Lin Tian ran through the dense forest, his breaths coming in sharp gasps as he pushed his injured body to its limits. Branches tore at his clothes and fresh blood stained his arm from the deep gash he had sustained. Behind him, Qiu Wei and his gang of warriors were in hot pursuit, their furious shouts echoing through the trees. He didn't dare slow down; he had seen the ruthless glint in their eyes, a promise that they would not stop until he was defeated or dead.
The thick canopy overhead grew denser, blocking out much of the sunlight and casting the forest floor in a dim green haze. Lin Tian seized the advantage of the low visibility, weaving through the underbrush and ducking behind thick trunks. After what felt like an eternity, he could no longer hear their voices, and his senses told him that he had finally lost them. He allowed himself a moment's pause, pressing a hand to his injured arm, feeling the warm blood seep through his fingers. The pain was intense, but he gritted his teeth and continued, determined to put more distance between himself and his pursuers.
Not far ahead, he spotted the mouth of a cave, partially hidden by overgrown vines and thick foliage. Lin Tian slipped inside, casting a cautious glance back to ensure no one was following him. The darkness of the cave engulfed him as he moved further in, sinking into the shadows until he felt safe enough to let his guard down, if only slightly.
Settling onto the rocky floor, he took a quick inventory of his supplies. He had a handful of healing pills and some bandages—barely enough to tend to his wounds, but it would have to do. He unwrapped the cloth on his arm and began dressing the injury, his movements careful but quick. Every moment was precious. If Qiu Wei and his men found him, he'd be as good as dead.
As he patched himself up, a thought crossed his mind. He was left with no choice but to act on the one hope he had saved for an emergency: the Celestial Blossom herb he had obtained. He had planned to keep it for his breakthrough into the Qi Refining Realm, but desperate times demanded desperate measures. He couldn't risk facing Qiu Wei and his gang again without strengthening himself, and if he managed to reach the peak of Body Refining, he might stand a chance of survival.
With a steadying breath, he took out the Celestial Blossom. Its petals glowed faintly, a subtle but potent shimmer of energy pulsing within. He hesitated only briefly before consuming the herb, its bitter taste filling his mouth before a surge of energy exploded within him. A rush of spirit energy coursed through his body, flooding his meridians and igniting his core. He quickly fell into a meditative stance, focusing on guiding the energy through his pathways.
The spirit energy of the Celestial Blossom was wild, untamed, but Lin Tian was determined to control it. As he circulated the energy, his aura began to grow, flickering like a faint spark that slowly transformed into a steady flame. His wounds started to heal as the energy nourished his body, reinforcing his muscles, hardening his bones, and refining his meridians to new heights. The intensity was nearly overwhelming, and he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to remain calm amidst the torrent of power.
Bit by bit, his strength climbed, inching him closer to the peak of Body Refining. He felt every fiber of his being strengthened, the energy sinking deep into his cells, filling him with a newfound resilience. His heart pounded with the exhilaration of impending breakthrough, yet he was aware that he was treading a dangerous line. Pushing too hard could backfire, but this was his only chance.
The energy continued to surge within him, growing denser and more potent with each breath. He focused, steadying his mind, his spirit as sharp as the edge of a blade. Minutes passed, then hours, and with each passing moment, his aura climbed higher, flickering and pulsing with renewed strength.
As Lin Tian neared the brink of his breakthrough, the cave suddenly grew colder, and he felt a strange, ominous sensation. His instincts screamed at him, a premonition that he wasn't alone. His eyes snapped open, his gaze shifting to the cave entrance, where he could sense the faintest shift in Qi outside.