Lin Xuan ventured deeper into the mountainous region, following faint trails barely visible through the dense, overgrown foliage. The map guided him forward, but the further he traveled, the more oppressive the air became. Spiritual pressure weighed heavily upon him, pressing into his lungs and slowing his breath. Towering trees blocked out most sunlight, their ancient branches twisted and interwoven to create a shadowed, gloomy canopy.
The change was subtle at first—a faint tingling at the edge of his senses, the occasional rustling from creatures far more potent than those he'd encountered before. But soon the signs became unmistakable: claw marks gouged into trees, footprints larger than his torso, and an unsettling silence occasionally broken by distant roars or low growls. Each sign reminded him of the village elder's warning—this place was ruled by powerful beasts.
Cautious, Lin Xuan stopped and summoned the system's jade-colored interface.
He swiftly purchased two essential items:
— Grade-1 Spirit Compass (Detects Qi fluctuations within 50m) — 60 Points
— Cloudwalking Sandals (Minor speed boost when traveling by foot) — 80 Points
[Current Points: 230]
With the sandals strapped securely to his feet, he felt a lightness in his steps, each stride quicker and quieter. The compass, shimmering faintly with Qi, rested securely in his palm, offering him insight into hidden dangers.
As he navigated cautiously, the system provided a brief explanation of the cultivation levels he might face:
[Notice: Foundation Establishment beings detected ahead.]
Lin Xuan frowned, unsure exactly what that entailed.
The system chimed in helpfully, with an oddly cheery tone:
[Initial Foundation Establishment: Could easily kill two of you.
Mid Foundation Establishment: Enough to slaughter half a dozen of you.
Late Foundation Establishment: Your entire village wouldn't stand a chance.
Peak Foundation Establishment: You might as well consider reincarnating again.]
Minutes later, the compass pulsed urgently. Lin Xuan quickly ducked behind a thick, gnarled tree trunk. Ahead, he witnessed his first clash involving a Foundation Establishment beast—a massive Initial-level Direwolf radiating oppressive energy, its silver fur shimmering with dense Qi.
Facing it was a Peak Qi Condensation Razorback Boar, fierce and muscular, but clearly outmatched. The boar charged forward, its Qi surging visibly, only for the wolf to casually swipe with its paw. The boar flew through the air, smashing into a tree with a brutal crack, lifeless.
Lin Xuan swallowed hard. The sheer difference in power was staggering.
As he pressed on, his compass continually warned him of lurking Foundation Establishment creatures, prompting swift detours around hidden predators—gigantic spiders lurking silently in tree branches, shadowy panthers with eyes glowing ominously, and massive, armored rhinos casually uprooting trees with a snort.
During these tense journeys, Lin Xuan took every opportunity to cultivate. Consuming his remaining Qi Gathering Pills and meditating diligently, he rapidly reached Qi Condensation Stage 7. The newfound strength emboldened him, fueling a desire to test his abilities.
Opportunity soon arose in the form of a Stage 9 Qi Condensation Rock Leopard. The beast sprang from a cliffside, roaring fiercely as it pounced. Lin Xuan swiftly dodged to the side, heart racing as the beast's massive paw narrowly missed him, shattering the ground where he stood moments ago.
This was his first real combat since arriving in this world, and at first, his movements were stiff and awkward. The leopard's speed and raw power were staggering, forcing Lin Xuan to quickly adapt, analyzing its patterns and timing. Gradually, his reactions grew sharper, instincts shaped by countless imagined battles and deep contemplation of martial techniques finally coming to life.
Drawing his sword again, Lin Xuan felt a surge of clarity, recalling the countless techniques he had envisioned practicing since gaining the Banished Immortal Physique. He took a calming breath, feeling the earth's Qi resonating beneath his feet. As the leopard lunged once more, Lin Xuan thrust his sword into the ground, channeling his Qi and visualizing the earth's energy.
Sharp rock spikes erupted upward, startling the leopard and piercing its thick hide. Taking advantage of the beast's momentary disorientation, Lin Xuan infused his blade with earthen Qi, amplifying its weight and striking force. He leaped forward, his movements smooth and precise, sword slicing cleanly through the beast's neck.
With a final shudder, the leopard collapsed, defeated.
Lin Xuan exhaled, pleased yet wary. He knew he still had limits; the immense potential of his physique remained frustratingly out of reach. He continued his cultivation, rapidly ascending to Qi Condensation Stage 8, each advancement underscoring his growing strength but also highlighting how constrained he still felt.
As he drew closer to his destination, strange phenomena caught his attention. Flowers glowed softly even in daylight, trees grew impossibly tall and robust, and insects buzzed erratically, clearly influenced by an abundance of spiritual energy. The signs all pointed unmistakably toward the presence of a powerful, concealed spirit vein.
Finally, the map led him to a cave entrance, heavily obscured by thick vines and dense foliage. Before stepping closer, he checked his compass. Immediately, a sharp pulse warned him of danger—a Foundation Establishment Mid-level beast guarding the cave.
Carefully parting the vines, Lin Xuan glimpsed the guardian—a massive serpent, its scales shimmering like polished obsidian, coiled before the cave entrance. He sensed no other beasts nearby, understanding instantly that the creature's overwhelming presence had driven away all others.
Lin Xuan felt his chest tighten. This serpent, the undisputed lord of this territory, posed an insurmountable threat. But fleeing was not an option—not when the spirit vein was so close.
He withdrew quietly, taking careful stock of his resources: the talisman, his sword, his elemental affinity, and his ingenuity. For hours, he methodically set traps—hidden pitfalls lined with sharpened stones, precarious rock formations ready to collapse, and subtle snares woven from vines and branches.
By sunset, preparations were complete. Lin Xuan stood at the edge of his makeshift battlefield, heart pounding, eyes locked on the serpent. He drew a steadying breath, grasping his sword tightly.
Now, there was no turning back.
—
End of Chapter 4