Wu Tian opened his eyes, feeling a surge of power rushing through his body as it returned to peak condition.
Qi Condensation — Stage 2.
Sensing the new strength overflowing within him, Wu Tian rose to his feet and began roaming the forest, eager to hunt a few rank-three demonic beasts. He wanted to test the extent of his advancement.
It didn't take long before heavy rustling echoed from the trees. The scent of blood mixed with a fierce aura filled the air.
A Steel-Fanged Wolf — a rank-three demonic beast — emerged from the underbrush, its metallic fangs glinting coldly. Its red eyes locked onto Wu Tian with murderous intent.
The beast growled and lunged.
Wu Tian tapped the ground lightly. Shadow Step activated. His figure blurred, slipping aside like a drifting shadow. The wolf struck empty air, crashing into the ground.
Wu Tian didn't waste the opening.
He raised two fingers, qi gathering at the tip like a spinning razor.
"Wind Blade."
A barely visible arc shot forward.
Swish!
The blade sliced across the wolf's neck. Even with its hardened hide, the attack carved a deep crack that spurted dark blood.
The wolf roared and dashed forward, faster than before.
Wu Tian slid back half a step—then vanished again. Shadow Step.He reappeared behind the beast, qi swirling wildly in his hand.
"Wind Blade — Fracture."
Three thin blades flew out at once.
Shing! Shing! Shing!
The Steel-Fanged Wolf staggered, then collapsed heavily. From its neck to chest, its body split open, soaking the grass in blood.
Wu Tian exhaled lightly."Not bad… even without a sword, my attacks are getting stronger."
He checked his surroundings again. No signs of another wolf. Odd—wolves always hunted in packs. Finding one alone was unusual.
Still puzzled, Wu Tian lifted his hand. A black streak flashed as Soul Reaver emerged from his consciousness sea.
He looked at the corpse. "Absorb its soul first."
After a moment, he asked, "So? Did you get stronger? How many more rank-three beasts do I need to kill before I reach Golden Core?"
The sword's voice echoed in his mind. "First, I dislike demonic beast souls. Second, I need time to digest the ones I've already consumed."
"You need time?" Wu Tian frowned. He hadn't considered that.
"Then how long to digest the last one?"
"The stronger the soul, the longer I require. By my estimate… another month before I can consume a new one."
Wu Tian went silent."…So you have a one-month cooldown? And it increases with stronger targets?"
He sighed heavily. "With that speed, how are you supposed to purify the world? You absorb one person, and humanity gives birth to a thousand babies before you're done chewing!"
Soul Reaver's tone sharpened instantly.
"Silence, kid! I am still recovering. One day I will evolve and cast off this limitation! When that time comes, you will see my true power!"
Wu Tian sighed again and returned the blade to his consciousness. "Fine… I'll wait for that day."
For the next hour, Wu Tian swept across the forest. The energy surging in his core from his breakthrough made hunting feel like casual exercise.
He encountered a Stoneback Bear—rank three—tearing apart a tree. One Wind Blade took its head clean off.
Minutes later, two Rock Apes dropped from above. Wu Tian evaded with Shadow Step and cut them down before they could turn.
Then a Steel-Headed Serpent, rank three peak, shot from underground. Wu Tian sensed its spiritual tremor, leapt, kicked its jaw open, and pierced its nape without hesitation.
His tally for the day:
• 1 Stoneback Bear• 2 Rock Apes• 1 Steel-Headed Serpent
Each died within one to three moves, leaving Wu Tian slightly disappointed at the lack of challenge.
As the sky turned crimson, Wu Tian heard repeated booms—followed by piercing howls.A battle.
He propelled himself across branches, moving like drifting mist. After a few dozen breaths, he perched atop a massive tree and erased every trace of his aura.
Below, chaos unfolded.
A Qi Condensation–early cultivator was desperately fighting a Silver-Horned Wolf, a rank-three peak demonic beast. Its ash-metal fur and curved silver horn glowed under the dying sunset.
The young man looked devastated. A deep gash on his arm exposed bone. Blood dripped from his lips. Yet his eyes still held defiance.
The wolf circled him, its steps light but deadly. Every swipe carved cracks into the earth. Sparks of silver qi flickered around its limbs.
The battle resumed.
The wolf lunged, claws slicing through the air like steel whips.The cultivator blocked instinctively, but the impact rattled his bones.
CRAAAK!
His low-grade spiritual sword almost snapped. The wolf twisted and lashed its tail—
WHUUSH!
The strike slammed into his chest. He flew backward, smashing against a tree. Bark exploded around him as he spat a mouthful of blood.
Still, he forced himself to stand.
He leapt and aimed for the wolf's eye—but the beast tilted its head.Its fangs clamped the sword, and—
KRAK!
A sharp swipe tore the weapon from his grasp.
Empty-handed, he thrust a qi-infused palm at its neck.It was like striking a boulder.
The wolf roared and slashed downward—
SLAAASH!
His knee buckled, nearly split open. His hands trembled violently.
The wolf lowered its body, muscles coiled. In the next instant, it shot forward like an arrow—
BOOOM!!
The impact shook the ground. The cultivator spun through the air, crashing into another tree like a rag doll.
He collapsed to his knees, blood dripping from nose, ears, and mouth.
Above him, Wu Tian sat casually on a thick branch, legs dangling, watching with calm amusement. No sympathy. Only curiosity—and a hint of entertainment.
"Not bad… quite the show for sunset," he murmured, as though watching animals fight instead of a man clinging to life.
He had no intention of interfering.Not yet.
The brutal clash continued as Wu Tian observed from the perfect vantage point—like a VIP audience in the open sky.
Then, a voice echoed sharply inside his mind.
"You must save him." Soul Reaver's tone was firm.