Chapter 1837: Visiting the Hunting Grounds |
After consuming the Golden Spirit Pill, Yuan wasted no time and left home, making his way to his new training area—the Hunting Grounds, where disciples go to hunt magical beasts.
The Hunting Grounds was located about half an hour away from the residential area. While the surroundings were dense with trees and had the appearance of untamed wilderness, Yuan was still very much within the sect's boundaries.
As he reached the entrance of the Hunting Grounds, Yuan was stopped by the sect elder guarding it.
"Hold it right there. You're only a second-level Spirit Apprentice. The weakest magical beast you can find in the Hunting Grounds is at the fifth level. You should come back once you increase your cultivation some more," the sect elder warned Yuan.
"I am aware of my lack of cultivation, but I still wish to enter the Hunting Grounds right now," Yuan said with a stern expression on his face. The sect elder narrowed his eyes and said, "What's the rush? You look like you became a disciple only very recently. You are almost guaranteed to die if you enter the Hunting Grounds in your current state."
"I may not look like it, but I actually have a lot of experience with magical beasts. I'll be fine as long as I am extra careful. If I die, then so be it. It just means I wasn't fated to live long."
"..."
After a brief silence, the sect elder stepped aside, his expression tense as he lowered his head without uttering another word. It was as though he was trying to erase Yuan's presence from his mind, pretending that Yuan no longer existed in his world.
"Thank you," Yuan said as he walked past the sect elder and into the Hunting Grounds.
Most disciples stepping into the Hunting Grounds for the first time would tremble in fear, their nerves betraying their unease. Even those who managed to suppress their trembling couldn't escape the sinking feeling in their stomachs. Yet, Yuan moved through the terrain with complete tranquility, his face showing no trace of fear or discomfort, as if he were merely enjoying a casual stroll in a park.
It didn't take long for Yuan to encounter his first magical beast—a four-legged creature that resembled a pig. However, its appearance was far from ordinary. Its skin was a deep crimson red, and patches of black scales covered its rotund body, giving it an almost armored look.
It didn't take long for Yuan to encounter his first magical beast—a four-legged creature that resembled a pig. However, its appearance was far from ordinary. Its skin was a deep crimson red, and patches of black scales covered its rotund body, giving it an almost armored look.
Yuan tightened his grip on his Spirit-grade sword, his eyes fixed on the magical beast. He remained still and focused, his body poised to react as he patiently waited for the creature to make the first move.
The magical beast, which had been eyeing Yuan with caution, suddenly sprang into action. It kicked off its powerful hind legs, propelling itself straight toward him with surprising speed.
Yuan, however, remained composed, not rushing to dodge. He waited until the very last moment, when the beast was almost upon him, before sidestepping with precise timing, effortlessly avoiding the creature's charge.
Yuan had strategically positioned himself in front of a tree, so when he dodged, the magical beast crashed directly into it. If it had been an ordinary animal, the collision would have undoubtedly left it incapacitated. However, this was no ordinary creature—it was a magical beast with cultivation at the fifth level of Spirit Apprentice.
The impact didn't just shake the tree; it completely knocked it down, sending splinters flying as the beast merely suffered a slight daze.
Yuan didn't give the beast any chance to recover. Almost simultaneously with his dodge, he swung his sword in a swift, precise arc. The sword struck the magical beast squarely on the neck, but its tough, scaled skin prevented Yuan from decapitating it. The blade bit into the creature, but not deeply enough to deal a fatal blow.
To Yuan, it felt as if he were back in the Bamboo Garden, trying to chop down the Spirit Bamboos as a mortal.
Realizing it had been struck, the magical beast let out an enraged roar that echoed through the forest. Its fiery eyes locked onto Yuan as it turned and charged at him once more.
This time, the beast moved with even greater speed. A trail of blood followed in its wake, staining the ground as it barreled toward Yuan with reckless ferocity.
Despite the magical beast being three levels above his cultivation, Yuan remained completely nonchalant. He didn't feel the slightest hint of threat from the creature.
In the end, its attack was exceedingly straightforward, lacking any complexity or strategy. Yuan easily sidestepped the charge with precise timing, making it appear almost effortless, before striking it in the same spot again, deepening its wound.
After repeating the same process a few more times, skillfully dodging and delivering precise strikes, the magical beast eventually succumbed to its injuries.
Its movements grew sluggish as blood continued to pour from its wounds, and finally, it collapsed onto the ground, unable to move any further, completely drained of strength and life.
After confirming the magical beast was dead, Yuan wasted no time and began butchering it with his sword. He skillfully collected its skin, bones, and even its meat, knowing that these parts could be sold for points. He had confirmed this earlier during his visit to the point store.
However, Yuan's primary goal in the Hunting Grounds wasn't farming points—it was hunting for monster cores for his cultivation. Collecting beast parts for points was merely a secondary task to make the most of his efforts while he pursued his true objective.
Once he was finished, Yuan continued wandering the Hunting Grounds for his next prey.
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