Chapter 30: The Road to Perfection

Lei's journey to the capital was not one of ease. With only ten days remaining, he pushed himself harder than ever. Determined to maximize the use of his time, he sought out more core formation monsters to further his progress.

On the second day of his journey, Lei's path led him through a dense, humid swamp. The air was thick, filled with the croaking of frogs and the occasional rustle of hidden creatures. Mao perched on his shoulder, as carefree as ever, chirping random observations about the ecosystem.

"It's so quiet here, Mao," Lei muttered, scanning the area with a hand on his mace.

"That's because something big is nearby, probably hiding under the water," Mao said with a playful flick of its wings. "Maybe something with sharp teeth. Or a bad attitude."

Moments later, the swamp's calm was shattered as a massive form burst out of the murky water—a gigantic crocodile, its scales gleaming like black iron. Lei's nanospirit immediately identified it as a Swamp Colossus, a core formation monster renowned for its near-immortal regeneration and endurance.

The beast lunged at Lei with terrifying speed, its gaping maw snapping inches from his face. Lei dodged to the side, landing on a moss-covered rock. The fight was brutal. The Swamp Colossus's skin was too tough for normal attacks to penetrate, and every wound Lei inflicted seemed to heal within seconds. It became a battle of attrition.

Lei relied on his molten punches and purple blasts to wear down the creature, using his refined techniques to send vibrations through its defenses. The swamp was turned into a battlefield, with waves of muddy water splashing as Lei evaded and countered the beast's ferocious attacks. Finally, after hours of relentless effort, Lei managed to land a decisive blow—a crushing strike to the beast's skull with his enchanted mace, delivering vibrations that disrupted its regenerative core. The monster fell, and Lei quickly harvested its essence, scanning its regenerative abilities for his own use.

---

A day later, Lei encountered his next challenge deep in a forest shrouded in mist. This time, it was a Phantom Spider, a creature famed for its lightning-fast reflexes and unmatched speed. The nanospirit detected the monster's qi signature as faint vibrations in the air.

"Looks like we've got company again, Mao," Lei said, gripping his mace tightly.

"Oh, this one's tricky," Mao chimed in. "Spiders are fast, venomous, and really, really annoying."

The fight began before Lei could properly prepare. The Phantom Spider struck from the shadows, its long, spindly legs moving faster than his eyes could follow. Its venomous fangs gleamed as it lashed out, forcing Lei to rely on his reflexes and speed.

Lei activated the techniques he'd learned from the Swamp Colossus, enhancing his endurance and fortifying his body against the spider's attacks. At the same time, he adapted his movements, honing his speed and reflexes to counter the creature's lightning-fast strikes.

Using his aerodynamic evasion skills and a combination of molten punches and precise mace strikes, Lei eventually cornered the Phantom Spider. With a final, well-timed pyro blast, he immobilized the beast and delivered a fatal blow. The victory was hard-earned, but the monster's essence added invaluable insights to his growing repertoire.

Even with all the qi flowed through his veins after consuming their core and flesh, Lei's cultivation failed to breakthrough to high qi foundation.

---

With only seven days left, Lei ran nonstop toward the capital, the nanospirit guiding him with a minimal compass displayed on his HUD. Despite his exhaustion, he maintained his focus, his mind fixed on his goal.

When he finally arrived at Ardentium, the capital, he was greeted with bustling streets and towering walls. The city was a sprawling network of activity, with merchants, soldiers, and common folk going about their daily lives.

Two day non-stop marathon had taken a toll on him, even with his new regeneration his eye lids felt heavy. However, Lei couldn't help but notice the wary glances and subtle disdain from the locals. His travel-worn appearance didn't exactly help matters.

"I need to clean up," Lei muttered, heading straight for the market district.

He purchased a set of black and grey robes, elegant but understated, along with a pair of sturdy shoes that complemented his new attire. As he dressed in his fresh clothes, he felt a surge of confidence. The rich-looking robes immediately improved the way people treated him, and the disdainful glances were replaced with respectful nods.

Lei made his way to the merchant Li Wei's mansion, a sprawling estate that exuded wealth and power. When he arrived, he was greeted warmly by the servants and escorted inside. Li Wei and his wife, Li Na, greeted him with smiles that were a little too eager. Their daughter, Li Ruo, stood beside them, her eyes sparkling with curiosity. But their son was nowhere to be seen, not that it mattered.

"Young Master Lei, welcome!" Li Wei said, bowing slightly. "It's an honor to have you here."

"Please, come in," Li Na added, her tone sweet and inviting. She adjusted her robe slightly, offering Lei a view of her generous cleavage. Her daughter, not to be outdone, stepped forward and flashed a shy smile.

Lei, while slightly amused by their attempts, saw through their motives instantly. They're trying to curry favor with me for future benefits, he thought, the nanospirit confirming his suspicions with subtle readings of their body language.

Despite their intentions, Lei maintained his composure. "Thank you for your hospitality," he said, his voice calm and polite.

As the evening progressed, the family did everything they could to make him feel welcome. Li Wei regaled him with stories, Li Na offered him the finest dishes, and Li Ruo tried to engage him in conversation about his travels. Lei humored them but remained focused on his true purpose.

When the time came, Li Wei presented Lei with the promised Azure Frost Orchid and a set of alchemy books. "These are the items you requested, Young Master. I hope they are to your satisfaction."

Lei nodded, accepting the gifts. "They're perfect. Thank you."

---

After retiring to the room prepared for him, Lei immediately set to work. He placed spirit stones around the room, creating a strong formation on the floor to prevent energy leaks and block any attempts at spying. Once the formation was complete, he sat cross-legged in the center and began his cultivation.

With the nanospirit's assistance, he referred to the alchemy books and simulated the techniques described within. The Azure Frost Orchid's unique properties played a crucial role in the process, its energy flowing through Lei's veins as he corrected the imperfections in his spirit qi veins.

The process was grueling, requiring intense focus and precise control. Beads of sweat formed on Lei's forehead as he channeled his qi, refining and reshaping his internal energy pathways. The nanospirit provided constant feedback, guiding him through the intricate process and ensuring that every adjustment was perfect.

Hours passed, but Lei's determination never wavered. Finally, as the first rays of dawn filtered through the window, Lei opened his eyes. His spirit qi veins were perfectly corrected, and his energy flowed more smoothly than ever before.

A satisfied smile crossed his face as he stood and stretched. "It's done," he said softly, his voice filled with quiet pride. "I'm one step closer to my goal.