Somewhere in the Xuan Tian Realm.
In a dimly lit room, a group of figures dressed in dark robes were having a serious discussion.
"Are you certain the information you've brought is accurate?" asked an old
man, his voice filled with skepticism.
"Absolutely. I just got this news yesterday," the man sitting across replied swiftly. "That boy... he severely injured my disciple, almost breaking his back. Not only that, but it seems he has grown significantly stronger. Even a Qi Refining stage 3 cultivator couldn't stand a chance against him. With just a single strike, my disciple nearly fainted on the spot."
The old man nodded slightly, a faint smile appearing on his lips. "It seems there might still be a chance. What a cunning, hidden talent he is. Don't worry; I will avenge your disciple. I'll behead him in the Thunder Beast Forest and bring his head back to you."
The old man continued with a cold and calm voice, "I hope you won't make any mistakes, for if this fails, we all will be in serious trouble."
The other man, with a deep, heavy voice like that of a large, imposing figure, confidently responded, "No need to worry. I will handle this thoroughly. Not even a single trace will be left behind. I will form a team of twenty Qi Refining stage 5 cultivators to deal with him. He's only at stage 1 of Qi Refining. He isn't worth our concern."
The old man nodded again, seemingly pleased with the answer. "Good. I'll be waiting to see your results. If you succeed, I will reward you handsomely."
After speaking, the old man stood up and walked out of the dark hall, leaving the place shrouded once again in silence.
The burly man chuckled to himself, murmuring, "An old fool like you dares to order me around as if you're my superior? When I kill that boy, I'll take your life too and seize all your resources."
His sinister laughter echoed softly, filled with malicious delight, before the scene abruptly shifted.
------
At the entrance of the Thunder Beast Mountain.
The atmosphere was filled with an eerie stillness, a chilling breeze sweeping through the area, as if it was preparing to welcome the brave souls who dared to venture into this perilous place...
Finally, I've arrived.
Xiao Tian stood before the entrance of the Thunder Beast Mountain, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings. A sly smile crept across his lips as he muttered to himself, "So, this is it." Without hesitation, he stepped into the mysterious forest, his steps steady and deliberate.
---
Hmph...
This place is too quiet. Suspiciously quiet. Xiao Tian's instincts, honed from a lifetime of experience in his previous world, told him that such silence often signaled danger. He tread carefully, every step deliberate and calculated. "I must find a safe spot soon," he whispered to himself.
Suddenly, a ripple of energy surged through the air, slamming into him with an invisible force.
"What the—?" Xiao Tian gasped, his body tensing as he turned toward the source of the disturbance. "A fourth-rank demonic beast... on my first day here? Just my luck!"
Knowing he was outmatched, Xiao Tian darted away with all the speed he could muster. His heart raced as he evaded the beast, moving through the dense forest with uncanny precision.
---
After what felt like an eternity, he finally found a reprieve. Standing on a rocky ledge, he surveyed the area and nodded to himself. "This might just be the perfect refuge for the time being."
Xiao Tian had managed to escape the battle zone, where two fourth-rank demonic beasts were fiercely clashing. He estimated that he'd traveled over 1,400 kilometers during his desperate flight. Now, before him stood a majestic waterfall—its waters cascading over a cliff more than 100 meters tall and spanning over 40 meters wide.
The sight was mesmerizing. The water was pristine, and the surrounding area exuded an aura of tranquility. The spiritual energy here was remarkably pure, far surpassing the regions he'd passed through earlier. Small animals and birds gathered at the stream, drinking from its refreshing waters. Beneath the surface of the stream, aquatic life teemed in abundance.
"This place is perfect," Xiao Tian thought, his gaze lingering on the waterfall. As he explored further, he discovered a cave hidden behind the curtain of water. He couldn't help but chuckle to himself.
"A cave behind a waterfall? Why is it that every cliché from those cultivation novels keeps happening to me?" He smirked but wasted no time. "Well, I can't complain if it means I get to live here safely."
Xiao Tian stepped into the cave and began to inspect his surroundings. The interior was spacious and dry, with no signs of a demonic beast's presence. It was as if fate had carved out this haven just for him.
Wasting no time, he started organizing the space, setting up basic accommodations for his daily cultivation and survival needs. "This place will do nicely," he muttered to himself, the glint of determination flickering in his eyes.
As the sound of the waterfall roared in the background, Xiao Tian couldn't help but feel a small sense of satisfaction. "Let's see who dares disturb me now," he thought with a grin, settling into his new sanctuary.
~~~
After completing his preparations in the cave, Xiao Tian decided it was time to venture out and survey the surrounding area for any valuable resources.
"Alright," he murmured to himself, stepping out of the safety of his newfound sanctuary. "Let's see what this place has to offer."
His first stop was the nearby hill, its steep incline covered with towering trees. With nimble movements, he leaped onto a branch of the nearest tree, carefully traversing the forest canopy. Each jump was deliberate, his movements slow and calculated. He knew better than to let his guard down in the Thunder Beast Forest, a place teeming with dangerous creatures.
As he progressed, something unusual caught his eye. Perched on a distant tree was a peculiar sight: a luminous blue tree bearing radiant purple fruits. The fruits glimmered like priceless jewels, their brilliance captivating and almost otherworldly.
Xiao Tian paused, narrowing his eyes. Strange… This tree is laden with fruit. If these fruits are so rare and valuable, why hasn't anything eaten them yet?
He decided to observe further, his instincts warning him of hidden danger. Minutes passed before a boar-like demonic beast, clearly a second-rank creature, approached from the north. The beast sniffed at the fruits, clearly enticed. But as it drew closer, a sharp, vine-like appendage shot up from the ground, impaling the boar and dragging it beneath the earth. The soil shifted briefly before settling back, as though nothing had happened.
Xiao Tian's breath caught in his throat. "A trap," he whispered. His heart pounded in relief that he hadn't rushed in blindly. It was clear that this blue tree used the remains of its victims as nourishment. The radiant fruits, Xiao Tian realized, were likely infused with the blood and essence of the beasts it had consumed.
Still, he couldn't entirely suppress his greed. If these fruits are made from the blood and energy of demonic beasts, consuming them could strengthen my body and enhance my cultivation. They might even contain a trace of spiritual energy!
Determined, Xiao Tian decided to strike. Channeling his inner energy, he summoned his sword and began concentrating his Qi. He poured five-tenths of his spiritual energy into a single powerful slash, releasing a golden Sword Qi that surged forward like a bolt of lightning. The energy radiated outward, scorching the nearby foliage and reducing the surrounding grass to ash.
But as the dust cleared, Xiao Tian's expression darkened. The blue tree remained unscathed. Not even a scratch marred its trunk.
"What?" he muttered, disbelief clouding his features. "It's completely unharmed..."
Realizing that the tree was far beyond his current capabilities, Xiao Tian clenched his fists. "No point in wasting time here. Better to leave before I end up like that boar." He cast one last glance at the tree before retreating, leaping silently back into the forest.
---
As Xiao Tian traveled further south, he shifted his focus toward finding herbs or other alchemical materials. Resources like these could still aid his cultivation, even if they weren't as remarkable as the blue tree's fruits. "There must be something useful around here," he thought, determination burning in his eyes as he pressed onward.
"Finally... I found it."
Xiao Tian's eyes gleamed with excitement as he spotted the precious herb. With a swift leap, he landed on the ground and hurried to collect it, his movements careful yet efficient. This was an extremely rare herb—a fourth-rank treasure known as the Eight-Petal Herb. Renowned for its versatility, this herb could be used to refine powerful elixirs, enhance one's cultivation, and strengthen the body's energy. Its potency was no joke, requiring over a hundred years to fully mature. Finding it here was nothing short of a blessing.
Xiao Tian didn't waste any time, gathering as much as he could find, stashing the herbs away in his dimensional bag. For safety, he would occasionally return to his cave to store his findings and then come back to continue his gathering. By the sixth trip, he was practically beaming with satisfaction, his bag brimming with rare and valuable resources.
Just as he was about to pick up another herb, he heard a sudden sound. (What was that noise?) His instincts kicked in, and he swiftly found a place to hide, his body tense and alert. Moments later, an enraged roar echoed through the forest, a sound as ferocious as a maddened demon. Xiao Tian peered cautiously toward the source of the commotion, and his eyes widened in disbelief.
Before him stood a massive, fifth-rank demonic beast, tears streaming down its face as it cried out in sorrow.
He almost couldn't believe his eyes. A fifth-rank demonic beast, showing such emotion—and then it spoke. In human tongue.
(Damn! This is way beyond my ability to handle!), Xiao Tian thought, beads of sweat forming on his brow. In this realm, beasts that could speak were incredibly rare, their intelligence far superior to ordinary demonic creatures. Even among eighth-rank beasts, only a few could manage human speech. This creature… could it be a descendant of a sacred beast? Only those of the sacred bloodline had such capabilities, even at lower ranks.
Just as he considered his options, a shadow loomed over him, blotting out the sunlight. Turning his gaze upward, Xiao Tian's heart skipped a beat. A massive creature, as large as a small house, was towering above him, its predatory eyes fixed directly on him.
(Oh no… I'm in trouble!)
The beast's voice rumbled with menace, "So, you're the little thief who dared to steal my herbs?" Its tone was dark and filled with rage, as if it was ready to tear his soul apart. Xiao Tian steadied himself, keeping his composure, but feigned a look of fear.
"Please, mighty one!" he stammered. "I only took a few things. In my dimensional bag, you'll find everything I took. I beg you, spare my life!"
Before the beast could react, Xiao Tian spun around and dashed toward the edge of a cliff, throwing his dimensional bag into the abyss. Without looking back, he bolted into the forest, every ounce of his energy focused on escaping as fast as he could.
The beast, seeing the bag tumbling down the cliff, flew after it in pursuit. After retrieving the bag and returning to solid ground, it eagerly opened it—only to find a few meager items within.
"You insolent brat! How dare you deceive me?!" the beast roared, its voice thunderous. "I swear, I'll hunt you down and make you suffer a thousand agonies!"
Back in the depths of the forest, Xiao Tian's lips curled into a sly grin as he continued to sprint, his heart racing with exhilaration.
"ROOOAAARRRR!"
The ferocious roar of the demonic beast echoed across a thousand li, sending waves of terror through the surrounding area. Even other beasts who heard the sound trembled in fear, overwhelmed by the aura of a sacred beast at the 5th level.
Xiao Tian, upon hearing the roar, paid it no mind. He merely glanced in the direction of the sound with a mocking smile. Despite being a high-level, intelligent creature, the beast valued its treasure more than the life of the person who had stolen it.
He chuckled softly and continued running, not stopping to catch his breath even for a moment.
-------
When he finally arrived back at his hideout, he wasted no time and eagerly inspected the resources he had acquired.
"Ha... This harvest is extraordinary!" Xiao Tian exclaimed with a gleeful smile. "With these, I'm confident I can refine my Demonic Body to the mid-level of Stage 2 and even push my cultivation to Stage 3 of Qi Refining for sure!"
Today, Xiao Tian decided to take a break after a day filled with unusual events. He had witnessed battles between high-level beasts and, in a stroke of fortune, managed to steal a treasure cultivated by a sacred beast. The day's unexpected twists and turns left him feeling both exhilarated and confused.
Gradually calming himself, he chose to relax for the evening. He made his way to a nearby waterfall, deciding that a bath in its pristine waters would be a perfect way to unwind. He set his clothes neatly by the riverbank and slipped into the water, feeling its cool embrace surround him. The chill wasn't enough to make him shiver but was refreshing, washing away the fatigue of the day. It felt as though all the worries and burdens he had carried vanished with each passing moment in the water, giving him a sense of peace and allowing him to breathe more freely. Immersed in the natural beauty around him, he felt a rare moment of tranquility.
After enjoying the refreshing bath, Xiao Tian climbed out, dressed himself, and made his way back to the cave. It was time to resume his cultivation. He intended to practice the two martial arts techniques he had chosen from the library. He had never once allowed himself to slack off in his training, for in this forest brimming with danger, losing focus even for a moment was akin to throwing his life away. It would be like offering himself as prey to the beasts lurking in the shadows.
As he prepared for his training, Xiao Tian reflected on his previous life. In his old world, he had never been fond of studying. It felt like a pointless endeavor, yielding little benefit to his daily struggles. But in this world, things were different. Here, learning wasn't just an academic pursuit; it was a matter of life and death, a crucial tool for survival. The pressure to hone his martial skills drove him to push his limits continuously, unlike his past life, where academic achievements often led to uncertain futures in a highly competitive job market.
Pushing these thoughts aside, he focused his mind, silencing the noise of distractions. He entered a state of deep concentration, dedicating himself entirely to the practice of his chosen martial arts techniques. In the quiet solitude of the cave, he immersed himself in the profound mysteries of cultivation, determined to grow stronger with each passing moment...~~
~~~~
Xiao Tian remained in a meditative position, perfectly still as if he were a meticulously sculpted statue. On his head, a snake coiled itself without any sense of danger or disturbance, as Xiao Tian exuded an aura of deep tranquility, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings like a stone monument. He had been meditating, refining both his body and spirit, for over seven days. Slowly, he opened his eyes, allowing the light from the waterfall to penetrate his pupils. Rising slowly, he clenched his fists, feeling a surge of excitement well up within him.
"I've advanced my Demonic Body to the peak of the Second Realm! My cultivation has also reached the Third Realm of Qi Refinement at its peak. Now, all I need are more resources to further enhance and refine my body and spirit.
I'll continue honing these techniques," he declared with renewed determination.
Xiao Tian began to plan his next steps. His goal was to elevate his cultivation foundation to the Fifth Realm of Qi Refinement and strengthen his Demonic Body to the Fourth Realm, aiming for mastery at the highest level. Only then would he dive into mastering the two martial arts techniques he had selected in earnest.
As he pondered, he remembered the last encounter with the Blue Tree Demon. At that time, he was too weak to defeat it. But now, with his increased cultivation level and enhanced Demonic Body, almost reaching the Third Realm, he felt confident that he could at least inflict significant damage. With this newfound confidence, he dashed toward the forest where the Blue Tree Demon resided.
Arriving at the familiar spot, Xiao Tian was startled to see that the once blue tree had turned a blood-red shade in just seven days. "What happened here?" he thought, momentarily taken aback by the transformation. But he wasted no time in contemplation; swiftly, he drew his sword and unleashed a powerful sword aura toward the tree. The attack landed, causing the Blue Tree Demon to tremble with noticeable damage. However, due to the distance, the demon couldn't retaliate immediately.
Just as he thought he had the upper hand, the ground beneath him erupted as sharp, thorn-covered roots lunged at him. These roots, appearing as if designed to drain the blood of their prey, forced Xiao Tian into evasive maneuvers.
"Damn it! I underestimated this tree's power. It's equivalent to a low-level Fourth Realm of Qi Refinement!" he realized with a grimace. "I can't afford to be careless any longer. It's time to use my full speed and channel the power of my Sword Spirit!"
Over the past seven days, Xiao Tian had refined his understanding of the sword, achieving a mid-level mastery of the Sword Intent—a significant accomplishment. Without hesitation, he dashed forward, ignoring the sharp, blood-draining roots. Channeling his mid-level Sword Intent into the tip of his blade, he concentrated a portion of his energy into his wrists, gripping his sword tightly as if it were an extension of his own being. He swung with all his might, causing a ripple in the fabric of time and space. The sheer force of the strike cracked the very air, as if the blade could sever the heavens themselves. It was an astonishing feat, considering his sword was merely of golden grade and his cultivation was only at the Fourth Realm of Qi Refinement. The slash seemed to tear through the dimensions, shattering the space around it like fragmented glass.
Xiao Tian remained in his finishing stance, panting heavily as exhaustion washed over him. He collapsed to the ground, struggling to catch his breath. Slowly, he steadied his breathing, adjusting his internal energy flow before he managed to stand up again. The full-force strike had nearly shattered his wrists; if he hadn't fortified them with concentrated energy, his hands might have been torn apart from the sheer impact.
Approaching the fallen Blue Tree Demon, he scavenged what remained of its fruits, although many had been damaged by his devastating attack. Without wasting any time, he hurried back to his cave. "I need to get back immediately," he muttered, "the noise I made will attract countless beasts to this area."
As he made his way back, he meticulously erased his tracks. The last thing he needed was for some powerful demon beast to follow his trail back to his hideout.
--------
After returning to his cave, Xiao Tian collapsed, severely injured and utterly exhausted. He quickly retrieved the top-grade healing resources he had found seven days prior and began absorbing their essence immediately. However, they only managed to restore a small portion of his spiritual energy and heal his internal injuries slightly, as he had depleted all his power and suffered severe backlash. He needed to hurry and heal himself.
Three days later, his body and spiritual injuries were fully restored. At this point, Xiao Tian decided to take out one of the blue demon fruits he had found and consumed it. The moment he did, an overwhelming surge of energy erupted within him, far exceeding his expectations.
The energy contained within the fruit was mingled with the essence of the demon beasts it had absorbed. Not only was it potent, but it was also remarkably pure, making it perfect for refining his body and spirit. Without hesitation, he sat down in meditation, consuming the fruits one by one to refine and strengthen his physique. As he continued this process, the fruits were gradually depleted. By the time he finished them all, an entire week had passed.
Finally, I have reached the peak of the 5th level in the Spirit Refining Realm! And my demon body has also advanced to the peak of the 4th level!
Afterward, Xiao Tian pulled out the Heaven-Cleaving Sword Art manual, which contained the technique for sword mastery. He spoke to himself:
"Alright, it's time to start practicing this technique. Even a little bit of mastery would be good."
However, after a week of training, he found himself frustrated and exclaimed:
"This technique is incredibly difficult! Even though I've been practicing it for over a week, my progress is barely satisfactory."
Feeling disheartened, Xiao Tian glanced at another scroll—the manual for cultivating his demon body technique. He muttered:
"Fine, I'll focus on raising my demon body technique to match my current cultivation base first. Once I reach the 5th level, I'll come back to the Heaven-Cleaving Sword Art."
He then subjected himself to rigorous physical training, using various methods he had devised. Through relentless effort, he finally achieved the 5th level in his demon body cultivation, albeit at the lower stage. He felt satisfied with this progress. Over two weeks had passed by then, and Xiao Tian realized he needed to figure out how to fully master the Heaven-Cleaving Sword Art.
At this point, almost a month had gone by since he first arrived here. With only one month left before he was obligated to return the manual to the library as promised, he found himself still unable to grasp even the fundamentals of the Heaven-Cleaving Sword Art. Deep in thought, he suddenly had a brilliant idea.
"If I don't know how to train, then I must find a target. Right!" he said. He found a nearby mountain and began unleashing a flurry of sword slashes, slicing through the trees and striking the mountain with tremendous force. Swinging his sword a hundred times, he declared, "I will hone this sword technique until it is sharp enough to cleave the heavens themselves!"
Xiao Tian decided to find a more isolated training spot, away from his resting place, to avoid attracting demon beasts. He chose a mountain a hundred li away and trained there regularly. Whenever a demon beast approached, he would kill it and absorb its core to further refine his spiritual energy. This routine continued for an entire month, totaling two months of intense training. Finally, he decided to head towards the entrance of the Demon Beast Mountain to return the manuals to the sect library.
However, Xiao Tian smirked deviously. He had secretly copied the original Heaven-Cleaving Sword Art manual before returning it, giving him his own personal copy. The thrill of outsmarting others filled him with satisfaction as he ventured deeper into the Thunder Demon Beast Forest.
~~~
Not long after, a group of seven mysterious individuals perched atop tall trees, obscured from view. The leader of the group said, "Alright, we've found him. Take him down. The boss will reward us handsomely once we bring his head back." They assumed Xiao Tian was still only at the early stages of Spirit Refining, perhaps the 2nd or 3rd level at most, as they believed no one could progress so quickly.
But to their shock, Xiao Tian stood calmly and spoke coldly, "You're already dead." Before they could react, their heads were severed from their bodies in an instant. The speed of Xiao Tian's sword slash was far too fast, faster than light itself, leaving no trace or sign of movement.
"It seems I've become a target," Xiao Tian murmured indifferently as he searched the bodies for valuable items before taking everything with him.
Two hours later, another group arrived at the scene, having been unable to contact their comrades. They found the seven corpses in a wretched state, each decapitated with a single, precise strike. In awe, they examined the wounds, marveling at the sheer sharpness of the cut, clearly done in one swift motion. Astonished, they hurriedly took the bodies away, preparing to regroup and form a new plan to track down Xiao Tian.
"It looks like someone has set their eyes on me," he remarked nonchalantly, while continuing to drag the body of a mid-stage level 6 demon beast deeper into the forest...~~