Meanwhile, in the Nan Kingdom.
The Imperial Nan family announced that the Upper Sects were recruiting new disciples, attracting attention from people of all statuses across the kingdom.
However, the most shocking news was that 10 seats were already reserved for the Yu clan, Ye clan, and the Imperial family.
As the days passed, Ye Xuan's existence vanished from the memories of those who once knew him.
His death was declared natural, due to a weak body, a story easily accepted by those outside the clan and those who knew the truth remained silent, understanding that nothing good would come from dwelling on matters of a dead person.
On the other hand, Ye Xuan had crossed one-fourth of the colossal mountain, with only half remaining.
He spent three months crossing that quarter, and another month of travel was still needed before he would finally step into the territory of the Flora Sovereign State.
During those three months, Xuan encountered several beasts, but no spirit beasts. Beasts equal to Body Strengthening stage cultivators were considered normal beasts, while those equal to the Qi Awakening stage were classified as spirit beasts.
Initially, he avoided as many as he could, but after encountering a man-eater beast, Xuan had no choice but to use the curse on it for the first time.
[Target has been locked]
[Target can be cursed]
[Hammer Tooth Tiger]
[Status: Normal]
Xuan looked at the approaching beast. He knew the beast's strength was equivalent to the peak Body Strengthening Stage, while he was only at the 6th level. He couldn't avoid it.
"Take action," Xuan muttered under his breath as the beast leaped at him. Xuan jumped to his side, narrowly avoiding the beast's sharp claws by mere inches.
[Target has been be cursed]
"Gggghhhhhhrrrrrr,"
The beast roared, warning him not to waste its time and to surrender. But just as it was about to pounce on Xuan, its eyes widened. It felt something strange inside its body, as if something was eating it from within.
Xuan's eyes widened in astonishment as he watched the beast coil on the ground, its body losing its colour. Suddenly, the beast weakened to the point that its predatory eyes shifted to those of prey facing imminent death.
"Thud."
The beast slumped to the ground; its eyes wide in shock. It didn't know what had happened but somehow sensed that the human it was about to hunt was behind this.
Xuan felt something coursing through his body; his veins were itching, and his whole body felt heavy for a few seconds before suddenly becoming light.
"Peak of Body Strengthening Stage!" Xuan muttered, an astonished look evident on his face.
Closing his eyes, he checked again. Indeed, he had been promoted from the 6th level of Body Strengthening to the 9th level.
His hands were shaking, and a tear welled in his eyes. For years, he had been stuck at this level, unable to advance further due to his weak meridians. But now, everything had changed.
"Lub-dub."
The weak heart in his body beat a little faster as it sensed Xuan's emotions, but then it returned to its original weak pace.
He didn't linger there any longer. With every step, he pondered the changes happening to him.
Xuan knew that things had changed. "It doesn't matter what I desire if I can't control the outcome." Memories of betrayal and pain was still fresh in his mind.
"Only absolute power can give me the outcome I desire." With resolute fire in his eyes, he moved on.
The majority of the beasts avoided Xuan due to his peak aura, and he didn't encounter any beasts for two weeks until he was attacked by a black mantis.
But the aftermath was the same. Although Xuan sustained a few minor cuts from the black mantis's speed, they healed after the mantis was cursed and died. Its life force transferred to Xuan, who felt his bottleneck but still couldn't break through to the Qi Awakening Stage because he didn't possess any Qi cultivation techniques.
After that, he encountered a few more minor beasts, but Xuan didn't even need to use the curse to deal with them. Soon, he finally descended the mountain, meeting a rough road leading towards the two different path ways.
Just as he was considering following the path leading straight opposite to his direction, a carriage suddenly halted in front of him.
A man riding the carriage yelled, "Hey, you fool! If you want to die, then die somewhere else. Why try to die in front of our carriage?"
Hearing his shout, a young voice came from inside the carriage. "Elder Yong! What happened?" It was the voice of a man who spoke in a stern tone.
The elder's tone turned polite. "Young master, it's just a peasant who came in front of the carriage. Wait, I'll take care of this."
The young man then peeked from the carriage to look at Xuan but didn't linger longer, as a single penny thrown towards Xuan. "Take this and don't be in our path."
Xuan was stunned by their rudeness. Although he knew he hadn't noticed the carriage and stopped in the middle of the path but it wasn't intentionally.
Just as he was about to speak, Elder Yong began moving the carriage.
"Spit."
The carriage passed beside Xuan, the young man made a disgusted face, spit at Xuan, and smiled as the carriage moved forward.
Xuan's anger rose after what the man did, followed by a familiar voice.
[Target has been locked]
[Target has been locked]
[???]
[Status: 5th level Qi Awakening stage]
[Target can be cursed]
[???]
[Status: 1st Level Meridian Opening stage]
[Target cannot be cursed]