Iguro inspected his body, ensuring no hidden injuries lingered. He checked his vital organs, confirming his energy levels were stable, like a well-tuned instrument. Satisfied, he departed from the cave and looked around once more, taking in the serene atmosphere.
Though it was day, the forest retained its tranquil nature, with only the occasional chirp of a bird or rustle of leaves breaking the silence. A thin smile hung on his lips; this place ranked top among those he'd miss.
However, the forest's peacefulness came at a cost: few Beasts resided here. Most were Normal Grade, first level, and posed little threat to Iguro's current cultivation level. Beast Grades were split into Normal, High, Earth, World, Heaven, with subgroups: first level, mid-level, small perfection, pinnacle, and peak.
As an Upper E-grade cultivator, Iguro faced no threats from these Beasts. He walked quickly towards the multi-pathway, taking a turn into the unknown. The path unwound before him, leading him deeper into the forest, like a serpent slithering through the underbrush.
Soon, he felt his body cross an invisible barrier, a subtle shift in energy signaling his departure from the city's protected zone. He looked back at the force field blocking the city from dangerous Beasts. It could distinguish human from non-human, allowing him to re-enter unhindered.
With a loose exhale, Iguro stared resolutely at the world ahead, his eyes scanning the horizon like a hawk searching for prey. He began walking through a terrain similar to the small forest, but on a much larger scale. However, this forest, Korax, was vast and untamed, its dense foliage and twisted tree trunks a testament to its wild nature.
Consulting his map from the Superior Soul Vault, Iguro analyzed his surroundings, committing the layout to memory. Korax Forest was a mid-tier danger zone, home to Beasts ranging from Normal Grade to World Grade.
Noticing this, Iguro's movements became softer, his footsteps light on the forest floor, like a ghost gliding across the land. Even a normal High Grade Beast could shred him apart; caution was warranted. His E-grade cultivation granted dominance over Normal Grade Beasts, but higher levels posed significant threats.
Scouting his surroundings, Iguro spotted a long brown snake, its body stretching over a hundred meters. A small green horn protruded from its head, marking it as a mid-level Normal Grade Green-Horned Snake.
Iguro watched from fifty meters away, waiting nearly half an hour to ensure the snake was alone. The snake seemed lazy, lounging in one spot, its forked tongue darting in and out of its mouth like a whip.
A white glow enveloped Iguro's body, and he dashed towards the snake, spitting out a thick fireball. The snake hissed, narrowly dodging the attack.
As the snake retaliated with toxic fluids and earth spikes, Iguro snickered, dodging and countering with explosions and flames. His movements were blatant, displaying his raw power.
With a hiss, the snake opened its maw, spitting out a thick stream of toxic fluid. Ecstatic, Iguro released a stream of flames, overpowering the toxic stream. A Normal Grade beast had no means of resisting his flames if it didn't evade, leading to the snake's charred corpse collapse, defeated.
"Hope I didn't burn down the core," Iguro said tiredly, his chest heaving with exertion.
Old Dragon's apparition manifested, sneering disdainfully. "You're slow." Iguro's method was reckless; using a movement technique would've been safer.
"You should have used Blazing Steps," Old Dragon said, imparting knowledge of the Peak Heaven Ranked movement technique.
Iguro's eyes widened as he absorbed the information. "When cultivated to the final level, you can gain Flame Wings," Old Dragon added.
Iguro's curiosity sparked. "How did you get these techniques?" he asked.
"Hmph! For you, they're treasure. To me, they're roots I have to pull out of my mind," Old Dragon replied.
Iguro nodded, understanding. "I won't waste them."
Old Dragon's expression softened. "See that you don't."
With renewed determination, Iguro continued his journey, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.