About a hundred kilometres to the south, there was a serene yet also ominous jungle that covered hundreds thousands if not millions square kilometres of the landmasses with lustrous trees. The green color looked very shiny when Ash flew above the landscape.
Riding on his back, Shanguang pointed toward a certain huge tree down below. "Let's land on that rock, Master."
"Got it."
A few moments later, Ash perched on the tree's branch. He was quite fumbled by the sheer size of every tree in this world. He couldn't even compare it with the trees in his previous world.
In fact, this tree alone was as high as a mountain if the tree ever grew in his home world. And the fact that this tree was not even the tallest tree in the region made him wonder how much taller the trees were in the central region of the Immortal Beast Realm.
"Are you sure this is your hunting ground?" Ash inquired.
Shanguang replied after she hopped off of Ash's back. "Not here. But down below. Just under the lowest canopy."
"I see." Ash pretended as if he understood what she meant. "Should I come with you?"
"No!" Shanguang put her forepaws to the front. "This is my hunt. And… I want to prove myself that I'm no longer a burden. Not anymore."
"Alright, alright…" Ash nodded a couple times. He understood the beguiling anguish that still linger in her heart after her father's passing. She would need to get through this phase on her own. "Go, I will wait for you here."
"Thank you, Master! I'm off then!"
Shanguang then darted away into the closest branch and skillfully pounced from one end to another. Within a minute or so, she was already on the forest floor and ran straight westward.
Since he could feel Shanguang's exact whereabouts through their link as Master and Tamed Beast, Ash didn't have to worry about her being lost amidst the forest's vast expanse. Furthermore, the airborne Qi Energy in this region was considerably thin compared to the valley. So, Ash could put his mind at ease since Immortal Beast, just like any cultivator, was only interested in controlling a region with abundant Qi Energy.
While waiting for her return, Ash busied himself by reading the skill book that he obtained just recently. Thus, he summoned the book from the inventory, and opened the first page.
[Feather Swords Gather Array]
[Chapter 1: Introduction]
[For those who wander the sky, the heavens and beyond…]
Captivated by the forewords, Ash couldn't stop turning page after age. Each letter, word, paragraph flowed free into his mind effortlessly.
Unbeknownst to him, he already finished the first chapter and was unable to continue due to the level restriction. He needed to reach Level 12 before he could read Chapter 2 of the Skill Book; River Sky Movement.
Nevertheless, Ash needed to complete the Basic Qi Channeling Training before he could wield this terrifying Sword Gather Array Formation.
"Yin and Yang, Light and Darkness, two inseparable forces. Progenitor of all lifeforms on heaven and earth…" Ash reached out his senses outward his body. "I see, just like Mana in my previous world, these two govern the reality of this world. In order to alter the law of heaven and earth, I need to manipulate the Qi Energy outside my body in order to strengthen my inner Qi. The stronger my inner Qi, the more damage I can do with my skill."
After a while, Ash could feel the dense Yang Qi Energy being pulled from the underground Qi Vein by the tree. Not just one, but every tree in this jungle did the same albeit very slowly and almost undetectable. Ash chuckled in resignation upon realizing that.
"I completely forgot that trees are also lifeforms as well. Of course they would need Qi Energy to grow to this extent. Now I understand why everything in this realm is all monstrously big and powerful…"
Understanding the basic principles of cultivation, he asked the tree some of the abundant Qi Energy that was stored in its deepest root system. As if it understood Ash's good intentions, the tree shook its leaves gently as the answer.
Ash didn't feel any hindrance during his cultivation process. Each strand of Qi Energy that entered through his meridians went smoothly without resistance and stored inside his Beast Core. As he cultivate the profound Qi Energy, his body feels lighter, stronger, and his mind was also become brighter by each passing moment.
Before long, the system notification rang again in his mind.
[You have absorbed 5.000 strands of Yang Qi Energy]
[You have obtained 5.000 EXP]
[Warning!]
[You have reached the Daily Limit Quota]
[You can no longer absorb any Qi Energy due to the insufficient space in your beast core]
Ash opened his eyes, sighing a long breath after his first ever cultivation session. Since he was helped by the tree, Ash didn't feel any drawbacks on his body and felt very energized.
"Un." Ash stretched his wings wide, testing his kicks against the air, creating a strong gale of wind with his wings and all sort of made up movements that he could think of as a phoenix.
"I can feel it. Right now, my cultivation level might be on par with an 1st Stage Earth Rank Immortal Beast. Combined with my abilities, I could withstand a head on confrontation with a Sky Rank Immortal Beast! If I'm being lucky, that is."
Looking westward, Ash began to feel anxious. The sun was almost to set, yet Shanguang was still nowhere to be seen. Ash glided down on to the tree's lower canopy, however, he then recalled how determined Shanguang's face was and opted to stay.
Alas, Shanguang still had not returned yet even after the sun was completely set. He wanted to find the young feline, but it would took him hours to find her.
"Tsk! That was very stupid of me. I can now feel and detect the Qi Energy in my surrounding area. Shanguang must be nearby. Feline type beast are usually nocturnal and more active during the night. Yes, she must have been stalked her prey all day long. I might spooked her prey if I'm being careless."
Guided by the link and combined with his innate ability to detect Qi Energy, it didn't take long for Ash to find Shanguang's whereabout.
"I found you…" Ash muttered by the time he detected Shanguang's signature aura. She was a few kilometres away from the tree, creeping amidst the forest's dense foliage.