Lin Feng's spirits soared. Foundation Establishment achieved, plus an unexpected spirit beast companion—Xiao Qiu. He set the creature aside and dug through the powder, retrieving his spirit-gathering array disk.
Crack—!
The disk fractured into pieces the moment he lifted it.
"Ruined…"
He sighed but shrugged. A low-tier array was replaceable. Now at Foundation Establishment, he'd upgrade to a Tier 2 array. Cost? Irrelevant with his spirit stone reserves.
Brushing dust from his hands, he stood. True essence pulsed outward, shedding grime from his robes. After clearing the cave with wind blade talismans, he collected scattered spirit stones from the now-clean floor.
Crunch… crunch…
A peculiar sound made him freeze. Xiao Qiu sat against the wall, gnawing on a spirit stone like a nut.
"Eating… spirit stones?!"
The stone—harder than granite—splintered under tiny teeth. Xiao Qiu swallowed chunks with audible clicks, tail swaying contentedly.
"Kyuu!"
It waved a half-eaten stone at Lin Feng, eyes sparkling: Delicious!
"Unheard of…" Lin Feng murmured. "Demonic beasts absorb ambient energy or herbs—not devour raw stones! How many can you eat in a day?!"
Xiao Qiu merely grabbed another stone.
"Well, good thing I'm rich." Lin Feng chuckled, pocketing the remaining stones. Xiao Qiu scampered to his shoulder, tail coiled around a spare stone.
"Little glutton. But follow me, and you'll feast."
"Kyuu!!"
It nuzzled his neck, purring.
——
Sunlight blinded Lin Feng as he exited the cave. He stretched, joints popping like firecrackers. Power thrummed in his veins. This was true cultivation.
"My flying sword!"
He drew the sleek blade. Infusing it with true essence, it hummed and levitated.
"Swordflight! Finally!"
With a flick of his wrist, the sword shot forward, a silver streak carving the air.
"Wheee—!"
Lin Feng laughed, guiding it in loops and dives. Testing its edge, he sliced a boulder clean in half. Effortless.
"Now… flight!"
He leaped onto the hovering sword—
Thud!
Face-first into dirt.
"…"
Scrambling up, he glanced around sheepishly. Xiao Qiu stifled giggles on a rock.
"Not. A. Word." Lin Feng glared. "Or no more stones."
"Kyuu!" It mimed zipping its mouth shut.
"Guess I need more practice…" He recalled the sword. "But for combat? Perfect." With this spirit artifact, few Foundation Establishment foes could threaten him.
"Time to leave Seven Peaks Forest."
He strode downhill, Xiao Qiu perched on his shoulder. The He family? Bring them on.
——
Near the forest's edge, a Tier 1 mid-stage Blackvine Serpent coiled on a tree, tongue flicking.
Lin Feng grinned.
"Go! Pikachu!"
He tossed Xiao Qiu at the snake.
"KYUUUU?!"
Flailing, Xiao Qiu sailed through the air—
Thwack!
The serpent's tail whipped it sideways.
Splat.
Xiao Qiu slid down a trunk like wet dough, landing in a dazed yellow heap.