"Ling, show me my status," Jian Ning ordered as he finished sharpening his swords.
[Name: Jian Ning]
[Cultivation: Qi Gathering, rank 2 [0/20,000] (+)]
[Age: 14 years]
[Body: storm body, "dormant"]
[Talents: low-grade earth cultivation talent [0/256,000] (+) // mid-grade sky lightning element talent [0/2,480,000] (+) // low-grade sky wind element talent [0/1,240,000] (+) // low-grade king sword talent [0/10,000,000] (+)]
[Cultivation Technique: "Jian Family Technique" (mid-grade yellow rank) – mastered to perfection – [2,185/3,200] (+)]
[Martial Skills: 'Leaf Sword Technique' (mid-grade yellow rank) – mastered to perfection – [1,000/3,200] (+) // 'Mystic Phantom Steps' (mid-grade yellow rank) – mastered at the peak – [230/1,600] (+) // 'Shadowless Sword Technique' (high-grade yellow rank) – mastered at the Great Achivement – [1,250/2,400] (+) // 'Wind Breeze Steps' – mastered at the peak – [0/4,800] (+)]
[Luck: sky rank luck [101/800]]
[Total Energy: 0 white energy]
[White Energy per Minute: 14 white energy / minute]
"Well, with my speed of gaining white energy, I can accumulate over 20,000 energies per day, not to mention the energy I receive from emotions. I must become famous," Jian Ning thought as he checked his status.
Jian Ning wasted no time and headed towards the Chang Jiang Forest.
The Chang Jiang Forest is divided into three zones: the outer zone, mainly inhabited by level 1 beasts suitable for tempering body cultivators; the inner zone, infested with level 2 beasts; and the central zone, teeming with level 3 monsters, equivalent to innate experts and the pinnacle of Tianjin.
Though not vast on a continental scale, the Chang Jiang Forest is extremely perilous for Tianjin city dwellers, being nearby.
"I'll try my luck in the inner part today," Jian Ning decided, venturing deeper into the forest.
A few minutes later, Jian Ning encountered his first opponent: a top-ranked level 1 earth bear.
"A top-ranked level 1 earth bear! Judging by its aura, it's akin to a level 8 tempering body cultivator. Nothing to fear," Jian Ning thought, drawing his sword from a low-grade spatial ring.
Roar!
The bear roared and charged at Jian Ning.
Anticipating this, Jian Ning promptly employed:
'Mystic Phantom Steps'
Woush!
Like a ghost, Jian Ning disappeared only to reappear above the bear moments later.
'Leaf Sword Technique'
Slash!
As if hundreds of tree leaves descended straight onto the bear's neck, its head fell to the ground.
[Ding, congratulations to the host for killing a top-ranked level 1 bear (equivalent to a level 8 tempering body cultivator), white energy +80]
Upon the bear's death, a notification sounded for Jian Ning.
"Hmm... the rewards are modest. To advance, I'll need to kill at least 250. But stronger creatures should yield more," Jian Ning pondered.
Sometimes, Jian Ning wondered about the true nature of this white energy.
"Sssshhh!
As Jian Ning was about to store his prey in his spatial ring to eat later in the evening, he heard a hiss. He quickly turned his head and saw a serpent as black as ink, about 3 meters long.
"Who would have thought I'd find a low-level Rank 2 beast in the outer zone! Well, I'm very close to the inner zone, so it's not that surprising," thought Jian Ning as he inspected the serpent.
Jian Ning is familiar with this type of serpent, commonly known as the shadow serpent. Their speed is comparable to that of a Rank 3 Qi Gathering cultivator when they are at the beginning of Rank 1 in Qi Gathering. They are also highly venomous, capable of killing almost any creature of the same rank as them with their poison.
"Ling, analyze this serpent for me."
[Target Analysis]
[Species: Shadow Serpent]
[Cultivation: Early Rank 2 (comparable to a Rank 1 Qi Gathering cultivator)]
[Note: Due to their speed and venom, they are very dangerous to encounter. It is advised not to get too close and to eliminate them at the first opportunity.]
[Weak Point: Head, eyes]
Upon seeing Ling's analysis, Jian Ning began to devise a plan. He wanted to finish this battle quickly and efficiently, confident in his personal abilities.
"With this kind of opponent, it's safer to use my best techniques. Even though I've already killed a lower-level Rank 2 beast, this one is much more formidable," thought Jian Ning as he prepared to counterattack.
Sssshhh!
As expected, the serpent attacked. It opened its mouth wide, showing fangs dripping with a visibly potent violet liquid.
Jian Ning positioned his sword defensively, waiting for the shadow serpent to come closer.
The serpent approached closer and closer: 25 meters... 20 meters... 10 meters... 5 meters... 3 meters.
When the shadow serpent was 3 meters away, Jian Ning decided to strike.
'Shadowless Sword Technique!'
A graceful black arc struck the shadow serpent.
Kruishh!
A strange sound echoed as the sword made contact with the serpent's skin.
[Ding, congratulations to the host for killing a Rank 2 shadow serpent (comparable to a Rank 1 Qi Gathering cultivator), white energy +100]
Jian Ning stored the carcass in his spatial ring; it could fetch him a significant sum of money.
"Ultimately, it wasn't so difficult. My power has greatly increased. I even feel like I'm on the verge of reaching a new realm in my understanding of the sword," thought Jian Ning as he wiped his sword. Then, he headed towards the inner zone of the forest. Of course, Jian Ning proceeded cautiously, ensuring not to get lost.
During his journey, he didn't forget to eliminate every creature he encountered. Although not a bloodthirsty killer, Jian Ning knew these beasts would earn him money and white energy.
[Ding, congratulations to the host for killing a Rank 1 late-stage beast (comparable to a Rank 9 tempering body cultivator), white energy +90]
[Ding, congratulations to the host for killing a Rank 2 early-stage beast (comparable to a Rank 1 Qi Gathering cultivator), white energy +100]
[Ding, congratulations to the host for killing a Rank 1 late-stage beast (comparable to a Rank 7 tempering body cultivator), white energy +70]
[Ding, congratulations to the host for killing a Rank 1 late-stage beast (comparable to a Rank 8 tempering body cultivator), white energy +80]