Moonlight spilled across stone pathways while distant Qi lamps illuminated the sect beneath the dark sky with soft golden light.
Li Yan walked steadily toward the Core Area of the sect. Toward the Techniques Hall.
As Li Yan arrived at the Techniques Hall, the atmosphere remained calm and still. He immediately noticed Elder Lu Zhi seated behind the counter, meditating quietly beneath the warm glow of the Qi lamps.
The hall itself remained peaceful, lined with shelves filled with technique scrolls of varying ranks and elements.
The moment Li Yan stepped forward, Lu Zhi slowly opened his eyes. A faint smile appeared on the elder's face as he looked toward him.
Li Yan cupped his hands respectfully. "Good Evening, Elder Lu."
"You too, Li Yan," Lu Zhi nodded warmly before studying him for a brief moment.
"Earlier today," Lu Zhi began, "when the goddess arrived, I saw that you had already completed the task of gathering five thousand Tier-2 Beast Cores."
"That's no small feat." A trace of admiration surfaced within his voice.
He gave a light chuckle before continuing, "Not only me, but many elders, disciples, and even the Sect Leader were impressed by your dedication."
Li Yan merely smiled calmly at the praise. "Completing the task is simply part of the test Senior Yao prepared for me. And fulfilling her expectations is only natural."
"Then…" Lu Zhi's gaze sharpened slightly afterward, curiosity surfacing within his eyes. "If you don't mind me asking, what is your next task?"
Li Yan answered without hesitation, "My next task is to collect ten thousand Tier-3 Beast Cores."
Silence followed instantly.
For the first time since Li Yan entered, genuine shock flashed across Lu Zhi's face. "Ten thousand… Tier-3 Beast Cores?"
Li Yan nodded once.
Lu Zhi frowned slightly as concern appeared in his eyes. "Li Yan, you're only at the Qi Refining Realm (Stage-4). And Tier-3 Magical Beasts are fundamentally different from Tier-2 creatures. I don't think you're ready to confront them yet."
However, Li Yan remained composed.
"I understand, Elder Lu," he replied. "That's precisely why I came here."
"I need stronger techniques." His gaze shifted toward the technique shelves around the hall. "I want two Mortal-Tier Mid-Level techniques. One offensive technique and one movement technique."
Lu Zhi's brows rose slightly in surprise. Until now, Li Yan has only used Mortal-Tier Low-Level combat techniques, which he got on his first day as a new disciple. The decision to move toward Mortal-Tier Mid-Level techniques showed that he was finally preparing for opponents beyond ordinary disciples.
"That's good planning," Lu Zhi admitted. "Still, I recommend increasing your cultivation somewhat before directly challenging Tier-3 Magical Beasts. Otherwise, you may suffer serious injuries."
Li Yan nodded lightly in agreement. "I was thinking the same thing, Elder Lu. Fortunately, there's no time limit for this task, so I have no intention of rushing forward recklessly."
Lu Zhi seemed visibly more relieved after hearing that response. "That's good then."
With that, Lu Zhi slowly stood from his seat before walking toward the shelves lining the hall. A few moments later, he returned carrying several technique scrolls before placing them carefully on the counter in front of Li Yan.
"There are currently three movement techniques and eight offensive techniques available within the Mortal-Tier Mid-Level category," Lu Zhi explained.
Li Yan nodded before picking up the first scroll calmly.
The hall gradually fell silent afterward, leaving only the faint sound of scrolls opening and closing. Li Yan studied each technique carefully, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, combat style, and compatibility with his affinities.
Lu Zhi observed quietly from the side without interruption. But there was something Lu Zhi didn't know.
While studying the techniques, Li Yan could secretly copy every technique with his Spiritual Sense without anyone noticing.
But he never considered doing so.
The Techniques Hall belonged to the sect. And despite everything—
Li Yan still possessed his own principles.
After nearly half an hour of careful selection, Li Yan finally made his decision.
The first technique he chose was Umbral Step Art, a Mortal-Tier Mid-Level movement technique focused on accelerating and rapidly moving in a given direction through shadows.
The second was Shadow Fang Severance, a Mortal-Tier Mid-Level sword technique centered around speed, precision, and relentless follow-up attacks infused with Darkness Qi.
Lu Zhi nodded approvingly after seeing his choices. "Both are excellent techniques, especially the movement technique. Against stronger opponents, survival often matters more than offense."
Li Yan nodded slightly in agreement. Without hesitation, he summoned his gold disciple badge and paid ten thousand Shadow Points for the two techniques.
Five thousand for each.
A soft glow flickered briefly as the transaction completed successfully. He carefully stored both techniques inside his storage ring.
Afterward, he cupped his hands respectfully toward Lu Zhi once more. "Thank you, Elder Lu."
Lu Zhi smiled lightly. "Stay safe, Li Yan. And don't underestimate Tier-3 Magical Beasts."
"I understand." Li Yan nodded calmly.
With that, Li Yan bid farewell and quietly left the Techniques Hall before returning toward his residence beneath the moonlit sky.
After returning to his residence, Li Yan did not rest immediately. Instead, he sat down cross-legged inside the quiet living room and summoned the techniques.
One by one, he began absorbing them using his Spiritual Sense.
The first is the Umbral Step Art, and then Shadow Fang Severance.
But he did not stop there.
Li Yan also summoned the two techniques Yao Fuhuo had previously given him and absorbed them into his Spiritual Consciousness. One was Crimson Ember Palm, a Fire-element offensive technique, while the other was the Neutral-type technique called Shattering Void Fist.
As the techniques entered his Spiritual Consciousness, streams of information unfolded within his mind like flowing rivers of knowledge. Every movement pattern, circulation route, and combat principle became etched deeply into his memory.
After finishing the absorption process, Li Yan's consciousness entered his Spiritual Consciousness.
Within that ethereal world, Yan Tian's soul sat quietly inside the transparent seal, focused on several spiritual books floating before him. The moment Li Yan appeared, Yan Tian briefly glanced toward him before returning to his reading.
Li Yan did not interrupt him. Instead, he raised a hand calmly.
At his command, the techniques hidden within the depths of the Spiritual Sea rose one after another, appearing before him as glowing scrolls of Spiritual Energy.
Then he began comprehending them.
Inside the Spiritual Consciousness, time seemed quieter and calmer than the outside world. Li Yan carefully studied each technique one by one, understanding their Qi circulation paths, movement principles, and combat applications.
He did not merely memorize them.
He practiced them.
Using Spiritual Energy to simulate movements, he repeatedly trained every stance, slash, step, and strike within the endless space of the Spiritual Sea. Although it could not fully replace real combat, the environment greatly accelerated his understanding.
Hours quietly passed in focused practice.
Only after familiarizing himself with the foundations of all four techniques did Li Yan finally stop.
Li Yan glanced briefly toward Yan Tian.
The young soul remained focused entirely upon the floating books before him, quietly absorbing knowledge within the transparent seal.
A faint smile tugged at Li Yan's face. Then he disappeared entirely from the Spiritual Consciousness.
Li Yan slowly opened his eyes in the real world, and exhaustion crept into his mind. By then, only slightly more than two hours remained before sunrise.
Li Yan lay down briefly to rest. It could hardly even be called sleep; it was merely a short recovery before the next stage of his training began.
*****
When dawn arrived, Li Yan refreshed himself quickly before leaving his residence.
The morning air within the sect was cool and crisp as sunlight slowly spilled across the valley. On his way toward the teleportation area, Li Yan stopped briefly at the food stalls to eat breakfast and purchase enough supplies for several days of hunting.
Once everything was prepared, he finally headed toward the teleportation portals.
Standing before the formation leading to the Tier-3 Hunting Ground, Li Yan's purple eyes sharpened slightly.
This would be his first true test against Tier-3 Magical Beasts.
Not only would he test the strength gained from Body Cultivation, but he would also test the techniques he had recently begun mastering.
Without hesitation, he stepped into the portal.
Space twisted briefly around him.
Then—
The environment changed completely.
The Tier-3 Hunting Ground welcomed him with a wild, untamed atmosphere, vastly different from the Tier-2. Jagged cliffs towered in the distance while heavy mist drifted between dark forests and deep ravines like ghostly curtains.
The very air felt heavier here.
Denser.
More dangerous.
Even the Heaven and Earth Energy carried a violent edge, saturated with the aura of powerful Magical Beasts.
This was Hunting Ground, reserved for Azure-ranked disciples, a hunting ground where Tier-3 Magical Beasts ruled openly.
Yet Li Yan showed no hesitation despite still being officially a Yellow-ranked disciple.
Near the teleportation platform stood a massive stone monument engraved with countless names and rankings.
The Azure Rank Leaderboard.
He calmly registered his name on the Azure Rank Leaderboard. The names engraved upon it belonged to disciples far stronger and more experienced than himself.
But Li Yan paid them no attention.
Once finished, he turned and walked toward the massive defensive barrier separating the safe zone from the true Tier-3 Hunting Ground beyond.
Passing through the defensive barrier felt like stepping into another world.
The moment Li Yan entered the true Tier-3 Hunting Ground, the atmosphere around him changed completely. The dense forests ahead carried an oppressive silence broken only by distant growls and the occasional trembling of branches far away.
Ancient trees towered overhead like pillars supporting the sky itself. Their twisted roots spread across the uneven ground while thick mist drifted between the trunks, obscuring vision beyond several dozen meters.
Li Yan moved carefully through the forest.
Unlike the Tier-2 Hunting Ground, where he could hunt aggressively with confidence, this place demanded caution. Every sound, scent, and movement carried danger.
Even the Heaven and Earth Energy felt heavier here.
His Green Star Training Rings remained active on all four limbs, their constant pressure weighing against his body as he walked. Yet after months of training, the burden had already become natural to him.
Li Yan slowed his breathing and expanded his Spiritual Sense outward.
The fifty-meter radius spread silently through the forest, carefully scanning the surroundings. He could sense insects beneath tree bark, distant birds perched among branches, and the faint movement of insects hidden within the undergrowth.
Then—
A stronger presence entered his perception.
Li Yan immediately stopped moving.
About forty meters ahead, hidden among thick stone-covered trees, a powerful beast aura pulsed steadily.
Li Yan lowered his presence instinctively and approached with caution.
As he moved closer, the creature finally entered his sight.
It resembled a massive black wolf nearly three meters long, though its body was far denser with muscle than that of ordinary wolves. Dark gray fur covered its body like layered steel needles, while sharp crimson eyes scanned the surroundings with constant alertness.
Its claws dug deeply into the rocky ground beneath it.
Tier-3 Magical Beast.
Ironfang Direwolf.
Li Yan's eyes narrowed slightly.
Unlike many beasts relying purely on brute strength, Direwolves were known for speed, aggression, and pack instincts. Even alone, they were difficult opponents.
The wolf suddenly lifted its head. Its crimson eyes locked directly onto Li Yan.
A low growl echoed through the forest as the beast lunged instantly without hesitation.
BOOM!
The ground exploded beneath its paws as the Direwolf shot forward with terrifying speed.
Li Yan reacted immediately.
Phantom Dash activated beneath his feet as his figure blurred sideways just before the beast's claws slammed into the tree behind him, splintering the thick trunk apart.
"So fast…" Li Yan's expression sharpened instantly.
This was already far beyond ordinary Tier-2 Magical Beasts.
The Direwolf spun around almost immediately after missing its attack. It didn't give Li Yan even a moment to stabilize before charging again with explosive aggression.
Its combat instincts were terrifyingly sharp. Li Yan drew his sword in one smooth motion.
CLANG!
Steel collided against claws as sparks erupted through the forest. The impact sent vibrations through his arm despite his strengthened body.
The Direwolf twisted suddenly mid-combat and opened its jaws toward his shoulder. Li Yan barely avoided the bite by stepping backward rapidly.
The beast pursued relentlessly.
Claws.
Fangs.
Body slams.
Every movement flowed continuously without pause, forcing Li Yan fully onto the defensive.
Several minutes passed in rapid exchanges. Li Yan's breathing gradually deepened as he analyzed the situation carefully.
"This won't work…"
The beast was too fast and too cautious.
Every time Li Yan attempted to create an opening for direct close combat using his physical strength, the Direwolf immediately retreated or counterattacked aggressively.
Its instincts prevented him from fully utilizing his Body Cultivation advantage. At the same time, ordinary attacks were barely enough to seriously injure it. The beast's fur and muscle density greatly reduced the effectiveness of standard strikes.
Li Yan narrowed his eyes. "I'll need to use them."