First Battle with a Spirit Beast

Black Nether Abyss lay south of the Northern Spirit Realm, two days' travel from the Liu Domain. As the most dangerous region in the Northern Spirit Realm, it was considered a forbidden land by many. Aside from a few daredevil adventurers, almost no one came here.

Traveling at full speed, the Liu Domain group reached the outskirts of Black Nether Abyss in just a day and a half.

Standing atop a low hill, Liu Bai gazed down at the endless primeval forest below.

Gray, deathly miasma hung over the boundless black forest. This miasma was highly poisonous; even Spirit Wheel Realm experts did not dare allow it to enter their bodies lightly.

Even from this distance, Liu Bai could still sense the dense aura of death and the foul stench emanating from Black Nether Abyss. Compared to the vast plains where the Nine Domains of the Northern Spirit were located, this place was unimaginably more perilous. No wonder it had become a forbidden land that everyone in the Northern Spirit Realm feared to speak of.

At that moment, his second uncle, Liu Zong, walked over and handed Liu Bai a medicine bottle containing a crimson pill.

"This is a Poison Evasion Pill. It can't counter excessively potent poisons, but it will still help against this toxic miasma."

This was also why Black Nether Abyss saw so few visitors.

After all, toxic miasma was impossible to guard against, while pills like Poison Evasion Pills were far too expensive. Even the cheap ones cost tens of thousands of Spirit Coins, far beyond what ordinary people could afford.

There were not many people in the Liu Domain party this time. Aside from Liu Bai, his second uncle Liu Zong, and his grandfather Liu Jingshan, only five Spirit Wheel Realm experts had accompanied them as guards.

They were not Liu Family guards, but high-ranking figures from within the Liu Domain, such as city lords and commanders, who had been ordered to protect the three Liu Family members... though in truth, they were mainly here to protect Liu Bai, the weakling.

"I'm sure you all know how dangerous Black Nether Abyss is. Once we enter, stay alert."

"We move!"

Seeing that everyone was prepared, Liu Jingshan waved his hand and spoke.

The group consisted of only eight people. Since they were all experts, they made no sound, making them safer within the vast primeval forest.

They slowly advanced through the pitch-black woods. Beneath their feet lay fallen branches and leaves that had accumulated for countless years. With every step, their feet sank all the way to their ankles.

Countless venomous insects and ants dwelling among the dead leaves crawled swiftly from the cracks before vanishing in a flash.

These were merely ordinary insects, no more threatening to cultivators than common wild animals.

Liu Qingtian had prepared quite a few things for Liu Bai's journey into Black Nether Abyss. For instance, the Steel Armor he wore. Though it was not a Spiritual Artifact, it protected many of his vital areas and offered considerable defense against low-level Spirit Beasts.

After all, Liu Bai's cultivation was still far too weak. He had no way to constantly use spiritual energy to defend himself, nor could he sustain such expenditure.

After they had gone only a short distance, the man leading the way signaled for the party to halt. Following his indication, Liu Bai spotted a Spirit Beast resembling a small leopard lurking atop a giant tree fifty meters away.

"A Tiger Stripe Cat. A common low-level Spirit Beast in the forest. It's small and not particularly aggressive, but it's extremely fast. Especially in the woods, it's difficult to catch."

Liu Zong spoke softly beside Liu Bai.

His second uncle's meaning was clear. This creature posed little threat to them, but killing it would not be easy either.

Liu Zong knew why his nephew had come here, so he was taking the opportunity to tell him that this creature was difficult to catch and that he should not get any ideas.

Liu Bai did not mind.

He knew well that hunting Spirit Beasts skilled at fleeing would waste far too much time and simply was not worth it.

When farming monsters, naturally he had to target those that were easy to kill and gave plenty of experience.

The group continued onward.

As they ventured deeper, they encountered more and more Spirit Beasts. Yet even low-level Spirit Beasts possessed considerable intelligence. Once they sensed that Liu Bai's group was not to be provoked, they immediately fled far away.

This disappointed Liu Bai greatly. Having powerful people around could ensure his safety, but it also severely affected his monster-killing efficiency.

However, he soon encountered his first opportunity.

"A Nether Wolf? Be careful. These creatures live in packs. Check the surroundings for a wolf pack!"

The instant Liu Zong discovered the Nether Wolf, he made arrangements.

The five accompanying Spirit Wheel Realm experts leaped onto the tree branches. After searching the area, they confirmed that there was no wolf pack nearby.

"A lone wolf..."

Liu Zong's expression darkened.

Wolf packs were terrifying, but in many cases, a lone wolf's ferocity was even greater than that of an entire pack!

"Second Uncle, leave this one to me!" Liu Bai narrowed his eyes and said resolutely.

"What?" Liu Zong was startled.

"Bai'er, for this lone wolf to survive in these woods, its ferocity must be far beyond that of ordinary Nether Wolves. Even someone at the late Spirit Movement Realm might be in danger against it. Don't act rashly."

"Don't worry, Second Uncle. I know what I'm doing." Liu Bai had already made up his mind and had no intention of listening to advice.

Liu Zong could only helplessly look toward his father, only to see Liu Jingshan give a slight nod.

A smile flashed across Liu Bai's face. Then, his sword-sharp gaze fell upon the lone wolf.

Perhaps sensing the killing intent in Liu Bai's eyes, the Nether Wolf actually took half a step back.

What puzzled Liu Bai, however, was that it did not flee at once. Did it intend to treat them as prey?

Liu Bai's eyes hardened. He stomped the ground, shooting forward like a hunting leopard. Crimson spiritual energy surged over his fists, carrying the explosive force of flames as he smashed directly toward the Nether Wolf's head.

"Awoo!"

With a howl, the Nether Wolf flashed aside and dodged Liu Bai's attack. Then it twisted its body and lunged at Liu Bai's nape from an unbelievable angle.

"Good beast!"

Liu Bai's eyes lit up. He had not expected the Nether Wolf to be so fast and agile.

However, that strike had merely been a test. He had not even used a spiritual skill, so he still had time to react to the Nether Wolf's counterattack.

Flames flashed beneath his feet as a layer of fire-like spiritual energy coiled around them. Then, a burst of violent spiritual energy erupted, propelling Liu Bai ten meters away in a single leap.

This was the Spirit Grade Low Rank movement skill, Blazing Step. Though Liu Bai had only reached Initiation, it had greatly increased his movement speed and allowed him to easily evade the Nether Wolf's attack.

"Huh? Was that Blazing Step? When did this brat learn that movement skill?" Surprise flashed through Liu Zong's eyes. This truly was unexpected.

But that alone would not be enough to kill the Nether Wolf.

Liu Jingshan nodded silently. In truth, he had noticed long ago that his eldest grandson had reached the Spirit Movement Realm Mid-stage...

This had shocked him greatly. After all, Liu Bai had only obtained a Cultivation Method three days ago.

Liu Jingshan would not have been surprised if Liu Bai had used three days to completely stabilize his cultivation at the Spirit Movement Realm Early-stage. He had seen such geniuses before.

But to not only attain Initiation in the Cultivation Method within three days, but also directly break through to the Spirit Movement Realm Mid-stage, was still somewhat inconceivable for people born in the Northern Spirit Realm.

The only explanation was that his eldest grandson was a prodigy seen only once in a century. Otherwise, there was no explaining why his cultivation had risen so quickly, or why even his cultivation of spiritual skills was so terrifying.

At that thought, stormy waves rose beneath Liu Jingshan's calm exterior.

Could it be that their Liu Family was truly about to produce a monster?

If so, then Heaven truly favored them!

Meanwhile, in the distance, Liu Bai had already exchanged more than a dozen blows with the Nether Wolf. He had suffered an injury, a gash across his back from the Nether Wolf's sharp claws...

Had it not been for the armor's protection, that blow might have torn open his flesh.

The Nether Wolf was not doing much better. Liu Bai's Wind Breaking Finger had left two bloody holes in its body, from which blood was steadily flowing.

The originally black Nether Wolf had already been stained crimson.

Smelling the suddenly intensified scent of blood, Liu Jingshan frowned.

In a place like this, the scent of blood would attract more predators. If they were targeted by a beast herd, then even with Liu Jingshan, a Divine Soul Realm expert, they could only flee. They could not remain here any longer.

"Bai'er, end this quickly!"

From the start, Liu Jingshan had noticed that although the lone wolf was extremely ferocious, it was actually in poor condition. Not only was it starving, but it had also suffered serious injuries. It had likely clashed with another predator and been on the losing side.

That was why he had dared to let Liu Bai face it alone in his first battle.

Hearing his grandfather's words, Liu Bai merely nodded. When he looked again at the Nether Wolf, his eyes were filled with tangible killing intent.

Upon seeing Liu Bai's gaze, the Nether Wolf actually became somewhat fearful. Moreover, due to excessive blood loss, its already weakened body grew even more feeble, and it was beginning to feel dizzy.

Without any warning, the Nether Wolf turned and prepared to flee.

But just as it changed direction, it suddenly sensed a figure appearing on its left. The next instant, its waist was struck by a heavy blow.

Wolves had heads of bronze, foreheads of iron, and waists of tofu. After taking that blow to the waist, the Nether Wolf immediately lost its ability to move. Before it could even cry out, a pair of sword fingers pierced through its throat like real blades...

Ding, you have killed a low-level Spirit Beast, Nether Wolf. Experience Points gained: 100. Beast Soul Points gained: 1.

A smile curled Liu Bai's lips. This Nether Wolf truly had been quite strong, to grant him a full 100 experience points.

Although the battle had not lasted long, it had consumed a great deal of spiritual energy. Liu Bai discovered that only one-third of the spiritual energy in his body remained.

His cultivation realm was still too low, and the amount of spiritual energy in his body was too limited. Even if he mastered higher-level spiritual skills, insufficient spiritual energy would prevent him from using them or greatly restrict their use.

It seemed he had been right not to rashly upgrade the Spirit-grade High-tier Great Sun Sea Burning Palm earlier.

At this moment, seeing that Liu Bai had truly killed the Nether Wolf, Liu Zong and the others were astonished, but they swiftly cleaned up the battlefield before hurrying away.

As for the Nether Wolf's corpse and Spirit Beast Core, they naturally collected them to take away... after all, they were worth quite a few Spirit Coins.

After racing several thousand meters, Liu Jingshan had the party stop and found a safe place to rest temporarily.

He himself went ahead to scout the surrounding area, searching for signs of high-level Spirit Beasts...

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Liu Bai hurriedly sat cross-legged where he was to recover his spiritual energy.

The previous battle had also given him considerable insight, allowing him to gain a deeper understanding of the strength he currently possessed.

Only through battle after battle could he gradually adapt to fighting and more thoroughly bring out his combat power.

Just like that, after more than ten minutes, Liu Bai's spiritual energy had returned to its peak. He was once more in that state of being filled with strength.

He opened his status panel.

Player: Liu Bai

Realm: Spirit Movement Realm Mid-stage

Spirit Veins: None

Cultivation Method: Blazing Sun Art (Second Layer 0/400)

Skills:

Mortal Grade High Rank Wind Breaking Finger (Minor Accomplishment 0/50); Spirit Grade Low Rank Blazing Step (Initiation 0/100); Spirit-grade High-tier Great Sun Sea Burning Palm (Not Initiated 0/200)

Experience Points: 130

Beast Soul Points: 6

He had gained another hundred-plus experience points. There were two possible upgrades: Wind Breaking Finger and Blazing Step...

As for Blazing Step, judging by the previous battle, his speed was already sufficient against low-level Spirit Beasts. What he lacked was killing power.

The Nether Wolf was considered a Spirit Beast with average defenses, yet his Wind Breaking Finger could only inflict minor injuries. If he encountered Spirit Beasts renowned for their defenses, he might not even be able to break through their defenses, let alone kill them.

Moreover, his most important priority now was to rapidly increase his combat power. He could not hoard experience points; he needed to spend them quickly and convert them into tangible strength.

Only then could he gain even more experience points afterward. This was not difficult to understand.

Thus, Liu Bai directly chose to upgrade his Wind Breaking Finger...

Player: Liu Bai

Realm: Spirit Movement Realm Mid-stage

Spirit Veins: None

Cultivation Method: Blazing Sun Art (Second Layer 0/400)

Skills:

Mortal Grade High Rank Wind Breaking Finger (Great Accomplishment); Spirit Grade Low Rank Blazing Step (Initiation 0/100); Spirit-grade High-tier Great Sun Sea Burning Palm (Not Initiated 0/200)

Experience Points: 80

Beast Soul Points: 6

The Great Accomplishment Wind Breaking Finger was extremely powerful. Liu Bai tested it and found that even without using his full strength, he could easily leave a hole in hard bluestone with a single finger.

Its power surpassed even blades and swords.

What he had not expected was that this Attack Spiritual Art could no longer be upgraded after reaching Great Accomplishment.

"Is it because the Wind Breaking Finger is only Mortal Grade? Or does the system's classification of spiritual skills simply end at Great Accomplishment?"

For a moment, Liu Bai fell into thought once more.

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