For days, Lei Chen remained in the valley, learning from the Spirit Beast King. The beast, whose name was Fenrir, taught him ancient techniques—ways to harmonize his essence with the natural world around him. Lei Chen had always known that qi was in everything, but Fenrir showed him how to manipulate spiritual energy in his surroundings, using it to augment his own attacks and defenses.
The first technique Fenrir taught him was Essence Fusion, a method of blending his qi with the environment, allowing him to absorb and amplify the natural qi around him. This would not only enhance his attacks but also allow him to recover faster in battle.
"You must learn to fight not just with your own strength, but with the strength of the world around you," Fenrir explained, its voice a low rumble. "This is the path to true power."
Lei Chen practiced relentlessly, honing his new abilities. Every strike, every movement, was infused with the essence of the earth, the wind, and the air. His connection to the world deepened, and his control over his qi became more fluid.
During one of their training sessions, Fenrir revealed the existence of a Spirit Beast Core deep within the valley. This core, Fenrir explained, was a rare treasure formed from the condensed essence of ancient beasts. If Lei Chen could retrieve it, it could further enhance his cultivation, pushing him closer to the peak of the Essence Gathering Stage.
But the core was protected by layers of powerful spiritual formations—formations that could kill even the strongest cultivators.
"You will have to prove yourself once again," Fenrir warned. "But if you succeed, the rewards will be beyond anything you can imagine."