Xue Mo closed his eyes, steadying his breath. The scripture's words surfaced in his mind, and for the first time in two lifetimes, he began cultivating the Blood Deity Art.
He was only in the Qi Cultivation realm now and had yet to form his Core or his domain. He was at a good point to cultivate with the Blood Deity Art.
After absorbing the Blood Deity Art's scriptures, Xue Mo closed his eyes and attempted to circulate the technique.
Yet, after several minutes, nothing happened. His expression darkened slightly.
"Why isn't it working?"
He tried again, forcing the energy within his body to respond, but the Blood Deity Art remained unresponsive.
Only then did it hit him; fresh blood was needed to activate the Blood Deity Art.
Xue Mo was momentarily speechless. In his past life, he had obtained this scripture but never cultivated it. How could he have missed such a crucial detail? Now, he needed blood to even begin cultivating.
This revelation made him frown. Where would he get enough blood to start?
Xue Mo exhaled slowly, his expression calm despite the obstacle before him. The Blood Deity Art required fresh blood to activate, yet he had none at the moment. He needed to find a source without drawing unnecessary attention to himself.
He retrieved a basic iron sword from the cave, a weapon the original owner possessed. It was chipped and dull, but it was better than nothing.
Sheathing it, Xue Mo made his way to the door and headed toward the outer hunting grounds from his memories.
Leaving the sect's perimeter, he continued forward until he came across a forest. The air shifted as he stepped into the jungle, thick with the scent of damp earth and blooming flora, a vibrant palette of greens and browns surrounding him. Towering trees, their gnarled trunks wrapped in shimmering vines, loomed overhead, creating a cathedral-like canopy filtering sunlight into a soft, dappled glow that danced across the leaf-strewn ground.
The journey was longer than one might think; each step felt weighted by the humidity, the heat clinging to his skin like a second layer. Whispering winds passed through the branches, stirring leaves into a gentle rustle—an ambient symphony that both calmed and heightened his senses. Navigating through the quiet, thick underbrush, Xue Mo's body relaxed yet remained tense, always ready to strike or dodge at any moment.
"Grrrrrr..."
After several minutes of traversing deeper into the forest's heart, he paused, detecting a low growl that sent a shiver down his spine, barely perceptible beneath the myriad sounds of the jungle. Instinctively, he crouched low, peering through the dense foliage ahead.
There it was—a sleek, dark green leopard prowling through the undergrowth. Its form seemed to blend seamlessly with the shadows, alert and aware. The creature's piercing golden eyes scanned its surroundings, muscles coiled, ready to strike at the slightest provocation.
Xue Mo exhaled slowly, carefully matching the leopard's rhythm. The predator became an obstacle, nothing more. He would end it swiftly and cleanly.
Drawing back, he rooted himself to the forest floor, searching for convenient tools—branches, stones, anything that could serve as a makeshift distraction. Spotting a hefty fallen branch, he gripped it tightly, feeling its rough bark beneath his fingers as he tested its weight.
Observing the leopard's movements, Xue Mo noted its cautious steps, pausing now and then to sniff the air for unfamiliar scents. Summoning his resolve, he hurled the branch away from himself, the sound echoing through the otherwise still jungle.
The leopard jerked its head towards the noise, instinctively sprinting off to investigate. Perfect!
Quietly, Xue Mo slipped in after it, keeping low and out of sight. The rush of adrenaline stirred within him, charging his senses and igniting the thrill of the hunt.
He followed as the leopard prowled, drawn to the sound. Once he was only a few paces behind it, he positioned himself, going at full speed like an arrow from a bow, sword ready to strike before it could sense his presence.
Clang!
Suddenly, the creature jumped and spun around, blocking Xue Mo's sword with its claws, creating a sound like metal clashing against metal. Without wasting a second, the green spotted leopard struck out with claws aimed at his head.
Whoosh!
Xue Mo's heart was calm as he sidestepped, narrowly evading the brunt of the attack. He quickly distanced himself, the jungle became a whirlwind of colors around him as he moved. The air was thick with the smell of wet leaves and rich soil, intensifying his focus. The leopard grunted in surprise, but it quickly regained its composure, eyes narrowing with fierce rage as it faced Xue Mo, growling deeply.
Xue Mo observed the beast for a few seconds, his mind racing even as his body moved with practiced instinct. Channeling the energy within him, he went to attack again, aiming low to unbalance the beast.
His sword sliced through the air, connecting with the leopard's front legs. The beast hissed in discomfort but remained upright, pivoting sharply, claws bared, ready to strike once more.
Unwilling to leave room for error, Xue Mo continued circling, evading the lethal swipe of claws with agility, each move almost instinctual. He could feel the humid warmth of the air around him, wrapping around him like a heavy cloak, amplifying the atmosphere of danger as tension filled the jungle canopy.
Finally, as the leopard lunged once again, he feigned retreat, only to leap forward at the last possible moment. With a fierce cry, he delivered a decisive strike, his sword slicing upward at the leopard's body.
"GAAARGH!"
The leopard roared in pain, the sound reverberating through the jungle like a thunderclap. Crimson liquid spattered against the forest floor, starkly contrasting the earthy browns and vibrant greens surrounding them.
Yet, instead of retreating, the animal charged, enraged by the attack. Xue Mo could sense the exhaustion creeping back in; he couldn't maintain this fight for long. The jungle around them grew quieter, the ambient noise of the forest receding as if the very environment watched, holding its breath in anticipation.
Understanding that he needed to act swiftly, he recalled the scriptures of the Blood Deity Art. The technique stirred within him, awakening a hunger primordial in nature.
With a sudden burst of speed, he sidestepped the leopard's next attack and struck down, the blade catching the creature's back leg. It howled in agony, collapsing to the ground as it desperately attempted to rise but failed, the forest floor now slick beneath it.
"Huff... Huff..."
Xue Mo stood over the beast, panting yet calm. The moment of truth had arrived. He pressed the blade down without hesitation, no wasted movement, no excess thought.
As the leopard's life drained, he welcomed the energy, treating it as food offered to him. The jungle held its breath, the swaying branches and rustling leaves echoing the intensity of the moment.
CRACK!
A faint snapping sound echoed from within Xue Mo's dantian, like dry ice fracturing in a heated room.
WHOOSH!
Qi surged through his meridians in a powerful stream, rushing with a sound like wind tearing through a canyon.
The last remnants of the creature's strength ebbed away, and he stood amidst the pooling blood, a stark contrast against the vibrant greens of the forest, the air thick with the scent of iron. The jungle was now alive with the energy of life and death, whispering secrets through the swaying branches as he took a deep breath, grounding himself.
He had successfully broken through and reached the fifth level of the Qi cultivation realm. Fresh vigor coursed through his veins, vibrant and pulsating, like the very pulse of the jungle surrounding him.
As he regained his composure, a smirk crossed his lips. He had secured fresh blood and had a breakthrough in his realm. Strength flowed back into his limbs, and he felt the impurities begin to dissipate—the energy of the Blood Deity Art embracing him in the heart of the wild.
The atmosphere crackled with potential, and Xue Mo stood ready to embrace whatever lay ahead.