Dawn had barely begun to gather its first gray threads from the tops of the towering trees when Wei Shen left his cave. He was no longer the frail boy who had emerged days before, trembling from cold and fear, searching for scraps of food or an herb to heal a wound. Now, he moved with the silence and confidence of a hunter surveying his kingdom. The second level of Qi Condensation, despite being a modest beginning in the vast world of cultivation, had granted him an agility and strength far exceeding that of any ordinary human, or even the wild animals he had grown accustomed to hunting.
The two white ivory daggers, crafted from the tusks of the wild black boar, were securely fastened to his ragged belt, one on each side. He gripped one, feeling its smooth, cold surface and its razor-sharp edge. It wasn't a weapon polished by a skilled craftsman, but a primitive killing tool, yet it carried an undeniable raw power and effectiveness.
"These fangs… a natural extension of the hand, a more efficient tool than a mere sharpened rock," Wei Shen thought as he practiced a few thrusts and slashes in the air. His grip on the bone hilt was firm, and the dagger's movement was swift and precise. "They will make hunting… easier."
His target today was not just another ordinary animal. After consolidating his strength at the second level with the blood and core of the Poisonous Mist Serpent, the Blood-Devouring Stone within him, or rather, the thirst the stone had stirred in his soul, demanded more. It demanded finer fuel, blood carrying the essence of spiritual Qi, the blood of a true spiritual beast.
"The third level of Qi Condensation requires a stronger offering," Wei Shen decided coldly. "A first-level spiritual beast, but one possessing clear physical strength, will be a good test for these fangs… and for my current power."
He headed towards depths of the Forest of Lost Souls he had not dared to explore before. These areas, according to the scattered memories of the original "Wei Shen" and the warnings of the sect disciples, were the haunts of spiritual beasts of weak to moderate strength.
The trees here were larger and older, their trunks like pillars of forgotten temples, the shadows beneath them deeper and colder. The air was saturated with the scent of ancient earth and strange plants he had never seen before, some of which radiated a faint aura of natural "Qi."
Wei Shen moved with extreme caution, but with steps steadier and faster than on his previous journeys. His senses, sharpened by his breakthrough to the second level, were working at their utmost capacity. He heard every falling leaf, every crawling insect, every breath of wind passing through the branches. His eyes scanned every shadow, every bush, searching for any trace, any sign.
After nearly two hours of silent, arduous tracking, he found what he was looking for. On a small rocky slope, beneath a stone overhang that offered some shade, he saw fresh tracks. They were larger and deeper than those of any ordinary animal he had seen so far, and bore the marks of strong, sharp claws.
"This is it," Wei Shen thought, his heart beating with a cold, steady rhythm. He followed the tracks cautiously, avoiding any noise. They led him to an area denser with trees and scattered rocks, an ideal place for ambushes.
He stopped behind a large rock and slowly drew one of his ivory daggers. He waited, listening, watching.
He didn't have to wait long. He heard a powerful rustling among the nearby bushes, and then the creature emerged.
It was a Rock Tiger, a spiritual beast at the first level of Qi Condensation, known for its spotted fur that resembled the color of rocks, allowing it to blend almost perfectly with its environment, and for its claws, said to be as hard as steel. It was the size of a small calf, its powerful muscles bulging beneath its skin, and its golden-yellow eyes stared coldly, searching for prey.
The tiger had not yet noticed Wei Shen. It moved with agility and confidence, surveying its surroundings.
"Stronger than the Mist Serpent, and more physically powerful," Wei Shen quickly assessed his opponent. "Its claws are its main weapon, and its hide might be thick. The element of surprise will be crucial."
He chose his moment carefully. When the tiger passed near his rock, its flank momentarily exposed, Wei Shen launched himself.
His speed wasn't phenomenal, but it was sufficient. Thanks to his second-level power, his dash was swift and forceful. He aimed the ivory dagger at the area just behind the tiger's shoulder, where he knew the heart lay.
The Rock Tiger let out a sudden, pained roar as it felt the bone fang pierce its thick hide and flesh. It wasn't an instantly fatal blow; the tiger was strong and vital. The beast spun in fury, its steel-like claws tearing through the air where Wei Shen had been a split second before.
The real battle began.
The Rock Tiger was an entirely different opponent from the Mist Serpent. It was stronger, fiercer, and every swipe of its claws carried enough force to shatter rocks. Wei Shen barely dodged a crushing blow that nearly tore open his chest, feeling the powerful gust of wind from the claw pass close to his face.
"Faster… stronger… but it relies heavily on brute force," Wei Shen thought as he quickly retreated, trying to maintain a safe distance. "I must exploit its momentum and look for openings in its defense."
Wei Shen began to move in a circle around the tiger, using the agility gained from his second level to evade the beast's ferocious attacks. The ivory dagger in his hand glinted coldly, searching for an opportunity. Whenever a chance presented itself, he would deliver a quick stab or slash towards the tiger's flank or limbs, trying to inflict wounds that would drain its strength.
It was a dangerous dance of death. Wei Shen, despite his slight advantage in Qi level, relied heavily on his intellect and tactics, while the tiger relied on its instinctual power and ferocity.
Wei Shen inflicted several superficial wounds on the tiger, and dark blood began to stain its spotted fur. But the tiger also managed to injure him. A sharp claw gashed the arm not holding the dagger, leaving three deep red lines that began to bleed profusely. Wei Shen ignored the pain, focusing on his opponent.
"This must end quickly," he realized. "Losing more blood will weaken me."
In an instant, as the tiger lunged at him again, its mouth open revealing sharp fangs, Wei Shen didn't retreat. Instead, he stepped forward, and at the last moment, dropped his body low, narrowly evading the fangs. Simultaneously, he thrust the ivory dagger with all his might, aiming for a soft spot under the tiger's jaw, where he knew the main artery passed.
He felt the bone fang pierce skin and muscle, then sink deep. The Rock Tiger let out a horrific roar that shook the branches of nearby trees, then its massive body began to tremble and lose balance.
Wei Shen didn't immediately withdraw the dagger but pushed it deeper, feeling the beast's life seeping away.
After a few moments, the Rock Tiger collapsed to the ground, lifeless, its golden eyes staring into the void.
Wei Shen stood over the corpse, panting heavily, blood dripping from his injured arm and his ivory dagger. This was the hardest battle he had fought so far. But he had won.
He looked at the massive beast. "The blood of a stronger spiritual beast… and a first-level core, but from a tenacious Rock Tiger."
A cold, savage smile stretched across his lips. "This… this will be an excellent offering for the 'Blood-Devouring Stone.' The third level of Qi Condensation… is no longer just a distant possibility. It has become very close."
He immediately began to gather his spoils, aware that the scent of blood might attract other, more dangerous predators. Exhaustion and pain were gnawing at his body