chapther 4

The system interrupted Trogg's thoughts with its cold, mechanical voice:

"As a reward for reaching the first stage of cultivation, I will bestow upon you a new skill."

Trogg felt a wave of anticipation course through his body. He clenched his fists, excitement shining in his eyes. "What is the skill?" he asked, barely able to contain his eagerness.

"The skill is meant for your sword. Its name is 'Qi Launcher.'"

For a moment, Trogg was silent, absorbing the words. The system's voice continued, explaining precisely:

"Qi Launcher is a common skill that allows you to channel and condense your Qi into the blade of your sword, releasing it as bursts of energy from a distance. It is a simple technique, but extremely effective in combat. However, due to its low proficiency, the Qi consumption will be high initially, and the accuracy and power will depend on your practice."

Trogg held his makeshift sword and looked at it with new eyes. The idea of being able to attack from a distance made his mind work quickly. An offensive skill… finally a tool that allows me to fight more versatilely.

"If used properly, 'Qi Launcher' can increase your range and better control the battlefield. However, remember that it consumes energy directly from your dantian. Use it with caution."

Trogg took a deep breath, feeling satisfied, but aware of its limitations. He knew he would have to train hard to master the skill, but the ambition in his heart grew with each new step. Determined to test his newfound skills and strength, Trogg emerged from his hiding place and headed into the forest. The darkness of the trees seemed less threatening now, almost welcoming to his growing confidence. He gripped the hilt of his sword, the Qi flowing through its channels like a steady river. After some time of exploring, he spotted a creature in a clearing. It was a shadow wolf, a medium-sized beast with defined muscles and pitch-black fur. Though ferocious in appearance, it exuded no trace of Qi—clearly still an ordinary beast. "Perfect," Trogg muttered, his eyes narrowing. He could feel the difference in his own presence. Now, as a cultivator in the Qi Condensation realm, the fear that would normally consume him when facing such a beast was absent. The wolf growled upon noticing his presence, crouching down in attack position. Trogg didn't wait for the beast to charge. He channeled Qi into his legs, shooting forward at astonishing speed, surprising the wolf. With a swift, fluid motion, he swung his sword, aiming for the creature's flank.

The wolf dodged reflexively, but the blade still sliced shallowly through its skin. The animal howled in pain, its eyes glowing with fury. Trogg took a step back, raising his sword as he muttered,

"Qi Launcher!"

The blade glowed faintly as Qi condensed, and in an instant, a blast of energy shot out from the sword. The blast hit the wolf squarely in the chest, knocking it back a few meters.

Trogg smiled, seeing the impact of the skill. "Much better than attacking with brute force," he thought.

The wolf, although injured, still tried to get up, but Trogg was already on top of it. He channeled Qi into his legs again, shooting at high speed. With a precise strike, he slit the animal's throat before it could react.

The wolf's body fell to the ground, motionless. Trogg stood over the carcass, breathing deeply, feeling the Qi still circulating through his body.

"So that's it... the difference is stark," he said, eyeing the still faintly glowing sword. "Cultivation really does make all the difference."

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Trogg cleaned his sword, eyeing the shadow wolf's inert body, but his mind was already elsewhere, focused on his next strategy. He felt the blood pulsing vigorously through his veins, not only for victory, but for the clear understanding of his own potential. The excitement of power grew, consuming him like a voracious flame.

"I need to get stronger as soon as possible," he muttered, his yellow eyes glowing in the dim light of the forest.

Trogg began to weigh his options, organizing his thoughts in search of the most efficient path.

"Magical plants... they can help, but the system has already made it clear that the stronger I get, the less effective these plants become for my cultivation. Using this resource must be temporary."

He sighed, thinking about his next possibility.

"Areas of pure Qi... those would be ideal for a significant breakthrough. However, areas like these are sure to be guarded by powerful beasts, and at my current level, facing one would be suicide."

A cunning glint appeared in his eyes as he considered the third option.

"Hunt cultivating beasts..." he muttered, repeating what the system had already explained. "They have Qi circulating in their bodies, and consuming their flesh can speed up my cultivation."

He ran his hand over his chin in thought.

"The ideal would be to combine the first and third options. Search for magical plants for small breakthroughs and use these opportunities to track down cultivating beasts. After all, the system said that all creatures that cultivate have innate abilities. In addition to strengthening myself, I could also learn more about these abilities."

Trogg clenched his fists, a cold smile forming on his lips.

"If I continue at this rate, I will soon cease to be just an insignificant goblin. No matter how much I have to fight or how dark the battles, I will find the path to absolute power."

With his mind made up, Trogg packed his spirit bag, sheathed his sword, and plunged deeper into the forest, his footsteps echoing with determination among the shadows of the trees.

The forest of Nulkar, under the pale light of a distorted moon, seemed even more hostile than during the day. The trees were immense, their canopies intertwined so that almost no beam of light reached the ground. The shadows danced like living entities, and the air was thick with a smell of rot mixed with the dampness of the vegetation.

Trogg walked cautiously, his senses alert to every noise. His yellow eyes picked out the smallest details around him. Giant roots rose from the ground, winding like sleeping snakes, while luminescent mosses glowed faintly on some of the trunks, creating a ghostly atmosphere.

This place... no matter how many times I walk here, it always feels like I'm being watched," he muttered, his voice low so as not to attract unwanted attention.

He gripped his sword tightly, ready for any eventuality. A chilling wind blew through the trees, and the sound sounded like the wailing of lost spirits. In the distance, a high-pitched scream cut through the silence, probably coming from some creature of the forest, but Trogg remained focused on his search.

As he advanced, he began to notice subtle signs of magical plants. The first was a faint glow to his right. Approaching carefully, he found a small flower with silver petals, growing between two twisted roots.

"Interesting..." he muttered, kneeling down to observe the plant closely. The silvery glow seemed to pulse, as if it were alive.

The system interrupted his thoughts:

"NIGHTLUMEN FLOWER. EFFICACY: LOW. CAN IMPROVE CULTIVATION PROGRESS BY 3%."

Trogg snorted. "Better than nothing," he said as he carefully plucked the plant, storing it in his spirit bag. He knew this search would be long and that he would need to find something more meaningful.

Continuing on, Trogg came across a swamp, the dark water reflecting a sky full of heavy clouds. The smell here was almost unbearable, a mixture of sulfur and rotting flesh. He noticed, in the distance, a small island in the center of the swamp, where a plant with red leaves glowed brightly.

That looks promising, thought Trogg, but he knew that crossing the swamp would be dangerous.

As he walked along the banks in search of safety, he noticed eyes glowing in the dark water. A pair of reptilian creatures slowly emerged, their bodies covered in black scales, and sharp teeth reflecting the moonlight.

"Swamp lizards," whispered Trogg, backing away slowly. He knew that, although these creatures were not cultivators, they were still dangerous in groups. He decided not to risk an unnecessary confrontation and continued his search, leaving the red plant for another time.

The forest seemed to grow denser and more suffocating as he advanced. The trees seemed to lean over him, their branches curved like menacing claws. The ground was covered in damp leaves, muffling his footsteps, but the feeling of being followed did not leave him.

Finally, he spotted something that caught his attention: a small bush whose leaves had a bluish hue and glowed softly in the darkness. As he approached, he felt a faint heat emanating from the plant, something unusual in this cold forest.

"LUNA FLAME BUSH. EFFICACY: MODERATE. CAN IMPROVE CULTIVATION PROGRESS BY 8%."

This time, a smile appeared on his lips. "This is worth the effort." He carefully plucked the leaves, but just as he placed the last one in his bag, he heard a low, guttural sound behind him.

Slowly turning, he saw a shadow moving between the trees. His instincts screamed danger, and he quickly drew his sword. The tension in the air was palpable, and for a moment, everything was silent except for the sound of his own breathing.

A huge feline with glowing eyes and sharp claws emerged from the shadows, its muscular body covered in black fur that seemed to absorb the light around it. It wasn't a cultivator, but the aggression in its eyes made it clear that it would be a fierce battle.

Trogg gripped the hilt of his sword and smiled. "It seems I have company."

The black panther glared at Trogg with blazing eyes, its long tail whipping the air in irritation. It let out a low growl, like muffled thunder, that reverberated through the surrounding trees. The air seemed to close in around them, a silent duel as they measured each other's resolve and power.

Trogg, however, did not attack immediately. He gripped his sword tightly, but made no sudden movements. "You would make a perfect mount," he thought as he sized up the feline. "But to do that, I must break your will first."

The first move was the panther's. With a swift leap, it charged at Trogg, its sharp claws aimed at his chest. Trogg dodged to the side, using his cultivation-enhanced speed, and the beast whizzed past him, landing in absolute silence, ready to strike again.

"Not bad, Trogg said in a cold tone as he activated his Adrenaline skill. His entire body was flooded with savage energy, his muscles tensing and his strength instantly doubling.

The panther charged again, but this time Trogg was ready. He swung his sword, activating the Qi Launcher skill, and a blast of slashing energy shot toward the feline. The panther tried to dodge, but the attack hit its flank, eliciting a furious roar and leaving a deep mark on its black skin.

"This is just the beginning," Trogg taunted, his tone firm and merciless. He needed to show the creature that resistance was futile.

The battle continued at a brutal pace. The panther, despite being injured, attacked with claws and teeth, its movements swift and deadly. Trogg, however, used his superiority as a cultivator to anticipate and react to each attack. He didn't kill it intentionally, just wound it enough to weaken it.

At a critical point in the fight, the panther attempted a direct leap for Trogg's neck. He raised his sword in defense, but instead of simply cutting the beast, he used all his strength to hold it in the air and slam it violently against the ground. The impact was so strong that the ground cracked under the cat's weight, which lay there for a few moments, panting and defeated.

Trogg approached slowly, his presence radiating superiority. He pressed his foot against the panther's body, immobilizing it completely. The cat's gaze, previously filled with fury, now showed a mixture of fear and respect.

You fought well,Trogg said, his tone cold, but with a hint of respect. But now, you will serve me. Understood?"

The panther let out a low growl, but did not attempt to rise. Trogg slowly withdrew his foot, watching to see if the beast would try to attack again. But to his satisfaction, it remained still, its ears lowered in submission.

The system intervened at that moment:

CONGRATULATIONS. YOU HAVE BROKE THE CREATURE'S WILL. IT NOW RECOGNIZES YOU AS MASTER."

Trogg smiled in satisfaction. He knelt beside the panther and placed his hand on its head, feeling the beast's tense muscles relax under his touch. "Good choice," he murmured, as the creature let out a low rumble of acceptance.

He knew that with a mount like this, his mobility and ability to survive in the forest would be greatly enhanced. "Now, let us train you to be worthy of carrying someone like me," Trogg said, as the night around him seemed to approve him with its deep, dark silence.