Wuying's Potential
It took Xuefeng only about half an hour to replenish his Spirit Qi, thanks to the steady glow of the Spirit Stones clutched in his palms. With each exhalation, his breathing grew steadier, stronger, until his reserves brimmed once again. Opening his eyes, he caught the mouthwatering aroma drifting through the clearing—freshly grilled meat.
He rose and joined Wuying and Xiao Wen around a simple makeshift hearth. A small fire crackled beneath the cooking stone, sending up swirls of fragrant smoke. The steaks, crisp and golden at the edges, sizzled as their savory juices dripped onto the hot surface.
"Mmm, smells incredible," Xuefeng said, grabbing one of the slabs. His stomach let out a loud protest—he'd only had a single bun for breakfast, and that was long behind him. He was pleasantly surprised to see plates and utensils laid out. "You two did a great job."
He tore into the steak with obvious relish, chewing his first few bites in blissful silence. It wasn't until then that he noticed how subdued the women were. Xiao Wen, usually so vocal, hadn't uttered a word. Wuying was likewise quiet, though she flicked him a reassuring smile.
"What's with the silent treatment?" he asked, curious.
Wuying shook her head, a gentle smile playing at her lips. "Nothing's wrong. We're just enjoying our meal."
Relieved, Xuefeng nodded and devoured another mouthful. The succulent flavors chased away any lingering tension from the fight with the Metal Bear. "So… what's our plan for the rest of the day?"
Wuying set her half-finished steak aside, a thoughtful glint in her eyes. "Nightmare Beasts usually hunt under the cover of darkness, and it's still early. I suggest we warm up first—hunt a few more Spirit Beasts and, hopefully, snag some Spirit Artifacts along the way."
A soft wave of excitement stirred in Xuefeng's chest. The Metal Bear fight had been brutal, but the adrenaline had kindled a newfound craving in him. Battle was the most direct path to growth, and he could practically sense his next breakthrough shimmering just beyond the horizon. "Sounds good to me. I can send out some clones to bait the beasts."
Wuying nodded, finishing her last bite of steak. Despite her slim figure, she matched Xuefeng bite for bite when it came to hearty meals.
Do you want me to control the clones and spread them through the forest? Ling proposed, her voice calm and aloof. We can cover a larger area that way. I can also search for the Nightmare's lair at the same time.
That's perfect, Xuefeng replied silently. One more thing—do we have room in your space for carcasses? Might as well gather extra meat for later.
My space has limits, Ling said, her voice echoing like soft chimes. But we can hold a few. That should suffice.
"Right." Xuefeng stood and splashed lake water over his hands to wash away lingering crumbs. His shirt, shredded during the earlier battle, lay in tatters. He pulled a fresh one from his ring but paused before putting it on. "No point in tearing another set of clothes," he muttered, stowing it away. Better to fight bare-chested.
Focusing, he exhaled slowly. Tendrils of golden light spun from the crystal at his collarbone, forming a copy of himself—then a second, a third—until thirty clones, each tinted with Ling's Golden Fate Qi, surrounded them. Under her command, they sprinted into the dense treeline, scattering in every direction.
From the sidelines, Xiao Wen observed Wuying. That fierce determination in her eyes hadn't wavered. Whatever harsh truths Xiao Wen had delivered earlier, Wuying had simply swallowed them and carried on with her convictions. I underestimated her, Xiao Wen thought with a private sigh. I like her spirit, but that spirit could break if she can't keep pace with Xuefeng.
Minutes passed in watchful silence. Suddenly, Ling's cool voice returned in Xuefeng's mind. I've found a pack of five Rank 3 Lightning Wolves for you and another beast for Wuying. I'm luring them your way.
Xuefeng relayed the message. Wuying didn't ask questions; she simply took up her twin daggers, their polished surfaces gleaming with a faint crimson hue. Her posture said she was more than ready to vent the simmering tension from earlier.
Xuefeng glanced down at his bare torso. His last Spirit Armor had been torn to shreds by the Metal Bear's claws. I need to get a better one next time… something that won't rip in every fight.
In the distance, a chorus of howls rose. One of his clones burst from the trees, singed at the edges as arcs of lightning crackled along its shoulders. Hot on its heels, five silver-furred wolves gave chase, tiny bolts of electricity launching from their jaws.
Their main attack contains Lightning Qi, Ling warned as the clone swerved toward Xuefeng. Absorb as much as you can before killing them.
The clone merged back into him with a soft ripple, transferring a jolt of Lightning Qi—a gift Xuefeng accepted with pleasure.
Deprived of their original target, the wolves skidded to a halt, growling low. The alpha—half a head taller than the rest—bared metallic fangs as lightning crackled around its paws. In a flash, they fanned out to encircle Xuefeng, cutting off any escape routes. The alpha's electric gaze seemed to assess him before it howled. At the signal, the wolves unleashed a barrage of lightning bolts.
But Xuefeng was ready. He wrapped himself in a thin, glowing membrane of Lightning Qi, like a shield of shimmering glass. Tiny channels branched off the barrier, funneling each stray bolt into his dantian. Every spark seared into him, swelling his reserves with crackling energy.
Unaware of their mistake, the wolves intensified their assault. Xuefeng gritted his teeth, the corners of his mouth twitching in satisfaction. That's what I call dessert.
About a hundred meters away, Wuying faced her own target—a hulking Rank 4 Fire-Born Lizard. She moved with lethal grace, her daggers glinting red in the fading sunlight. The lizard towered nearly three meters tall, its scaled skin rippling with inner fire. A charred swath of earth behind it marked where a blast of flaming breath had narrowly missed her moments earlier.
Yet the fight was alarmingly one-sided. Each time the lizard tried to trap her in a wave of fire, Wuying vanished in a flicker of speed—reappearing behind it to carve fresh wounds into its hide. Blood dripped from a dozen cuts, and with every drop spilled, her daggers glowed brighter—feeding on her enemy's lifeblood.
Desperate, the lizard began summoning its ultimate ability—an all-consuming inferno meant to turn the very air into a lethal furnace. But before it could finish, Wuying darted beneath its jaw, plunging both daggers into the base of its skull. With a sickening crunch, the beast collapsed, exhaling a final, rattling breath as its body bled out in a bloom of black-red.
With a sharp yank, Wuying tore her blades free and flipped backward, landing lightly on her toes. Her gaze swept the area, alert for further threats.
Watching from afar, Xiao Wen raised her brows. She'd expected skill—but not this level of brutal efficiency. She's more formidable than most "geniuses" in the Central Region, Xiao Wen mused. Perhaps Wuying isn't just a stubborn lover clinging to Xuefeng. Maybe she's a cultivator worth nurturing.