Dymas pushed through the underbrush for another hour after leaving Seraphina Voss behind. The forest stayed thick, but the trees grew taller now. The qi in the air felt heavier here, almost sticky against his skin. It pulled into his body without effort. The Auto-Cultivation Module never stopped.
He kept the spear ready in his right hand. The axe stayed tucked in his belt. Blood from the frost lynx still stained the spear tip, dark and dry. His shoulder stung where her sword had grazed him, but the minor regeneration had already turned the cut into a thin pink line. The bruise on his jaw from her elbow had faded to nothing.
He checked the screen while he walked.
Current realm progress: Qi Condensation Layer 2 – 75%
Current points: 29,757
The lynx kill had been good. Strong qi. Clean absorption. He felt the energy sitting solid in his dantian, ready for the next push.
The game trail widened into a small valley. A narrow stream cut through the middle, water clear and cold. Ferns grew thick along the banks. Qi gathered strongest near the water. He could see faint wisps rising from the surface like steam.
Dymas stopped at the edge of the stream. He knelt and filled the waterskin. The water tasted sharp, laced with natural qi. He drank deep. His body absorbed it right away.
Qi gained: +150
Realm progress: 78%
He sat on a flat rock by the bank. The stallion was tied a short distance back, grazing on low grass. He needed a moment to think. Seraphina Voss had seen him. She knew he was alive. She knew he had fought better than expected. Word would spread. The Frostveil Sect was not small. If she reported back, hunters would come faster.
He closed his eyes. Let the qi flow. The forest sounds wrapped around him. Wind in leaves. Water over stones. His breathing slowed.
A twig snapped.
His eyes opened.
Seraphina Voss stood on the opposite bank. Same white robe. Same silver-platinum hair catching the light. Her sword was sheathed. No frost gathered on her hands yet. She looked at him across the stream.
"You followed me," Dymas said. No question in his voice.
"I was already heading this way," she answered. "The lynx had a mate. I tracked it here."
She stepped onto a flat stone in the middle of the stream. Water parted around her boots. She crossed without getting wet.
Dymas stood. Spear loose at his side.
She stopped five paces away.
"You killed it cleanly," she said. "The one I wounded. You did not hesitate."
"I don't hesitate when something tries to kill me."
Her blue eyes studied him. Cold, but curious now.
"You were trash a day ago. Cursed. Weak. Now you move like a cultivator. How?"
Dymas shrugged. "I got lucky."
She stepped closer. The air cooled around her. Frost formed on the grass at her feet.
"Lucky does not explain it. Your qi is strange. Mixed. Like poison turned to strength."
Dymas met her gaze. "Maybe it is."
She tilted her head. "Show me."
She drew her sword slow. No sudden attack. Just the blade gleaming in the sunlight. Frost qi gathered along the edge, thin and sharp.
Dymas raised the spear. "You sure?"
"I want to see what the cursed prince can do when no one is watching."
She lunged.
The sword came in a straight thrust. Fast. Precise.
Dymas sidestepped. Shadow Step not needed yet. He countered with the spear butt. She blocked. Metal rang. Ice spread along his weapon again.
He pulled back. The frost burned cold. He shook it off.
She pressed. Three slashes in quick succession. Each one trailed frost qi. The air chilled. His breath misted.
Dymas dodged the first. Parried the second. The third grazed his arm. Cold seared deep.
Damage received: +310 Grind Points
Current points: 30,067
He felt the curse lines flicker under his skin. The system converted the frost qi.
Cursed Qi Absorber: +380 Grind Points from external frost
Current points: 30,447
He smiled.
Seraphina noticed. "You like the pain?"
"I like what comes after."
He attacked. Spear thrust low. She jumped back. He followed with the axe swing from his belt. Wide arc. She ducked. Sword came up to block.
They circled. Strike, parry, dodge. The stream splashed under their feet. Frost spread on rocks. His spear tip left small cuts on her robe. Her sword nicked his shoulder again.
Damage received: +250 Grind Points
Current points: 30,697
He felt the realm progress tick.
Realm progress: Qi Condensation Layer 2 – 92%
Close.
Seraphina breathed harder now. A thin sheen of sweat on her forehead. Her silver hair stuck to her neck in places. The robe clung slightly where frost had melted.
She lowered her sword a fraction.
"Enough."
Dymas stopped. Spear still raised.
She sheathed the blade. Frost qi faded from the air.
"You are not weak," she said. "Not anymore."
Dymas lowered the spear. "Told you."
She looked at the cut on her robe. Then at him.
"The sects will not believe it. They will hunt you harder if they know you survived. And improved."
Dymas nodded. "Let them come."
She stepped back toward the stream. "I will not report you. Not yet. But if our paths cross again, I may not hold back."
She turned to leave.
Dymas spoke.
"Voss."
She stopped.
"Why help?"
She looked back over her shoulder. Blue eyes steady.
"Because I hate waste. And you are no longer waste."
She stepped onto the water. Frost formed under her feet. She walked across like it was solid ground.
Then she vanished into the trees.
Dymas watched her go.
The forest went quiet again.
He sat back on the rock. The stallion snorted nearby.
He felt the qi from the fight settle. The curse had absorbed her frost. Turned it into points. Turned weakness into strength.
Breakthrough imminent.
He closed his eyes. Let the Auto-Cultivation run full.
Qi surged.
His dantian expanded again. Warmth flooded his body. Meridians cleared further. The last gray lines on his skin vanished completely.
Breakthrough complete: Qi Condensation Layer 3
All stats +1
New skill unlocked: Cursed Burst (active) – Release stored cursed qi as a short-range shockwave. Cost: 200 points. Cooldown: 5 minutes.
Dymas opened his eyes.
The valley looked sharper. Colors brighter. Qi currents visible in the air like faint threads.
He stood.
Something moved in the trees across the stream.
Not Seraphina.
The presence lingered for a second.
Then gone.
Dymas gripped the spear tighter.
He was not alone anymore.