32 Preparation

"Shi Li, I want you to kill 50 Rank 3 Beasts within a week." Shi Xingwan's eyes gleamed as he looked at his son. With an aptitude at the Quasi-World level, it would be impossible for Shi Li to not make achievements in the [Three Element Sword Technique]. It was a High Mortal grade technique, what if Shi Li was given a Low Mortal grade technique instead? He might have been at the Master level already! Or perhaps...the Perfect level!

"Rank 3 Beast? What's that?" Shi Li was expecting a challenge that had something to do with killing since he wouldn't only focus on mastering Flame Slash, but also focus on polishing his combat skills that were superficial at most.

Although he has been sparing his time to read some books at the library, he would usually use that time to read up on either the topic of geography, alchemy, or blacksmithing. As for beasts and other topics, he didn't bother with them at all since it didn't serve him a purpose at the moment.

Shi Xingwan looked at his son and then explained, "Just like us cultivators, beasts also have their realms, albeit simpler."

"Beasts that have a Rank of 1 to 3 are beasts at the realm of the Martial Novice stage. Nonetheless, facing a Rank 1 beast as someone at the first Martial Novice stage would inevitably kill you due to their increased strength. Normally, beasts of the same rank as cultivators have twice the strength when compared to cultivators that only cultivate the soul. In that case, you can fight with beasts on par for your current cultivation realm."

"But since you, my son, have successfully done Flame Slash which boosts your strength considerably, may have a chance in killing a Rank 3 Beast," Shi Xingwan was expecting a lot from him.

"Wait a minute..." Shi Li couldn't help but frown. "Since beasts of the same rank have twice the strength of a soul-focused cultivator of the same rank, does that mean that I have to fight against something that has a total strength of 100 ren?"

Indeed, at Shi Li's current stage, it would be extremely hard for him to defeat a Rank 3 Beast, not to mention killing it.

At this point in time, the fanaticism within Shi Xingwan disappeared and made him think again with a logical and rational mind, making Shi Xingwan say, "Now that I think about it, that is too much for you."

"I'll make it less difficult for you. I want you to kill 20 Rank 3 Beasts and 30 Rank 2 Beasts within one week. Is that enough?"

Noticing that he would have to kill 60% less Rank 3 Beasts than before, Shi Li felt that he had a shot so he nodded. "Okay Father, I accept. What do I get in exchange?"

Shi Xingwan pondered for a bit before clearing his throat. He scratched his head for a bit if he was sure with his decision before placing both hands on the desk and saying, "5 Grade 0 Cultivation Pills."

Gasp! Shi Li couldn't help but visibly shudder at the thought. A Grade 0 Cultivation Pill! And not just one, but five of them!

A cultivation pill, according to what Shi Li has read, is a pill that releases large amounts of energy in order to stimulate the cultivator's potential and allowing them to cultivate at a faster pace. Although some of them offer adverse side effects, most of them have minimal side effects which could easily be removed once inner energy is formed.

There are also grades to the cultivation pills, where is 0 is the lowest and is suitable for those at the Novice or Adept stage, 1 is for those at the Elite stage, 2 is for the Master stage, 3 is for the Lord stage and so on.

With this, Shi Li instantly stood up and started to run towards the Logistics Hall and said, "If that's the case, I'll get going now!"

Shi Xingwan, who was surprised to see Shi Li running away that quickly, stood up and shouted, "Remember to never enter the..."

Before he could finish words, Shi Li was already many meters away, running at great speeds towards the Logistics Hall.

Shi Xingwan sighed and couldn't help but mutter as he continued to look over the clan's papers.

"Never ever the inner area."

...

Shi clan, Logistics Hall.

Eager to head towards the Forest of Ruin to obtain his cultivation pills, Shi Li tapped on the bell on the counter forcefully, waking Shi Li up from his somewhat crazed trance.

Shi Li looked around and took a few deep breaths before sighing. Since he was able to successfully execute Flame Slash, a flame of excitement lit up in his heart, which was then strengthened further by his father's words.

Unlike where he could suppress his excitement while forging, this was a time where Shi Li truly became carefree, forgetting to maintain rationality.

"Haah...as expected, I still have to be conscious of what I do." Shi Li knew that he was protected in the walls of the Shi clan. But he couldn't help but feel an aura that slightly suffocated him at every moment, as if it was out to kill him.

"I should get stronger. Fast." Shi Li didn't know why he felt that way, but it must have something to do with the aura he felt.

Not long after maintaining his composure, the young man Shi Li has met for the first time appeared in front of him, prompting him to bow.

"Greetings Elder Yan."

"Oh! If it isn't Young Master Shi Li!" Instead of his previously melodious yet calm voice, Elder Yan spoke in a deep and melodious voice akin to the voice he used when Shi Xingwan was in the hall.

"How may I help you today?"

"I would like to obtain a map of the Forest of Ruin," Aurus replied respectfully. The person in front of him was the strongest Elder and the strongest member of the Shi clan!

"Oh?" Elder Yan raised his eyebrow. "Are you planning on heading to the Forest of Ruin?"

Shi Li nodded as a matter of factly. "Yes Elder. Since Father challenged me to kill 20 Rank 3 Beasts and 30 Rank 2 Beasts, I have no choice but to accept it. I would get 5 Grade 0 Cultivation Pills in exchange anyway." Since the person in front of him was an Elder, he didn't keep the formalities and spoke in a straightforward manner.

"5 cultivation pills huh? Your father must care a lot for you." Elder Yan smiled as he sent out a wisp of qi to the room behind the counter. Not long after, a roll of sturdy paper fell on Shi Li's hands as he continued to look at Elder Yan.

"I suggest you to be extremely careful when you're in the forest. Although I've heard that you're only treading on the outskirts according to your father, some beasts at the 4th Rank or higher still lurk there."

A Rank 4 Beast! Shi Li somewhat trembled in fear. A Rank 4 Beast meant that it was at the first Martial Adept stage, a stage where cultivators can use their inner force!

Shi Li did not dare to get complacent with his current strength. He want to get stronger and become strong enough to wipe the Huang clan with just a flick of his finger!

He nodded respectfully and said some words of gratitude before leaving the Logistics Hall and heading towards his master's smithy, leaving Elder Yan alone.

Elder Yan looked at the fleeting silhouette and smiled.

"I don't know why, but he has grown up to become just like you."