After their heated encounter with the rival team, Li Wei and his companions regrouped. They exchanged knowing glances, silently agreeing to go deeper into the Endless Forest. Most of the other teams wouldn't dare to venture this far, given the constant threat of stronger beasts lurking in the shadows. Only those who were desperate or foolish would try to reach the forest's hidden heart.
The further they moved, the denser the forest became. Towering ancient trees stretched above them, their gnarled branches forming an almost impenetrable canopy. Shafts of sunlight pierced through in narrow beams, illuminating floating particles of dust, while shadows slithered along the ground like living creatures. The atmosphere grew heavy with every step, as if the air itself held its breath, sensing something dangerous.
"This area feels… different," Mei Chen murmured, her voice barely a whisper. Around them, the quiet seemed unnatural, with no bird calls or rustling leaves, only the crunch of their own footsteps on the undergrowth. It was a silence that felt alive, charged with unseen danger.
Suddenly, a familiar, low growl echoed from the dense foliage. Emerging from the shadows was a pack of Grade 2 hounds. Their sharp teeth glistened, and their eyes were cold and predatory as they watched Li Wei's team. The sight of them stirred a sense of deja vu. This time, however, they were ready.
"Stay alert," Li Wei commanded, his voice calm and unshaken. Using the landscape to their advantage, they moved with practiced coordination, flanking the beasts and creating a pincer formation. This time, they weren't caught off guard.
Zhou Wei struck first, his sword flashing as he sliced through the air. Jin Rui followed, wielding his staff with an agility that kept the hounds at bay. Mei Chen joined in, her movements precise, each swing of her sword decisive. The hounds, relentless as ever, lunged and snapped, but with the combined efforts of the team, they managed to dispose of the pack efficiently. As the last hound fell, their breaths steadied, and a faint sense of accomplishment washed over them.
Encouraged by their victory, they pressed on. But the deeper they went, the more foreboding the forest became. It wasn't long before they found themselves in a part of the forest that seemed untouched by time. The trees here were older, with thick, twisting trunks and roots that snaked across the ground like veins. The air felt denser, laden with Qi so rich it made their skin prickle. It was intoxicating—like standing in a fountain of pure, unfiltered energy.
"This place… it's perfect for cultivation," Mei Chen whispered, eyes wide with awe as she absorbed the dense Qi around her. Zhou Wei and Jin Rui exchanged excited glances, both likely envisioning the breakthroughs they could make here. But Li Wei's instincts flared with unease.
"Don't get too comfortable," he warned, his gaze shifting around them. "Something doesn't feel right. We should leave this area."
They exchanged glances, a bit of disappointment flickering in their expressions. But they trusted Li Wei's judgment, and they started to turn back—only to be stopped by a sudden, low rumble. The ground trembled beneath their feet, and from the thick underbrush, a massive shadow emerged.
A beast unlike any they had encountered stepped into view, larger and more terrifying than anything they could have imagined. It was a Grade 4 beast, towering over them like a mountain. Its fur was the color of midnight, dense and glossy, with patches of tough, almost armor-like scales. Its limbs were thick with muscle, and with each step, the earth seemed to quake in fear. But it was the beast's eyes that froze them in place—two golden orbs that glowed with an intelligence far beyond any animal.
"Oh no…" Mei Chen whispered, fear creeping into her voice as she took a shaky step back. She wasn't alone; even Jin Rui's hands trembled as he tightened his grip on his staff, his usual confidence fading under the beast's baleful stare.
The creature let out a deep, rumbling laugh, a sound that sent a chill down their spines. "Foolish mortals," it spoke, its voice gravelly and mocking. "You dare tread in my territory?"
The reality of their situation hit them like a thunderclap. This was no mindless beast but an intelligent predator. And judging by the oppressive aura it exuded, it was powerful—too powerful for a team of Qi Gathering cultivators. Fear tightened its grip on each of them as the beast advanced, each step slow and deliberate, as if savoring the fear it induced.
"Retreat!" Li Wei ordered sharply, his voice barely hiding the urgency that surged within him. They tried to obey, moving back in small, careful steps, but the beast's gaze followed each of them, cold and calculating.
The beast let out a guttural growl and lunged. Zhou Wei barely dodged in time, rolling out of reach as one of the creature's massive claws gouged deep into the ground where he'd just stood. Mei Chen swung her sword, aiming to fend it off, but her strike barely scratched its armored hide. It retaliated with a swift backhanded strike, sending her sprawling.
"Mei Chen!" Li Wei called, his heart racing as he saw his teammate struggle to stand. Jin Rui, seeing her vulnerable, tried to close in, his staff spinning in defensive arcs, but the beast's movements were unnaturally fast. It swatted him aside as though he were nothing more than a nuisance, his body crashing into a tree with a sickening thud.
Li Jun charged forward with his spear, thrusting it toward the beast's exposed side. For a brief moment, Li Wei thought he saw an opening. But the beast twisted, catching the spear's shaft in its jaws and snapping it like a twig. With a fierce growl, it shoved Li Jun backward, leaving him defenseless.
The situation was spiraling out of control, and Li Wei knew it. His teammates' breaths were ragged, their faces pale, each of them bearing fresh injuries. They could barely hold their ground, let alone mount any kind of effective attack. For the first time since they'd entered the Endless forest, he felt genuine fear—not for himself, but for his team.
In that moment, Li Wei understood that he could no longer hold back. If he didn't act decisively, someone might not make it out alive. His gaze hardened, and he called out, his voice clear and commanding.
"Mei Chen! Zhou Wei!" They looked to him, desperation flickering in their eyes. "I need one of your swords. Now!"
The urgency in his tone jolted them, and though they hesitated, realizing he meant to face the beast head-on, they complied. Mei Chen quickly tossed her sword toward him, the blade glinting as it sailed through the air. Li Wei caught it, and the moment his fingers wrapped around the hilt, a shift occurred.
The air around him grew heavy, and an unfamiliar pressure seemed to radiate from his stance. The forest seemed to recognize his change, going still as though bracing for what was about to happen. The beast's glowing eyes narrowed, a hint of wariness flickering across its fierce gaze.
"What… are you?" it rumbled, taking a cautious step back.
Li Wei said nothing, his silence speaking volumes as he channeled his resolve into his grip on the blade. His aura was no longer the calm, measured energy of a Qi Gathering cultivator. Instead, it roared to life, fierce and unyielding, promising devastation.