## ** Chapter 6: The First Tribulation **
The sun was tall in the sky, illuminating the dense forest surrounding the mountains. Liang Feng walked down a narrow trail, following the instructions of old master Hong. He had spent weeks consolidating his IQ, but he knew he needed practical experience to move forward.
"Facit challenges," - old master Hong had said. - "Only in adversity will you find true strength."
Liang Feng looked around, feeling the air loaded with qi from the forest. He knew this was a dangerous place, full of spiritual beasts and ambitious cultivators. But I also knew this was where he would find the answers he was looking for.
Suddenly he heard a low roar coming from a nearby clearing. Holding his makeshift sword - a sharp piece of wood he had found in the cave -Liang Feng approached silently.
In the clearing, a spiritual beast was fighting a group of cultivators. It was an imposing creature, with silver hair and eyes that shone like embers. The cultivators - that men and a woman - were disadvantage, their Qi techniques being easily dissipated by the beast.
Liang Feng hesitated. He had no obligation to help them, but he knew this could be his chance to test his skills.
"" If I'm going to survive in this world, I need to learn to fight, "he murmured to himself.
He jumped to the clearing, braving his wooden sword. The beast turned to him, roaring with fury. Liang Feng felt a wave of fear, but controlled her, circulating the Qi in her body.
-"Distract it!" Shouted one of the cultivators, surprised by Liang Feng's intervention.
Liang Feng did not respond, focusing on the beast. He moved rapidly, dodging the creature's attacks and counterattacking with accurate blows. The wood was not as sharp as a real sword, but the Qi that he channeled through it was enough to cause damage.
The beast roared in pain, retreating for a moment. Liang Feng took the opportunity, concentrating all your IQ into a single blow. He jumped, hitting his beast in his neck in full force.
The creature fell to the floor, her body shaking before finally becoming motionless. Liang Feng took a deep breath, feeling the adrenaline running in his veins. He had won.
The cultivators approached, looking at him with a mixture of gratitude and distrust.
- "Who are you?" Asked the woman, holding a bloodstained sword.
"Just a traveler," said Liang Feng, keeping his voice calm. - "I saw that you were in trouble and decided to help."
The cultivators exchanged glances, but no longer questioned. Instead, they thanked and offered Liang Feng a part of the spoils - a spiritual crystal that the beast had kept.
"This crystal can help in its cultivation," said one of the men, giving the object to Liang Feng.
Liang Feng took the crystal, feeling the pulsating energy inside it. He knew this was just the beginning, but he also knew he was on the right track.
"" Thanks, "he said, keeping the crystal in his bag.
The cultivators said goodbye and continued their journey, leaving Liang Feng alone in the clearing. He looked into the beast's body, feeling a new determination burn inside it.
"This is just the first step," he murmured to himself. - "But I'll get there."