Morning arrived with the faint rustling of leaves and the golden glow of the rising sun piercing through the canopy of trees. Xuan Li stretched his limbs, feeling a surge of strength coursing through his body. The cosmic energy he absorbed last night left him reinvigorated.
"So, this is the power of cosmic energy," Xuan Li murmured, his tone filled with awe. "I only sensed and gathered a little, yet the effect is amazing." He paused, then muttered, "What would it feel like to reach the first level?"
A familiar voice echoed in his mind. "Disciple, do not get too carried away. In the vast cosmos, there are races born at the first level. By the time they reach adulthood, they advance to the second level naturally. Compared to them, you are far inferior. Celebrate nothing trivial."
Xuan Li did not falter. Instead, his resolve strengthened. "If they can do it from birth, then I will surpass them through effort."
At noon, Xuan Li arrived at the edge of a dense forest, standing still and observing the shadows that danced ominously among the trees.
His master's voice cut through the silence. "Why are you hesitating?"
Xuan Li muttered, "To reach the next city, I have to pass through this forest. But this place is teeming with dangerous monsters. Most travelers form groups to cross safely. I'm alone."
His master's smile was evident in his tone. "That's perfect. Stay here tonight."
Xuan Li's expression darkened. "What? Stay in the forest? Master, you must be joking. I have no combat experience!"
His master's response was stern. "Exactly why you must stay. You lack experience, skills, and resilience. Your body is too fragile to channel significant cosmic energy. Training in this forest will temper your body and spirit."
With a gulp, Xuan Li dashed into the forest. The looming trees and rustling bushes heightened his anxiety, but he pressed forward. After a while, he stopped, scanning his surroundings.
Suddenly, his master materialized beside him, releasing a faint energy wave that rippled across the forest. "There's a suitable opponent nearby. Go and defeat it."
Pointing in a direction, his master vanished again.
Xuan Li arrived at the mouth of a dark cave, from which a faint crimson glow emanated. A hulking figure emerged, its shadow stretching far beyond the cave's entrance.
It was a beast with four razor-sharp claws, jagged fangs, and a towering frame over 15 feet tall. Its body pulsated with a sinister red and black aura.
"A Crimson Fang Beast," Xuan Li voice echoed.
Xuan Li froze in fear. "How am I supposed to defeat this monster?"
His master, perched nonchalantly on a nearby rock, responded with a blank expression. "Follow your instincts. Remember last night's practice. Defeat it."
Before Xuan Li could protest, his master emitted a wave of energy, pushing him toward the beast.
The Crimson Fang Beast's glowing eyes locked onto Xuan Li as it approached step by step. Overwhelmed, Xuan Li could barely think. "Sense cosmic energy," he muttered to himself, trying to focus.
The beast swiped its claw. Xuan Li dodged but felt the sting of its sharp talons grazing his arm, drawing blood.
Calming his breathing, Xuan Li thought, "Focus. This is a real battle." He took a fighting stance.
The beast roared and lunged again. Xuan Li dodged, delivering a punch to its side, but it had no effect. The beast retaliated, sending him flying into a tree. Blood spilled from Xuan Li's mouth as he collapsed to the ground, unable to stand.
The Crimson Fang Beast charged toward him, its maw open wide, ready to finish him off.
In the darkness of his mind, Xuan Li heard mocking voices.
"Trash, are you finally giving up?" Ling Yuna's disdainful voice echoed.
Another voice followed. "Just die miserably, trash," Lei Zhen sneered.
Suddenly, a warm and familiar voice broke through the despair.
"Xuan… Grandpa believes in you."
A dazzling figure appeared, radiating starlight. It was his grandfather, Ancestor Shen Wu, his aura serene yet overwhelming. "Now stand up."
Xuan Li reached out, grabbing his grandfather's hand. The starry aura surged into him, snapping him back to reality.
The Crimson Fang Beast's claws were mere inches from Xuan Li's face. With newfound clarity, he dodged just in time. The beast slammed into a tree, splintering it into pieces.
Xuan Li stood, determination burning in his eyes.
The beast, furious, let out a deafening roar and charged again. Xuan Li closed his eyes, sensing the surrounding cosmic energy. A faint flow of particles appeared in his mind's eye. He began to absorb the energy, channeling it into his fist.
A soft blue glow enveloped him.
When the beast swung its claws, Xuan Li dodged and came up under its torso, delivering a punch that echoed like thunder. The impact shattered the beast's ribcage, leaving it immobilized.
Step by step, Xuan Li approached the beast, which howled in fear.
Gathering cosmic energy again, his fist glowed bright blue and hummed with power. With a determined shout, he declared, "I am not trash!"
He struck the beast with a powerful blow, creating a pit in the ground. The Crimson Fang Beast's body was torn apart, leaving only its skin behind.
Exhausted, Xuan Li collapsed to the ground, unconscious. A faint aura enveloped his body, shielding him.
From a distance, his master watched with a proud smile. "Kid, you've proven your worth as my disciple."
When more monsters emerged from the shadows, his master waved his hand, reducing them to dust with a single motion.
He carried Xuan Li to the cave, shielding him with a soothing white aura. "Rest well, my disciple. This is just the beginning."
And so, Xuan Li spent his first night in the forest, taking his first step toward greatness.