Beauty and Might: Heavenly Flames

Within the safety of his spiritual consciousness, a sword materialized in his hand—weightless, yet unmistakably real. Its balance felt perfect, as though it belonged to him. He gripped it tightly and began to move.

He took his first swing.

The blade cut through the air with a faint hum. His arms adjusted naturally, as though his body remembered what his mind had just learned.

Swing after swing, slash after slash, thrust after thrust—his movements became smoother, sharper.

Defensive parries flowed into counterattacks, footwork aligned with balance, and soon his body moved like a student guided by years of practice rather than mere moments.

Time blurred within this inner world. Li Yan trained until the basics of the sword settled deep into his instincts.

Finally, Li Yan lowered the blade. His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm. ”Good enough for now,” he thought, nodding in quiet satisfaction.

With that, the sword dissolved into light. His figure faded from the inner world.

Li Yan opened his eyes in reality. The forest air felt sharper somehow, the world clearer.

”Let’s test my Spiritual Sense.”

He calmed his breathing, focusing inward.

Knowledge stirred within him—guidance on how to activate and extend Spiritual Sense. Immediately, he felt the invisible wave radiating from his body—faint but steady, pulsing outward.

His awareness spread slowly until it encompassed a thirty-meter radius.

It wasn’t sight or sound—something deeper, an instinctive awareness of everything nearby.

Within this range, he could feel everything—the trembling of leaves as a breeze passed through, the scurry of tiny creatures under the brush, the stillness of the air around him.

A faint smile tugged at his lips. ”It worked.”

”But only thirty meters…” Li Yan mused.

His thoughts flickered to Yao Fuhuo. ”How vast must her Spiritual Sense range be? A Heavenly Flame with a million years of life… it’s probably beyond comprehension.”

Thirty meters wasn’t much, but for a cultivator at his level, it was a miracle. Normally, the spiritual consciousness doesn’t awaken until one reaches the peak cultivation realm of this world.

He drew a deep breath, calming his thoughts. ”Still, thirty meters is enough for now.”

Enough to begin.

Enough to survive.

He stood up, straightened his back, summoned his sword from the storage ring, and began walking down the path that led into the Tier-1 Hunting Ground.

With each step, the world seemed to shift.

Before long, a glass-like barrier shimmered into view, stretching endlessly across the entrance.

Li Yan retrieved his disciple badge, pressed it against the surface, and infused it with a thread of Qi. At once, the barrier rippled, forming a narrow opening like a door welcoming him inside.

He didn’t hesitate. Stepping through, he felt the barrier close behind him, sealing him within the Tier-1 Hunting Ground.

The Tier-1 Hunting Ground stretched endlessly before him, its terrain rugged yet suited for lower-level disciples.

The ground was uneven, with patches of dirt and moss-coated rocks. Towering trees rose high into the sky, their thick canopies weaving a web of shadows across the forest floor.

In the distance, a faint roar rumbled through the valley—a chilling reminder that the place was alive with beasts.

Li Yan exhaled slowly, extending his Spiritual Sense.

The invisible wave fanned outward, brushing against the rustling leaves and stirring faint outlines of creatures moving through the underbrush.

No threats lurked nearby, but he remained vigilant. The Hunting Grounds were unpredictable, and magical beasts here were more than simple animals—they carried instincts honed by survival and bloodshed.

Every step was measured, his gaze sharp, his breathing calm. He reminded himself: he hadn’t entered just to wander—this was a trial, a chance to strengthen himself.

He was here to grow—to push his limits, to temper his mind, and to sharpen his blade.

The Qi in the Hunting Ground was thicker, richer. Each breath seemed to thread warmth into his meridians, nourishing his body with unseen strength.

The valley itself was like a crucible: merciless to the reckless, but rewarding to those who persevered.

His hand rested lightly on the hilt of his sword as he moved forward. Distant roars echoed, branches rustled overhead, and the ground whispered with unseen movement.

Navigating carefully through the dense undergrowth, Li Yan kept his gaze sharp. His Spiritual Sense picked up movements—magical beasts prowling the shadows, small creatures darting between trees, and disciples in white robes locked in desperate combat with magical beasts.

For two hours, he observed silently, avoiding conflict. His priority was knowledge. Each beast had its habits, its weaknesses. He absorbed them all like a silent hunter preparing for the first strike.

To rush in without understanding was folly. His past life had taught him patience and strategy, and he refused to be reckless now.

And from observation, Li Yan learned that he was not ready yet.

”I need to find a safe place to practice my Movement Technique before the hunt begins,” he murmured inwardly.

After careful searching for several minutes, he found it—a massive hollow tree with a cave-like opening at its base. A natural shelter, discreet and defensible. The perfect spot to practice his technique and plan his next steps.

He checked the interior with his Spiritual Sense before stepping inside. Once certain it was safe, he sat cross-legged on the cool cave floor, the faint sounds of the valley’s wildlife echoing just beyond the entrance.

Li Yan waved his hand and retrieved a scroll from his storage ring—a movement-type technique he had acquired from the Shadows Haven Sect.

Its name was etched across the front in bold strokes: Phantom Dash. The Phantom Dash was considered one of the finest Mortal-Tier Low-Level movement arts, designed for cultivators with an affinity for the darkness element.

Li Yan unrolled the scroll, eyes narrowing as he absorbed the detailed diagrams and notes.

”Phantom Dash…” Li Yan muttered, eyes narrowing as his finger ran along the lines.

The description was captivating:

Phantom Dash: This Movement Technique allows the user to move at incredible speed, leaving behind an afterimage composed of dark energy. Ideal for dodging attacks, closing gaps, or making swift escapes. The afterimage can confuse or momentarily distract enemies, granting a decisive tactical advantage.

Once the detailed diagrams and contents were etched into his mind, he returned the scroll to his ring.

Standing, Li Yan retrieved the Sect’s white robes and swiftly changed into them. The crisp fabric settled against his frame, the embroidered insignia of the Shadows Haven Sect (Yǐng Xū Zōng) gleaming proudly on his chest.

Dressed as a disciple, Li Yan stepped out of the cave, eager to put the technique to the test.

Focusing darkness Qi into his legs, he dashed forward. A flickering shadow trailed behind him—an afterimage that lingered for a heartbeat before dissolving into nothingness.

”Not bad… but far from perfect,” he thought, narrowing his eyes.

Again and again, he practiced, his body blurring across the forest floor.

His dashes grew faster, sharper, leaving his shadow trailing like a phantom in his wake. Within moments, he could surge fifteen meters in a single burst, the afterimage lingering just long enough to deceive an untrained eye.

Still, he knew its flaws—it locked him into a straight line, limiting his options.

Yet, compared to the other movement arts he had studied in the Techniques Hall, Phantom Dash was unmatched. Most others relied on existing shadows within ten meters, or faltered in daylight—limitations Phantom Dash easily surpassed.

What excited him most was its potential. As his cultivation and control over the darkness element grew, the art would evolve—multiple afterimages, mid-dash directional shifts, even deceptive clones.

That future adaptability was the reason he had chosen this technique over all others.

Li Yan came to a stop, steadying his breath, hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword. His purple eyes glinted with resolve. ”It’s time.”

With Phantom Dash in his arsenal and his sword basics sharpened, he was finally ready to face his first true challenge in this world.

Sprinting into the dense forest, the foliage parted around him as his eyes swept the surroundings, searching for a worthy target.

The earth trembled as Li Yan’s gaze locked onto a massive Earth-Rending Bear lumbering through the foliage in the opposite direction.

Each step of its hulking frame made the ground quake, while its rock-like fur gleamed faintly beneath the scattered sunlight—an unmistakable sign of its terrifying natural defenses.

”There you are,” Li Yan muttered, determination flashing in his purple eyes. Without hesitation, he dashed forward.

The beast instantly sensed him. Its fiery gaze burned as it reared onto its hind legs, towering nearly five meters tall. A thunderous roar erupted, shaking the forest. The sheer pressure of its Qi rolled out like a crashing wave.

Li Yan gripped his sword, channeling darkness Qi into the blade. With a swift slash, he aimed for the bear’s torso.

Clang!

The Earth-Rending Bear blocked with its massive forearm, sparks flying as the blade barely scratched its stone-like hide. Yet a jarring vibration shot up Li Yan’s arm as steel met stone.

”What terrifying defense…” Li Yan muttered, narrowing his eyes.

The beast roared and lashed out. Its paw—large enough to crush boulders—swung with shocking speed.

Li Yan’s body flickered as he activated Phantom Dash, barely escaping before the strike obliterated the ground where he had stood. Shards of rock and soil exploded outward.

He countered with a precise slash at its exposed side. The blade cut deep, drawing blood. Yet the bear only grew more frenzied. Its eyes burned with rage as it lunged forward, paws tearing through the air.

”Tch. Too fast for its size!” Li Yan hissed, twisting aside to dodge another crushing swipe.

Suddenly, Qi surged from the beast, and the ground itself trembled. It slammed both paws onto the earth—activating its innate technique. Jagged spikes of stone erupted upward, forcing Li Yan to leap back.

But the bear was relentless. With surprising agility, it charged straight at him mid-air, aiming to crush him in one decisive blow.

Li Yan twisted his body, swinging his sword downward. Using the momentum to propel himself away, he slashed across the bear’s shoulder. Darkness Qi seeped into the wound, making the beast stunned for the first time.

Li Yan landed lightly, but his eyes narrowed as the bear slammed its paw onto the injury. The blood stopped. Fragments of stone gathered like living scales, knitting over flesh.

”It can heal itself?” Li Yan’s expression darkened. ”This isn’t a simple fight.”

The bear’s roar shook the forest as it gathered even more Qi. Its killing intent pressed down like a storm.

Steadying his breath, he focused. ”I have to end this quickly.”

Darkness Qi surged into his blade, making the weapon hum with lethal intent. As the bear lunged again, Li Yan dashed right, then instantly dashed left with Phantom Dash.

In that fleeting instant, his sword thrust forward—striking at the one weak point its defenses couldn’t cover.

Puchi!

The blade pierced the beast’s throat. The Earth-Rending Bear let out a strangled growl, body shuddering before collapsing with a ground-shaking crash. Dust and leaves rose around its massive frame as silence fell.

Li Yan exhaled, steadying his breath, his hand still firm on his sword.

”That was tougher than I expected…” he muttered, glancing at the corpse.

”Yan Tian’s memories said my cultivation was enough for Tier-1 beasts… my lack of experience nearly cost me.”

It was a sobering truth, but also a valuable lesson: this world would not yield so easily.

As he steadied himself, a faint glow rose from the bear’s body. A small, brown orb materialized above the corpse.

”A beast core…” Li Yan’s eyes widened with surprise. ”And from my first hunt? Fortunate indeed.”

With a satisfied nod, he stored both the core and the beast’s body into his storage ring. His first hunt in this new world was complete, and the reward far exceeded his expectations.

”This is just the beginning,” Li Yan said with a faint smile, his gaze turning toward the deeper, darker parts of the Hunting Ground. His journey had only just begun, yet already he could feel power stirring within him.