Yun Sha and I stood at the mouth of the Wolf King's cave, a dark and foreboding opening in the rocky hillside. The air around it crackled with a primal energy.
"Senior," I began, laying out my plan. "Listen carefully."
Yun Sha nodded, her expression serious. "Tell me."
"My Spiritual Energy is low," I explained, gesturing towards my chest. "So, I can only unleash my most powerful move twice with full force. My plan is this: I'll attack him first with everything I've got. It should inflict significant damage, enough for you to fight him more easily. But don't kill him. I need to land the final blow."
Yun Sha considered my words, her gaze thoughtful. "This plan is good, Junior Zhen. But... why do you want to kill the Wolf King?"
"Ahmm," I stammered, scratching the back of my head. "It's just... like I told you before, I want the fighting experience. Hehehehe."
Yun Sha looked at me for a moment, a hint of suspicion in her eyes, but then she nodded. "Oh, then it's okay."
I took a deep breath and unleashed a powerful shout, echoing through the forest. The ground trembled, and a monstrous roar erupted from within the cave. The Wolf King, a hulking beast with fur as dark as night and glowing emerald eyes, emerged, its gaze fixated on us with primal fury.
"So, you bastard beast, taste my attack!" I said, channeling my spiritual energy into Ignis. With a swift motion, I unleashed my newly acquired skill. "Inferno Slash, First Form!"
A searing arc of crimson energy erupted from the blade, tearing through the air and slamming into the Wolf King's chest. The beast howled in pain, staggering backward, a large, smoking gash marring its thick fur. Blood oozed from the wound.
"Senior Sister, now!" I yelled, my energy reserves momentarily depleted.
Yun Sha moved with practiced grace, her silver sword flashing as she engaged the injured Wolf King. Her movements were fluid and precise, each strike aimed at a vital point. The Wolf King, though severely wounded, fought back with desperate ferocity, its claws and teeth snapping. However, its injuries hampered its movements, and Yun Sha skillfully evaded its attacks, her sword leaving more and more wounds on its body. Finally, with a heavy thud, the Wolf King collapsed, panting heavily but still alive.
"Junior Zhen, now! Come and kill him!" Yun Sha called out, her own breath coming in ragged gasps.
I approached the fallen beast, Ignis still radiating heat in my hand. With a final, decisive thrust, I plunged the fiery blade into the Wolf King's head. A final shudder ran through its massive body, and then it lay still.
"Ding!"
You killed '3 rank mid level wolf beast'. xp granted: 3270 points.
Then Yun Sha took out beast heart and beast core.
Mentally, I queried the system. System, how many xp points do I have now?
"Ding!"
Host, you currently have 4190 xp points.
"Senior Yun," I said, turning to her with a hopeful expression. "I'm going to breakthrough. Can you protect me?"
Yun Sha stared at me, her eyes wide with disbelief. "What? You just broke through an hour ago!"
"Hahahaha, yeah, but I don't know," I chuckled, a strange feeling of impending growth bubbling within me. "I have a strong feeling that I'm going to breakthrough again."
Yun Sha shook her head, still looking astonished, but nodded nonetheless. "Okay, you breakthrough. I'll protect you."
I sat down cross-legged, closing my eyes and focusing my inner energy.
System, I thought, how many breakthroughs can I do now?
"Ding!"
Host, you can do two breakthroughs.
System, breakthrough one time, I commanded.
System took my 1500 xp points.
The familiar warm energy surged through me once more, even more potent than before. My meridians seemed to expand exponentially, my spiritual energy swirling and solidifying within me. A new sense of clarity and power washed over me. The process was intense, pushing my body to its limits, but I endured.
"Ding!"
Congratulations, Host! You have successfully reached Qi Refining 1 level.
+40 Strength
+40 Agility
+40 MP
+30 HP Regen/minute
A new status window appeared before my mental eyes:
STATUS WINDOW
Name: Zhen Huan
Level: Qi Refining 1 level
Title: None
HP: 340/340
SE: 280/280
Strength: 220
Agility: 208
Intelligence: 20/20 -- Max
Charm: 90/100
Luck: ???
Skills:- • Inferno Slash First Form
I opened my eyes, a profound sense of power settling within me. The world seemed sharper, clearer. I could feel the spiritual energy flowing smoothly through my meridians, a tangible force I could now consciously control. Foundation Establishment was merely the beginning; I had now stepped onto a higher stage of cultivation.