Morning light filtered through the window lattice.
The young man in green robes sitting cross-legged on the bed opened his eyes.
A streak of white-gold sharpness at his fingertips withdrew into his body.
After a night of meditation.
The Geng Metal Sword Qi had already fused with his Golden Core.
Its killing power had advanced another level.
Su Chen rose from the bed.
He pushed open the door and walked down the stairs into the main hall.
Yesterday's bloodstains had already been cleaned away.
The hotel manager was dozing over the counter. Hearing footsteps, he jolted awake.
Seeing who it was, the manager's legs trembled in fright as he bowed repeatedly.
"Young master, did you rest well?"
Su Chen ignored him and walked out of the Rose Hotel.
The streets of Soto City were deserted in the early morning.
His foremost task now was to find an opportunity to condense his Dao Fruit.
Although Soto City had the Great Soul Arena, its orderly arena matches lacked the savage aura found between life and death.
The next day, Su Chen would head to the Star Dou Great Forest in search of an opportunity to break through the Golden Core Stage.
His gaze turned toward the outskirts of the city.
Only true life-and-death combat could temper a swordsman's heart.
He left the city and traveled east.
Half a day later.
An endless expanse of primeval forest appeared in his sight.
Ancient trees towered into the sky, their branches and leaves intertwined, blocking out the sun.
The air carried the earthy stench of soil and a faint smell of blood.
This was a paradise for soul beasts and a burial ground for soul masters.
Su Chen stepped into the outskirts of the Star Dou Great Forest.
He did not cautiously conceal his aura