Wu Kai continued hunting without stopping for the next seven days.
The forest became his world. He woke up before dawn, hunted all day, and only stopped when exhaustion threatened to steal his concentration. He slept high in the trees or in small caves, always alert. Ten days had passed since he left the White Cliff Sect, and each day transformed him a little more.
He had killed dozens of beasts. He absorbed so much blood that his body felt like a living furnace. His movements were more fluid, precise, almost instinctive. The hesitation of the first days had completely disappeared. Now, he was a predator.
At the end of the afternoon of the tenth day, Wu Kai stopped in a clearing surrounded by tall rocks. His body was covered in sweat and dried blood, most of it not his. He took a deep breath, feeling the accumulated energy pulsing through his veins.
"Status."
The silver screen appeared before his eyes.
[Status]
Host: Wu Kai
Age: 17
Titles: Demon Child
Physiques: Blood Spiritual Physique
Bloodline: None
Cultivation: 4° stage of the Body Refinement Realm
[Techniques]
[Title Roulette]
Wu Kai smiled upon seeing the information. Not only had he broken through to the fourth stage, but he was also extremely close to the fifth. The next barrier trembled, thin as paper. It only needed a little more dense blood to break through.
"Initial rank 1 beasts are now like ants." He murmured, closing the screen.
"Mid rank 1 ones still give some trouble, but I can defeat them with relative ease."
He flexed his fingers, feeling raw strength run through his arms. The Blood Spiritual Physique had turned his body into something monstrous for his current cultivation level. Even at the fourth stage, his real strength approached the sixth when fully activated.
It was at that moment that he felt it.
A crushing weight in the air. A strong smell of damp earth and iron. Heavy footsteps that made the ground tremble slightly.
Wu Kai slowly turned.
From the edge of the clearing, emerging from behind a massive rock, appeared the largest beast he had ever seen.
An Ironhide Bear.
Its body was colossal, easily three meters tall when standing on its hind legs. Its black fur shone like polished metal, with hardened plates of reinforced hide covering its shoulders, chest, and back. Its red eyes gleamed with savage intelligence. Peak rank 1. Strength equivalent to the seventh stage of Body Refinement, perhaps even the eighth.
Wu Kai felt a chill run down his spine.
"Shit…"
It was the first time since entering the forest that he felt true fear. The difference in power was too great. Even with his spiritual physique, he was still at the fourth stage. The bear was a peak monster.
The bear sniffed the air and locked its gaze onto him. A low, deep growl vibrated in the beast's chest, making the leaves tremble.
Wu Kai hesitated for half a second, only half a second.
It was enough.
The bear's massive paw cut through the air with terrifying speed. Wu Kai tried to jump back, but the claw struck his left arm. The iron hide tore flesh and muscle as if they were paper. Blood gushed instantly.
"AARGH!"
The pain was excruciating. Wu Kai rolled across the ground, clutching his injured arm. The cut was deep, almost to the bone. Blood ran between his fingers.
There was no way to escape. The bear was too fast for its size and blocked the main path of the clearing. Any attempt to run would result in being chased down and killed.
"Then… there's only fighting left." Wu Kai growled, standing up with clenched teeth.
His eyes turned completely red. He activated the Blood Spiritual Physique to its maximum. The blood within his body entered a boiling state, circulating so fast it felt like it might burst his veins. A subtle red aura surrounded his body. The pain in his arm lessened slightly as the physique began to regenerate the wound.
"Come on, you bastard!"
The bear roared and attacked again. This time, Wu Kai did not hesitate.
He shot forward, using all the speed his fourth stage allowed. Ten dense and sharp blood needles flew toward the bear's eyes. The beast turned its head, but two needles pierced its cheek, drawing a furious roar.
Wu Kai jumped to the side, barely avoiding another devastating swipe. The impact of the paw on the ground opened a small crater.
He counterattacked. He formed a long blood blade around the dagger and slashed the bear's side. The blade struck the iron hide with a metallic sound, managing only a superficial cut.
"So tough…"
The bear spun its body with impressive agility and struck Wu Kai with its shoulder. He was sent flying like a rag doll, crashing against a tree. The impact knocked the air out of his lungs.
Wu Kai spat blood, but he was already back on his feet. His injured arm was recovering quickly thanks to the physique, but it still throbbed.
"I'm not going to die here!"
He released a red mist around his body, the blood armor, and charged once more. This time, he created several thick streams of blood that tried to wrap around the bear's legs, restricting its movements.
The bear roared and broke the streams with pure brute force, but the delay was enough for Wu Kai to get close. He leaped high, driving the dagger into the beast's shoulder with all his strength. Black blood gushed out.
For the first time, the bear felt real pain.
Enraged, the monster thrashed violently. Wu Kai was thrown away again, rolling across the ground. His whole body ached, but adrenaline and hatred kept him standing.
He breathed heavily, sweaty, covered in dirt and blood. But his eyes shone with fierce determination.
"You're strong… but I'm getting stronger every day too."
Wu Kai raised both hands. His blood responded to the call, condensing into dozens of spinning needles around him like a red storm.
The Ironhide Bear lowered its head, ready to charge again.
Wu Kai smiled coldly, even as he felt the crushing weight of the difference in strength.
"Let's see who walks out of this clearing alive."