The growl echoed again—closer this time.
Shen Yuan stood at the mouth of the cave, muscles tense, senses sharpened to the limit. His body was still weak, his meridians only barely functional, and yet his awareness felt sharper than before, as though something had been wiped clean inside him.
He waited.
Nothing came.
The forest beyond the vines stirred—branches shifted, leaves trembled, and something large passed through the undergrowth just beyond sight. The pressure of its presence was unmistakable.
A spiritual beast.
But it did not advance.
Shen Yuan frowned slightly.
"…That's odd."
"Clarification," the Primordial Edict System responded."Current location is within protected range."
Shen Yuan's breath steadied.
"Protected how?"
"This cave lies within a temporary Authority Zone."
"Unauthorized entities are unable to detect, approach, or invade the area."
Shen Yuan glanced back at the cave walls, then out into the forest again.
"So this place is invisible?"
"Functionally, yes."
He exhaled quietly.
"…You could've mentioned that earlier."
"Risk assessment indicated experiential learning was beneficial."
Shen Yuan stared into the darkness.
"Next time," he said calmly, "less experiential learning."
The system did not apologize.
The beast outside lingered for a while longer before moving away, its presence fading into the deeper parts of the forest. Only then did Shen Yuan fully relax, returning to the cave interior and sitting down once more.
A safe place.
In a forest like this, that alone was invaluable.
Not permanent, he reminded himself.But enough.
He closed his eyes and turned his attention inward.
The difference after the purge was subtle—but unmistakable.
His meridians no longer felt like clogged channels forcing energy through resistance. Instead, they resembled narrow streams—still shallow, still weak, but finally flowing.
The Qi within him responded to intent.
Slowly.
Clumsily.
But it responded.
So this is what it's supposed to feel like, he thought.
"System," Shen Yuan said quietly, "that beast earlier—what kind was it?"
"Low-tier spiritual beast," the system replied."Classification: Black-Fanged Forest Hound.""Primary attributes: Physical strength, beast essence concentration."
Beast essence.
Shen Yuan opened his eyes.
"That's different from spiritual energy."
"Correct."
"Beast essence is a refined form of life force unique to spiritual beasts."
Understanding unfolded gradually.
Spiritual beasts did not cultivate Qi the way humans did. Their strength came from instinct, bloodline, and accumulated essence. When refined properly, that essence could be used to strengthen the body, enhance senses, or even temper the soul.
But mishandled—
"It causes corruption," the system finished."Or demonic deviation."
Shen Yuan nodded.
"So demonic power isn't inherently evil."
"Correct."
It was simply power taken without balance.
Power that consumed instead of refined.
That distinction mattered.
Shen Yuan leaned back against the cave wall, eyes half-closed as he pieced things together.
Spiritual energy.Beast essence.Demonic residue.
They weren't opposites.
They were states.
Purity, balance, excess, corruption—those were the real differences.
So the world simplified things out of fear, he realized.
Not truth
Interesting.
"New assessment available," the system announced.
Shen Yuan straightened slightly. "Go on."
"Post-purge condition updated.""Body stability increased.""Compatibility with multiple energy types: Confirmed."
That last part caught his attention.
"Multiple?"
"Spiritual energy.""Beast essence.""Demonic power (refined)."
Shen Yuan was silent for a long moment.
"…So I'm not restricted."
"Correct."
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
That alone made everything he'd endured worth it.
He stood and moved deeper into the cave, gathering dry leaves and stones near the entrance. If he was going to remain here for several days—and the system's protection suggested that he should—then he needed to prepare.
Water source: nearby stream.Food: limited, but manageable.Threats: external, currently mitigated.
Foundation work came first.
He sat once more, posture steady.
"Next step," he said.
"Continue gradual purging," the system replied."Introduce controlled absorption of purified spiritual energy.""Do not exceed tolerance."
Shen Yuan nodded.
"No rushing."
"Confirmed."
He closed his eyes and began again.
This time, the pain was less violent. Still present—but controlled. Each cycle of circulation refined a little more impurity, widened the meridians by a fraction, and strengthened his tolerance.
No explosions.
No breakthroughs.
Just progress.
Outside the cave, the forest remained dangerous, unforgiving, and full of beasts that could tear him apart without effort.
Inside, protected by unseen authority, a cultivator once dismissed as a waste laid the most important foundation of his life.
Slowly.
Correctly.
And for the first time—
Safely.