Battles

As Ling Tian sat by the flickering fire, his mind raced with thoughts.

He had won against the 9th level qi refining realm beast Scarlet Flame Serpent, but the battle had been more challenging than it should have been.

Despite his profound knowledge of cultivation, he had to exert more effort than he anticipated against beings of the same level.

This reflection led him to a harsh realization: his current weakness stemmed from his inexperience in this life.

His body, though strong, lacked the tempering that came from blood-boiling, life-and-death battles.

"I can't rely solely on my past knowledge and experience," he murmured to himself, staring into the flames. "I need to forge this body anew, temper it through relentless combat."

With renewed determination, Ling Tian decided to venture deeper into the Outer Zone, seeking out the peak Qi Refining level beasts with higher bloodlines that would push him to his limits.

He knew that only through constant, intense battles could he achieve the strength and skill he sought.

"If I use my qi alone, I can barely fight with a 9th-level Qi Refining Realm demonic beast," he admitted, his voice steady despite the grim realization.

"I need to train my qi so that I can at least fight with mid-level foundation establishment realm demonic beast, without the need to rely on my body cultivation."

He paused, clenching his fists as a surge of determination welled within him. "When I accomplish this, I will focus on my body to get it to the 9th level of Strength Awakening."

He said with a small smile, "This is merely the start, I will get stronger as time passes. I will also reach the 12th level of the heavenly chosen ones."

He then thought about it some more and spoke with a hint of narcissism, "No, I will surpass the level of heavenly geniuses to a whole new level. Mere geniuses are not worth mentioning in the same breath as me."

The next morning, he set off, the forest around him gradually becoming denser and more foreboding.

The creatures he encountered grew fiercer, each battle more intense than the last.

He fought with unwavering resolve, every strike of his Tianwu Sword precise and powerful.

The beasts he faced now were far stronger, their attacks leaving him no room for complacency.

The first beast he encountered that day was a Thunderclap Bear, a massive creature with fur that crackled with static electricity.

Its roars reverberated through the forest, and it charged at Ling Tian with immense power.

Ling Tian side-stepped against the beast charge head-on, his sword gleaming as he struck.

The battle was brutal, each clash of their might creating shockwaves that rippled through the trees.

"Just like that," he muttered under his breath, sidestepping a massive paw swipe and countering with a deep slash across the bear's side. "I need to push myself harder."

One encounter led him to a confrontation with a trio of Stormwind Tigers.

These beasts, known for their speed and ferocity, attacked in perfect synchrony, their claws and fangs glinting ominously.

Ling Tian dodged and parried, the Tianwu Sword flashing as he countered their relentless onslaught.

Each tiger moved with blinding speed, testing his reflexes and endurance.

"Too fast!" he grunted, narrowly avoiding a swipe aimed at his head. 'I need to break their formation.'

He managed to separate one from the group, engaging it in a furious exchange of blows.

The tiger's strength was immense, but Ling Tian's movements were fluid, and his strikes were precise.

With a final, decisive slash, he brought down the beast.

The remaining two, seeing their comrade fall, grew even more aggressive.

"Looks like they're angry now," Ling Tian said, bracing himself for the next wave. "Heh, come on, let's see what you got!"

The fight stretched on, each moment a test of his stamina and combat prowess.

When the last tiger fell, Ling Tian was left panting, his body bruised and bloodied, but his spirit unbroken.

As he ventured deeper, nearing the boundary of the Inner Zone, the forest took on an even more ominous feel.

The air grew thicker, charged with the presence of stronger, more dangerous creatures.

He faced off against a Blazing Horned Rhinoceros, a massive beast whose fiery aura and powerful charges tested his agility and strength.

"A challenge indeed," he murmured, dodging its blazing horn. "I'll need to use the terrain to my advantage."

Dodging its blazing horn, he used the terrain to his advantage, leading the beast into a trap of his own making.

With a combination of strategy and brute force, he brought the beast down, its core adding to his growing collection.

"The further I push into the forest, the more my combat skills and physical resilience are tested," he noted, examining his new wounds. "But this is exactly what I need."

Ling Tian's body was a canvas of cuts and bruises, each scar a testament to the battles he had fought and won.

His qi had become more refined, his control over it more precise, allowing him to engage in prolonged battles without exhausting his reserves.

Throughout these battles, Ling Tian felt his body and mind transforming.

"Each victory brings a deeper understanding of my limits and a stronger connection to the Tianwu Sword," he said, gripping the hilt of his blade.

"I can comprehend the sword intent anytime I want now, but I should wait until I have accomplished what I said."

Despite the exhaustion and the constant danger, Ling Tian thrived in this crucible of combat.

He found a sense of clarity and purpose in each fight, his skills honed sharper with every swing of his sword.

The forest, once a place of danger, had become his training ground, the beasts his unwilling mentors in the art of survival and combat.

Ling Tian knew he was approaching a threshold.

The boundary between the Outer Zone and the Inner Zone loomed ahead, promising even greater challenges.

But with his body tempered and his resolve unshaken, he felt ready to face whatever lay beyond.

"I need to become stronger," he reminded himself, his voice a whisper in the silent forest. "And I will. This is merely the beginning."

With the Tianwu Sword at his side and a heart steeled by countless battles, Ling Tian continued his relentless journey deeper into the forest, ready to confront the powerful foes that awaited him.

He made his next plan, "I should continue my training for some time at the border of the Outer Zone and Inner Zone to hone my skills before confronting the higher-level monsters. This way, I'll be better prepared for the challenges ahead."