Chapter 5: Mid-Stage Mayhem & Mischief Managed
The difference was staggering. Kai stood in the center of his hidden geode chamber, feeling the dense swirl of Qi in his dantian – a tangible vortex of power where before there had been only a feeble, leaking pool. **Mid-stage Qi Gathering.** It wasn't legendary, but after a lifetime as "Peak Level Trash," it felt like ascending to godhood. His body thrummed with latent energy. His senses, even without active boosts, felt sharper. The world seemed… slower, clearer.
**<< Host Status: Qi Gathering Stage (Mid). Meridian Stability: 65% Leakage (Healing). Qi Capacity: Optimal. >>**
**<< Passive Effects: Physical Strength +30%, Reflexes +40%, Qi Sensitivity +25%. >>**
**<< System Advisory: Host now possesses sufficient Qi base to unlock Basic Offensive Techniques. Recommend exploration of Shop. >>**
"Offensive techniques," Kai murmured, a predatory grin spreading across his face. He pulled up the **[Shop]**, his gaze immediately locking onto the previously greyed-out section under **Techniques (Offensive - Basic Tier)**.
* **Flickering Palm Strike (Beginner):** 150 SP *[Now Available!]*
* **Gale Blade (Qi Projection - Beginner):** 180 SP *[Locked - Requires Qi Condensation Stage]*
* **Earthshaker Stomp (Beginner):** 130 SP *[Requires Earth Affinity - Host Compatibility: Low]*
* **Spirit Needle Threading (Precision - Beginner):** 120 SP
He had 10 SP. Pathetic. He needed a hunt. A *big* hunt. SP meant power, and power meant survival… and eventually, payback.
His Earth Sense, now a constant low hum in his awareness, painted the forest outside. The Thornback Lurker's heavy vibrations were distant, likely still searching the area where he'd thrown the leaf. Smaller creatures scuttled – forest hares, rock-mice, a family of burrowing spirit beetles (Tier-0, minimal threat and SP value). Then, a stronger pulse: rhythmic, heavy steps, accompanied by the faint tearing of vegetation. A Razorback Boar? Or… something else?
Kai carefully shifted the rocks sealing his entrance, creating a narrow viewing slit. Peering out into the pre-dawn gloom of the outer cave, he focused his enhanced senses. Through the gaps in his thorn barrier, he saw it: not a boar, but a **Stonehide Stag**. Easily seven feet tall at the shoulder, its hide a mottled grey-brown resembling rough granite, its antlers sharp, crystalline protrusions that gleamed faintly. Tier-1, same as the Lurker, but faster, more aggressive on the surface.
**<< Stonehide Stag: Tier-1 Spirit Beast. >>**
**<< Attributes: Enhanced speed & agility, durable hide, crystalline antlers (offensive/defensive), heightened senses (smell/sight). Weakness: Flank joints, base of neck. >>**
**<< Combat Feasibility: Moderate (Host possesses speed advantage via Heavenly Step, Iron Skin for defense, lacks reliable offense). SP Value (Defeat): 50 SP. >>**
Fifty SP. Enough for *Flickering Palm Strike*. The lure was irresistible. But charging in with just a dagger and toughness against those crystalline antlers was suicide. He needed an edge. He needed… bullshit.
His eyes scanned his meager supplies: the flint knife, the rope, the waterskin… and the remaining Silentroot Lily *bud*, pulsing with cool, potent energy in his pack. Too valuable to use as bait again. Then, his gaze landed on the small vial of pungent herbal salve from the Survival Pack. The label simply said 'Antiseptic/Coagulant.' But the smell… sharp, bitter, overwhelming.
An idea sparked, audacious and slightly insane. *Heightened senses... Smell...*
"System," Kai whispered, a plan forming. "What's the composition of this salve? Anything… irritating?"
**<< Analyzing: Basic Herbal Salve. >>**
**<< Primary Components: Yarrow, Goldenrod, Pine Resin, Ground Pepper Extract (Mild Irritant), Spirit Moss Spores (Trace - Qi-Reactive). >>**
Pepper extract. Spirit Moss Spores. *Qi-Reactive*. Kai's grin widened. "Perfect."
He quickly gathered what he needed: the salve, his waterskin, a piece of cloth torn from his already ragged robe, and a sturdy, straight stick about the length of his arm. He mixed a generous glob of the pungent salve with a splash of water in the cloth, creating a wet, pasty mess. He smeared this concoction thickly over one end of the stick. Then, carefully, he poured a tiny trickle of his own Qi into the salve-soaked cloth.
**<< Minor Qi Infusion Detected. Spirit Moss Spores activating… >>**
The salve on the stick end began to emit a faint, acrid *haze*, visible in the dim light, and the sharp, peppery smell intensified tenfold, becoming almost eye-watering even for Kai.
"Okay, Staggy," Kai breathed, gripping his improvised "Stink-Stick" in one hand and his Boar Tusk Dagger in the other. "Let's see how you like perfume."
He slipped silently out of the hidden chamber, resealing it behind him. Using **Heavenly Step**, he flowed like a shadow to the edge of his thorn barrier, locating the Stag through a gap. It was browsing on spirit ferns about thirty paces away, its crystalline antlers occasionally scraping low branches.
Kai took a deep breath, focused his Qi, and *moved*. Not at the stag, but parallel to it, staying downwind. He activated **Heavenly Step** at near full burst, becoming a blur. As he passed a point directly upwind of the Stag, he jammed the salve-smeared end of the stick deep into the soft earth and snapped it off, leaving the noxious payload embedded. He didn't stop, darting further into the trees and circling back towards his cave, using the terrain for cover.
The effect was instantaneous and spectacular. The Stag's head snapped up, its large nostrils flaring violently. The concentrated, Qi-amped cloud of pepper and activated Spirit Moss spores hit its heightened sense of smell like a physical blow. It let out a startled, pained *bellow*, shaking its massive head, eyes watering. It stomped, disoriented and enraged, trying to escape the overwhelming stench assaulting its primary sense.
**<< Distraction Successful! Target Disoriented! >>**
**<< System Points Gained: 10 (Environmental Weaponization) >>**
**<< Total SP: 20 >>**
Kai didn't wait for the confusion to subside. He burst from cover behind the Stag, **Heavenly Step** carrying him in with terrifying speed. He targeted the beast's flank, near the hind leg joint – a weakness flagged by the System. His Boar Tusk Dagger, driven by his Mid-stage Qi-enhanced strength, plunged deep.
*THUNK.*
The blade bit through the tough hide, but not as deep as Kai hoped. The Stag screamed, a sound of rage and pain, and whirled with shocking speed despite its size. A crystalline antler swept towards Kai like a scythe.
*Iron Skin!* Kai channeled Qi desperately, focusing on his torso and arms. The hardened skin and reinforced muscle met the glancing blow of the antler tip.
*CRACK!*
Pain lanced through Kai's ribs, sharp and bruising, even through the technique. He was flung sideways, crashing through a bush. *Not enough!* Iron Skin mitigated damage, but it didn't make him invincible, especially against Tier-1 beast strength.
The Stag, bleeding from its flank but far from finished, lowered its head, preparing to charge. Its eyes, bloodshot from the irritants, fixed on Kai with murderous intent.
Kai scrambled up, ribs protesting. He needed to end this *now*. He had one shot. He focused his entire being, drawing the dense vortex of Qi from his dantian. He didn't have a technique, but he had power. Raw, overwhelming power. He poured it into his legs, not for speed this time, but for a single, explosive leap.
As the Stag charged, Kai didn't dodge. He *jumped*. Higher than he ever thought possible, fueled by Mid-stage Qi. He sailed *over* the charging beast, twisting in mid-air. As he passed above the Stag's neck, he reversed his grip on the Boar Tusk Dagger and drove it downwards with all his weight and momentum, aiming for the base of the skull where the System indicated less armor.
*THUD-CRUNCH.*
The heavy tusk blade punched through hide, muscle, and bone with a sickening sound. The Stag's charge faltered, turned into a stumbling collapse. It hit the ground hard, legs kicking spasmodically for a few seconds before falling still.
Kai landed roughly, rolling to absorb the impact, gasping for air. His ribs screamed. His Qi reserves felt significantly drained. But he was alive. The Stag was not.
**<< Ding! >>**
**<< Tier-1 Spirit Beast Defeated: Stonehide Stag! >>**
**<< Reward: 50 SP! >>**
**<< Bonus: Successful Ambush & Exploitation of Weakness. +15 SP! >>**
**<< Total SP: 85! >>**
**<< New Feat: 'Giant Slayer (Tier-1)' Unlocked! Minor Prestige Boost vs. Lower Tier Beasts. >>**
Eighty-five SP! Kai pushed himself up, wincing, but a fierce elation burned through the pain. He'd done it. Using speed, distraction, environment, and a desperate, overpowered leap, he'd taken down a beast that should have shredded him days ago.
He quickly set to work. Using his flint knife, he harvested the valuable crystalline antler tips (worth SP or trade), collected several vials of thick, Qi-rich stag blood (useful for alchemy or cultivation aids), and carved out chunks of the tenderest meat from the haunches. He left the heavy hide – too cumbersome. He dragged the valuable parts back towards his cave, using Earth Sense to ensure the coast was clear.
Back in the hidden chamber, sealing the entrance, Kai finally let himself relax. He applied some of the basic salve to his bruised ribs (the irony wasn't lost on him) and devoured some of the raw stag meat. It was tough but bursting with vital energy, helping replenish his Qi faster than roots and berries ever could.
He pulled up the Shop, his eyes fixed on his prize.
**<< Purchase 'Flickering Palm Strike (Beginner)' for 150 SP? Y/N? >>**
He had 85. Still short. The Stag parts… "System, can I trade harvested materials for SP? Like the antler tips?"
**<< Material Assessment: Stonehide Stag Crystalline Antler Tips (x2). Grade: Low Tier Spirit Material. >>**
**<< Estimated SP Value: 40 SP each. Convert? Y/N? >>**
"Convert both!" Kai commanded.
**<< Confirmed. +80 SP. >>**
**<< Total SP: 165! >>**
"Now," Kai said, the word thick with anticipation. "Purchase Flickering Palm Strike. Beginner Tier."
**<< Confirmed. Deducting 150 SP. >>**
**<< Total SP: 15 >>**
**<< Downloading Technique: Flickering Palm Strike (Beginner)... >>**
Knowledge flooded in – intricate Qi pathways flowing down his arm, focusing points in his palm, explosive release mechanics, follow-through stances. It was complex, violent, and beautiful. The knowledge settled, feeling instinctive yet demanding practice.
**<< Technique Integration Complete: Flickering Palm Strike (Beginner) >>**
**<< Effect: Channel Qi into palm for a blindingly fast, concussive strike. Speed scales with Host Agility & Technique Proficiency. Power scales with Qi Capacity & Cultivation Stage. Cost: Moderate Qi per strike. >>**
Kai stood up in the confined space. He raised his right hand, focusing. He drew Qi from his dantian, guided it down the newly learned meridians in his arm, felt it coalesce and vibrate in his palm. A faint, visible shimmer, like heat haze, surrounded his hand. He didn't strike the wall – he knew the recoil in this small space would be brutal. But he *felt* the potential. The raw, offensive power now at his command.
He grinned, the expression wild and triumphant in the gloom. He looked at his palm, then at the hidden entrance to his cave, and beyond it, the Whispering Woods that had tried to kill him.
Discarded trash? Cripple? Prey?
Not anymore. He had speed. He had toughness. And now, finally, he had a way to hit back.
"Alright," Kai whispered, the shimmer fading from his palm. "Who's next?" The hunt for SP and power had just escalated. And the Absolute Bullshit Cultivator was officially open for business. He flexed his fingers, the phantom energy of the Flickering Palm Strike tingling. The forest outside suddenly felt less like a cage and more like a very large, very dangerous training ground. Bring it on.