The night air was colder now.
Arin wrapped his arms around himself as he leaned back against the smooth stone. The Clawbeasts' bodies were already cooling, their fur still damp with dew and blood. The stars above twinkled dimly through the gaps in the forest canopy, and somewhere far away, an owl called out, low and soft.
Despite everything, Arin didn't feel fear.
He felt alert. Clear.
Maybe it was the Hollow Eye pendant. Maybe it was the steady, rhythmic beat of his own willpower keeping him grounded. Whatever the reason, he knew one thing - he was changing.
> Status Window Name: Arin
Level: 1
EXP: 55 / 100
KP: 6
Strength: 18
Agility: 16
Endurance: 13
Intelligence: 17
Willpower: 30
Passive: [Resilient Mind], [Spiritual Resistance (Minor)]
Skill: [Whispered Sight I]
Key Item: Pendant of the Hollow Eye — Seal One Broken
He stood up and checked the Clawbeasts' bodies. No cores. But their claws were still sharp, and their hides thick.
> "Clawbeast Claws acquired x2. Clawbeast Hide acquired x1."
He packed them away. Could be useful later for trading, or maybe armor crafting if he got the chance.
The forest was quiet again. Too quiet.
He turned to the direction the glowing mark on the monolith had shown him. It wasn't a path on the ground, but a trail only he could see glimmering silver lines in the air, like the scent trail of something divine.
He followed it.
As dawn began to rise, Arin found himself at the edge of a small clearing. It was different from the others. In the center, there was a strange patch of red grass. There a lonely tree grew small, twisted, with black bark and crimson leaves that shimmered like blood.
> "Rare Herb Detected: Bloodleaf Tree — extremely potent. Known to enhance body resilience and blood Qi in early cultivators."
> "Warning: Guardian Beast energy signature detected nearby. Class unknown."
Arin crouched low.
Something was guarding it.
He activated [Whispered Sight].
At first, nothing.
Then he saw it.
A faint outline, wrapped around the tree like mist. Not a solid beast, but more like smoke given shape. A serpent of shadows.
> "Beast Identified: Bloodshade Wyrmling (D-Rank Spirit Beast). Rare type. Extremely territorial. Weak to light-based techniques."
> "Estimated Combat Rating: 70. Your current rating: 37."
Arin narrowed his eyes. "Still too big of a gap."
But… he needed that herb. Even one Bloodleaf would give him a push forward. Maybe even help cleanse more of his Qi Core.
He backed away slowly, memorizing the tree's location.
> "Bloodleaf Tree location saved to map."
"I'll come back for you," he whispered.
For now, he turned his attention to something he could handle.
Hunting.
Using [Basic Wilderness Tracking], Arin found more Moss Puffs and Ember Rabbits along the outer ridges of the Sealed Grove.
He kept moving, fighting with calm focus.
One Ember Rabbit → +1 EXP, +1 KP
Two Moss Puffs → +2 EXP, +2 KP
> Current EXP: 58 / 100
Current KP: 9
He returned to the ruined shrine briefly to rest. As he sat near the cold ashes of his last fire, he opened the System Shop.
He wanted something stronger now something to break past his current limit.
A new item was available:
> Qi Compression Pill – 9 KP
"Compresses internal Qi flow, strengthening pathways and boosting control. Recommended for cultivators near a minor breakthrough."
He bought it.
> "Item purchased: Qi Compression Pill (Use: 1)"
He swallowed it.
A wave of pressure surged through his chest, but he endured it.
> "Qi Core Reaction Detected… Cleansing process accelerated…"
"Blockage reduced: 50% → 60%…"
Arin bit down on a stick to keep from screaming. The pain was intense like his core was being scrubbed from the inside with fire but the result was worth it.
> +5 EXP gained from intense internal refinement +2 Willpower gained
> EXP: 63 / 100
Willpower: 32
He lay back, panting.
But smiling.
His body felt lighter. His Qi moved better. Not fully unblocked yet, but closer. Much closer.
He drifted into a short, dreamless sleep.
---
By afternoon, Arin had recovered enough to move again.
This time, he avoided the Bloodleaf tree.
But the forest had shifted.
The Whispered Sight lines were changing, showing him something new a deeper mark, glowing red like fire, far in the distance.
> "A hidden domain has revealed itself: The Broken Pillar Cavern."
> "Trial Available: One Who Endures Flame."
Arin's heart pounded.
Another trial.
Another chance to grow.
And maybe… the push he needed to finally reach Level 2.
He clenched his fist and turned toward the light.
"I'm ready."
And with that, he stepped forward into the shadows again.