The forest felt alive in a way Jin Wei had never experienced before. As he crouched next to the fallen Crimson Fang Wolf, his mind reeled at the vivid sensations around him. The air thrummed with energy, and every sound—the rustling of leaves, the distant cries of beasts—seemed amplified. His reforged meridians had opened a gateway to a world he had only dreamed of experiencing.
But there was no time to revel in this newfound awareness. Jin Wei stared at the wolf's lifeless body, its crimson fur matted with blood from their fight.
"What now?" he muttered.
The system's voice answered promptly. "The essence within the wolf's blood and core can aid your cultivation. Harvest it."
Jin Wei hesitated. He knew that cultivators often used the cores of spirit beasts to boost their cultivation, but he had never done it himself. His previous attempts at cultivation had been futile, leaving him no choice but to watch others progress while he remained stagnant.
"How do I do it?" Jin Wei asked.
The system's voice remained calm and instructional. "First, extract the beast core. It is located near the heart. Then, circulate the essence through your Ethereal Veins, allowing it to temper your body further."
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Harvesting the Beast Core
Jin Wei took a deep breath and steeled himself. Though his hands trembled slightly, he found a sharp rock nearby and began cutting into the wolf's chest. The task was grueling; the beast's hide was tougher than he expected. But after several minutes of determined effort, he finally unearthed the glowing beast core—a small, orb-like crystal radiating faint crimson light.
It pulsed in his hand like a heartbeat, exuding a raw, primal energy. Jin Wei could feel the power within it, wild and untamed.
"Now," the system instructed, "place the core against your palm and focus. Draw the essence into your Ethereal Veins. Your body will do the rest."
Jin Wei hesitated for only a moment before following the instruction. As he held the core against his palm and focused, he felt the energy within it stir, as though it were responding to his intent. The core grew warm, and then, without warning, the essence surged into him.
His body burned as the energy coursed through his veins, wild and untamed. Jin Wei clenched his teeth, sweat pouring down his face as he struggled to maintain control.
"Guide the essence," the system urged. "Do not let it overwhelm you. Focus on your breathing and circulate it through your Ethereal Veins."
With great effort, Jin Wei followed the system's guidance, using his breathing to steady the flow of energy. Slowly but surely, the wild essence began to settle, merging with his own and fortifying his body. The pain receded, replaced by a profound sense of strength and vitality.
When the process was complete, Jin Wei opened his eyes, his body trembling with exhaustion. But he could feel the difference—his muscles were firmer, his senses sharper. The system's voice confirmed his progress.
"Body Tempering Stage 1 achieved. Your strength, speed, and resilience have improved. Continue to temper your body to stabilize this realm."
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A World of Beasts and Perils
Jin Wei stood and stretched, marveling at the changes in his body. He felt stronger, more alive, but he knew better than to let his guard down. The Desolate Abyss was home to countless dangers, and the Crimson Fang Wolf was likely one of the weaker beasts in this area.
The thought made him uneasy. He glanced around the forest, his senses heightened, and realized just how vulnerable he still was. If he wanted to survive and grow stronger, he needed to understand the world around him.
"System," he said, his voice firm. "Tell me more about this place. What should I expect in the Desolate Abyss?"
The system responded without hesitation. "The Desolate Abyss is a natural cultivation ground, teeming with spirit beasts and untamed essence. The deeper you venture, the more powerful the beasts and the denser the essence become. It is an ideal place to temper your body, but it is also rife with danger. Survival here requires strength, strategy, and caution."
Jin Wei absorbed the information, his mind racing. He had been thrown into this place to die, but he now saw it as an opportunity. If he could survive the Abyss, he would emerge stronger than ever.
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The Importance of Resources
Jin Wei's gaze shifted back to the wolf's body. The system had mentioned the essence in its blood could also be used for cultivation. He frowned, unsure of how to proceed.
"System, how do I extract the blood's essence?"
"By consuming it directly or refining it into a pill," the system explained. "However, without the proper tools for alchemy, you must consume it raw. It will be less efficient, but it will still strengthen your body."
Jin Wei grimaced. The thought of drinking the wolf's blood was hardly appealing, but he couldn't afford to waste any resources. Steeling himself, he cut a shallow wound into the wolf's neck and let the blood pool into his cupped hands.
The metallic taste was unpleasant, but as the blood entered his body, he felt a surge of energy. It wasn't as intense as the beast core, but it was enough to bolster his strength.
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Setting Goals
As Jin Wei wiped his mouth and stood, his thoughts turned to the future. He couldn't stay in the Desolate Abyss forever. Sooner or later, he would have to leave and face the people who had cast him aside.
But he wasn't ready yet. He needed to grow stronger, to climb higher on the path of cultivation. His immediate goal was clear: reach the peak of the Body Tempering stage. Once his foundation was solid, he could begin to think about the next step.
"System," Jin Wei said, his voice resolute. "How do I advance through the Body Tempering stage?"
"Continue to absorb essence from spirit beasts and other natural sources," the system replied. "With each stage, your body will grow stronger and more resilient. The first three stages of the Mortal Realm are about building a foundation. Do not rush. A weak foundation will crumble under pressure."
Jin Wei nodded, understanding the wisdom in the system's words. He had been given a second chance, and he wouldn't squander it by being reckless.
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A New Threat
As Jin Wei began to move deeper into the forest, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, and he tightened his grip on the sharp rock he had used earlier.
The sound of rustling leaves reached his ears, followed by a low, guttural growl. Jin Wei's heart raced as a pair of glowing yellow eyes appeared in the shadows.
This time, it wasn't a single beast. Three Ironhide Boars emerged from the underbrush, their thick, armored hides glinting faintly in the sunlight. They were larger than the Crimson Fang Wolf, and their presence radiated a menacing aura.
Jin Wei clenched his fists, his mind racing. He was stronger now, but could he take on three beasts at once?
"System, any advice?" he whispered, his voice tense.
"Ironhide Boars are slow but durable," the system explained. "Target their legs to limit their mobility, then strike at their exposed underbelly. Do not let them corner you."
Jin Wei took a deep breath and steadied his resolve. He couldn't back down. This was his chance to test the limits of his newfound strength.
As the boars charged, Jin Wei prepared himself, his body thrumming with energy. The battle for survival had only just begun.
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