to strike me first! Only then, I could deliver my attack from close range."
Ling knew that his plan was very risky. One slight mistake and his head would be snatched by the eagle.
Thus he ran towards the thicket of the trees as fast as he could. Leaving a trail of dust behind him.
Ling's heart pounded in his chest as he took a deep breath, channeling his cultivation energy.
He had trained tirelessly for this moment, honing his martial arts skills and refining his spiritual power. The time had come to put everything on the line.
With a swift motion, Ling grabbed the spear on his back, its blade humming with energy. He leaped forward to a tree's branch, did an inverted backflip to gain advantage over the eagle who had chased him down to the ground level of the forest.
"Foolish animal!" Ling smirked, his plan had worked as intended.
The eagle let out a piercing screech, its wings shooting out countless feathers towards Ling Zhao with lightning speed.
Ling twisted his body, narrowly evading the deadly onslaught. He retaliated with a series of lightning-fast strikes, his spear slicing through the air like a comet. But the eagle was no ordinary opponent. It possessed agility and strength far beyond a mere beast.
Not wanting to lose his momentum, Ling accumulated his Qi into his spear.
"Starfall Strike!"
He threw his body along with the spear to deliver one ultimate blow, piercing through the eagle's heart.
Within that brief moment, Ling stabbed the Blood Spear and the latter's blood was absorbed by the spear.
Strengthen and harden the spear. He could feel the profound strength of the mighty eagle inside the spear.
"Hmm? It seems like the eagle's ability is also inscribed into the spear."
It was an unexpected result, the spear indeed had inherited the eagle's attributes and abilities. The spear itself now had some kind of sentient presence, sending an enlightenment to Ling's mind directly.
"Wow! Not just the blood! The spear had absorbed the Eagle's spirit also?! Moreover, the eagle had sent me its knowledge on how to master its ability. This is the same as having a Martial Spirit!"
Ling jumped out of happiness. Coming to the yellow zone was a correct decision after all.
"Uhuk!"
Unfortunately, Ling's abdomen got hit by its talon, leaving a gaping flesh wound; he didn't feel it at first due to the adrenaline rushing through his body.
"Shit!" Ling had to rest his back on the tree trunk. His face was gradually paler by each passing time.
"I have to find a place to rest and stop this bleeding." Ling thought to himself.
After what seemed like hours limping through the forest, Ling had arrived at the lake where he used to meditate six months ago.
Ling himself wasn't aware of where he went and which direction he took and only relied on his survival instinct.
As if there was something or someone guided him to get out of the forest.
Ling scooped a handful of water to wash his wound, and inspect how deep it was. He was lucky that none of his viscera was damaged.
He then ripped his robe to bandage his wound. Grimacing in pain, Ling continued to walk into the mansion's direction and kept walking until dawn was rising.
His consciousness was fading in and out due to the blood lost.
A coldness crept into his spine, spreading to his whole body. He doesn't have many choices but to settle down somewhere to have proper rest.
Not so long after, he stumbled upon a tree with a huge cavity inside. He decided to rest there while waiting for the dawn.
Strangely enough, inside the huge tree cavity was so much warmer, brimming with nature's Qi Energy.
'This tree has abundant energy. I can even feel the root system beneath the soil by just tapping on its trunk.'
That place was very suitable for meditating and to heal his wound.
As Ling stepped into the vast tree cavity, a serene atmosphere enveloped him.
The air carried a faint scent of moss and earth, and a soft, ethereal glow filtered through the gaps in the ancient tree's bark. The space was adorned with glowing plants emitting a gentle luminescence that danced across the walls.
After a short inspection, Ling recognized some of those plants which have medical and healing attributes.
"This is… Hundred Years Moss, and this is Purple Grass! I can combine them to dress my wound and prevent it from infection!"
Ling quickly picked some of them and start munching them together, he ignored the bitter and sour taste of the plant and lathered his wound with that impromptu wound dressing.
With a deep breath, Ling settled himself on a cushioned mat made of leaves and closed his eyes, his body still tingling with the remnants of the battle.
He focused his attention inward, allowing his consciousness to dive into the depths of his being.
Before he knew it, his mind had entered the Sea of Consciousness where he could learn the battle skill that he got from Four Winged Eagle.
Hours had passed since Ling had entered the pseudo-dimension of his. Inside there, he practiced and cultivates while his real body resting.
Finally, Ling opened his eyes, his body was filled with new profound understanding after he broke through Eight Stage Body Foundation.
"Heh! As expected! Surviving the fight between life and death is the best way to gain more experiences!"