Ren Ying is a young man with a light complexion in his twenties. He is a Rank 2 Warrior, with long black hair similar to Li Gang's. From behind, one might mistake him for Li Gang, just as Li Yuxong once did.
But unlike Li Gang, Ren Ying is cheerful and reckless, with cultivation at the late stage of Rank 2 Warrior. He speaks before thinking and acts without planning. Yet when it comes to surviving in the forest, he becomes an entirely different person—cautious, sharp, and able to strategize like no other.
As Li Yuxong continued his journey with the party, he realized these people were too kind. They were lone Warriors who didn't belong to any faction and had come here to gain experience. Later, they joined the Thunderous Peak Sect to complete tasks and earn rewards. Jin Lei and Cao Wei had been partners since childhood. They formed a party as soon as they met in this small world. Jin Lei is hardworking, while Cao Wei is somewhat introverted. Both are Rank 2 mid-stage Warriors, but together they can even take down a Rank 2 peak Warrior.
This time, the Thunderous Peak Sect discovered a region filled with miasma from countless corpses. They claimed a Grade 6 Spiritual Plant, the Corpse Blossom, was blooming there. Ren Ying and the others were tasked with retrieving it.
Each faction of Jade Harbor City maintains a task board, rewarding Spirit Stones for completed missions. This task, being dangerous, promised a bountiful reward: 1000 Spirit Stones. For Rank 2 Warriors like Ren Ying, Jin Lei, and Cao Wei, this was an enormous sum.
For Rank 1 Warriors, 1 Spirit Stone can last a month, while Rank 2 Warriors need 10 to last the same time. Thus, possessing hundreds of Spirit Stones was already considered a great fortune.
Region Number 23
Li Yuxong, Ren Ying, Jin Lei, and Cao Wei sat together, discussing their next steps.
Ren Ying said, "This is the ideal place. There are three paths from here. One leads to Region 23, where we're heading for the Corpse Blossom. Another leads to Region 21. The last is the path we came from. We've already marked the crucial points along the way."
Jin Lei nodded. "In the future, if we have enough time, we can explore the other regions instead of heading straight back."
Li Yuxong added, "I can feel the Spiritual Essence here is richer than before. It would be much better if we could stay longer."
Ren Ying grew serious. "Richer Spiritual Essence also means the Beasts ahead will be stronger. We have to stay cautious."
Li Yuxong nodded heavily.
Cao Wei then asked, "When will we start?"
Jin Lei answered, "Tomorrow morning. It would be better to rest first."
Ren Ying shook his head. "No, the day after tomorrow. I'm feeling uneasy and need proper rest before we continue—just to be safe."
Jin Lei wanted to object, but in the end, he simply nodded.
So, the party decided to rest for two days before continuing their journey.
Two days later
"Where is Li Yuxong?" Jin Lei asked.
Ren Ying replied, "We have to wait a little longer. He's about to reach Rank 3 Warrior and doesn't want to waste this chance."
Jin Lei nodded. "He's truly diligent."
Ren Ying agreed.
Before long, Li Yuxong stepped out of his tent, a smile on his face.
Ren Ying blinked in surprise. "Already? I thought it would take at least half a day!"
Li Yuxong smiled. "I thought so too, but breakthroughs are unpredictable. No one can know exactly how long they'll take."
Ren Ying teased, "Maybe it's because of your talent."
Li Yuxong changed the subject. "Let's begin our journey."
At the same time, in Region 24
A young girl in her twenties was fighting a Rank 5 peak-stage beast, the Rock Python. With a sword in her hand, she completely suppressed the beast, leaving it no chance to retaliate.
After an hour-long battle, she killed it—without even using her Spiritual Imprint, relying only on her Sword Techniques.
Huang Ling gracefully approached the Rock Python, extracted its Beast Core, and collected its blood essence.
"This should be enough. Now I can create the Bloodfiend Spring and solidify my foundation."
Muttering to herself, she sped off and soon entered Region 23. She found a cave filled with a heavy stench of blood. Unbothered, she ventured deep inside, where a blood-colored spring awaited. She poured all of the Rock Python's blood essence into it and threw in its Beast Core.
Everyone in Jade Harbor City believes Long Yifan is the most talented Warrior, but no one knows that the Shadow Phoenix Sect has a hidden genius.
Her name is Huang Ling, and she possesses S-grade talent. As soon as this was discovered, the Shadow Phoenix Sect hid her away. She was the daughter of a minor elder, whose status rose rapidly thanks to her. Soon, she became the Sect's Saintess, though her identity was concealed from the outside world.
She reached Rank 1 Warrior at age 6, Rank 2 at 8, Rank 3 at 12, Rank 4 at 16, and now, at just 30, she has already reached early-stage Rank 6.
She broke through to Rank 6 after arriving here. Her existence is known only to the highest-ranking members of the Shadow Phoenix Sect.
A few miles away from the cave
Li Yuxong, Jin Lei, and Cao Wei were locked in a desperate battle against a Rank 4 Spiritual Beast, the Blood-eyed Leopard.
Li Yuxong fought at the front, wielding his sword techniques. Trained by his father, he had focused on Sword Cultivation and had already mastered a Grade 4 Sword Technique: Sky Sword Art.
The Sky Sword Art combines attack and movement techniques. It also provides a defensive edge through the concept of "Attack is the Best Defense."
Sword Slash is its offensive move, while Sword Step serves as its movement technique.
A sharp claw struck Li Yuxong from the side, hurling him several meters away. Pain seared through his abdomen. He quickly activated his Spiritual Imprint, Poplar Resilience, and his wound began knitting shut. Within seconds, it was healed.
His expression hardened.
'I can only use Poplar Resilience for 10 minutes… no, just 9 now. If I can't finish this, I'll have to use it to escape with them.'
With no time to waste, he attacked fiercely, weaving between the Leopard's strikes with Sword Step and countering with Sword Slash.
A beam of light pierced the Leopard's already wounded neck, halting its attack. Taking the chance, Li Yuxong drove his sword forward with full force, striking deep into its throat and killing it.
He turned to his companions. "Thank you. If you hadn't distracted it, this would have been much harder."
Jin Lei possessed a Grade 5 Metal-type Spiritual Imprint, Tin Essence. It allowed him to materialize Spirit Essence into various shapes and adjust its hardness within the limits of his control and cultivation base. Cao Wei, meanwhile, possessed a Grade 5 Fire-type Spiritual Imprint, Flame Serpent, enabling him to conjure flame serpents in diverse forms.
By combining their powers—Cao Wei forming the flame attack and Jin Lei materializing it—they greatly amplified its strength. That was how they managed to injure the Blood-eyed Leopard.
Jin Lei said modestly, "It was thanks to teamwork. If Ren Ying hadn't supported the attack with his Spiritual Essence, I doubt it would have worked as well."
Ren Ying smiled. "You don't have to be so humble. Even without me, you could have done it."
But his smile faded. "I still feel like a burden. If my soul weren't injured, leaving me unable to use my Spiritual Imprint, I would have fought side by side with Brother Li."
Li Yuxong placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry. I'll find a way to cure you, no matter what. We're brothers. You've helped us all the way, so don't belittle yourself."
Ren Ying sighed and fell silent.
Jin Lei broke the moment. "Since Brother Li killed it, he should take the Beast Core. The rest of the materials can be divided among us."
Li Yuxong shook his head. "No, I couldn't have done it without your help. How about this—I'll take the Beast Core, but later I'll compensate you with Spirit Stones."
Jin Lei and the others agreed.
Li Yuxong then asked, "How far is the Corpse Domain?"
The Corpse Domain was the name given to the region where the Corpse Blossom bloomed. The flower only grew in areas reeking of blood and filled with corpses.
Ren Ying replied, "About 20 miles from here. We can reach it within a day. But it's better to recuperate today and set out tomorrow."
Li Yuxong and the others nodded.