By the time dawn broke through the dense canopy above, Li Qingyun had already ended his night-long cultivation.
Although he hadn't broken through, his control over the liquefaction process had improved drastically. The Core Vein Matrix was still forming, piece by piece, stabilized by his steady will.
Opening his eyes, he stood up slowly and stretched, then removed the stone sealing his cave. Morning dew clung to the forest underbrush, and faint birdsong echoed in the distance. He washed his face, replenished water from a nearby stream, and ate some dried spirit fruit from his pouch.
With everything packed, he began his day's journey.
The deeper he moved into the forest, the thicker the spiritual energy became. The beasts here were more cautious, more intelligent. Most that approached him were high-grade Rank 1—stronger than any Qi Gathering realm cultivator. But nothing he couldn't handle.
Until the wind shifted.
He stopped.
A scent in the air… sharp, metallic.
Then the forest grew unnaturally quiet.
A guttural growl echoed from deeper ahead, and from the shadows of ancient trees, a sleek, obsidian-furred beast stepped forward. Its frame was the size of a full-grown bull, but its body was sinuous like a panther's, muscles rippling under its skin with every step. Most striking were the two hooked crimson horns jutting from its forehead—surging faintly with fire and shadow energy.
Its name surfaced in Li Qingyun's mind from the depths of a bestiary he'd once read:
"Crimson Horned Nightfiend."
—Low-grade Rank 2 spiritual beast.
His eyes narrowed.
"A Rank 2 beast… this is no longer Qi Gathering level. This is equivalent to Foundation Establishment."
He knew that it was a rank 2 spiritual beast because it's spiritual energy was way beyond what a rank 1 beast can have at their peak.
He slid Shadowfang from its sheath, its edge humming softly in resonance with his will.
Though calm on the surface, his thoughts churned.
'Even among Rank 2s, the Nightfiend is vicious. Its strength lies in both speed and dark-element spiritual bursts. This one isn't just recently advanced… it's stable. Even if it's early Rank 2, it might rival mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.'
'And I—though stronger than most Qi Gathering cultivators—have never fought across realms before…'
Far away, atop a tree obscured by distance and dense foliage, Li Tianyang stood silently, dressed in a robe that masked all aura. His spiritual sense swept the area, locked onto his son.
His expression was tight.
'A Nightfiend? Of all beasts…' he clenched his fists subtly. 'If anything goes wrong, I'll intervene. No matter what.'
But on the ground, Li Qingyun showed no hesitation.
The beast struck first.
A black blur shot forward, closing the distance with terrifying speed. Li Qingyun barely had time to parry. Claws clanged against steel, the impact sending tremors down his arm. Shadowfang shook violently, forcing him two steps back.
He ducked low, pivoted, and swept in a low arc. The Nightfiend twisted mid-air like a shadow come alive, its tail a whip of bone and muscle. It cracked toward him like a scythe.
He deflected—barely.
The force knocked him sideways into a mossy boulder. He spat blood. And this was result of his achieving Jade Bone Transformation, if it was anyone else it would not end with simply just some blood. Their bodies would have been crushed by the force.
"Fast. Stronger than expected. Can't go blow for blow."
He exhaled once, then vanished.
Phantom Step activated in full.
He reappeared behind the beast, sword coated with wind essence from the Cloudveil Sword Control Method. He slashed. The wind howled—a crescent edge of force struck the beast's back.
A shallow gash.
But the beast didn't retreat.
Instead, it howled, dark flames licking across its fur as it turned and surged forward, red eyes glowing.
Li Qingyun dodged, but the beast feinted—its tail striking, sending him flying through a tree trunk.
"Damn it—it's reading me," he coughed. "It's intelligent."
He exhaled. And regained composure.
Crimson elemental energy surged into his blade. He lunged, striking in arcs and bursts. The Nightfiend twisted like a wraith, claws and tail striking with vicious power.
He manipulated earth elements, causing the ground to rise beneath the beast's paws, unbalancing it.
He compressed lightning essence into the tip of his sword, then lashed out again—this time, the Nightfiend howled. A long gash opened across its side, smoking.
But it didn't retreat.
Instead, its eyes glowed red.
'Why won't it flee?' he thought. "Most beasts, once injured, withdraw. This one… it's determined to kill me."
He didn't hesitate further. Activating every method he possessed—Ninefold Essence circulation, elemental fusion, battle perception, and even micro-manipulating his meridians—he began pushing his limits.
Clang!
The beast met his blade with its horns.
Shockwaves exploded outward.
They clashed again. And again.
Dirt flew. Trees fell. The surrounding darkened from the sheer force of their collisions.
His footwork was battered. His robes were torn. But his eyes were sharp.
He gave it openings—twice, three times—to escape.
It refused.
Each time, it came back harder.
His spiritual energy surged to the limit.
All essence channels ignited.
His sword moved faster.
Cleaner.
Not technique. Not skill.
He stopped thinking.
The sword became an extension of his intent. Not for defense. Not for show. But for a single outcome: To sever.
He saw its rhythm. Its gait. The flicker in its eye a heartbeat before it struck.
As it lunged again, maw open, claws spread—
He stepped into its blind spot.
Slash.
A clean line across its throat.
The beast kept moving… two more steps.
Then collapsed.
The forest fell silent.
His blade hummed faintly.
Golden light flickered across its edge—not from qi, not from any technique—but from the clarity that had just awakened within him.
[Sword Intent Acquired – True Edge]
Not a fancy name.
Just the edge of his will, unclouded.
He knelt respectfully by the beast's body, then began harvesting materials: horns, core, bones, and blood. The Nightfiend's refusal to flee meant it had truly seen him as a threat worth killing.
A worthy opponent.
He sat cross-legged in the aftermath and opened his system.
---
[System Interface]
[Host:] Li Qingyun
[Realm:] Qi Gathering Realm – 9th Stage (Peak)
[Physique:] Primal Chaos Vessel Physique
[Slots:]
Slot 1: Voidcleave Sword Manual — Perfect (Transcendent locked — requires 300 points)
Slot 2: Ninefold Essence Sutra — Perfect (Transcendent locked — requires 500 points)
Slot 3: Cloudveil Sword Control Method — Proficient
Slot 4: Unlock Requirement — Advance to Foundation Establishment Realm
[Techniques:]
Jade Body Tempering Scripture — Transcendent (Unshakable Core)
Ninefold Essence Sutra — Perfect
Voidcleave Sword Manual — Perfect (Sword Intent: True Edge)
Phantom Step Art — Perfect
Cloudveil Sword Control Method — Proficient
↳ Cloudveil Flight Method — Major Completion
[Bound Weapon:] Shadowfang — Spirit Grade
[Weapon Traits:] Adaptive resonance, enhances Sword Intent, evolves with usage
[Energy:] 245 points
[Condition:] Stable. Muscular fatigue present. Recommend rest.
[Remarks:] Sword Intent achieved. Cultivation nearing Foundation Establishment threshold. Physical body tempered through live combat. High-combat resonance recorded with Shadowfang.
Li Qingyun closed the panel and leaned back against the tree, drenched in sweat and blood.