As Lian walked, he felt a cool, surging power wash over him—he had broken through the Fifth Stage of cultivation.
Even if I couldn't get access to the martial books, at least I got an unexpected gain—the Elder's martial intent helped me break through... but I still need books if I want to fight in the disciple selection tournament.
"But where to get them?" he wondered. "I don't know anyone who would be willing to give me their cultivation art."
I guess I have no choice. I have to go hunt beasts and sell their cores to buy a cultivation book... but first, I need a weapon.
Lian went back to his house and found a broken broomstick. He then sharpened one edge of it, forming a crude spear. Before leaving, he closed his eyes and channeled his Fifth Stage Chi into the broomstick, hardening the tip into a point as dark and tough as iron.
This should do, he thought. He prepared to sneak out of the compound again, knowing that if they caught him, he would be in serious trouble.
"Never walk out! You will make us lose face!" they would scold him every time he asked to go outside. Because of this, he had formed a habit of sneaking out through a tunnel he had stumbled upon one day while cleaning.
He crouched low and left through the narrow tunnel, finding himself outside once more.
Huu... finally, fresh air, he thought as he began charging toward the great forest of Toe, where most beast hunting happened.
He began his run, now even faster than before. "It's truly addictive," he thought. "I finally understand why people would cultivate despite the danger. The feeling of breaking through your limitations is indeed a great feeling."
As he approached, he found himself instinctively slowing down. A great pressure emanated from the forest—it was as if a powerful force was pushing down on him.
"I might have underestimated the danger of this forest," Lian thought, walking closer.
The place had many dense trees that covered most of the area, making it difficult to see.
...
Lian began his hunt, starting off with small beasts—Yin Rats. This took up most of his morning, and high noon finally came, the sun hot outside.
"Back in the day I would struggle to catch even a baby Yin Rat, but today I managed to catch seven of them! This is great," Lian thought to himself.
He then searched for a river where he could cool himself. Throughout the day, he had realized that the only places he should avoid were the deeper parts of the forest, as well as the far north and west. His instincts told him that was where most of the great beasts rested.
Mmm, that sounds like the flow of water, he thought to himself, his ears now fine-tuned to hear things that were far away. He rushed toward the sound, climbing trees and leaping from one to the other. At first, he would slip and fall, but the more he did it, the more he got the hang of it.
"I see. The key is dispensing the chi in my toes. That way I can have a great grip but also a burst of speed... Mmm, this is a wonderful feeling. It feels like I am gliding through the air."
The river finally came into view. Lian stood atop a tree and scanned the area for danger, concentrating most of his chi into his eyes. He looked through the river but saw nothing. Confident, he leaped off the tree and dove into the water.
"Ugh... finally refreshing!" Lian thought. "I thought I was going to die from this heat. Since I got here, it's been becoming hotter and hotter. I wonder what's going on."
Lian spent the rest of his day lazing around, splashing the water, until he heard a cry.
"Ahhh, let go of me!" a feminine voice echoed. "Have you no shame? You were supposed to become the guards of my family, yet here you are doing something so unsightly!" the voice continued.
I hope they don't come this side... I don't want any trouble, Lian thought to himself, quickly walking out of the water.