Chapter 8 – The Hunt in the Forbidden Land

After his newfound power stabilized within his body, Shen Yuxian realized one crucial thing—although the demonic energy had accelerated his cultivation, his body still required resources to sustain this rapid growth. If left unchecked, the imbalance could consume him from within. Without wasting any time, he stepped out of the cave, leaving behind a lingering aura of dread.

The gray sky hung low as Yuxian ventured into the dense forest. A thin mist cloaked the trees, concealing lurking dangers. The damp scent of earth mixed with the faint metallic tang of blood, making the air feel suffocating. His steps were nearly silent, yet the chilling aura radiating from his body made small creatures cower in fear.

Yuxian knew that to strengthen himself, he had to seek out powerful beasts or rare plants that thrived only in this forbidden land. The deeper he ventured, the stronger the presence of both life and death became around him.

Suddenly, a faint tremor pulsed beneath his feet. Yuxian halted, sharpening his senses. In the distance, the snap of a branch was followed by a low growl reverberating through the trees. Seconds later, a massive beast emerged from the underbrush—a Steel Wolf, its metallic hide gleaming under the dim light, crimson eyes filled with malice.

The beast wasted no time. In a blur of motion, it lunged at Yuxian, claws poised to rip apart anything in its path. But Yuxian remained unfazed. As the wolf neared, he shifted his body aside with a graceful motion, then unleashed a surge of demonic energy from his palm.

A wave of dark energy struck the beast's side, sending it staggering, but the attack barely left a scratch. Its steel-like hide had only a shallow mark.

"Interesting," Yuxian murmured with a faint smile. "You'll make the perfect source of energy."

The battle raged fiercely. The Steel Wolf attacked with relentless ferocity, yet Yuxian dodged every strike with precision. He studied its movements, waiting for the perfect moment to counterattack.

As the beast launched one final charge, Yuxian leaped into the air, gathering demonic energy in his hands before striking down with full force. A loud crack echoed as the creature's skull shattered, its massive body collapsing to the ground.

Without hesitation, Yuxian placed his hand over the wolf's body, absorbing the remnants of its life essence. Dark crimson energy swirled around him, strengthening the Qi within his body. A warm yet chilling sensation coursed through his veins, reinforcing his physique even further.

Once his recovery was complete, Yuxian pressed onward. In the depths of the dark forest, he stumbled upon a crevice between two large boulders. Nestled within it was a plant with deep red petals that shimmered under the faint light—the Blood Night Flower, a rare herb that only bloomed when bathed in the blood of powerful creatures.

Yuxian knew the value of such a plant. Without hesitation, he retrieved a small dagger from his spatial ring and carefully cut the stem. However, the moment his fingers touched the plant, the ground around him trembled softly.

From the darkness, a guardian emerged—a Giant Blood Serpent, its scales glistening like fresh blood, eyes glowing with fierce hatred. The creature let out a sharp hiss before striking toward Yuxian with deadly speed.

Yuxian swiftly leaped back, evading the initial attack, then sent a blast of demonic energy toward the serpent's head. But its scales were too thick—his attack barely left a scorched mark.

The beast grew enraged. Coiling its long body, it lunged in an attempt to constrict him. Yet, Yuxian was prepared. With an agile leap, he soared into the air, driving his sword straight into the serpent's eye. A piercing shriek filled the forest as the beast writhed in agony, but Yuxian didn't relent. Channeling demonic energy through his blade, he unleashed a burst of power, destroying the serpent's head from within.

As the creature's lifeless body slumped to the ground, Yuxian placed his hand over its still-warm scales, absorbing the lingering life essence. The blood soaking into the earth caused the Blood Night Flower to bloom even more vibrantly. He harvested a few more blossoms, storing them in his spatial ring before continuing his journey.

After a long hunt, Yuxian returned to the cave where he had begun. In the quiet darkness, he sat cross-legged, placing the Blood Night Flower before him. Carefully, he began refining the plant, mixing it with a recovery pill from his previous supplies.

The concoction produced a thick, crimson liquid with a sharp aroma. Without hesitation, Yuxian drank it. A bitter taste spread across his tongue, followed by a searing wave of heat surging through every vein in his body. The Qi within him churned wildly, yet he remained composed, focusing his mind to control the energy flow.

Time slipped away unnoticed. Night faded into dawn, and Yuxian's body was drenched in sweat mixed with traces of blood. Yet his eyes remained shut, maintaining the stability of his cultivation. The energy from the beasts he had slain and the herbs he had consumed had strengthened his very soul, deepening the ominous aura around him.

Finally, as the first rays of sunlight touched the cave's entrance, Yuxian opened his eyes. A dark crimson glint flickered in his gaze, brimming with power and unrestrained ferocity. His expression was no longer that of an ordinary cultivator—he had become something far beyond human.

With newfound strength coursing through him, Shen Yuxian stood and stepped forward.