The Moonlit Forest had an enigmatic aura, and the deeper Makoto ventured, the more he realized it was no ordinary woodland. The towering trees with their ancient, gnarled roots seemed alive, whispering secrets in a language he could almost—but not quite—understand. The air grew heavier, not in suffocating thickness, but with the palpable weight of untapped potential, rich with Qi.
Makoto's body felt renewed after his battle with the Primal Ironhide Boar and his assimilation of the Primal Qi, yet there was a growing tension within him. Every step further into the forest was a step away from safety. But safety wasn't what he sought.
As Makoto walked, his thoughts drifted to his recent transformation. The infusion of Primal Qi had elevated him to the Third Stage of Qi Refining, solidifying his foundation and enhancing his physical strength. Yet, he was keenly aware of how far he still had to climb.
"This body is still too weak," Makoto muttered, flexing his hand and feeling the faint hum of energy beneath his skin. "The potential is there, but I need more. Much more."
His gaze swept over the forest. There's something deeper here—something I can feel pulling me forward..
The terrain began to shift as Makoto ventured further. The dense canopy above thinned, allowing shafts of silvery moonlight to pierce through, illuminating the path ahead. He found himself in a clearing with a crystalline lake at its center. The water shimmered with a faint glow, radiating an aura of purity.
Makoto crouched by the lake, his sharp senses tingling. The Qi here was incredibly dense, unlike anything he'd encountered before. It wasn't just ambient energy—it was concentrated, vibrant, alive.
He dipped his fingers into the water, and a surge of warmth traveled up his arm, invigorating his entire being. This lake is a treasure in itself, he realized. He quickly filled a small vial with the water, knowing it could be invaluable for healing or refining his cultivation.
Just as he finished, the surface of the lake rippled unnaturally. Makoto stood, his senses on high alert. From the lake emerged a creature—a Silver-Scaled Serpent, its lithe body shimmering under the moonlight.
The serpent's eyes glowed with intelligence, and its presence radiated power equivalent to the Fourth Stage of Qi Refining. Its forked tongue flicked out as it let out a low, threatening hiss.
Makoto studied the creature, his hand instinctively moving to the hilt of his sword. "So, you're the guardian of this lake," he murmured. "I suppose you're not going to let me leave without a fight."
The serpent lunged with blinding speed, its body a blur of silver as it aimed for Makoto's chest. He sidestepped, drawing his sword in one fluid motion. The blade hummed as it sliced through the air, narrowly missing the serpent's scales.
The creature coiled back, its movements precise and deliberate. It released a burst of Qi, a shockwave that rippled through the clearing. Makoto raised his sword, channeling his own Qi to form a barrier. The collision of energies sent a crackling echo through the forest.
"This isn't going to be easy," Makoto muttered, a grin tugging at his lips. "But then, nothing worth having ever is."
Makoto's mind raced as the serpent attacked again, its movements unpredictable and deadly. Each strike pushed him to his limits, forcing him to rely on the skills and instincts honed over centuries.
When the serpent lunged once more, Makoto saw his opening. Channeling his Qi into his blade, he unleashed a technique he hadn't used in this lifetime—Heavenly Severance Slash.
The blade glowed with an intense light, carving through the serpent's defenses and striking its flank. The creature let out a pained hiss, its body writhing as it collapsed onto the lake's edge.
Makoto approached cautiously, his sword still at the ready. But instead of attacking again, the serpent stared at him with what seemed like respect. Slowly, it slithered back into the lake, disappearing beneath the surface.
As the serpent vanished, the lake began to glow brighter. A single lotus flower emerged from its center, its golden petals shimmering with an otherworldly light.
Makoto's breath caught. A Golden Lotus, he thought, his eyes widening. A treasure capable of purifying Qi, strengthening one's foundation, and even enhancing one's lifespan.
Wading into the lake, Makoto carefully plucked the lotus, feeling a surge of energy course through him the moment he touched it. This was a gift from the forest, a reward for his strength and perseverance.
Makoto returned to the shore, still marveling at the lotus in his hands, when a sound broke the silence—a rustling from the nearby bushes. He tensed, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword.
A young man emerged from the shadows, his robes bearing the insignia of the Azure Sky Sect. He was tall and lean, with sharp features and a wary expression.
"You're an outer disciple," the man said, his voice cold. "What are you doing this deep in the forest?"
Makoto's eyes narrowed. The man's Qi radiated strength at the Fourth Stage of Qi Refining, but his posture betrayed hesitation.
"I could ask you the same," Makoto replied, his tone calm but firm.
The man's frown deepened. "This area is off-limits to outer disciples. Leave now, or I'll report you to the sect."
Makoto smirked. "You can try, but I doubt you'll succeed."
The man's eyes flicked to the golden lotus in Makoto's hand. His expression darkened with a mix of envy and suspicion. "You shouldn't have that," he said. "Treasures like that are meant for inner disciples, not someone like you."
Makoto's grip on his sword tightened. "If you want it, you'll have to take it from me."
The man hesitated, clearly weighing his options. Finally, he took a step back. "You'll regret this," he said before disappearing into the forest.
Makoto sheathed his sword, his mind racing. An inner disciple's lackey, no doubt. But why was he here? And how much does he know?
Shaking off the encounter, Makoto turned his attention back to the forest. The Golden Lotus was a significant gain, but he sensed there was more to discover. The Moonlit Forest still held secrets, and he intended to uncover them all.