After leaving the elders' hall, Xian Di returned to his quarters, his mind swirling with the events of the day. The weight of the Tang family's disdain, Zhao Sheng's fury, and Shen Yulan's distant indifference pressed heavily on him. Yet beneath all of that, there was a single truth that burned brighter than ever—he needed more strength.
Settling into the quiet of his room, Xian Di's thoughts were interrupted by the familiar glow of the system panel, appearing in his mind.
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System Notification
New Quest Issued: Kill a Qi Refinement Stage 5 (Peak) Beast in the Lingfeng Forest
Objective: Defeat a Qi Refinement Stage 5 (Peak) beast.
Reward: Cultivation upgrade from Qi Refinement Stage 4 (Mid) → Qi Refinement Stage 5 (Early).
Failure Penalty: Loss of current cultivation progress.
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The task was clear—venture into the Lingfeng Forest and face a beast of formidable power. The dangers of the forest were well-known, and the system's warning was stark: failure could cost him his life. But the reward was significant—a chance to break through to Qi Refinement Stage 5 (Early), a leap that would put him one step closer to facing his enemies on equal ground.
A dangerous mission, one that could easily kill him. But Xian Di's resolve was unwavering.
---
That night, Xian Di prepared. His thoughts were focused, his body calm as he moved through the familiar motions of his training. The Thunder-based spear skill crackled with energy as he practiced, each thrust of the spear like the crack of a thunderbolt in the quiet night air. The Mortal Grade Peak spear, a gift from his mother, felt light and responsive in his hands. He knew that it would be his greatest asset in the coming battle.
After his training, he allowed himself a moment of quiet meditation, steadying his mind and gathering his Qi. The Lingfeng Forest was vast, filled with dangers both known and unknown, but Xian Di had no choice but to press forward. His path was clear—he had to grow stronger.
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At dawn, Xian Di slipped out of the Tang estate, his movements silent and purposeful. The family was busy with their daily routines, unaware of his departure. The Lingfeng Forest loomed in the distance, a dark and foreboding place, its towering trees swaying gently in the early morning breeze.
As he entered the forest, the atmosphere around him shifted. The familiar sounds of nature filled the air—the rustle of leaves, the distant call of beasts—but there was an underlying tension, a sense of something dangerous lurking just beyond his sight.
Xian Di moved carefully, following the traces of the beast he was hunting. Broken branches, deep claw marks on trees, and large footprints in the soft earth guided him deeper into the forest. The farther he went, the darker the forest became, the thick canopy overhead blocking out the sunlight. The air grew colder, the silence more oppressive.
As he pressed onward, Xian Di's senses sharpened. The sounds of the forest began to fade, replaced by an eerie stillness. He knew the beast was near.
---
Suddenly, the forest around him seemed to shift. The air grew thick with tension, and Xian Di felt the unmistakable presence of a predator. His grip tightened on his spear as he continued forward, his eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement.
Then, without warning, a massive shadow appeared in front of him.
Xian Di froze, his breath catching in his throat as he found himself staring directly into the glowing red eyes of the Qi Refinement Stage 5 (Peak) beast—a hulking bear, its enormous form towering over him. Its fur was thick and matted, its muscles rippling beneath the dark coat. The air around it seemed to crackle with power, its aura oppressive and filled with bloodlust.
For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Xian Di and the beast stood locked in a deadly stare, eye to eye. The bear's deep red eyes glowed like embers in the darkness, its breath heavy and slow.
The tension in the air was unbearable, the beast's presence overwhelming.
And then, with a sudden growl, the bear moved.