The moment stretched out, the air between Xian Di and the hulking beast heavy with tension. The bear's deep red eyes locked onto his, glowing with primal fury. The oppressive aura emanating from the beast made the air itself feel thick, its power almost tangible.
Then, with a growl that shook the forest, the beast lunged.
Xian Di leaped back just as the bear's massive claws tore through the air where he had stood moments before. The force of the swipe sent a blast of wind crashing through the nearby trees, leaves spiraling into the air. The bear's speed was far greater than its size suggested, and Xian Di knew immediately this was no ordinary beast. He had to tread carefully.
The bear advanced, its claws ripping through the earth as it charged. Each of its steps thundered like a drumbeat, shaking the ground beneath them. Xian Di sidestepped the next attack, narrowly avoiding a blow that would have split him in two. His movements were swift, but the sheer power of the beast was overwhelming.
Xian Di darted to the side, using his Serpent's Shadow Maneuver to weave through the trees, staying out of the bear's immediate reach. He needed to think, to strategize. He couldn't fight the beast head-on. Its brute strength was far beyond his, and a single misstep could mean death.
The bear roared, a guttural sound that echoed through the forest. With a swift turn, it charged again, barreling through the trees as if they were nothing. Xian Di reacted instantly, thrusting his spear forward, aiming for its side. The Thunder-based spear skill ignited, the air crackling with the force of the strike as the spear moved with blinding speed.
The spearhead met the beast's hide with a sharp crack, but the bear's thick fur and Qi-enhanced defenses absorbed much of the blow. The attack only seemed to anger it further.
The beast roared again, louder this time, and opened its massive jaws, unleashing a wave of Qi-infused energy. The blast hit the forest with the force of a storm, tearing through trees and sending debris flying in all directions. Xian Di barely managed to dodge the brunt of the attack, but the shockwave sent him crashing into a nearby tree.
He grunted in pain as blood dripped from his lips. The force of the blow rattled his bones, but he didn't allow himself time to recover. The beast wasn't giving him any room to breathe. It charged once more, determined to crush him beneath its massive paws.
Xian Di rolled out of the way just in time, his body moving on instinct. His spear came up, parrying the next swipe, but the impact sent tremors through his arms. The beast's strength was staggering.
His mind raced. He couldn't match the bear in raw power, but he could outmaneuver it. The key was to stay fast, to keep moving. He used the Serpent's Shadow Maneuver again, slipping past the beast's claws, striking at its legs and sides with quick, precise blows. His spear moved like a blur, each strike accompanied by the crack of thunder.
Still, it wasn't enough. The bear's defenses were too strong, and Xian Di could feel his energy waning.
The bear let out another roar, rearing back on its hind legs. It opened its mouth wide, preparing to unleash another Qi-infused blast. Xian Di's eyes narrowed. This was the opening he had been waiting for.
He planted his feet, gathering every ounce of his remaining strength. His spear crackled with energy, the Thunder-based spear skill igniting as he prepared for his final strike. The bear roared, and Xian Di moved.
In the blink of an eye, he launched himself forward, his spear aimed directly at the beast's heart. The bear's energy blast erupted just as Xian Di closed the distance, but he had already anticipated it. His body moved with precision, dodging the brunt of the attack as he drove his spear forward with all his might.
The sound of thunder exploded through the forest as the spear met the bear's chest, the force of the strike shaking the earth beneath them.
The sound of thunder reverberated through the clearing as Xian Di's spear struck the bear's chest. His entire body shook with the force of the impact, the surge of Qi from his Thunder-based spear skill crashing against the bear's defenses. The creature let out a deafening roar, its massive claws swiping wildly as it staggered back. Xian Di gritted his teeth, his muscles screaming in pain as he pushed the spear deeper, his Qi flowing through the weapon like lightning.
The bear's red eyes flared one last time, burning with fury as it lashed out. Its claws grazed Xian Di's side, tearing through his robe and drawing blood, but he didn't relent. With a final thrust, he drove the spear into the bear's heart, and the creature let out a low, guttural growl before collapsing onto the forest floor, the earth shaking beneath its weight.
Xian Di stepped back, breathing heavily. His body was covered in sweat and blood, and his arms trembled from the exertion. But as the beast fell, a sense of calm washed over him. The fight was over.
System Notification
Quest Completed: Kill a Qi Refinement Stage 5 (Peak) Beast
Reward: Cultivation upgrade from Qi Refinement Stage 4 (Mid) → Qi Refinement Stage 5 (Early)
The familiar warmth of the system's power surged through him, flooding his meridians and filling every corner of his body. His cultivation surged forward, breaking through the barrier that had held him at Qi Refinement Stage 4 (Mid). The sensation of growth was immediate—his body felt lighter, his senses sharper, and the flow of his Qi far more refined.
His breakthrough to Qi Refinement Stage 5 (Early) was complete.
Xian Di stood in the now-quiet forest, the air around him charged with the residual energy of his fight. The bear's massive form lay still at his feet, its power now fading into nothingness. He took a deep breath, centering himself, and wiped the blood from his lips. The battle had pushed him to his limits, but he had emerged victorious. More importantly, he had grown stronger.
As the forest returned to its natural calm, Xian Di became aware of a disturbance deeper in the woods. His heightened senses picked up the faint sounds of movement, the rustling of leaves, and the quiet murmurs of voices. His eyes narrowed as he focused on the source, his Qi suppressing to avoid detection.
Silently, he moved through the trees, approaching a large rocky outcrop where he spotted a group of cultivators gathered in a clearing. There were five of them, all wearing the robes of powerful outside families—evidence that they were not from around this region.
Xian Di quickly assessed their strength. Four of them ranged between Qi Refinement Stage 6 and Stage 7, while the leader, a tall and imposing figure, radiated the aura of a Qi Refinement Stage 7 (Peak) cultivator. They stood around a large, faintly glowing egg nestled in a small depression at the base of the rocks.
His eyes flicked to the source of their interest: an enormous Stage 8 python, its body coiled protectively around the egg. The snake's once-mighty aura was greatly diminished, weakened by the recent laying of its egg. The group of cultivators clearly intended to take advantage of the python's weakened state to steal the egg, a rare and valuable treasure.
Unnoticed by the group, Xian Di watched from the shadows. He knew they were powerful—far stronger than the bear he had just defeated—and any direct confrontation would be dangerous, especially against their leader. But he couldn't ignore the opportunity this presented. The egg held tremendous potential for cultivation, and these cultivators were distracted by their mission.
His fingers tightened around his spear as he continued to observe.