With the Hand and Foot Art scroll in his hands, Uttar wasted no time. He unrolled the ancient parchment, its faded ink revealing detailed instructions, diagrams, and principles of movement.
Taking a deep breath, Uttar placed his palm on the scroll and channeled his chakra into it.
A surge of energy coursed through him as the knowledge of the technique flowed directly into his mind. His consciousness was flooded with intricate footwork patterns, reflex-enhancing drills, and precise methods to control his body's balance and motion.
Uttar's eyes gleamed with newfound understanding.
"So, this is the foundation of martial arts…" he muttered, flexing his fingers as his muscles instinctively adjusted to the technique's principles.
He clenched his fist. "Now that I have learned the fundamentals, it's time to put them into practice."
He knew that theory alone wouldn't be enough. He needed real combat experience—something that would push his body to its limits and force him to sharpen his reflexes.
"Yes… there's a deep part of the forest where magical creatures roam. They will make the perfect opponents for my training. And… their cores are valuable. If I collect them, I can sell them for gold coins."
With a plan in mind, Uttar set off toward the depths of the forest.
In the world of cultivation, magical creatures were often far stronger than humans of the same chakra rank.
The reason? Their bodies.
While humans relied on techniques, strategy, and chakra refinement, magical beasts were born with superior physiques—sharper claws, tougher hides, and raw brute strength.
A Chakra 4 magical beast could easily overpower an average Chakra 4 human in a direct fight.
Only cultivators with superior techniques or combat instincts could stand a chance against them.
Into the Dark Forest
As he ventured deeper, the surroundings changed. The once lively forest became dark and silent.
The thick canopy above blocked out most of the sunlight, casting long shadows across the uneven terrain. The air grew heavier, filled with the scent of damp earth and ancient trees.
A chilling breeze rustled the leaves, making it seem as if unseen eyes were watching from the darkness.
Uttar's senses sharpened. He could hear the distant hoots of owls, the faint rustling of unseen creatures, and the low growl of a predator lurking nearby.
"This place… is perfect," he thought, his lips curling into a determined smile.
The dark forest was teeming with magical creatures, each radiating unique chakra levels—some as weak as Chakra 2, others reaching Chakra 4.
For Uttar, who had already unlocked his fourth chakra, these beasts were nothing more than stepping stones.
The Hunt Begins
As he moved through the dense trees, his newly mastered footwork made him faster and more precise. Every step felt lighter, every movement sharper.
A wolf-like beast lunged at him from the shadows, its eyes glowing with predatory hunger.
Swish!
Uttar sidestepped effortlessly, spinning on his heel. Before the creature could react, his fist struck its neck—swift and lethal.
Thud! The beast collapsed.
More creatures followed—a serpent with glowing scales, a horned boar with crushing strength, a shadow panther that moved like the wind.
One by one, Uttar hunted them down, using the Hand and Foot Art to dodge, counter, and strike with precise timing.
With each victory, he collected the precious chakra cores from their bodies—valuable treasures that could be exchanged for gold coins.
"Now I have many cores," Uttar mused, inspecting the glowing orbs in his palm. "I will earn a fortune when I sell these. And more importantly, my footwork has improved tremendously."
Pushing Beyond Limits
Not satisfied, Uttar continued his training for three more days.
His body moved with greater agility, his reflexes sharper than ever. He no longer needed to think—his body reacted instinctively.
Stronger creatures appeared—Chakra 5 beasts.
Unlike before, these monsters matched his current power. But instead of fearing them, Uttar welcomed the challenge.
His movements became a blur—dodging, striking, overwhelming them with his superior technique.
One after another, he eliminated the Chakra 5 creatures.
The Roar of the Abyss
Uttar walked through the dense forest, his steps light and his senses sharp. His body had already adapted to the rhythm of battle—every movement refined, every breath controlled.
He was hunting magical creatures, gathering valuable chakra cores, and honing his newfound mastery of movement arts.
But suddenly—
ROOOOAAARRR!!!
A deep, earth-shaking roar echoed from the depths of a hidden cave.
The entire forest fell silent.
The trees stopped swaying. The wind refused to blow. Even the birds and insects vanished, as if fearing to make the slightest noise.
The magical creatures, usually scattered across the forest, instantly fled, retreating to their dens.
Something terrifying had awakened.
A Predator Like No Other
Uttar's instincts screamed danger.
Without hesitation, he vanished into the shadows, hiding himself within the thick foliage.
His current level and aura control were so refined that even an experienced Sadhak-rank cultivator wouldn't be able to detect him.
Then, it emerged.
A massive beast stepped out of the cave, its four powerful legs crushing the ground beneath them with an earth-shaking force. Its body was immense, covered in thick, dark-golden fur that gleamed with a mysterious energy, radiating an aura of primal dominance. Every movement carried an overwhelming sense of power, and its razor-sharp claws, resembling curved swords, looked as if they could slice through steel with ease. Its crimson eyes burned with a terrifying glow, filled with an untamed fury that sent a suffocating pressure across the forest, forcing even the most ferocious magical creatures to retreat in fear.
It was a Deadfire Lion—one of the strongest predators in the forest.
And worst of all…
It was a Chakra 7 beast.
An Impossible Opponent?
Uttar remained perfectly still, watching.
The lion's mere presence created waves of pressure, making the air feel heavy.
A normal Chakra 4 warrior would have been crushed by its aura alone. Even those at Chakra 5 or 6 would barely have a chance to survive.
"This is beyond dangerous…" Uttar thought, his mind racing.
Should he fight or retreat?
If he could defeat such a beast, it would be an unimaginable achievement—a true testament to his power.
But at the same time, one mistake could lead to instant death.
As he analyzed his options, the lion sniffed the air, its gaze scanning the forest.
It was searching for prey.
And if it found him…
A battle for survival would begin.