The first rays of dawn painted the sky in hues of orange and purple as Li Xuan stood at the edge of the forest, the cool morning mist clinging to his clothes. Beside him, Jian, the quiet young villager from the Hamlet of Clear Stream, shifted nervously, his eyes darting into the shadowy depths of the woods. Qing'er remained behind, tending to their burgeoning farm and continuing her relentless cultivation, now at Body Tempering Realm (Stage 2 - 88% progress). Li Xuan had instructed her to focus on strengthening the planted seeds with her nascent Qi, a task she accepted with quiet determination.
Li Xuan felt the vibrant hum of his own Body Tempering Realm (Stage 2 - 12% progress). The breakthrough had infused him with a subtle power, a readiness he hadn't possessed before. He had 22 Sect Points in his internal balance, a number that still felt frustratingly small when he mentally eyed the Qi Condensation Breakthrough Pill for 50 points. That pill was his immediate, unyielding focus. A stronger Li Xuan meant a safer sect, a more effective leader, and ultimately, a better chance at surviving in this brutal cultivation world. The axe, the building materials—they could wait. His personal power was paramount.
"You said there are areas with rare herbs, Jian?" Li Xuan asked, his voice steady. "And perhaps larger game?"
Jian nodded, his gaze apprehensive. "Aye, Sect Leader Li Xuan. Deeper in. Beyond the Whisperwood Thicket. The herbs are potent, but the beasts there are... different. Not like common rabbits or even stray badgers. Some say they've felt the Qi, just like cultivators. We villagers avoid those parts."
Li Xuan's internal System immediately registered Jian's words. Beasts that have 'felt the Qi'. That meant cultivated beasts. Not just wild animals, but creatures with their own nascent Qi, potentially corresponding to cultivation stages. This was excellent. Stronger foes meant more Sect Points. He mentally established the tiers:
Body Tempering Realm (Stage 1) Beast: 15-25 Sect Points
Body Tempering Realm (Stage 2) Beast: 30-50 Sect Points
Qi Condensation Realm (Stage 1) Beast: 60-100 Sect Points (These are internal calculations for Li Xuan, not explicitly shown to the reader as a fixed rule unless Li Xuan observes it over time).
"Good," Li Xuan said, a grim sort of satisfaction settling in his stomach. He grasped the hilt of his Falling Leaf Spirit Sword. "Lead the way, Jian. We seek the strong, and the rare."
Jian, armed with a sturdy hunting spear and a wary expression, led Li Xuan deeper into the forest. The path grew less defined, the trees denser, sunlight struggling to pierce the thick canopy. The air grew heavier, and Li Xuan's enhanced senses picked up subtle disturbances: the distant rustle of larger bodies moving through undergrowth, the faint, earthy scent of powerful wild creatures.
After an hour of walking, they reached the edge of what Jian called the "Whisperwood Thicket." It was an area where the trees grew exceptionally close, their ancient branches twisting and intermingling, creating a perpetual twilight. The silence here was unnerving, broken only by the drip of moisture from leaves and the occasional, unsettling snap of a twig that wasn't their own.
"The Starflower Blooms," Jian whispered, pointing to a patch of iridescent blue flowers glowing faintly in the gloom. "They grow deep within the Thicket. Very rare. Very valuable, for remedies and... other things."
Li Xuan knelt, examining the flowers. He recognized them from the Basic Farming & Gathering Manual as a moderately rare herb, possessing subtle Qi-nourishing properties. He carefully began to collect them, storing them in his Sect Inventory. Each bloom he plucked, a faint internal notification.
[Item: Starflower Bloom x 1. (Value: Moderate)]
As he gathered the fourth bloom, a low growl reverberated through the thicket. It was deeper, more guttural than the badgers'. Jian tensed, raising his spear, his face paling.
"Sect Leader Li Xuan!" Jian whispered urgently. "A Shadow Boar! They are territorial and fierce. They've been known to chase hunters for miles, even kill them."
Li Xuan straightened, his hand already on his sword. He saw it now: a massive boar, its hide bristling with coarse, dark hair, its tusks long and wickedly sharp. But what caught Li Xuan's cultivated eye was the faint, reddish aura that clung to its body. It wasn't just a big animal; it was a beast that had begun to cultivate Qi.
Internal System Scan: Shadow Boar (Body Tempering Realm - Stage 1, Mid Tier)
Threat Level: Moderate. Potential Sect Points: 20-25.
Twenty to twenty-five Sect Points! This was precisely what he needed. The Qi Condensation Breakthrough Pill was 50 points. This beast, if subdued, could get him to 42-47 points! The thought surged through him, eclipsing any fear.
"Stay back, Jian!" Li Xuan commanded, drawing his Falling Leaf Spirit Sword. The blade shimmered, reflecting the dim light of the thicket. "This is a job for a cultivator."
The Shadow Boar snorted, pawing at the ground, its small, intelligent eyes fixed on Li Xuan. It clearly sensed the Qi emanating from him, recognizing him as a threat. With a furious grunt, it charged, a dark, unstoppable projectile.
Li Xuan didn't hesitate. He remembered the basic principles of the Falling Leaf Sword Arts: unpredictable, inescapable. He wasn't performing specific forms, but he embodied the concept. He moved with a newfound agility, his Body Tempering Realm (Stage 2) strength allowing him to react far quicker than he ever could have before.
He sidestepped the initial charge, the boar's tusks narrowly missing his leg. He swung the Falling Leaf Spirit Sword not with brute force, but with a precise, arcing motion, aiming for a weak point in the boar's thick hide. The blade, enhanced by its spiritual properties, sliced through the beast's flank, drawing a dark line of blood.
The boar squealed in pain and fury, spinning around, its movements surprisingly swift for its size. It charged again, its momentum threatening to overwhelm Li Xuan. He decided to use the environment. He darted behind a thick tree, letting the boar crash into it with a jarring thud.
The beast shook its head, momentarily disoriented. Li Xuan pressed his attack. He lunged forward, not directly at the boar, but using the tree as cover. He moved in close, aiming for the boar's exposed underbelly, a vulnerable spot. His sword flashed, a clean, precise strike.
The Shadow Boar let out a final, agonizing squeal, its legs giving way. It crashed to the ground, twitching for a few moments before going still. A thick, reddish Qi dissipated from its body.
Li Xuan stood over the fallen beast, breathing heavily, the adrenaline still coursing through him. His arm ached faintly from the impacts, but the satisfaction was immense. He had done it. He had defeated a Qi-cultivated beast.
A chime sounded in his mind.
[Beast Defeated: Shadow Boar (Body Tempering Realm - Stage 1)]
[Sect Points Gained: 20.]
Twenty Sect Points! Combined with his existing 22, he now had 42 Sect Points. Only 8 points away from the pill! A massive leap forward!
Jian, who had watched the entire fight with wide, disbelieving eyes, slowly approached. His spear was still clutched tightly in his hand, but his expression was one of awe and something akin to reverence. "Sect Leader Li Xuan," he breathed, his voice barely a whisper. "You... you truly are a cultivator of immense power. That beast... no hunter has ever dared face a Shadow Boar alone and emerged victorious."
Li Xuan, trying to hide his own internal triumph, gave a curt nod. "It's the strength of the Falling Leaf Sect's methods, Jian. Now, help me process this. It will yield valuable meat and hide."
They spent the next hour butchering the boar. It was a massive creature, and Li Xuan knew its meat would provide a huge boost to his "Gather Wild Game Meat" objective, securing valuable points for the sect. Its hide, thick and tough, would also be a superior material for tanning, perhaps even allowing for a more durable crafted item. He carefully extracted the boar's tusks, which glowed faintly with residual Qi.
[Item: Shadow Boar Tusks x 2. (Value: High. Potential for crafting minor spirit artifacts.)]
[Item: Shadow Boar Meat (Raw) x 20 kg. Item: Shadow Boar Hide (Untreated) x 1.]
This was incredible. Not only meat and hide, but tusks that could be used for "minor spirit artifacts." His internal knowledge confirmed that meant things like simple talismans or low-grade weapons, hinting at a whole new tier of crafting.
They continued through the thicket, Li Xuan constantly alert. They gathered more Starflower Blooms, and to Li Xuan's delight, encountered another Shadow Boar, though slightly smaller. He engaged it, applying the lessons from the first fight, and dispatched it with more efficiency.
[Beast Defeated: Shadow Boar (Body Tempering Realm - Stage 1)]
[Sect Points Gained: 15.]
His Sect Points total now stood at 57. A triumphant surge of energy coursed through him. He had done it! He had enough for the Qi Condensation Breakthrough Pill, and even 7 points to spare! The thought made his blood quicken, a smile threatening to split his face.
They continued cautiously, and Li Xuan, with Jian's guidance, found a patch of "Moonpetal Roots," another valuable herb even rarer than the Starflower Blooms. He carefully harvested them.
[Item: Moonpetal Root x 3. (Value: Very High. Potential for crafting basic cultivation pills.)]
Li Xuan felt a wild surge of triumph. "Basic cultivation pills!" This was a massive find. Not only could they be traded for immense wealth in a proper city, but he could potentially use them to accelerate his own cultivation or that of future disciples, once he acquired the right manual.
As they emerged from the Whisperwood Thicket in the late afternoon, laden with the processed meat and precious herbs, Li Xuan felt a profound sense of accomplishment. He had faced danger, emerged victorious, and gained significant resources.
"Sect Leader Li Xuan," Jian said, his voice still tinged with awe as he looked at the massive bundles of boar meat and the tusks Li Xuan carried effortlessly (thanks to his internal inventory). "You are truly a marvel. The village... they will be amazed."
Li Xuan nodded, a plan solidifying in his mind. He had the goods, he had the growing strength, and he had the crucial Sect Points balance.
His eyes were fixed on the Sect Store. He had surpassed the 50-point mark. He needed just a moment of quiet. The Qi Condensation Breakthrough Pill was his. And then, the true power of the Falling Leaf Sect would begin to awaken.