Under the rapid flight of the spirit vessel, everyone reached their destination—the Demon Beast Forest—in less than an hour.
The Demon Beast Forest, like everything else, was divided into five ranks corresponding to Heaven, Earth, Mystic, Yellow, and Black. The Yellow Rank contained first- and second-tier magical beasts, roughly equivalent in strength to a Qi Condensation Level Eight or below. As long as one avoided the inner zone, most disciples of Level Three Qi Condensation could handle first-tier beasts. Yet, for Ye Fan, this still posed a significant challenge.
"This could be troublesome…" Ye Fan murmured with a wry smile.
"Trouble? Not with me around! Stick close, and I'll crush anything in our way. We'll easily make the top five!" Xuan Zhenxi patted his chest confidently.
"I can't rely on you for everything," Ye Fan said, shaking his head.
"This test will see you traverse the Demon Beast Forest within three days. The one who finishes fastest wins," Xuan Qi announced.
"Although the Yellow-Rank Demon Beast Forest is tough for Qi Condensation disciples, bypass the central area, and it won't be too hard. Should any of you wish to give up, or encounter mortal danger, simply crush the jade talisman in your possession, and an elder will come to your aid. If there are no questions, the Xuan Spirit Sect selection begins in one moment!"
With that, Xuan Qi waved his hand, storing the spirit vessel away and soaring into the sky to observe the forest from above. Several other Xuan Spirit Sect envoys flew atop their swords, joining the patrols.
Ye Fan and Xuan Zhenxi received their maps and prepared to enter the forest. At that moment, Chu Tianyu appeared, accompanied by a boy around Ye Fan's age, Chu Tianxi. Both were talented: Tianyu possessed Supreme Dual Spiritual Roots, while Tianxi had Earth-Rank Triple Roots. Their cultivation levels were Level Five and Level Three Qi Condensation, respectively.
"Tianyu, remember not to run off when you see me later!" Xuan Zhenxi grinned, revealing his white teeth.
"You brat!" Tianyu's eyes flashed with a sharp, hostile light. He snorted coldly and turned away.
The Demon Beast Forest—also known as the Shadowed Woods—was unnaturally damp. Gigantic trees and thick vegetation were everywhere, and chilling winds rustled through the towering canopy.
Swamps and small lakes were scattered throughout, perfect for water- and wood-element beasts to thrive—and also treacherous for careless disciples, who could sink into the mud.
Curiously, a volcano loomed deep within the forest, contrasting sharply with the swamplands. Fire-element beasts occasionally emerged near its base. Natural caves provided vital refuge for cultivators hunting beasts.
"Seems like a good ambush spot… Tianxi, come here."
Tianyu was displeased with Xuan Zhenxi's earlier taunt. Coupled with Zhenxi's reputation and strength, Tianyu had long held resentment. He studied the forest and the map, formulating a perfect plan…
The competition had begun. Some disciples grouped together for safety, while stronger individuals moved alone to reach the finish as quickly as possible.
"Though this forest feels eerie, many herbs grow here. But it's also a haven for venomous insects."
Ye Fan and Xuan Zhenxi dashed through the trees. Ye Fan paused briefly to collect several first-tier spiritual herbs into his small bamboo basket.
The path they chose was the safest, though it meant a longer route to the finish.
After less than an hour of sprinting, Ye Fan began to feel the strain, struggling to match Xuan Zhenxi's pace. Zhenxi, though sweating, moved with lightness and grace, prompting Ye Fan to give a quiet, wry smile as he forced himself to keep up.
The difference between mortals and cultivators was significant. High-speed movement required ample spiritual energy. Ye Fan's mediocre spiritual root made maintaining speed much harder than Xuan Zhenxi, who possessed Supreme Roots.
After a few breaths, three red wolf pups appeared before them. Their black skin glimmered with fiery energy, small horns sprouting from their heads. Fire aura coiled around their claws, leaving scorch marks wherever they passed.
"Wolf-like, small horns, black-skinned, fire aura… mid-stage first-rank Red Wolves. Left one's yours, I'll take the other two," Xuan Zhenxi said. Drawing his greatsword, he charged forward.
"Blazing Slash!"
Fire-element energy surged along his sword, and with one swing, a wolf's head fell.
"Fast!" Ye Fan thought, surprised at Zhenxi's improvement in sword skill even after breaking Level Six Qi Condensation.
Ye Fan drew his small wooden sword and donned his stone-wood shield. He slid forward, targeting a wolf's weak spot. The small sword, enhanced with metal-element energy, cut through the wolf's belly, blood spraying as Ye Fan's weapons bore the marks of combat.
This was the essence of Qi Condensation-level combat: weapon imbued with spiritual energy, magnifying its effect.
Meanwhile, Xuan Zhenxi finished off his wolves cleanly. They collected the wolves' horns into Ye Fan's basket and pressed on toward the finish.
Over the next half day, Ye Fan and Xuan Zhenxi encountered numerous beasts. With perfect coordination, they easily defeated all, collecting herbs such as Heartwood Grass, Water Bloom Flowers, Iceheart Fruits, and the last herb needed for solid pill refinement—Strongbone Grass. Their haul was abundant.
"According to the map, we've covered most of the outer route. Tomorrow, we should reach the final destination. Strange, though… haven't seen other disciples along the way," Ye Fan mused.
"Then let's rest for now. Not seeing anyone means we're probably fastest. Don't overthink it."
"Hopefully…" Ye Fan nodded but stayed alert.
Night fell. The bright moon hung like a pearl, casting silver light across the dark forest.
Night was the time when beasts were most active. Ye Fan and Xuan Zhenxi took turns keeping watch.
"Too easy… this makes me uneasy," Ye Fan whispered.
Though raised by Xuan Changxi, Ye Fan knew he was still an outsider. His mediocre talent made him a target. Without the Changxi father and son, he might have been expelled long ago.
Sect life was unlike ordinary clans; bloodlines mattered. Only exceptionally valuable disciples—like Chu Tianyang—could gain acceptance. Ye Fan was a rare exception.
This upbringing had shaped his mature, cautious personality—never acting without confidence.
Suddenly…
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Ye Fan's senses tingled. Two sets of malicious eyes fixed on them. Three arrows shot from the shadows toward them.
"Enemy attack!" Ye Fan leapt aside, narrowly avoiding one, while a hemp bag on his waist was pierced and pinned to a tree stump.
He caught the second arrow. Using Body-Forging Art at Second Layer, he swung with over a hundred pounds of force, sending the arrow flying.
"Whoosh!" The arrows whistled past, faster than a drawn bow should allow.
The shadowed disciple was stunned. He had never expected a Level Two Qi Condensation disciple like Ye Fan could not only dodge his arrows but also counter with such force!
He raised his bow to resist, only to be flung backward into a thick tree trunk.
"That was close… almost pierced me!" Ye Fan's heart pounded. He gasped, looking at the other arrow lodged in a tree, wincing as his arm ached from the sudden exertion.
"Damn… the jade talisman!"
Ye Fan's eyes widened—one of the jade talismans in his hemp bag had shattered, losing its glow.
(To be continued…)