The Crimson Mist Forest turned into a battlefield in an instant.
The giant Crimson Flame Tiger roared and pounced at Liu Tian with flaming claws. The venomous Mist Python slithered forward, spitting corrosive purple mist, while the Stone Armored Bear charged like a moving mountain, its rock-hard body shaking the ground.
Mu Qing swung her sword, unleashing a sharp sword qi wave toward the tiger.
"Phantom Sword Dance!"
Feng Lan formed ice seals with her hands, freezing the ground beneath the python to slow it down.
"Frozen Domain!"
Both girls fought fiercely, but the three Foundation Establishment beasts were stronger and more aggressive than expected. The python's tail whipped toward Feng Lan, forcing her to retreat. The bear's heavy paw nearly crushed Mu Qing's defense.
Liu Tian stood in the center, eyes sharp.
"Stay behind me."
He activated Phantom Step Technique at full power. His figure blurred, leaving multiple afterimages as he moved like a ghost across the battlefield. Crimson Fang hummed in his hand as he infused it with dense spiritual qi.
"First slash!"
A crimson sword arc tore through the air, slicing deep into the Stone Armored Bear's shoulder. The beast roared in pain.
Mu Qing and Feng Lan both widened their eyes.
"That speed… that power…" Mu Qing muttered, her grip tightening on her sword.
Liu Tian didn't stop. He used the new Basic Dual Cultivation Technique to circulate his qi faster, converting the residual pleasure energy from last night's threesome into pure combat strength.
His aura suddenly exploded.
The Crimson Flame Tiger lunged at him with open jaws. Liu Tian met it head-on. He dodged at the last second using Phantom Step, then counterattacked with a powerful thrust.
Crimson Fang pierced straight through the tiger's flaming skull.
One beast down.
The remaining two beasts became even more frenzied and attacked together.
Liu Tian's body began to burn with intense spiritual energy. The Dual Cultivation Technique was working overtime, rapidly refining the qi inside him.
[Ding! Combat experience + Dual Cultivation residual energy detected!]
[Breakthrough in progress…]
He laughed darkly as power surged through his meridians.
"Come!"
The Mist Python coiled around him while the Stone Armored Bear slammed down with both paws. Liu Tian spun like a whirlwind. Phantom Step created dozens of afterimages, confusing the beasts. He slashed upward with Crimson Fang, releasing a crescent-shaped crimson blade that cut the python's body in half.
Blood and venom sprayed everywhere.
Only the Stone Armored Bear remained.
The massive beast roared and charged with full force.
Liu Tian's eyes glowed. All the accumulated energy inside him reached its limit.
"Break for me!"
A terrifying wave of spiritual qi erupted from his body. The surrounding mist was blown away as his cultivation base broke through another major barrier.
[Ding! Major Breakthrough!]
[Early Foundation Establishment Stage 1 → Complete Foundation Establishment Stage 1]
[Your spiritual sea has expanded significantly. All techniques strengthened by 40%.]
Pure, overwhelming power flooded every cell in his body. Liu Tian felt reborn.
With a single explosive step, he appeared in front of the Stone Armored Bear. Crimson Fang flashed with blinding crimson light.
"Die."
One clean horizontal slash.
The bear's tough armored body was sliced in half like paper. The massive beast collapsed with a thunderous boom, dead before it hit the ground.
Silence fell over the forest.
Mu Qing and Feng Lan stood frozen, staring at Liu Tian in complete shock.
He had single-handedly killed three Foundation Establishment spirit beasts — and broken through to Complete Foundation Establishment Stage 1 in the middle of battle.
Feng Lan's face was pale. The arrogant Ice Beauty who once called him trash could no longer hide her disbelief.
"How… is this possible?" she whispered.
Mu Qing's breathing was heavy. Her eyes contained a complicated mix of awe, fear, and something warmer — the lingering effect of last night's corruption.
Liu Tian sheathed Crimson Fang and turned to both girls with a calm but domineering smile.
"Mission complete. The abnormal beasts are eliminated. Let's set up camp and rest."
Later that night, inside the large tent they had set up.
Mu Qing couldn't sleep.
After hesitating for a long time, she quietly left her side of the tent and moved toward Liu Tian's sleeping area.