The sun hung high now, burning away the morning mist. The grassland gave way to denser forest again. The stallion moved carefully, hooves finding solid ground between roots and stones. The air grew cooler under the canopy. Qi pulsed stronger here, drawn from the old trees and the soil rich with decay. His body drank it in without pause.
The breakthrough to Layer 5 had sharpened everything. His senses felt extended. Qi Sense mapped the forest in layers: faint animal signatures in the underbrush, stronger pulses from distant beasts, the steady hum of ancient roots. Pain to Power Converter waited in the background, ready if needed. Cursed Burst cooldown ticked down from the spar with Seraphina. Wind Glide let him move without wasting Shadow Step.
He rode for most of the day without stopping long. The stallion needed rest, but Dymas pushed on. The sects would come soon. Harlan's death would spread. Frostveil would send more than scouts. He needed strength. Fast.
The trail branched. One path led north toward open plains. The other plunged deeper into the forest. He took the deeper one. More beasts. More points.
By late afternoon the path faded into game trails. He dismounted and led the horse on foot. The stallion snorted at the shadows but followed.
The first beast came without warning.
A shadow panther. Black fur blending with the trees. Qi Condensation Layer 4. Eyes yellow slits. It dropped from a branch above.
Dymas felt the signature a second before it struck.
He Wind Glide sideways. Claws raked air where he had stood.
He spun. Spear thrust. Basic Sword Intent flared. The blade caught the panther's shoulder. Blood sprayed.
The beast roared. Turned. Leaped again.
Dymas used shadow Step and appeared behind it. Hit it leg with his axe. Blood welled and claws raked his thigh.
Damage received: +480 Grind Points
Current points: 40,597 + 480 = 41,077
Pain to Power Converter activated: Strength + Agility +20% for 30 seconds.
Power surged. Dymas felt it. Muscles denser. Movements quicker.
He lunged. Spear through the chest. Sword Intent pushed deep. The panther shuddered. Fell.
Kill: Shadow Panther (Layer 4) – +1,800 Grind Points
Qi absorbed: +700
Current points: 42,877
Realm progress: Qi Condensation Layer 5 – 18%
He knelt. Placed a hand on the fur. Absorbed the core.
Qi gained: +600
Realm progress: 25%
The cuts on his thigh closed fast. Regeneration worked harder now.
He moved on.
The next hour brought three more beasts. A pair of venomous vipers coiled around a fallen log. Layer 3 each. He stepped close on purpose. Let one strike his boot. Venom burned through leather.
Damage received: +350 Grind Points
Cursed Qi Absorber: Venom converted +450 Grind Points
Current points: 43,677
He crushed their heads with the axe haft. Quick and clean.
Kills x2: Venom Vipers – +1,200 Grind Points
Qi absorbed: +400
Realm progress: 32%
The third was a lone boar spirit. Layer 5. Tusks glowing with earth qi. It charged from the brush.
Dymas met it head-on. Cursed Burst released. Shockwave staggered the boar.
He Wind Glide to its side. Spear into the flank. Axe to the neck.
Blood sprayed. The boar squealed. Fell.
Kill: Earth Boar (Layer 5) – +2,100 Grind Points
Qi absorbed: +850
Current points: 46,977
Realm progress: 45%
He rested against a tree. Drank from the waterskin. Ate the last dried meat from the saddlebag. The stallion grazed nearby.
Night fell slow. The forest darkened. Moonlight filtered through leaves in thin silver shafts.
Dymas kept moving. Qi Sense guided him to a small clearing. A circle of stones. Ancient. Qi thickest in the center.
He sat in the middle. Cross-legged. Spear across his lap.
He swallowed the second meridian reinforcement pill.
Warmth spread. Meridians loosened further.
He cultivated hard. Pulled qi from the stones. From the air. From the forest itself.
Pressure built. Core swelled.
He pushed.
Pain came sharp and sweat poured. His hair clung to his neck.
The core cracked. Reformed.
Breakthrough complete: Qi Condensation Layer 6
All stats +2
New active skill unlocked: Qi Lance – Condense qi into a piercing projectile. Cost: 300 qi. Range: 20 meters.
Dymas opened his eyes. The clearing glowed faintly. The stones pulsed once, then dimmed.
He stood. Tested Qi Lance. Focused qi in his palm. A thin spear of blue energy formed. He threw it at a tree.
The lance punched through bark. Splintered wood.
He smiled.
The grind felt endless. Addictive.
But Qi Sense flared.
A signature approached. Not beast.
Human.
Layer 7. Sword qi signature. Frost.
Seraphina Voss stepped into the clearing. Moonlight on her silver hair. Blue eyes locked on him.
"You broke through again."
Dymas nodded.
She looked at the stones. Then at him.
"The sects are closing in. Three groups. Two days out."
Dymas gripped the spear.
"Let them."
She stepped closer.
"I could leave you to them. Or…"
She paused.
"…I could stay. For now."
Dymas met her gaze.
"Why?"
Seraphina's voice stayed cool.
"Because I want to see what happens when the trash prince becomes something else."
She drew her sword slow.
"Not to fight. To train."
Dymas raised his spear.
The night deepened.