Chapter: Infinite Possibilities
After escaping the suffocating zone tainted by the noxious vapors of countless poisonous plants, Long Shen found a serene haven not far from that dreadful area. Towering trees surrounded the space like ancient guardians, their dense canopies so thick that not even a single ray of sunlight could pierce through to touch his skin. Hidden from sight—or so he believed—Long Shen inhaled deeply, letting the cleaner air settle his thoughts. It was a rare moment of calm amidst his chaotic journey.
He sat down cross-legged, still catching his breath, and began to examine the rewards granted by the system after his harrowing battle with the Scarlet Wolf.
What surprised him first was the Balance Energy gauge—already nearly half full. That alone opened up a multitude of new paths to explore and conquer. Balance Energy was unlike spiritual energy or divine authority bestowed by heaven and earth. It followed its own rules, possessed its own unique essence, and was deeply connected to the mysterious concept of Taiji—the union of Yin and Yang that sustains equilibrium and order.
Until now, the purity of this energy had always remained stagnant. But now... it had surged.
Long Shen, who believed he had established a bond of trust with the system, was taken aback. He demanded an explanation.
"Hey! What the hell is this?! You never told me we could increase the purity of the gauge!"
Startled, with a mix of frustration and a faint sense of betrayal creeping in, he raised his voice.
[Little host, you never asked… did you? Besides, even if you had, I couldn't have given you a full explanation. My current level is at rock bottom. Ho ho.]
The system's sarcastic tone didn't hide the blunt reality.
"Hmph… I get it now. Well, if there's nothing to be done, I guess I'll just keep discovering more about you with time."
"I've got to admit though—you really saved me back there, ha ha. I honestly thought I was going to die. Maybe my luck's not so bad after all!"
Letting the topic go for now, Long Shen returned to the spoils of battle.
"Alright. If you can, tell me more about this '1-C' purity. What can I actually do with it? And why did that beast allow me to obtain it?"
Curious and hungry for knowledge, Long Shen pressed the system, which answered efficiently—unveiling secrets that hinted at limitless potential for our young cultivator.
[While I can only explain within certain limits, I'll share everything I know. First, the concept of 'purity' significantly affects how Balance Energy can be used. The purer it is, the more things you can do with it. From what I know, you can acquire purity from living beings that have surpassed the Qi Foundation realm.
[The levels are classified as 1-C, 2-C, 3-C, 1-B, and so on. Each tier corresponds to the quality of spiritual energy. For example, 1-C matches the early stage of the Qi Foundation realm.]
[And that's not all. With enough purity, the energy of balance becomes almost omnipotent within its domain. So I suggest you do everything in your power to raise it. Many other mysteries remain hidden… unfortunately, I'm still too limited to access them.]
The system's words were like keys unlocking forbidden doors—whispers of an unfathomable future. Infinite paths. Untold opportunities. Long Shen, unaware of the full extent of his power, could already feel the weight of destiny shifting.
"Can you explain the difference between this 1-C purity and the one I had before?"
[An excellent question… If I had to compare, I'd say that just 1% of your current purity is equivalent to roughly 15% of your former purity. It's a major qualitative leap. I can't tell you the specifics of higher levels yet, though.]
[But one thing is certain—you've only just begun your true journey, toward clearer skies… or murkier waters.]
The system's words struck Long Shen like thunder. A fifteenfold increase—not two, not five, but fifteen. It was almost inconceivable. But it was real.
The road ahead had widened dramatically, a glorious start to what could become a legendary tale.
"This is insane! How could you keep something this important from me for so long?! This changes everything!"
"Maybe achieving something truly great isn't so far-fetched after all… and maybe I won't even need to do those damn missions anymore!"
He laughed, half in awe, half in relief—his voice filled with mischief, hope, and anticipation. He could see it now—his future was no longer a distant dream.
[Again, I remind you—I truly have no control over what information I can access, Little Long…]
"Yeah, yeah, I get it. I was just teasing you a little. You can be such a grandpa sometimes!"
"Anyway, let's get back to business. I need to find a way into the second zone of this forest and claim my future treasures, hehe."
He rubbed his hands together in glee, already picturing the riches soon to be his. But entering the second region of the ancient Han Forest—a place where even Nascent Soul beings had made their lairs—was nearly impossible for a mere Qi Refiner.
Nearly. But not to Long Shen.
His confidence alone could shake the pride of seasoned cultivators.
[Hey! You're forgetting something, Little Long! That Scarlet Wolf corpse isn't worthless. It can help you gain recognition from the upper ranks of the Divine Peacock Clan. Focus on that as well. I've got plenty of missions waiting for you in that clan—there's no escape, so hurry up and get accepted! Ho ho.]
Like a father gently scolding his child, the system reminded him of something critical: the Selection.
"Oh right… My poor treasures will have to wait. Just a temporary goodbye—one day, you'll be mine!""Thanks, old man. And stop scaring me with all these missions! What's next? Shoveling beast dung? I've already had enough of that for the past eleven hellish years!""Let's focus on the selection for now. It's time to show them what I'm made of!"
[These missions are essential to maintaining balance. You may find them trivial now, but you'll come to value them one day. In the meantime—yes, let's carve your name into the stone of the Divine Peacock Clan! Ho ho!]
Excited and determined, the two surged forward through the grand and ancient forest. Leaping from branch to branch, dodging terrifying creatures at the Qi Foundation level, Long Shen carried the Scarlet Wolf's massive corpse tied to his back. It was far too large for his storage space, but its weight—hundreds of kilograms—was laughable for someone at the ninth stage of Qi Refinement.
Breathtaking landscapes stretched endlessly before him, hiding secrets yet to be discovered.
He paused atop a thick branch. A mental map of the forest appeared in front of him—a tool he'd received when he inquired about the Han Forest.
After quickly getting his bearings, he headed toward a specific rendezvous point.
After several minutes of agile travel through the treetops, Long Shen spotted a group below—about twenty people gathered together. One stood at the center, radiating determination and teaching the others with a fire in her eyes.
It was none other than the group led by the future princess… Suha.