The results of cultivating at Observation Rock Platform far exceeded Lin Xuan's expectations. Pangu's calm, balanced pressure was like the finest tempering agent, while the dense, pure Innate Spiritual Energy was excellent fuel. Combined with the supreme Nine Revolutions Profound Technique and the support of Body Tempering Spirit Liquid and Low-Grade Spirit Stones, his progress was astonishingly rapid.
In just a few days, he had completely consolidated his entry into the First Revolution. His physical strength had soared, and he could now exert several hundred pounds of force with every movement. The bronze sheen beneath his skin had also grown subtler, leaving him looking much sturdier. He even tried moving closer to the edge of the stone platform, toward the source of the pressure, to temper himself further.
[Host, a reminder.] The system's voice interrupted his cultivation. [Though Observation Rock Platform is excellent, your resources are limited. You're running low on glowing mushrooms and beast meat. If you want to keep improving rapidly, you'll need more resources, or... you'll have to keep climbing.]
Lin Xuan opened his eyes and looked toward the higher reaches of the mountain, shrouded in clouds and mist. The farther up he went, the stronger the pressure would become, and the greater the danger. But the system was right: staying where he was would only waste this precious opportunity.
"Then I'll keep climbing!" He took a deep breath and made up his mind. Before leaving, he carefully gathered the few medicinal Wind-Greeting Grass plants growing on the stone platform. Even a mosquito's leg was meat. In the primordial wilderness, he couldn't afford to waste anything.
After leaving Observation Rock Platform, the climb grew difficult again. The pressure returned, and was even stronger than before. But Lin Xuan had begun to adapt, and his strength had increased considerably, so he handled it with much greater ease. He kept Breath Concealment Technique running at full power, slipping between jagged boulders and ancient trees like a ghost.
Insight Technique became his greatest asset. He continually scanned his surroundings, avoiding areas that gave off powerful demonic auras or obscure fluctuations.
[Iron-Backed Demonic Bear, cultivation: mid-stage Refining Essence into Qi, condition: asleep. Danger!] [Bone-Corroding Flower, spirit plant/poisonous plant, emits hallucinogenic fragrance, accompanied by Bone-Corroding Ants. Danger!]
The information came back one piece at a time, allowing Lin Xuan to avoid danger in advance and choose relatively safe routes.
Along the way, he also managed to hunt a few solitary demonic beasts at the early stage of Refining Essence into Qi, replenishing his meat supply. He gathered several new varieties of low-grade Spirit Grass as well, making for a modest haul.
One day, following a strangely sweet waft of fruit fragrance, he arrived at the entrance to a narrow mountain valley. Spiritual energy swirled within, far denser than outside.
Insight Technique swept through the valley, but the information it returned was vague: [Unknown Spirit Fruit, contains pure Wood Spirit Energy. Protected by a powerful life force. Recommend keeping your distance.]
"A powerful life force?" Lin Xuan hesitated. If Insight Technique couldn't clearly identify it, the guardian beast was probably stronger than the middle stage of Refining Essence into Qi, perhaps even stronger still. But the fruit's fragrance held an inexplicable allure for him, and even the energy of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique within him grew more active.
Fortune favored the bold! He decided to risk getting closer and taking a look. He pushed Breath Concealment Technique to its limits and crept into the valley, pressed against the rock wall like a gecko.
The valley was small. At its far end lay a clear pool, beside which grew a tree shorter than a man, its leaves a vivid emerald green. Three bright red fruits, each the size of a longan, hung from its branches. The alluring fragrance came from them.
Beneath the fruit tree, a fearsome beast lay crouched in a drowsy slumber. It looked like a red leopard and was as large as a young bull, but had five tails and a sharp horn on its head. A violent, murderous aura radiated from it, warping the air around it.
Insight Technique focused on the creature once more and managed to glean a few details: [Beast Zhen, descendant of an Ancient Fierce Beast, cultivation: peak late-stage Refining Essence into Qi. Condition: minor injury (old scar on left foreleg). Guarding Vermilion Fruits. Extremely dangerous!]
"Zhen? Peak late-stage Refining Essence into Qi!" Lin Xuan's heart lurched, and he nearly retreated on the spot. This beast was far beyond anything he could handle! What's more, Zhen was a renowned fierce beast with astonishing combat prowess!
But just then, the three Vermilion Fruits seemed to reach full ripeness. Their red glow flared, and their fragrance suddenly grew several times stronger!
Zhen's half-closed eyes snapped open, revealing blood-red pupils. It scanned its surroundings, its gaze greedy and wary. It rose to its feet and paced restlessly around the fruit tree, clearly unwilling to let anything go wrong with the fruits so close to ripening.
The sudden burst of fragrance also caused the faintest fluctuation in Lin Xuan's aura! That tiny disturbance was instantly detected by Zhen, whose vigilance was already at its peak!
"ROAR—!"
A deafening roar exploded through the valley. Zhen's furious, vertical pupils locked onto the rock wall where Lin Xuan was hiding! Without a moment's hesitation, it shot forward like a bolt of red lightning, its five tails whipping through the air like steel lashes! It moved at an inconceivable speed!
He'd been discovered!
Lin Xuan was terrified. Without a second thought, he turned and sprinted for the valley entrance, driving the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique to its limits and pushing his speed to the maximum!
But Zhen was faster! Its fetid breath was already close behind him!
He couldn't get away!
Driven into a corner, Lin Xuan's ferocity flared! He suddenly threw himself forward, narrowly dodging Zhen's pounce. At the same time, he scooped up a handful of dirt mixed with gravel and flung it behind him without looking!
The gesture had no power to injure, but it happened to obstruct Zhen's vision. Zhen instinctively shut its eyes and turned its head, its movement faltering.
That was his chance! Inspiration flashed through Lin Xuan's mind as he recalled Insight Technique's information—"old scar on the left foreleg"!
He stopped running. Using the momentum of his dive, he spun around and poured every bit of the Nine Revolutions Profound Technique energy he had just cultivated into his right fist. A bronze sheen instantly covered his knuckles as he struck with all his might, aiming squarely at the obvious old scar on Zhen's left foreleg!
Relieve the siege of Wei by attacking Zhao! Strike where it had to defend!
"Awooo!" Zhen let out a pained, furious howl! It had never imagined that this weak creature would not only refuse to flee, but dare to fight back—and land a blow on its most vulnerable spot! The agony from its old wound threw its movements completely off.
But a fierce beast was still a fierce beast. In the throes of pain, one of its tails lashed out like a scorpion's stinger, leaving a blur as it struck toward Lin Xuan's chest!
Lin Xuan had no time to dodge. He could only twist to the side and cross his arms to block!
"Thud!" It felt as if a speeding truck had slammed into Lin Xuan. He flew through the air, a coppery sweetness rising in his throat before he spat out a mouthful of blood. His arms throbbed with pain, as though his bones were about to crack, and he crashed heavily to the ground several yards away.
Zhen's old wound had also taken a heavy blow. Its left foreleg buckled, nearly bringing it to its knees, and it let out a pained hiss.
Lin Xuan struggled to get up, but the movement aggravated his internal injuries, and he spat out another mouthful of blood. Zhen supported itself with three tails and stared at him with its one eye, brimming with fury and murderous intent. But its injured left foreleg kept it from exerting its full strength for the moment.
For a brief moment, the man and the beast faced off!
Lin Xuan's heart turned cold. He was at the end of his strength, while Zhen, despite its injury, clearly still had the strength to fight.
Had he really broken through only to die here?
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