As twilight deepened around them, shadows crept across the trees in the Endless Forest, whispering of lurking dangers. Li Wei could feel the air thickening with anticipation, the scent of damp earth and fallen leaves mingling with an unspoken tension. Though no stranger to peril, he understood when caution was wise.
"Let's regroup," he said, his voice calm yet commanding as he motioned for his teammates to draw near. In the soft glow of their Qi, he could see exhaustion etched across their faces from the earlier battles. Though they had advanced deeper to seek high-grade cores for greater points, the journey had taken its toll.
"Do you think the beasts are gone for good?" Mei Chen asked, casting a wary glance around the darkened forest.
Li Wei shook his head. "No, they're regrouping. It's only a matter of time before they try again—and likely with greater strength or reinforcements."
"Are you saying we should retreat?" Jin Rui questioned, his voice tinged with skepticism. "We just fought hard to get here."
"Yes, but only temporarily," Li Wei clarified, meeting each of their gazes. "We've come here because of the Rite of Ascendancy, and we need every core we can get if we want to win. Moving deeper gives us chances at high-grade cores, but it also comes with risks. These beasts are clever; they aren't fully retreating—they're waiting for us to show weakness."
He could feel his team processing his words, weighing the strategy. After all, the deeper they went, the more high-grade beasts they could encounter, offering a greater chance for points and valuable experience and also opportinuties. But he also knew he couldn't afford to reveal all of his own capabilities; that level of strength, shown too early, would not only risk raising suspicion but could dampen his teammates' morale. Even as they admired his abilities, the balance he struck was critical to their trust and teamwork.
"So, what do we do instead?" Mei Chen asked, her voice laced with a hint of frustration, though it softened with understanding as she considered their position.
"We regroup, just enough to rest and to focus on lower-grade cores for now," Li Wei replied. "Quantity matters here as much as quality. While Grade 1 cores bring the least amount of points, gathering them efficiently can still contribute to our total. The more points we earn, the higher our chances to win."
Li Jun nodded, thoughtful. "It's true. Pushing too hard could cost us, especially with the endless competition within the Rite itself."
"Exactly," Li Wei affirmed. "Collecting a mix of cores strategically improves our odds. Not every battle has to test us to the limit. Moving back for a while and gathering some easier cores will not only keep us safe but also build our team's synergy. There are opportunities all over the Endless Forest. The deeper we go, the more we'll find—but there's no need to rush into the jaws of it all."
Seeing them consider his plan, he felt their trust solidify, though he was always conscious of Li Jun's watchful eyes. Pushing his own limits right now, or showing the true extent of his power, might arouse too much curiosity. His intentions were to guide and strengthen them as a team, to have them rely on their own growth rather than his strength. Every ounce of power he had shown so far had been strategic, carefully calculated.
"All right," Jin Rui said, nodding as he shouldered his staff. "No sense in rushing ahead if we're just going to tire ourselves out against every beast we see."
As they adjusted their path, Li Wei accessed the System Shop in his mind. The familiar interface appeared, its icons gleaming as he searched for items that might ensure their retreat and recovery.
> **[System Shop]**
> - Stamina Recovery Pill: 5 LP
> - Restores full stamina instantly.
He'd accumulated enough Life Points (LP) from his previous victories, and the idea of recharging his team without delay appealed to him. After a moment's thought, he selected ten stamina recovery pills, their glow softening in his hand as he prepared to distribute them.
> **[Purchase Successful: 10 Stamina Recovery Pills -5 LP each. Total: 50 LP]**
The vials felt reassuring in his hand. He approached his teammates casually, downplaying the strategic value of what he'd given them.
"I picked these up back in the city," he said, offering each of them a small vial. "These will help us recover on the go. Just take one, and we'll be ready if any beasts cross our path on the way out."
Mei Chen's eyes lit up as she accepted hers. "Smart thinking, Li Wei! We'll be ready for anything."
Li Jun inspected the pill, his suspicion softening to admiration. "This'll help us regroup faster than I'd thought."
Jin Rui gave a small grin. "You're always prepared, aren't you, Li Wei?"
"Just trying to keep us moving smoothly," Li Wei replied, his voice modest but firm. As his teammates took the pills, he felt their energy revive, a faint spark reigniting their spirits as they pushed on.
They made their way through the forest, Li Wei leading them along safer trails while his senses remained sharp for any lurking dangers. They moved at a steady pace, avoiding the main paths and weaving through dense foliage that shielded them from prying eyes. Occasionally, he guided them toward lower-grade beasts, quick and efficient kills that helped boost their core count without exhausting their reserves.
After a while, Zhou Wei glanced over his shoulder, a look of relief settling on his face. "The pack of hounds won't follow us back here. We're in safer territory now."
"Let's keep alert all the same," Li Wei advised. "Now's a good time to focus on lower-grade beasts, and every core we collect will count."
As they pressed on, the rustle of leaves and distant calls of beasts marked their surroundings, but Li Wei remained focused. Soon, a small creature dashed out from the bushes—a Spirit Fox with blue fur, barely a Grade 1 beast.
"Spirit Fox," Li Wei said, his system confirming its low-level status. "Quick but harmless alone. Let's bring it down."
They sprang into action, their movements coordinated and fluid as they cornered the fox. Jin Rui and Zhou Wei took the lead, flanking the creature as it darted back and forth. Li Wei moved to intercept, guiding their strikes to efficiently corner the fox.
With a final surge, they subdued the creature, and Li Wei absorbed its life energy into his own reserves.
> **[System Notification]**
> *LP +10.*
"Good work, everyone," Li Wei said, his voice brimming with encouragement. "The more we gather like this, the better our chances of winning."
They continued on, each encounter with lower-grade beasts refining their teamwork and bolstering their core collection. As they hunted more Spirit Foxes and similar creatures, their confidence grew, and Li Wei felt the satisfaction of guiding them through this trial with growing unity.
After hours of careful hunting, they arrived at a small clearing, their energy replenished and their core collection steadily growing.
"This is a good place to rest," Li Wei suggested, glancing over the clearing as his teammates settled down.
As the forest shadows lengthened around them, Li Wei looked into the distance, his thoughts racing. The Rite of Ascendancy was far from over, and the forest held countless trials ahead. But here, with his team's trust and strength building, he felt a quiet confidence, knowing they were ready to face what lay in the heart of the forest.