Rejaku Beast

Jo Yuan sat on the edge of the cliff, his robe fluttering in the wind. The distant mountain range was bathed in the soft glow of the setting sun, but his mind was somewhere else. A year had passed since he started his dangerous path, and no one had suspected him, not even once. It was almost impossible to believe how he had reached the 9th stage of the qi refining realm so quickly.

He remembered the first time he devoured someone's vitality. The probation disciples were considered weak, overlooked, and left to train on their own. Jo Yuan had noticed this. He was smart enough to blend in, to make sure he never stood out. He always made it look like those he killed had died from natural causes or accidents during training. His technique was clean, leaving no trace behind.

One night, when the moon was high, he had encountered a disciple meditating alone in the forest. He acted fast. His hand touched the disciple's chest, and in moments, the energy rushed into his own body. It was the first time. After that, it became easier. He only targeted those who would not be missed. He had mastered the art of silence and speed. No sound. No witnesses. His cultivation grew stronger with each life he took, yet no one knew. He always kept his face calm, his actions routine, and his daily tasks completed like any other.

But now, to move forward, he needed something more. The foundation-building realm was a different world altogether. He had heard the Elders talk about it. "To step into the foundation-building realm, you need a technique," one Elder had said, "but that's not all. A foundation treasure is necessary, something that stabilizes your power. Without it, your foundation will be weak, and you will never reach the next level."

The Elder's words echoed in his mind. The difference between qi refining and foundation building was massive. In the qi refining realm, a cultivator could manipulate qi to strengthen their body, maybe extend their life by a few decades, but they were still limited. Foundation-building cultivators were different. They could fly, their strength was monstrous, and their lifespan could stretch for centuries. Fertility also changed; it was said they could choose when to have children, their bodies more controlled. Their destructive power? It was like comparing a candle to a wildfire. Just a flick of their finger could tear through mountains.

Jo Yuan frowned. The cost for such power was not cheap. He had heard from other disciples that to even get the foundation-building cultivation method, one needed hundreds of contribution points. The exact number? It varied, but it was always high. Only those who had proven their loyalty to the sect could hope to gather enough. And even then, that was just the method. Finding a foundation treasure? That was even harder. Most had to go on dangerous missions or explore ancient ruins to find one.

As Jo Yuan stood up, the wind picked up, carrying away the dust around his feet. He would find a way. He always did.

...

Jo Yuan, Shen, and Wu stood at the entrance of the forest, their hearts racing with excitement. They were outer disciples now, but that didn't mean their tasks were easy. For the past months, they had taken on missions to hunt qi-building beasts. Each beast they hunted brought them closer to their goals, their contribution points stacking up like trophies on a shelf.

"Today, we focus," Jo Yuan said, gripping his sword tightly. "We need to work as a team."

Shen nodded, adjusting the straps on his gear. "I spotted some tracks earlier. They looked fresh."

Wu brushed her hair back and looked at the map they had prepared. "We should head east. That's where the tracks lead."

Together, they moved deeper into the forest. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth and the sounds of nature. Every mission had taught them to listen, to watch for signs. Jo Yuan always felt a thrill during these hunts, knowing that every step could lead them to a powerful beast.

Their last mission was the biggest yet: a Rejaku Beast. It was said to be fierce, with shimmering scales that changed colors like a kaleidoscope. Its eyes glowed, reflecting the light, and it had sharp claws capable of slicing through rock. They needed to defeat it to earn enough points for their next goal.

Hours passed as they tracked the beast. Then, they finally found it. The Rejaku Beast stood before them, towering and majestic, its scales shifting from green to blue. Jo Yuan could feel the energy radiating from it. It was beautiful and terrifying at the same time.

"Ready?" Jo Yuan asked, his heart pounding. They nodded, and he could see the determination in their eyes.

They attacked in unison. Wu flanked the beast, darting around with her agility, distracting it with quick strikes. Shen charged in, using his strength to hold its attention. Jo Yuan focused his energy, infusing his sword with the lightning technique he had mastered. It burst with energy, ready to strike.

"Now!" Jo Yuan shouted as he leaped forward. His sword connected with the beast, sending a surge of lightning through its body. The Rejaku Beast roared in pain, its scales shimmering brightly as it tried to shake off the attack.

But then, things took a turn. The beast unleashed its unique ability—a blinding flash of light erupted from its eyes, sending a wave of energy that nearly knocked Shen off his feet. Jo Yuan saw Shen stagger, fear written all over his face.

"Shen!" he yelled, his instincts kicking in. Jo Yuan reacted without thinking. He dashed forward, shielding Shen with his body just in time. The energy surged past them, but Jo Yuan's tough body absorbed most of the impact.

The Rejaku Beast was not done, though. It lunged at them again, but Jo Yuan quickly adjusted his stance, channeling more lightning into his sword. He struck again, this time aiming for a weak spot he had noticed earlier—the space between its scales.

With their teamwork, they pushed the beast back. Wu and Shen regained their footing, joining Jo Yuan in a final assault. Together, they overwhelmed the Rejaku Beast, striking in perfect sync. The beast let out a final roar before collapsing to the ground.

As they caught their breath, Jo Yuan smiled at his friends. "We did it."

Shen grinned, still recovering from the scare. "Thanks for saving me, Jo."

Wu nodded, looking at the fallen beast with pride. "We all did it together. Now, let's claim our points."