Seeing the massive serpent collapse at last, Xiao Hai exhaled deeply and let his body fall backward onto the ground, staring up at the sky. The rush of battle intent, the burning excitement that had surged like fire in his veins, finally began to subside, leaving only exhaustion and a faint sense of wonder behind.
As his ragged breaths steadied, fragments of the fight replayed vividly in his mind. If he had stubbornly clung to his sword, the outcome might have been completely different—perhaps even fatal. What startled him most was not the serpent's ferocity, but the way his own blood had boiled with exhilaration, to the point he nearly lost control of his body. The thought unsettled him, yet deep within, he could not deny a certain thrill. There were answers to be found in that moment of frenzy, though they remained hidden in the haze of instinct.
But speculation could wait. What truly mattered was the harvest of this battle. Both Flowing Steps and Heavy Strike Palm, tempered by the life-and-death struggle, had leapt forward in mastery. No longer half-formed or clumsy, they now flowed with perfection—techniques that could respond to his will in any situation, as naturally as breathing.
Lying on the bloodstained earth, a faint smile curved his lips. The serpent had fallen, but he had risen.
The battle had left Xiao Hai utterly drained. Nearly all the Dou Qi he had painstakingly accumulated over the past days had been consumed, leaving only the faintest embers flickering within his meridians. Yet as he lay sprawled upon the blood-soaked ground, he could feel a subtle change—his Dou Qi, though diminished, pulsed with a newfound purity and resilience, as though the crucible of combat had tempered it.
His body, however, was another matter. Every muscle screamed with fatigue, forcing him to simply lie there, eyes closed, listening to the quiet rustle of the forest. Minutes slipped by before his strength returned in steady waves.
At last, he pushed himself up, his gaze settling on the serpent's massive corpse. A glimmer of curiosity sparked in his eyes. "Let's see if this beast left me another reward."
Drawing a sharp knife from his storage ring, Xiao Hai approached the serpent's head. With practiced precision, he drove the blade into its scaled skull, carving a rough path through bone and flesh. A faint metallic scent mingled with the stench of blood, and soon, something hard knocked against the edge of his knife.
When he pried it free, his eyes lit up. Nestled in his palm was a monster core—grey in colour, its rhombus-like shape glimmering faintly in the fading light.
"Heh… seems today really is my lucky day," Xiao Hai murmured, a smile tugging at his lips. "Not only did my strength and combat sharpen, but this serpent even gifted me a monster core."
Sliding the core carefully into his storage ring, Xiao Hai rose. The serpent's hide, gallbladder, and other parts might have value, but he had no use for them. Best to leave the remains for the other beasts that prowled these lands.
Without looking back, he turned and set off, intent on finding a quiet place to rest and recover fully—his steps lighter, his heart carrying the faint exhilaration of victory.
After wandering through the wilderness for nearly two hours, Xiao Hai finally stumbled upon a spot that seemed almost carved by fate itself. A clear stream trickled nearby, its soft murmur blending with the whisper of leaves swaying in the breeze. The air was fresh, damp with the scent of earth and water, and the place radiated a quiet serenity—a perfect haven for rest and recovery.
Settling beneath the shade of a sturdy old tree, Xiao Hai crossed his legs and closed his eyes. His breathing slowed, steady and controlled, as he guided his Dou Qi circulation. Almost immediately, he noticed the difference. The energy of heaven and earth flowed into him more smoothly than before, strands of Dou Qi merging with his meridians at a pace faster than he had ever experienced.
His lips curved faintly. Just as he had guessed, the battle had refined not only his body but also his foundation. His cultivation surged steadily, pressing closer to the peak of a one-star Dou Zhe. At this rate, it wouldn't take long—perhaps less than a week—before he stepped into the realm of a two-star Dou Zhe.
The gentle sound of running water echoed in the background as Xiao Hai immersed himself fully in cultivation, the fatigue of battle slowly washing away, replaced by the steady rhythm of growth.
After nearly an hour of steady cultivation, Xiao Hai's Dou Qi had fully recovered, flowing through his meridians with renewed vigor. His stomach, however, reminded him of a more mundane need. Reaching into his storage ring, he pulled out some dry rations and began to eat, savoring each bite in the quiet calm after battle.
But even as he chewed, his thoughts were far from idle. Charging forward blindly would be no different from courting death. Without a proper plan, wandering in the Magical Beast Mountain Range would only waste time—and perhaps his life.
Unfolding the weathered map once again, Xiao Hai traced the markings with a careful finger. Symbols etched in red denoted perilous areas, while other marks revealed known habitats of magical beasts. His eyes narrowed as he studied the closest region from his current position—just half a day's journey away.
The name written there stirred unease. Co-Ape.
He had heard of this creature before; its reputation whispered among mercenaries and adventurers alike. Not because of overwhelming strength, but because of its vile notoriety. The Co-Ape was infamous for abducting women mercenaries who strayed too close to its territory, vanishing without a trace. Its cruelty had earned it fear and hatred in equal measure.
Xiao Hai's expression hardened. A dangerous foe lay ahead, but danger also meant opportunity.
After a brief moment of thought, Xiao Hai's eyes sharpened with resolve. He would head toward the Co-Ape region. For others, it was a place to be avoided, but for him, it was an opportunity. Ape-type magical beasts relied heavily on their physical strength and agility—making them the perfect opponents to temper his own body in close combat. There were other reasons as well, but they were of little importance. What mattered was experience, and he intended to seize it.
Closing the map, Xiao Hai finished the last of his dry food and dusted his hands. Then, from within his storage ring, he retrieved a scroll bound in crimson silk. Unrolling it carefully, a faint golden glow flickered along the engraved characters. This was one of the treasured Dou Qi techniques of the Jia Ma Royal Family—a High-Grade Yellow Rank skill, the Flowing Water Fist.
Unlike the Heavy Strike Palm, which exploded with force in a single devastating burst, the Flowing Water Fist embodied persistence and rhythm. Each strike carried the essence of flowing water—soft yet unyielding, building momentum with every motion. One punch became two, two became four, and with each successive strike, the power accumulated like a rising tide, ready to crash down with unstoppable force.
It was said that if one could cultivate this technique to the realm of perfection, its might could rival even a Low-Grade Xuan Rank skill.
Xiao Hai's gaze lingered on the scroll, a faint fire flickering in his eyes. "This will do."