The first light of dawn had barely begun to creep through the leaves of the giant trees when Wei Shen exited his cave.
That dark refuge was no longer just a hiding place; it had become his laboratory and primitive base of operations. The power of the third level of "Blood Qi Condensation" throbbed in his Dantian with cold confidence, and his two ivory daggers, along with the short, steel-claw-tipped spear he had recently crafted, gave him a sense of readiness he hadn't possessed before.
"The current leather waterskin… is too small," Wei Shen thought, examining the ragged water container he used to collect the blood of his offerings. "The blood of a second-level spiritual beast will be more voluminous and valuable. I need a larger, more durable container."
This was his first objective for the day. Not a powerful spiritual beast for the "Blood-Devouring Stone" immediately, but a first-level prey, a simple spiritual animal, yet its hide needed to be thick and strong enough to craft a new, more efficient bloodskin.
He didn't stray far from the cave area that had now become familiar to him. He knew that first-level spiritual beasts, despite their relative weakness, still required caution. After a short search lasting less than an hour, using his senses sharpened by the third level, he found what he was looking for.
It was a lizard, a first-level spiritual beast of Qi Condensation, basking in the first warmth of the sun on a large, flat rock. Its dark gray skin was covered in thick, overlapping scales, appearing like natural armor. It was the size of a medium dog, its small, cold eyes slowly scanning its surroundings.
"The hide is perfect," Wei Shen decided. "And the combat strength… acceptable for a morning test."
He began to approach silently, using every rock outcrop and every bush as cover. He no longer moved like a frightened boy, but like a shadow, his steps light and calculated. When he was at a suitable distance, he launched himself.
The lizard had sensed him at the last moment. It turned quickly, letting out an angry hiss, its thick tail beginning to thrash violently against the ground.
But Wei Shen was faster. Thanks to the power of the third level, his dash was lightning-fast. He dodged a swipe from the lizard's tail that could have broken his legs and, in the same motion, thrust his short, steel-claw-tipped spear towards the lizard's neck, where he had noticed the scales seemed slightly thinner.
The sharp claw pierced the thick skin and sank deep. The lizard shrieked a sharp cry of pain and began to writhe violently, trying to dislodge the weapon embedded in its neck.
Wei Shen gave it no chance. He drew his right ivory dagger and, with a swift, harsh blow, severed the lizard's head from its body.
It was a short, decisive battle. It hadn't taken more than a few seconds. This was the difference the third level made, even with a primitive weapon.
Wei Shen stood over the lizard's carcass, breathing calmly. "Better efficiency," he thought, examining his bloodied weapon.
He wasted no time. He collected the lizard's blood in his old leather waterskin – this would be its last use. Then, with the skill of a cold surgeon, he began to carefully skin the lizard, trying to get the largest possible piece without tearing it. Its hide was indeed tough and durable, just as he had expected. He also extracted the small "beast core" from its head and placed it in his pouch.
After he finished, he found a secluded spot among the rocks and began the process of making his new waterskin. It was a long, arduous task, requiring patience and precision.
He used his ivory dagger to clean the inside of the hide, then began to shape and crudely sew it using strong plant fibers he had collected earlier, and a thin piece of bone from the lizard itself as a needle.
He spent several hours on this work. He was no artist, nor an expert in tanning. But his analytical mind guided his hands, seeking the best way to make the waterskin as durable and leak-proof as possible. "It must be able to hold the blood of stronger beasts," he was thinking. "Efficiency in preservation reduces the need for repeated hunts for the same secondary purpose."
When he finally finished, he had a new leather waterskin, larger and far more durable than his old one. It wasn't beautiful; it was rough and primitive, and carried the faint scent of the lizard. But it was practical and effective. And that was all that mattered to Wei Shen.
"Now… it's time for the real hunt," he said to himself, his eyes gleaming with a cold glint.
He left the cave and its immediate surroundings behind and began to venture much deeper into the "Forest of Lost Souls" than he had before. His target now was second-level spiritual beasts.
He knew the risks would be immeasurably greater, but the reward – stronger blood and cores for the "Blood-Devouring Stone" – was worth it.
The deeper he ventured, the wilder and denser the forest became. The trees were larger, the shadows deeper, and the air itself was saturated with a more potent natural "Qi," but it also carried a sense of latent danger. He began to see tracks of beasts he had never seen before and hear roars and rumbles echoing from afar, making the ground beneath his feet tremble slightly.
After a full day of cautious walking and silent tracking, he reached an area that seemed to be a favored hunting ground for stronger beasts. There were scattered bone remains and trees bearing deep claw marks.
And here, he saw his first second-level prey.
It was a pair of wolves, two agile and strong spiritual beasts, their fur the color of volcanic ash, their yellow eyes glowing with savage cunning. They were moving together, scouting the area, and radiating an energy aura of the second level of Qi Condensation.
Wei Shen quickly hid behind a large rock, his heart beating with a steady rhythm. "Two… This is harder than I expected," he thought. "But they are Level Two. Their blood will be enough to push me towards the peak of the fourth level, and perhaps… beyond."
He began to formulate his plan. Facing two wolves of this caliber directly would be foolish. He had to use cunning, the environment, and the element of surprise.
He spent the next hour observing them, studying their movements, their method of communication, and searching for any opportunity, any loophole.
Then, he found it. One of the wolves strayed a little from the other, following some scent trail.
"Now!"
Wei Shen launched himself like an arrow, targeting the lone wolf. There was no time for hesitation.