The previous host hadn't been special.
He was not particularly talented. Though he was not quite useless either. He was just slightly above average among his family's younger generation. He didn't have any famous bloodline. He also lacked any strange constitution. There was no hidden treasure body that anyone knew of.
If there had been something special, the family would have noticed long ago.
And this strange healing… it had never happened before.
Then again, the body had never been this injured before either.
Lian frowned.
"So… what changed?"
He thought back over the past six months.
He would train normally. Cultivation was slow, same as before. Sect life was also the same, just doing and completing chores. Running errands was routine. Causing trouble happened sometimes, nothing serious.
And the only different thing that happened with him in six months was that he slept with two women… huh, that can't be right? That was the only new thing in his monotonous life.
"…That can't be it, right?" he muttered.
He shook his head.
No matter how good he thought he was, there was no way sex alone could trigger some miraculous recovery ability.
Without getting anywhere in his thoughts, he decided to deliberately ignore the matter. Why dwell on it if it wasn't harmful to him? It was only for his benefit, doing him good, so he chose to ignore it.
But one thing was clear: this body healed faster when severely injured.
Maybe that was its hidden talent.
Satisfied, for now, Lian gathered his few belongings and moved away from the cliff base, pushing deeper into the forest to find a way out.
...…
...…
This forest was not unknown territory.
It was one of the major forests in this region, frequently explored by cultivators seeking resources, herbs, and beast materials. It wasn't the most dangerous forest in the region, but calling it "safe" would be a lie.
The forest was divided naturally.
The outer forest was relatively safe. Common cultivators and sect disciples explored there regularly. Herbs were scarce, and beasts were weak, but the danger was manageable.
The inner forest was different.
That was where real cultivators went.
There were many strong beasts in this region, and because of the dense spiritual energy, rich resources could also be found in this area, which could help even foundation cultivators. But the risks were also higher. Things that were important and useful to humans would obviously also be valuable and needed by beasts, and they dwelled near these rare herbs and resources. Some even made their habitats close to them.
And in such a dangerous area, how could Lian fit in?
He had no business being anywhere near it.
Most cultivators who explored even the outer forest were already in Qi Condensation. Those who dared venture deeper were usually at peak Qi Condensation, with some even touching the threshold of Foundation Building.
With his cultivation at Stage One Qi Condensation, he was barely enough to be called a cultivator at all. At his level, entering the inner forest was almost certain death.
Lian knew this very clearly.
Which was why he moved cautiously, sticking close to familiar terrain and avoiding any place where the forest felt dangerous. He didn't have the nerve to step into any open area; he was slowly and constantly advancing, hiding and crawling in case he was noticed by some beast.
As he walked, his thoughts drifted naturally toward cultivation.
In this world, cultivation started with Body Tempering.
It was the most common and mainstream stage. Everyone went through it regardless of the path they intended to follow later. Strengthening muscles, bones, organs are the first step. It was laying the physical foundation.
After Body Tempering, two major and common paths opened. While there were other paths, these two were the most common, though even they showed vast differences among cultivators.
The first was the Qi Path.
This was the most widespread. Cultivators absorbed spiritual energy, condensed Qi, and refined it within their bodies.
Qi Condensation.
Foundation Building.
Core Formation.
Step by step, the Qi Path led toward higher realms.
The second was the Body Cultivation Path.
Unlike Qi cultivators, body cultivators didn't stop at Body Tempering.
They went further.
Much further.
They continued to temper flesh, bones, blood, and even internal organs to extreme levels—turning the body itself into a weapon.
In terms of progression, their realms mirrored Qi cultivation in function, though not in name.
A high-level body cultivator was also far stronger than an equivalent Qi cultivator.
But there was one major problem and challenge on this path. The path was brutal.
They had to endure constant pain to temper their body, pushing themselves to inhuman limits. This path was also like a black hole, requiring endless consumption of resources to achieve success—far more than what Qi cultivation demanded. It was almost like a method of tempering that bordered on self-torture. Very few cultivators could endure it.
That was why, despite being a known and respected path, true body cultivators were rare. But the rewards were undeniable. There were almost no bottlenecks like those faced by Qi cultivators. As long as resources were available and the body could endure, progress was steady.
And in direct combat? A body cultivator was roughly one and a half times stronger than a Qi cultivator at the same level, with some exceptionally talented individuals even twice as strong.
Their tiers were generally divided as:
Body Refinement, Physical Consolidation, Tendon and Bone Strengthening.
Each stage was equivalent to a major Qi realm.
….
As he moved deeper, the forest grew quieter.
Lian slowed, crouching behind a fallen tree. Ahead, he saw something moved.
A beast.
It looked like a wolf, but larger, with dark gray fur and faint markings glowing along its spine. Its eyes scanned the surroundings with unsettling intelligence.
Lian's heart tightened.
This wasn't a normal animal. Even with his low perception and limited knowledge, he knew that it was much larger than the young beast he had killed. The difference and strength were very clear and distinct. It was a beast that had cultivated and grown stronger.
Beasts cultivate too—but differently from humans.
They didn't refine Qi the same way. Instead, they absorbed spiritual energy naturally through their bodies, evolving over time.
Their system was simpler but far more brutal.
Beast stages were generally divided into:
Wild Beast, Spirit Beast, Prime Beast, Core Beast
A Spirit Beast was equivalent to a Qi Condensation cultivator.
A core Beast matched the core formation.
And above that, he didn't know, but they are true monsters.
And worst of all?
Beasts were naturally stronger than humans at the same level.
A Spirit Beast could easily overpower a Qi Condensation cultivator if given the chance.
Lian swallowed.
"That thing could kill me."
So he didn't fight it. He just backed down the path he had come from, slowing while crouching, and after he was far enough, he picked up a different direction to walk.
After picking a different direction, he continued walking. On the seventh day, he came across a clearing where it looked like someone had made a rough path into the forest. It seemed man-made. Perhaps there were people nearby—he could survive if he stayed close to this path.
As he explored, he noticed an unusual feature a little off the path: a shallow valley, almost like a tunnel formed by surrounding trees. It led deeper into the forest, but it was clearly dangerous. Still, footprints near the valley caught his attention. When he approached, he heard a faint voice. Relief washed over him—at least there was a chance to find others and return.
Even so, he didn't lower his guard. In situations like this, even the first humans he met couldn't be trusted. Ideally, he wouldn't get close to anyone, but he had no choice. If he wanted to make it back alive, he would have to take the risk and encounter this group.
This path wasn't a main route to other areas. It was only a convenience trail made by someone for exploring the forest. Following it could lead him nowhere—or even deeper, where beasts might find him.
So despite the unease gnawing at him, he stepped into the area, muttering to himself, "I have no other option."
Lian moved carefully along the moss-covered rocks, keeping his steps quiet. He crept closer to the edge of a small cliff, ducking behind a jagged stone to listen.
"…Absolutely certain the Blue Vein Herb grows in this sector. The map was clear," said a young man's voice, impatient.
"The map is fifty years old, Jian. The forest changes," replied a female voice.
Lian peered through the hanging moss. They were resting, their movements casual but alert. Judging by their cultivation, they were likely in the middle to late stages of Qi Condensation. Their robes were finer than his own tattered clothes, though dust-streaked from travel. An exploration party, probably from a nearby sect or city. Seeing the similarity in their robes, he guessed they were from the same sect.
But his eyes didn't focus on their careful formations or the swords at their hips. They lingered on the women.