The forest loomed before them like a dark, impenetrable wall of trees. As soon as the elder announced the start of the Rite, the atmosphere shifted from tense anticipation to intense action. Hundreds of teams surged forward into the depths of the Endless Forest, some reckless, others—like Li Wei's team—moving with calculated precision.
The moment they stepped into the forest, the temperature dropped, the dense canopy blocking most of the sunlight. A strange sense of unease washed over them as they ventured deeper, the silence broken only by the occasional rustling of leaves or distant growls of hidden beasts.
Li Wei led his team forward, his sharp senses on high alert. His team followed closely—Li Jun, Jin Rui, Mei Chen, and Zhou Wei—each with their weapon ready. Although Li Wei himself carried no weapon, he exuded an unshakable confidence, as if he didn't need one.
"Stick to the plan," Li Wei reminded them, his voice calm yet authoritative. "We hunt the weaker beasts first, gauge the environment, and gradually go deeper. Avoid other teams unless necessary."
They all nodded in agreement. The real danger here wasn't other cultivators but the beasts lurking in the forest depths. Although the elder had warned them to avoid the World Tree, Li Wei occasionally cast glances toward its distant form, towering faintly above the forest like a silent guardian.
As they ventured further, faint rustling in the underbrush signaled movement. Li Wei raised a hand, signaling the team to stop.
"Get ready," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "It's coming."
A dark-furred, wolf-like creature with blood-red eyes and sharp fangs emerged from behind the trees. Its fur bristled as it growled, baring its teeth at them.
"A Grade 1 beast," Li Jun muttered, tightening his grip on his spear.
Li Wei gestured at the creature, calmly directing his team without lifting a finger to fight. "It's fast but predictable. Jin Rui, you take the lead. The rest of you, flank it."
Jin Rui nodded and stepped forward, staff at the ready. The wolf-beast charged, its movements aggressive yet straightforward, just as Li Wei had anticipated. Jin Rui deflected the creature's attack with a practiced spin of his staff, while Mei Chen and Zhou Wei moved in from the sides, their swords flashing in unison. In a swift, coordinated strike, they pierced the beast's side, and with a final swing of Jin Rui's staff, the creature fell to the ground.
A faint red glow emanated from its chest, and Li Jun quickly retrieved the beast's core—a small, red gem pulsing with energy.
"One core down," Zhou Wei said, grinning.
Li Wei nodded, his expression calm. "Let's keep moving."
They encountered several more Grade 1 beasts, quickly dispatching them as they honed their teamwork under Li Wei's direction. Li Wei observed their techniques closely, occasionally providing pointers on how to be more efficient in battle. Though he refrained from fighting, his presence as a teacher—focused and precise—made the group's movements increasingly synchronized.
After several hours, however, fatigue began to show. His teammates' stances wavered, their breath came quicker, and their movements lost some of their earlier sharpness. Finally, they reached a small clearing as the sun began to dip, casting long shadows through the trees.
"Shall we rest here?" Mei Chen asked, wiping sweat from her brow.
Before Li Wei could respond, a low, menacing growl resonated from the trees. The sound sent a chill down their spines. Emerging from the shadows was a massive, boar-like creature covered in spiked fur and gleaming tusks—a Grade 2 beast.
Li Wei's eyes narrowed as he assessed the creature's movements. "Everyone, step back. I'll handle this."
"But—" Li Jun began, only to stop when he saw Li Wei's unyielding expression.
The team reluctantly obeyed, moving to the edge of the clearing, watching as Li Wei advanced toward the beast. He moved without haste, his form relaxed yet precise, and still, he held no weapon.
The boar charged with surprising speed, but Li Wei sidestepped smoothly, his movements swift yet effortless. As the creature rushed past him, he drove his palm into its side with pinpoint force, releasing a sharp burst of energy. The boar stumbled, disoriented but not defeated, and turned with a furious roar, lunging at him again.
Li Wei moved with the same calm efficiency, dodging and striking with unrelenting precision. Each time the boar attacked, he used its momentum against it, redirecting its force while delivering precise blows to its vital points. Finally, as it reared back to strike once more, he unleashed a concentrated burst of Qi directly at its chest. The impact sent the creature crashing to the ground, its body going limp.
A faint, orange glow rose from the creature's body—a core of higher potency than those they had previously gathered.
As Li Wei approached the core, a notification appeared in his vision:
**Ding
**[ First Blood! ]**
**[ Condition met: New features unlocked ]**