Chapter 28: The Roar of the Forest

Tang Chun Xi fixed her gaze on the bush ahead, sensing the greedy presence staring at her as if she were prey. Her entire body tensed, muscles coiling as her Lunar Umbrella stood ready to be summoned at any moment. The silence of the forest grew heavier around her, as if even the winds had held their breath in anticipation of the imminent battle.

Would this be her first real fight against a spirit beast, or perhaps against a cultivator, since she had officially begun her practice? The thought brought a mix of excitement and heightened caution.

For a brief moment, time seemed to stretch.

Then, the attack came.

A shadow shot out from the bush, moving at terrifying speed. Before she could fully react, the enemy was already mere meters away. Tang Chun Xi leaped backward, trying to create distance, but she realized there wasn't enough time.

Without hesitation, she summoned her Lunar Umbrella from within her Dantian.

With a single thought, the umbrella's structure expanded and positioned itself defensively before her. At the exact moment the beast struck, the impact occurred. The Lunar Umbrella absorbed part of the force and transferred it into the ground.

A tremendous shockwave spread through the earth, cracking the soil around the impact site. The force sent Tang Chun Xi skidding backward, but instead of losing her balance, she used the momentum to propel herself gracefully toward a nearby tree. Her feet met the sturdy bark, and with an agile motion, she rebounded to the ground, landing at a safe distance.

That was when, for the first time, she got a clear look at her opponent.

The creature snorted furiously, its hooves sinking slightly into the earth as it repositioned itself. It was a Cloud-Furred Boar, a mid-level spirit beast, equivalent to a fourth-level Body Training cultivator.

Tang Chun Xi quickly recalled what she knew about it.

'These boars are common in the region, but their aggressiveness makes them the terror of careless hunters. Their fur is incredibly thick, capable of resisting common blades. Moreover, their impact force surpasses that of a human of the same level. The real danger lies in their speed when charging in a straight line.'

Her sharp eyes analyzed the creature's robust body, searching for any weaknesses. The boar snorted, scraping its hooves against the ground before charging again.

This time, Tang Chun Xi did not retreat.

A glint flashed in her eyes as she activated the Soaring Phoenix Technique.

Her body seemed to gain a supernatural lightness as she propelled forward, her Lunar Umbrella snapping shut in an instant, enveloped by a golden metallic aura.

The distance between them closed rapidly.

The boar charged with brutal force, its tusks aimed to tear through her, but Tang Chun Xi used the enemy's own weight against it.

With a swift movement, she sidestepped at the last moment and, in response, struck the beast's side with the sharp tip of her umbrella.

Precise cuts appeared across its tough hide.

The boar roared in pain, but the wounds were superficial. Its physical resistance was truly formidable!

The creature grew even more enraged, swinging its massive body in an attempt to strike her, but Tang Chun Xi stuck to her strategy—remaining in motion and exploiting her superior agility.

As the boar launched its relentless charges, she retaliated with continuous strikes, taking advantage of her speed.

Yet, something nagged at her.

'It's not enough. Just attacking like this won't bring it down.'

Her blows were accumulating injuries, but they were far from incapacitating the beast. She needed a decisive attack.

That was when she noticed the boar's movement pattern.

'Its weight is its greatest strength… but also its greatest weakness.'

Tang Chun Xi observed carefully. Every time it committed to a full charge, it couldn't change direction mid-attack.

And then, the moment came.

Completely enraged, the boar let out a deafening roar before hurtling toward her at full speed, determined to crush her.

But this was exactly the opportunity Tang Chun Xi had been waiting for.

The instant the beast lunged, she twisted her body and leaped aside, slipping out of its deadly path.

Then, in one fluid motion, she channeled her Flaming Aura into the closed Lunar Umbrella and struck directly at the boar's weak point—its neck.

The blazing blade cut deep.

The impact threw the boar off balance, its unstoppable momentum becoming its own downfall.

The beast crashed violently into a nearby tree, shattering it into pieces. The ground trembled from the impact, leaving deep scars in the soil. A cloud of dust and dry leaves rose into the air, momentarily obscuring the scene.

Then, the final, agonized squeal echoed through the forest… before everything fell silent.

Tang Chun Xi remained still, breathing deeply as she observed the fallen beast. The battle was over.

After a brief moment of tension, she finally allowed a sigh of relief to escape her lips.

But she couldn't relax for long.

'The sound of battle has surely attracted unwanted attention.'

She quickly retrieved a Qi pill and swallowed it, replenishing some of the energy she had spent in the fight.

Her gaze fell upon the boar's body. This battle had taught her a great deal.

'Spirit beasts truly possess incredible resilience… Even though I managed to evade its charges, it took me too long to bring it down. This means my spiritual energy usage still isn't efficient enough.'

She furrowed her brows slightly.

'I need to focus more on this. My body's endurance has grown much stronger than my energy efficiency. In the long run, this could become a disadvantage.'

Lost in thought, she swiftly retrieved the boar's body from the ground and stored it in her spatial ring, using her storage pouch merely as a disguise.

With everything ready, Tang Chun Xi turned, prepared to leave the area swiftly.