Forest Cultivation

"Swallow Counterattack!"

A clear, low shout rang out through the mountain woods.

A petite figure fought and retreated through the trees, the sweat on her forehead proving that she had been training for a long time.

"That's enough, Xun'er. Rest for a while. Overtraining may be counterproductive." A cool voice drifted from the woods.

Not far away, Yun Xi leaned against a large tree, holding an exquisite little wine gourd and taking an occasional sip.

He had asked Xun'er to bring him this wine gourd. One night, after Yun Xi had carelessly tasted a sip, he had become utterly fond of the stuff.

"Hm?"

As he drank, Yun Xi suddenly sensed a fairly strong aura in the distance and immediately understood.

"Protection...?"

Seeing Yun Xi leaning against the tree and leisurely drinking, Xun'er said helplessly, "A Nine Star Dou Zhe is still a little difficult to handle, but not impossible to fight."

I'm working so hard to train, while he's over here drinking?

Sensing someone's unfriendly gaze, Yun Xi could only set down the wine gourd in his hand and clear his throat. "You're quite comfortable fighting your clone now, but you still haven't experienced a real fight to the death..."

Xun'er froze, a faint feeling of unease spreading through her.

Seeing Xun'er standing there blankly, Yun Xi said unhurriedly, "I'll take you hunting Magical Beasts in a while."

Yun Xi's words made Xun'er somewhat worried. She had never hunted Magical Beasts before, let alone gone hunting them herself.

Yet amid her worry, she also felt a trace of anticipation. After all, one had to experience things personally to understand that different kind of feeling.

Nodding slightly, Xun'er encouraged herself inwardly. I can do this. They're just Magical Beasts, right? I only need to fight them! This won't defeat me!

Within a mountain range at the edge of the Ancient World.

The lush, verdant mountain range was rarely visited by people. The occasional beast roar would startle countless birds resting in the forest. As they panicked and took flight, white shapes filled the sky in a magnificent sight.

Amid the endless mountain range stood a small peak. Though it was not large, its location was excellent, allowing one to overlook a vast stretch of forest from its summit.

At that moment, Xun'er stood atop the peak. Looking at the densely packed trees beneath her feet and listening to the overlapping cries of Magical Beasts, she could not help feeling afraid.

For a pampered little girl, suddenly arriving in such an unfamiliar and dangerous place was deeply frightening.

Somewhat timidly, she spoke to Yun Xi. "Yun Xi, how about we go somewhere else? This place doesn't seem very suitable for me..."

Hearing this, Yun Xi teased, "What? The dignified young Miss of the Gu Clan is afraid of these little animals?"

"I-I-I'm not..." Xun'er stammered.

Although she said so, her shifting gaze gave her away.

Seeing this, Yun Xi did not expose her. He simply watched her with a smiling gaze until Xun'er grew embarrassed, then finally looked away.

"Let's go in and take a look," Yun Xi urged.

Xun'er nodded somewhat stiffly. At last, she gathered her courage, moved her legs, and headed toward the forest.

The moment they entered the forest, a cool breeze washed over them, carrying the fresh scent of nature mingled with earth.

Xun'er took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. Having spent most of her days within the clan, she found herself inexplicably fond of this fresh air, and her tense body gradually began to relax.

Feeling Xun'er's body slowly relax, Yun Xi chuckled inwardly. This girl says no with her mouth, but her body is being perfectly honest.

They wandered slowly through the forest without any particular destination, gradually moving farther and farther from the entrance.

Just as Xun'er completely relaxed, a faint sound reached her ears.

Hiss~

The strange sound suddenly appearing in the silent forest instantly made Xun'er's relaxed body tense up.

"It's in the tree behind you." Just as Xun'er was at a loss, Yun Xi's voice came.

She hurriedly turned around. Seeing the snake-shaped Magical Beast hanging from the tree, Xun'er immediately felt a wave of pressure.

A First Order Magical Beast, the Crimson Ice Serpent. It was ice-attributed, and its Dou Qi contained a cold poison. Those poisoned by it would often be covered in frost on the outside while their insides burned like they were engulfed in raging flames.

Seeing this, Yun Xi mocked, "Why are you afraid of a single snake?"

"N-no... I don't think I can beat it," Xun'er said weakly.

Yun Xi shook his head. It was her first time coming out alone to hunt Magical Beasts, so it was understandable. But this would not do.

"I'll give you ten minutes to deal with it. Otherwise, I'll take you straight back. Forget about the clan competition—just obediently settle for last place." His indifferent voice echoed in her heart.

Go back? Finish last in the clan competition? How could that be possible? To keep her father from being disappointed, and to make that hateful Yun Xi take back what he had just said, Xun'er clenched her delicate fists as conflict raged in her heart.

A few seconds later, Xun'er suddenly raised her head. Her eyes were filled with resolve as she said in a somewhat forceful tone, "I can do it!"

Her Dou Qi erupted. Golden Dou Qi, mixed with golden Heavenly Flames, surged from Xun'er's body toward the Crimson Ice Serpent in the tree.

Just as she released her Dou Qi, the Crimson Ice Serpent also prepared to attack. Its body coiled slightly, then its massive tail swept toward her.

A palm seal appeared in Xun'er's hand, and she shouted softly, "Swallow Counterattack!"

"Bang!"

The palm seal collided with the serpent's tail. The Crimson Ice Serpent was immediately blasted backward, slamming into a large tree behind it with a tremendous crash that startled several birds into flight.

Xun'er merely staggered back a few steps, surprise appearing on her face. Clearly, the effects of Swallow Counterattack were even better than she had expected.

After exchanging one move, Xun'er grew bolder. She gathered her Dou Qi and charged toward the Crimson Ice Serpent again.

Its vertical snake pupils watched the incoming attack with some fear. Its body shifted as it prepared to flee.

Would Xun'er let it go? The answer was no. Her palm struck the Crimson Ice Serpent's soft body, and the Heavenly Flames instantly ignited it. It let out a pained wail.

Then, its massive body slowly slid down the tree and collapsed limply onto the ground, blood flowing from its mouth like a stream.

Xun'er withdrew her Dou Qi. Looking at the dying Crimson Ice Serpent beneath the tree, she found herself somewhat unable to strike the final blow.

Hiss!

Just as Xun'er hesitated, the dying Crimson Ice Serpent on the ground raised its head. A sharp ice spike shot out at high speed, its target... Xun'er!

Just before it hit Xun'er, the ice spike turned into a skyful of icy mist, while the life force of the Crimson Ice Serpent rapidly faded away.

Xun'er stared blankly at the snake as its life faded, cold sweat breaking out on her forehead. If she had truly been hit just now, she might have died instantly. At such close range, there was no way someone of her strength could have avoided it.

As Xun'er stood there in a daze, Yun Xi's somewhat stern voice sounded again.

"See? This is the law of the jungle. If you don't kill it, it will kill you. Showing mercy to an enemy is being cruel to yourself. If I hadn't acted in time just now, think about it—what would the situation be now?"

Hearing Yun Xi's lesson, Xun'er finally understood just how grave an error that moment of mercy had nearly caused.

She nodded somewhat stiffly and stood where she was, staring blankly at the corpse of the Crimson Ice Serpent.

Caw~~ Caw~~

Something unknown happened ahead, and a flock of crows took flight. An extremely powerful aura erupted, its target being Xun'er.

Just as she came back to her senses, Yun Xi's voice rang out.

"Xun'er! You need to leave quickly."

As soon as he spoke, the trees ahead were snapped in half at their trunks. A massive figure appeared in Xun'er's field of vision.

"A Third Order Magical Beast, the Polar Star Wolf!"