The air grew heavy with anticipation as Jiang Chen moved deeper into the woods. The distant tremors, once subtle, now resonated more clearly through the earth. His enhanced senses, sharpened by Body Tempering Stage 5 (Peak) and his Minor Spirit Affinity, detected not just the tremors but also the distinct fluctuations of Spirit Qi clashing violently. This was a true battle between powerful cultivators, far beyond anything he had witnessed, even through the System's warnings.
[Warning, Host! The Spirit Qi fluctuations indicate a clash between cultivators at the Qi Condensation Realm and potentially higher. Remain hidden. Proximity to such a battle could lead to your instant demise.] The System's voice was firm, lacking its usual playful tone.
Jiang Chen didn't need to be told twice. He activated his Basic Stealth Technique, moving like a phantom through the undergrowth, using every bush and tree for cover. The sounds of combat grew louder – explosive impacts, the crackle of energy, and the occasional sharp clang of weapons.
He finally reached the edge of a small bluff overlooking a wider clearing. He cautiously peered through a dense curtain of leaves.
Below, the scene was chaotic and terrifying. Three figures moved with incredible speed, blurring across the ground. Two were clad in the distinctive grey robes of rogue cultivators, their faces half-hidden by dark scarves. They wielded crackling whips of lightning and shimmering blades of wind, their attacks tearing gashes in the earth.
Their target was a single, imposing figure in flowing, deep blue robes – an Inner Sect Elder of the Azure Thunder Sect, judging by the symbols on his attire. He fought with a majestic, swirling aura of water and ice, conjuring freezing spears and powerful waves that crashed against his assailants.
[Analysis: Azure Thunder Sect Elder, Qi Condensation Stage 7. Opponents: Two Rogue Cultivators, Qi Condensation Stage 5 and Qi Condensation Stage 6. The Elder is outnumbered but holds the advantage in cultivation and technique mastery. Battle duration estimate: Variable, dependent on unexpected techniques or external factors.]
Jiang Chen's jaw dropped. Qi Condensation! He was still in Body Tempering, a realm below. These were genuine powerhouses. A single stray attack could erase him from existence. He felt a primal fear, but also an overwhelming fascination. This was what true power looked like.
He watched intently, observing their movements, their techniques. His Divine Comprehension talent kicked in, unconsciously analyzing the flow of Spirit Qi, the intricate movements of their martial arts. He wasn't just seeing a fight; he was dissecting it, understanding the underlying principles.
Suddenly, the rogue cultivator at Stage 6 let out a furious roar. He threw a dark, shimmering sphere of energy towards the Elder. The Elder, caught mid-technique, barely managed to deflect it with a shield of ice. The sphere exploded against a nearby ancient tree, reducing it to splinters and sending a shockwave of raw Spirit Qi rippling outwards.
Jiang Chen, though well-hidden, felt the periphery of the shockwave. It wasn't a direct hit, but the sheer force of the dissipated energy slammed into him, making him gasp. He pressed himself harder against the earth, eyes wide.
[Warning! Residual Qi shockwave detected. Minor internal system perturbation. Host's current physical integrity maintained. However, continued proximity to high-intensity attacks is ill-advised.]
As the battle raged, the ground churned, trees shattered, and the air crackled with uncontrolled energy. Jiang Chen saw an opportunity. The cultivators were too focused on their deadly dance. Around the edges of the clearing, where the initial ambush must have taken place, he saw scattered glints. Fragments of broken spiritual tools. Small, discarded pouches.
[Host, high-value salvage opportunity detected! Residual Spirit Qi from broken artifacts and discarded items. Recommend strategic retrieval during opportune moments.]
This was the "Rare Item Drop" the System had mentioned. But when was an "opportune moment" during a life-and-death struggle between god-like beings?
The Elder suddenly roared, unleashing a massive tidal wave of condensed water Qi that slammed into the two rogue cultivators, sending them sprawling. One coughed up blood, his lightning whip sputtering. The other was pinned against a rock, momentarily stunned.
This was it. Jiang Chen moved. He darted from his cover, a silent blur. He wasn't aiming for the center of the fight, but the periphery. His eyes locked onto a small, leather pouch that had fallen from one of the rogue cultivators' belts near the edge of the clearing.
He reached it in a flash, scooped it up, and melted back into the shadows, all in a matter of seconds. The cultivators were already back on their feet, resuming their deadly dance, too engrossed to notice the fleeting shadow.
[Item acquired: Rogue Cultivator's Storage Pouch! Content analysis: 12 Low-Grade Spirit Stones, 3 Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, 1 Minor Qi Replenishing Pill, 1 Basic Stealth Technique (already learned by Host). Congratulations on your audacious acquisition, Host! You seem to have a penchant for theft.]
Jiang Chen's eyes nearly popped out. Twelve Low-Grade, three Mid-Grade Spirit Stones! That was a massive haul. A single Mid-Grade Spirit Stone was worth a dozen Low-Grade ones in terms of Qi content. This was more than enough to push him far into the Qi Gathering realm.
Just as he thought this, a deafening explosion ripped through the clearing. The Azure Thunder Sect Elder had unleashed a powerful ice-storm technique, engulfing the two rogue cultivators. Their screams were cut short as sharp ice shards tore through them.
The Elder stood panting, his robes torn, but victorious. He surveyed the ruined clearing, his gaze sharp, sweeping over every detail.
Jiang Chen knew he had to leave. Now. Before the Elder, weakened but still powerful, noticed any lingering presence. He didn't wait for the System's prompt. He activated his Basic Stealth Technique and moved deeper into the woods, putting as much distance as possible between himself and the terrifying aftermath of the battle. He gripped the heavy pouch. This single gamble had just changed his entire future.