The effects of the violent night of breakthrough still clung to Wei Shen's body and spirit. The new power that coursed through his veins, the second-level Blood Qi, was real and potent compared to what he had been, but the body purification process had left behind a sticky layer of foul-smelling black impurities covering his entire skin. He felt invigorated and alive, yet this filth was an insult to his newly sharpened senses and a nagging reminder of this body's original weakness.
"This filth… is not just a nuisance," Wei Shen thought, examining his soiled hands. "It's a mark, a scent that could attract unwanted attention in this unforgiving forest. It also hinders the sensory efficiency I've begun to regain."
The meager drippings in the cave wouldn't suffice for such a washing. He began to recall a vaguely remembered, passing conversation among the outer sect disciples about a river located several miles north of the area they usually dared to approach.
"A river… that's what I need," Wei Shen decided. "Cleanliness is a tactical necessity as much as a physical comfort."
He exited the cave cautiously, but with greater confidence this time. His steps were lighter and faster, his senses keen. The forest, in the dim daylight that filtered through the dense canopy, seemed less mysterious, but no less dangerous. He now saw details he hadn't noticed before: different types of moss growing on the trunks of giant trees, small tracks of unknown animals, and even some strange, brightly colored flowers that looked decidedly poisonous.
He headed north, relying on his intuition and that hazy memory. The journey was more than a stroll, requiring him to cross a dense area of thorny bushes and climb a small rocky hill. But he noticed his body responding better, and the Blood Qi in his Dantian granted him an endurance he wouldn't have dreamed of just a few days prior.
After nearly two hours of careful trekking, he began to hear a faint sound, the murmur of flowing water growing stronger as he advanced. His pace quickened slightly, his heart beating with a cold anticipation.
Finally, through a gap between giant trees, he saw the river.
It wasn't a great river, but of moderate size, its waters surprisingly clear, flowing swiftly over a bed paved with colorful pebbles. Its banks were mostly rocky, interspersed with patches of soft sand, and bordered by tall, strong trees and stone weeping willows. In his mind, Wei Shen named it the Stonesnake River because of its sinuous course among large rocks that resembled the backs of enormous serpents.
Before approaching, Wei Shen spent long minutes observing the place from a distance, hidden among the bushes. He was looking for any signs of danger: tracks of large beasts, unnatural sounds, or even other hunters. "Water attracts the thirsty… and also predators," he reminded himself.
When he was satisfied that the place was temporarily safe, he shed what remained of his ragged clothes and stepped into the cold river water.
The water was indescribably refreshing. He felt it wash away the layers of sweat, dried blood, and the sticky black filth left by the body purification process. He used a handful of coarse sand to scrub his skin, removing every trace of the impurities.
For a moment, seeing his slightly distorted reflection on the moving surface of the water, he saw the face of the young, lean "Wei Shen," his features not yet fully matured. But the eyes… the eyes were different. They held a cold, deep glint, the look of someone who had witnessed other worlds and commanded destinies this boy could never imagine.
"Even at the peak of my power in my old world," a rare, fleeting thought crossed his mind, then he quickly dismissed it.
He emerged from the river, feeling his body lighter and purer. The Blood Qi in his Dantian now flowed more smoothly, as if the removal of external impurities had also helped free its internal pathways.
Now, having regained some cleanliness and vigor, Wei Shen's focus shifted to his next goal. He knew that ordinary animals were no longer sufficient to satisfy the hunger of the Blood-Devouring Stone or to advance his cultivation at a pace that pleased him. He needed Spiritual Beasts, those beings that possessed their own Qi, whose blood and cores were said to hold a much stronger essence.
He decided to venture deeper into the Forest of Lost Souls, moving away from the areas that might be frequented by the weak disciples of the Fallen Leaf Sect, heading towards the inner parts that the original Wei Shen's memories had warned against so vehemently. He knew the risks would be greater, but the potential rewards were worth it.
He spent the rest of the day walking cautiously and steadily towards the heart of the forest. The trees began to grow larger and older, their trunks like natural towers covered in thick moss and strange climbing plants. The shadows deepened, and the sounds of the forest became more alien and mysterious. He began to see larger tracks and the leavings of beasts he had never encountered before.
The Blood Qi in his body made him more sensitive to ambient energies. He began to feel the faint Qi of the forest itself, and stronger pockets of energy in certain places, which might indicate the presence of spiritual beasts or rare spiritual plants.
As evening approached, while he was searching for a safe place to spend the night, he suddenly sensed a concentrated spiritual energy nearby. It wasn't very strong, but it was distinct, and it carried with it a cold sense of danger.
Wei Shen stopped immediately and hid behind the trunk of a towering tree. He strained his senses.
From among the light mist that was beginning to form with the evening chill, and from between the leaves of a giant fern, a long, slender creature slithered out. Its dark green skin faintly gleamed, and its yellow eyes were like ominous jewels. It was a Poisonous Mist Serpent, a spiritual beast at the first level of Qi Condensation, known for its ability to hide in mist, its swift attack, and its venom that caused temporary paralysis.
This was the first true spiritual beast Wei Shen had encountered.
The serpent looked around, its forked tongue flicking in and out rapidly, tasting the scents and vibrations in the air. It hadn't noticed Wei Shen yet.
"A first-level spiritual beast…" Wei Shen thought, his heart beating with a steady, cold rhythm. "Its blood and core… will be excellent fuel. And a good test for my current strength."
There was no trace of fear in his eyes, only precise calculations and a predatory glint. He had found his first prey in this deep part of the forest.
The Poisonous Mist Serpent began to move slowly in a different direction, unaware of the danger lurking nearby. Wei Shen gripped the sharpened piece of stone, which now felt even deadlier in his Blood Qi-infused hands.
"The time for hunting has come."