Note:
If you like this story, please add it to your library, comment your thoughts, and don't forget to vote with Power Stones! Your support helps a lot! đ
Inside the quiet cave, Su Ling sat wrapped tightly in her blanket, the soft morning light filtering across her thoughtful face.
The wounds that had so recently threatened to take her life had vanished, replaced with a simmering strength pooling in her core. Yet exhaustion lingered, the price of her grave injuries.Cang Yan's brow furrowed slightly as he studied her.
"Su Ling, what do you plan to do next?" he asked, his voice a quiet tremor in the stillness.She closed her eyes, taking a slow breath to steady her thoughts.
"I have to rest for now and cultivate," she replied. "My Qi is weak. If I attempt to journey back to the sect before I am restored, I will only bring more danger upon myselfâand worse, my people.
"Cang Yan nodded solemnly. "That is wise. You have survived far longer than I would have expected. Once your strength returns, what then?"A small, resolute smile touched her lips.
"I will warn the royal families and the kingdom's leaders. Something terrible stirs in the core layer of the Great Wild Forestâa beast unlike any we have faced in generations has broken through the seal. The safety of the kingdom depends on stopping it.
"Cang Yan's eyes gleamed with renewed resolve. "I understand. For now, I will hunt monsters here too. If I am to grow stronger, I must experience battle firsthand.
"Rising, he girded his sword and tightened his robes. Outside, the air was thick with the scent of moss and earth, alive with the sounds of a forest waking.
With practiced ease, he activated his divine sense, a radiant awareness extending in all directions like a vast spider's web.For ten long minutes, he swept the forest's expanse, his spirit probing for signs of life and danger.
Then, his senses fixed on a movement in the southern range. Four figures stood outâthree men violently engaged in combat with great beasts, while a lone woman watched impatiently from the sidelines.
Cloying disdain colored her features as she shouted over the clash of steel and roars, "Why are you taking so long? I need to collect one hundred and fifty Martial Venerable monster cores.
This delay wastes time I do not have."The men fighting exchanged exhausted, bitter looks. One thought in silent frustration, If only she weren't a Qin Continent royal, we wouldn't tolerate this arrogance.
Her voice rang sharp again, dripping with superiority. Minutes passed and the men struggled on, finally toppling the monstrous beasts with a mixture of skill and sheer willpower. But relief was short-lived. An oppressive presence surged suddenly through the clearing, freezing the air like a frozen wave.
The beasts' growls were replaced by urgent telepathic warnings. "Young Miss, a Martial Lord level beast approaches. We must flee!"Qin Mu's sneer deepened, arrogance undeterred. "You fight and protect me. I will escape while you handle the danger.
"The three men hardened their jaws but obeyed, their loyalty and fear of death binding them to her will. They readied for what might be a desperate last stand.And thenâa shimmering flash and crack of energy as Cang Yan dropped from the sky, his blade ignited with divine light.
Without hesitation, he slashed at the advancing lion-like monster with blinding speed. The beast dodged with alarming agility, unleashing a bellow of fury.
Cang Yan maneuvered agilely, reopening shallow wounds with precise strikes.The beast countered with claws, aimed at his heart, but Cang Yan slid aside like a shadow. Suddenly he surged forward, appearing at the monster's neck, and with a powerful cut, ended the fight swiftly.
The four spectators stood frozen, breaths caught. Cang Yan wiped his blade with calm efficiency, though inside his thoughts churned fiercely.I always believed my power capped at the fifth or sixth grade of Martial Lord, he reflected. But fighting that beastâmy strength felt different.
That strike, it was sharp, fierce, beyond what I had thought possible.He clenched his fists, the memory vivid. The energy that surged felt more profound than Martial Lord. I was wielding the power of a Martial Sovereign without even realizing it.
A thrill of awe and fear filled him. His growth was accelerating, and something about the forestâor perhaps Su Ling's presenceâwas a catalyst.Slowly, voices stirred from the shocked group. Qin Mu's gaze flickered between suspicion and esteem.
But Cang Yan's mind remained grappling with his newfound understanding, knowing this was only the beginning of something far greater.
The forest was silent once more, the only sound the faint whisper of wind through shattered trees. The colossal beast lay sprawled across the ground, its blood soaking into the soil like ink. Cang Yan stood before the corpse, his eyes narrowing in quiet focus.
He raised his sword and leapt lightly onto the beast's chest. The blade glimmered, cutting through the thick hide with a clean, decisive motion. A deep blue glow flickered from within the gash, pulsing faintly like a heartbeat.
Cang Yan's expression shifted to mild surprise. "A monster crystal?" he murmured.
Reaching in, he carefully extracted a gleaming azure crystal, its surface etched with faint runes. Energy hummed inside itârich, dense, almost intoxicating. He turned it in his hand, feeling its warmth spread through his palm.
> "So it's trueâŚ" he whispered. "Only beasts that reach the Martial Emperor level or higher can condense a crystal like this."
The crystal throbbed faintly, releasing threads of pure spiritual Qi that brushed against his skin. It was powerfulâfar stronger than any spirit stone he had ever seen.
He remembered his master's teachings:
> Monster crystals are treasures of heaven and earth. Each contains condensed life essence and Qi of the beast itself. Only the braveâor the foolishâdare to harvest them. They can greatly enhance cultivation⌠or destroy those unworthy of their power.
Cang Yan smiled faintly, his eyes glinting with quiet satisfaction. "No wonder cultivators kill to obtain one. These are priceless⌠second only to top-grade spirit stones."
He flipped his palm, and a silver light shimmered around his fingers. The crystal vanished, stored neatly into his spatial ring.
For a moment, he studied the ringâsimple in appearance, but forged with ancient patterns faintly glowing in blue. A trace of emotion flickered across his face.
> "Master," he thought softly, "this ring has carried me through countless battles. Your gift continues to protect me."
He exhaled and straightened his robe, preparing to leave the clearing. But just as he turned, a sharp voice called out behind him.
> "Wait!"
Cang Yan paused, glancing over his shoulder.