The first rays of dawn painted the lake in hues of gold and soft orange as Alex stirred on his cot. He stretched, a profound sense of vitality humming beneath his skin. The Primordial Flame Emperor Physique had settled, leaving him feeling lighter, stronger, and incredibly refreshed. The memory of the Dragon Koi's potent essence still lingered, a pleasant warmth in his Dantian.
"Time for a proper breakfast," he murmured, grabbing the Void Fishing Rod. He walked out onto the deck, the crisp morning air invigorating. He focused his intent, not on cosmic vaults this time, but on the tranquil waters of Lake Eden itself. He pictured a small, plump trout, just enough for one.
He cast, the invisible line shooting out with a familiar hum. Seconds later, a gentle tug. He reeled, and a glistening, silver-scaled fish flopped onto the deck. It was a perfectly ordinary fish, smelling faintly of clean lake water. Alex gave a satisfied nod. This was the mundane peace he craved, even with a cosmic fishing rod.
His Divine Eye of Essence flared, and a torrent of luminous text and diagrams overlaid his vision, analyzing the creature:
[Azurefin Trout]
Description: A common, freshwater fish native to regions with moderate spiritual energy. While not a spirit beast, its consumption provides a minor, refreshing boost to Qi, particularly beneficial for those in the early stages of cultivation. Its distinctive silver scales with azure highlights make it easily identifiable.
He quickly cleaned the Azurefin Trout with the Blade of Fate Severing – a carving knife, indeed – and then, with a focused thought, conjured a small, precise Qi flame in his palm. The fish sizzled, cooking to a delicate perfection in moments, its flesh white and flaky. He ate slowly, savoring the simple, delicious meal, a stark contrast to the world-shattering events of the past day.
Breakfast done, Alex stood up. It was time to head out. He looked at the cozy shed, his little slice of paradise. "Alright, little guy," he whispered, patting its wooden wall. He focused on the Fisherman's Satchel, giving it a mental command. The shed shimmered, distorted for a moment, and then vanished, seamlessly absorbed into the seemingly ordinary leather pouch. The satchel felt no heavier.
"Impressive," Alex mused, adjusting the satchel on his hip. He took a deep breath, the scent of pine and damp earth filling his lungs. The lake stretched behind him, a shimmering expanse, but the dense forest beckoned.
He stepped off the deck and into the woods. Sunlight dappled through the canopy, painting shifting patterns on the forest floor. The air was alive with sounds – rustling leaves, distant bird calls, and the faint buzz of unseen insects. His Divine Eye of Essence flared, and the world around him resolved into layers of information.
The trees, while appearing normal, pulsed with faint Qi signatures. The moss on the rocks glowed with elemental energy. And the animals… they were something else entirely. He saw a flash of movement, and his Divine Eye identified it:
[Horned Forest Rabbit]: A common forest creature with a surprisingly tough hide and a tendency to charge when startled.
Further in, a streak of orange-red zipped past.
[Fire-tailed Fox]: A nimble predator capable of igniting its tail for short bursts of speed or to deter threats. Possesses minor fire affinity.
Alex walked deeper, his programmer's mind cataloging the new species, noting their abilities and potential interactions. This was like an open-world game, but with real-world consequences. He was so engrossed in observing a patch of glowing fungi that he almost didn't notice the sudden shift in the air.
A guttural snort ripped through the quiet forest. Alex looked up, his eyes widening. Charging directly at him, with surprising speed, was a beast unlike any he'd seen before. It was a massive boar, its hide like hardened obsidian, with tusks that glowed faintly with malevolent red energy.
[Demon Boar]
Essence Tier: Low-level Spirit Beast.
Description: A ferocious beast corrupted by demonic Qi. Known for its brute strength and aggressive nature.
Threat Level: Moderate.
"Oh, for f—," Alex began, his hand instinctively going to his palm, where his Qi flame usually manifested. He braced himself, ready to unleash a torrent of primordial fire, his body tensing, the Flame Emperor Physique roaring to life.
Before he could even fully channel the crimson flame, a blinding flash of golden sword light erupted from the trees to his left. It was swift, precise, and imbued with an astonishing power that cleaved the air itself. The Demon Boar, mid-charge, let out a pained squeal as the sword light sliced through its hardened hide, leaving a clean, smoking wound. It stumbled, then collapsed with a heavy thud, its glowing tusks dimming.
Alex blinked, his Qi flame dissipating. He looked from the dead boar to the source of the sword light. A figure, cloaked in flowing robes of emerald green, landed lightly before him, their movements graceful and swift. It was a young woman, no older than himself, with sharp, intelligent eyes and a calm, confident demeanor. She held a slender, elegant sword that still hummed with residual energy.
She turned to him, her voice clear and melodious, yet tinged with a hint of concern. "Are you alright, fellow cultivator? That Demon Boar was quite aggressive." She then gestured to a group of nervous-looking teenagers who were cautiously emerging from the treeline behind her. "Don't worry, I am from the Azure Cloud Sect. You are safe. I am currently in charge of admission trials."
Alex stared at her, then at the dead boar, then back at his still-tingling palm. "Cultivator?" he repeated, a slow, wry grin spreading across his face. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just… admiring the local wildlife."