Arlan knelt beside the fallen Flaming Rabbit, its once fierce eyes now devoid of life. He looked up at Elrian and said, "Now, let's talk about the next crucial part: extracting the creature core."
Lysandra joined her husband, pulling out a small, intricate knife from her waist pouch. "This is a special knife made for core extraction. You'll need one eventually, but for now, watch closely."
Arlan carefully made an incision near the creature's chest area. "The core is usually located near the heart, enveloped in a layer of elemental energy. Feel with your Qi sense; you can perceive a concentration of elemental Qi."
Elrian focused his senses and indeed felt a pulsating ball of fire Qi within the creature. "I sense it."
"Good," Lysandra praised. "Now, when you cut, your Qi and your senses must be in sync. Too much force, and you risk destroying the core. Too little, and you won't be able to extract it."
With practiced ease, Arlan inserted his hand into the incision and navigated towards the pulsating ball of Qi. His hand glowed subtly, the Qi in his palm delicately interacting with the fire Qi surrounding the core. After a moment of tense silence, Arlan pulled his hand back out, holding a red, glowing core.
"This," he held it up for Elrian to see, "is what we came for. This is a first-stage elemental core, very valuable, not just for its elemental properties but also because it contains concentrated Qi that can help in cultivation."
"Remember," Lysandra added, "each creature has its core in different conditions. Some are easier to extract than others. It's all about sensing it accurately and adapting your technique."
Elrian watched with rapt attention, engraving the process in his mind. "Thank you, Father, Mother. This is another invaluable lesson."
Arlan placed the core carefully in a small, rune-inscribed box and handed it to Elrian. "Keep this. Consider it part of your training. Analyze its properties when we get back, and you'll learn even more."
Elrian accepted the box with gratitude, contemplating the many lessons of the day. From the fighting techniques to core extraction, every experience felt like a stepping stone, each one essential in his journey towards becoming a seasoned cultivator. And as he held the box, he sensed not just the pulsating Qi of the core, but also the warmth and wisdom passed down from his parents.
Arlan looked at Lysandra, then back at Elrian, and said, "Normally, hunting even a single first-stage Qi sensing creature would be enough for a day. We'd go back, rest, recuperate, and regain our expended Qi. However, circumstances are different this time."
Lysandra nodded, her gaze on Elrian somewhat apologetic. "We've been focusing on your training, and we also gave the cores we obtained so far to you for your cultivation. As a result, we're a bit behind on our own quotas. We need to hunt a few more Qi-sensing creatures."
Elrian felt a twinge of guilt but also understood the necessity. "So, we'll continue?"
"Yes," Arlan confirmed. "It's a bit more dangerous, and we have to be very cautious. Our Qi reserves are not at their peak, and fighting these creatures takes a toll."
"But it's also another learning opportunity for you, Elrian," Lysandra added, her voice encouraging. "The more exposure you get to these encounters, the faster you'll mature as a cultivator."
Elrian felt the weight of his parents' expectations and their sacrifices. They were extending their limits for his sake, and he made a mental note to not let their efforts go to waste. "Understood, I'll do my best to assist and learn."
Arlan clapped him on the back. "That's the spirit. Now, let's proceed cautiously. Keep your senses alert. The deeper parts of the forest are unpredictable. Creatures here are not just stronger but also smarter. They often lay traps or ambush unsuspecting intruders."
The trio carefully made their way deeper into the forest, each step taking them further from the familiar terrains into an area where the density of Qi in the air became noticeably thicker. Elrian felt a subtle shift in the atmosphere, as if the very forest was watching them, sizing them up.
"Remember, son, always trust your senses. They'll be your first warning if anything goes amiss," Lysandra advised, scanning their surroundings with eyes that missed nothing.
Taking his mother's advice to heart, Elrian focused on extending his Qi senses outward, attuning himself to the natural ebb and flow of the forest. His mind sharpened, his senses expanded, and he felt ready. Whatever challenges lay ahead, he and his parents would face them head-on.
As the family ventured further, their senses were on high alert, and it wasn't long before they felt a powerful Qi signature. Emerging from the thick foliage was a massive boar, its hide like interlocking pieces of iron. This wasn't just any boar; this was an elemental boar, one that had reached the early stages of Stage 1 Qi cultivation.
Arlan and Lysandra exchanged a glance, a non-verbal communication honed from years of partnership. In a swift motion, they both unsheathed their swords and took defensive stances, ready to engage the boar. "Elrian, observe. Understand its moves and abilities," Arlan instructed as he moved to attract the boar's attention.
Lysandra lunged first, her sword angled for a piercing strike, aimed directly at what should have been a vulnerable point. But the boar activated its abilities, its hide momentarily glowing as it transformed into a near-impenetrable surface. The sword skidded off harmlessly. Almost instantaneously, the boar counterattacked with a burst of elemental earth, jagged rocks flying at Lysandra.
Arlan intervened, his own sword flicking in the air, deflecting most of the rocks, but one got through, leaving a gash on his arm. Blood spurted, but he barely winced, his focus unyielding.
It was then that the boar stomped the ground. Ripples of energy spread from its foot, manifesting as quicksand beneath Arlan and Lysandra, disrupting their stances and slowing their movements. Seizing the opportunity, the boar charged, its tusks aimed like deadly lances.
"Quick, side-step and go for its flank," Lysandra shouted.
Arlan shifted, his sword glowing with the last remnants of his Qi as he aimed a cut at the boar's side. Again, the sword merely scraped the surface, unable to penetrate the boar's iron-like hide. Elrian watched in disbelief; his parents were skilled swordsmen, yet they couldn't even scratch this beast.
And then the boar unleashed its ultimate ability. Opening its mouth, it expelled a concentrated beam of elemental energy, a fusion of earth and fire. Arlan and Lysandra were forced to leap away, narrowly dodging the deadly beam. But the boar was quick to capitalize on their momentary imbalance, its tusks swinging in a wide arc.
Lysandra screamed as she was thrown off her feet, landing hard several meters away. Arlan, his face white from exertion and loss of blood, looked over at Elrian. "Son, we've shown you its moves, now it's your time!"
Elrian's heart pounded as he unsheathed his sword. His parents had been outmatched, but they had also provided him with invaluable insights. The boar was slow but powerful; its defenses seemingly impenetrable and its elemental abilities devastating. But Elrian also knew he had something the boar did not – the wind abilities inherited from the Sky Lion symbol.
Taking a deep breath, he prepared to join the fray, knowing that his next actions could turn the tide of the battle or plunge them into deeper peril. His palms sweaty on the hilt of his sword, he stepped forward, his eyes locked onto the elemental boar. This was the moment of truth, a test not just of his combat abilities but also of his understanding of the Qi Nexus system he had been cultivating.
Just as he was about to leap into action, the boar turned its gaze toward him, its eyes glinting menacingly as if sensing a new threat. The tension in the air was palpable, both sides recognizing that the battle was about to reach its climactic turning point.