Verdant Wilds

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Zhuan Ming delivered one final strike to the boulder. The sound of cracking stone echoed through the clearing as a deep fissure split the surface of the rock. His fists, raw and bloodied, trembled with exhaustion, but his eyes gleamed with triumph.

"Finally," he muttered, stepping back to admire his handiwork. The boulder, once unyielding, now bore the marks of his relentless effort.

The Qi Pill Ancestor's voice echoed in his mind, a hint of approval in its tone. "Not bad. Your bones have grown denser, your muscles tougher. Your body is beginning to adapt to the demands of the Body Refinement Path."

Zhuan Ming flexed his hands, feeling the newfound strength coursing through his veins. "It's about time. I was starting to think this boulder was indestructible."

The ancestor chuckled. "Patience is a virtue, Zhuan Ming. But you've made progress. Your body now absorbs Qi more efficiently, making you more resilient. This is only the beginning."

As Zhuan Ming sat by the stream, washing the blood and grime from his hands, the Qi Pill Ancestor spoke again.

"Now that your body is stronger, it's time to focus on your next task," the ancestor said. "You need resources—spirit herbs, rare minerals, and cultivation manuals. The sect's storeroom won't be enough to sustain your growth."

Zhuan Ming raised an eyebrow. "And where do you suggest I find these resources?"

"There's a forest to the east of the sect," the ancestor replied. "It's known as the Verdant Wilds. The forest is teeming with spirit beasts and rare herbs, but it's also dangerous. Many disciples have ventured there and never returned."

Zhuan Ming smirked. "Dangerous, you say? I doubt it is more dangerous then solar tombs."

"Don't get overconfident," the ancestor warned. "Your body is stronger, but you're still far from your peak. Tread carefully."

The next morning, Zhuan Ming set out for the Verdant Wilds. The forest was a sprawling expanse of towering trees, dense undergrowth, and the occasional glimmer of spiritual energy. The air was thick with the scent of earth and vegetation, and the distant cries of spirit beasts echoed through the trees.

As he ventured deeper into the forest, Zhuan Ming's sharp eyes scanned the surroundings for signs of spirit herbs or minerals. His knowledge from his past life gave him an edge—he knew which herbs were valuable and where they were likely to grow.

"There," he muttered, spotting a cluster of glowing blue flowers nestled at the base of a tree. "Azure Moonblooms. Perfect for refining Qi."

He knelt down to harvest the flowers, but as he reached out, a low growl echoed from the shadows. Zhuan Ming's instincts kicked in, and he rolled to the side just as a massive wolf-like spirit beast lunged at him.

The beast's fur shimmered with a faint silver light, and its eyes glowed with predatory intelligence. It was a Silverfang Wolf, a rank 1 spirit beast known for its speed and ferocity.

"Looks like I've got company," Zhuan Ming said, his lips curling into a smirk.

The wolf lunged again, its claws slashing through the air. Zhuan Ming dodged, his movements swift and precise. He countered with a powerful punch, striking the beast's side and sending it sprawling to the ground.

The wolf howled in pain but quickly recovered, its eyes burning with rage. It lunged once more, but this time, Zhuan Ming was ready. He sidestepped the attack and delivered a crushing blow to the beast's skull, ending the fight.

"Not bad," the Qi Pill Ancestor said. "But don't get careless. The Verdant Wilds are full of dangers far greater than a Silverfang Wolf."

As Zhuan Ming continued his exploration, he stumbled upon a hidden cave deep within the forest. The cave was bathed in a soft, bluelight, and it had spiritual energy leaking from it. Zhuan Ming venture deeper in to the cave, it was a tight sqeeze but he got in. Inside there was a blue light and, in the center, stood a small pool of crystal-clear water. The air around the pool was thick with spiritual energy, and the water itself seemed to shimmer with an otherworldly glow.

"This is… a newly formed spirit spring," Zhuan Ming said, his eyes widening in surprise. "I didn't think something like this would exist in such a remote area."

The Qi Pill Ancestor's voice was filled with intrigue. "A Spirit Spring is a rare treasure. The water is infused with pure spiritual energy, perfect for refining your body and replenishing your Qi."

Zhuan Ming knelt by the pool, cupping the water in his hands. As he drank, he felt a surge of energy course through his body, revitalizing him and accelerating his recovery.

"This changes everything," he said, a plan forming in his mind. "If I can secure this grove, I'll have a steady supply of resources to fuel my growth."

As Zhuan Ming prepared to leave the cave, the Qi Pill Ancestor spoke again.

"There's one more thing you need to do," the ancestor said. "In the heart of the Verdant Wilds, there's a cave rumored to contain a rare mineral called Sunstone Ore. It's a key ingredient for forging powerful weapons and refining your body further."

Zhuan Ming raised an eyebrow. "And you're just telling me this now?"

"Consider it a test," the ancestor replied. "If you can retrieve the Sunstone Ore, it will prove that you're ready for the next stage of your training."

Zhuan Ming smirked. "Fine. Either way if I die, you're coming with me."