The moment my eyes fluttered open, a strange sense of unfamiliarity washed over me. My body felt different—lighter yet more powerful, like I had been reforged overnight. I sat up, stretching, and carefully checked myself for injuries. The dull aches from yesterday's battle had faded, replaced by a simmering warmth under my skin.
Then, without warning, a surge of heat pulsed through my veins.
I gasped, my fingers tingling. Sparks flickered across my hands, vanishing as quickly as they appeared. It felt like wildfire restrained within my flesh, barely kept in check. The sensation was intoxicating—powerful, dangerous.
Was this the Fire Demon Ape's power?
The realization struck like a hammer. My mind flooded with knowledge I had never possessed before. The fire coursing through me wasn't just an aftereffect of battle—it was an awakening. The pain I had endured was my body adapting to this newfound strength.
A slow grin formed on my lips. Even at its weakest, this ability gave me an edge against the creatures lurking in this world. No longer was I just an ordinary disciple scraping by—I had a weapon now.
The morning light seeped through the cave entrance, warming my face. The sight gave me a fleeting sense of comfort before my gaze shifted to the Fire Demon Ape's corpse. It lay still, its massive form untouched by decay despite an entire day having passed.
Strange.
In my past life, the idea of cutting into a corpse would have made me recoil. But here? Hesitation meant death. If I wanted to survive, I had to use everything at my disposal.
I scoured the cave floor for a sharp rock, heating it with my fire ability until it glowed red-hot. Testing the edge, I nodded in satisfaction before pressing it against the ape's thick hide.
The stench of burning fur filled the cave.
I forced down my nausea and pushed through. The thick, leathery skin resisted at first, but with enough effort, I managed to carve through it. My hands trembled slightly, though whether from exertion or the sheer weight of what I was doing, I couldn't tell.
First, I extracted the bones. The ape's skeleton was infused with fire-element energy, making it exceptionally sturdy. Weapons forged from these would be far stronger than ordinary materials.
Next, I skinned the beast, repurposing its fur into makeshift clothing. My old garments had been shredded in battle, and wandering around half-naked wasn't an option.
With the carcass stripped down, I dragged what remained deeper into the cave, ensuring it wouldn't attract unwanted attention.
For the next three days, my world revolved around survival.
By heating and shaping the bones, I crafted weapons—a hammer from the smaller ones, spears and swords from the larger ones. The process was slow, frustrating even, but I adapted quickly.
Throughout this time, I sustained myself on the ape's meat, using my fire ability to cook it.
[Creation points +300]
[Creation points +200] × 4
A grin tugged at my lips as the notifications flashed before me. 1,250 points.
It was more than I had ever expected to accumulate in such a short time. If I kept progressing at this pace, climbing the cultivation ranks wouldn't just be a dream—it would be inevitable.
"System, how many points are required to upgrade my cultivation to mid-body-strengthening level?"
"1,200 points," the system responded flatly.
Excitement surged through me. I had enough.
"System, upgrade my cultivation to mid-body-strengthening level."
"1,200 points deducted."
The moment the words echoed, an intense energy erupted within me. It was as if my body was being reforged from the inside out. My muscles tightened, my bones felt denser, my very being strengthened.
I clenched my fists, testing my newfound strength. My heart pounded with exhilaration. I was twice as strong as before.
Eager to test it, I threw a punch—
BOOM!
A shockwave tore through the air, slamming into the cave walls with an explosive impact. My eyes widened. The sheer force… it was beyond anything I imagined.
Then—CRACK!
The walls trembled. Loose stones tumbled from above.
Shit.
Before I could even process my excitement, the cave began to collapse.
I sprinted toward the entrance, shoving aside the rocks blocking my escape. Just as I leaped outside, the entire cavern caved in behind me with a deafening roar.
For a moment, I stood there, breathless, staring at the ruins of my temporary shelter. I had survived—barely.
But there was no time for sentiment. Stronger foes awaited.
I turned toward the dense forest ahead—only to halt in my tracks.
A familiar presence emerged from the shadows.
"Good, my disciple."
My master's voice rang through the air, smooth yet commanding. Her gaze held a rare warmth, tinged with something akin to pride. "You chose to face the ape rather than flee. That courage is commendable. Cultivation is for the brave—those with weak wills have no place in this world."
Her words sent a rush of pride through me. But before I could fully process them, her expression darkened.
"Do not let my praise inflate your ego." Her tone turned sharp. "The forest ahead holds creatures at the body-strengthening, essence-gathering, and even energy-transformation levels. When you reach the peak of essence-gathering, I will provide you with a technique to advance further."
Then, her next words struck like a lightning bolt.
"Your second trial requires you to kill every demonic beast in this secret realm. That is the only way out."
My breath hitched.
Every demonic beast?
How many were there? Dozens? Hundreds? Even with my new strength, was this even possible?
Sensing my hesitation, my master's expression softened slightly. A playful smirk tugged at her lips.
"Don't worry," she said, winking. "I'll have a gift for you once you complete your task."
And with that, she vanished, leaving me alone—with nothing but the weight of my new challenge.