NOVEL NEXT Chapter 15: Chapter 15: The Hand-to-Hand Combat
Dappled morning light filtered through the tree canopy, casting a mottled pattern on Zhang Hao's face as he made his way along the forest path, his heart filled with a mix of longing for Qingchuan Sect and curiosity about the unknown. His steps were light yet resolute, but memories from his previous life occasionally surfaced, stirring in him a sense of both anticipation and wariness about the mysteries of this world.
Standing amidst the dense forest, Zhang Hao felt the faint flow of true energy within him. Having just embarked on the path of cultivation, he was only at the first layer of the Body Refinement stage, yet his physical condition had already far surpassed that of an ordinary person. His muscles were toned, his reflexes sharp, and with each breath, it seemed he could absorb more of the essence of heaven and earth.
In his modern world, Zhang Hao had been fascinated by movies and novels depicting fantastical creatures, feeling both dread and thrill at the thought of fire-breathing dragons and malevolent spirits lurking in the dark. However, as he truly stepped into this world and realized that the creatures from those stories might actually exist, a hint of unease welled up within him.
As Zhang Hao was lost in memories of his modern life, he suddenly sensed an odd presence. He halted, looking around, but found nothing amiss. The forest was eerily quiet except for the chirping of birds and the soft rustle of the wind through the leaves. Shaking his head, he dismissed it as a figment of his imagination and continued on.
Yet, not long after, the sensation returned, stronger than before. Realizing something was tracking him, though invisible to his eyes, his heart began to race, and his palms grew sweaty. Recalling descriptions of demonic beasts from movies and novels, a sense of foreboding filled Zhang Hao's mind.
He proceeded with caution, alert to any movement around him. Suddenly, a low growl pierced the silence, clear as day despite its faintness. Zhang Hao gripped his short sword tightly, ready to confront any impending threat.
A surge of demonic aura washed over him. He scanned his surroundings warily and saw a massive beast emerge from the woods, its eyes gleaming with ferocity. The beast's enormous frame and iron-hard skin made the ground tremble with each step. With a roar, it lunged at Zhang Hao. He dodged just in time, narrowly avoiding the beast's charge, and countered with a thrust at its belly. The beast's skin, as hard as iron, only allowed his short sword to scratch the surface. Zhang Hao realized that this battle would be a grueling hand-to-hand combat.
The beast's attacks were fierce and brutish. Relying on his physical strength and agility, Zhang Hao engaged with the beast. Each of his punches and kicks was powerful, clashing with the beast's claws and fangs. Throughout the fight, he sought the beast's weak points, but its scales protected its vital areas, making it difficult to find an opening.
In the heat of the battle, Zhang Hao was knocked down by the beast's tail, a sharp pain shooting through him. Gritting his teeth, he quickly rose to his feet. He knew he could not afford any lapse in concentration. Using the forest to his advantage, he lured the beast into a confined space, limiting its mobility. The fight raged on, and Zhang Hao was covered in wounds. His stamina was draining in this physical contest, but his will only grew stronger. He noticed a brief pause in the beast's attacks, the moment it adjusted its breathing. Seizing this opportunity, Zhang Hao concentrated all his strength and true energy into a single punch to the beast's jaw. The impact shattered the jaw with a crisp crack, and the colossal body collapsed to the ground. Gasping for breath, Zhang Hao stood over the fallen beast, his body exhausted but his heart swelling with the joy of victory. He had triumphed over the beast, a test of both his physical endurance and his mental fortitude.
Remaining vigilant for more beasts, Zhang Hao built a fire beside the carcass. The firelight danced across his face as he took out his dry rations and chewed slowly. The night wind in the forest carried a chill, but his heart was unusually calm. He knew this was only the beginning, with more challenges awaiting him ahead. Zhang Hao closed his eyes, allowing his inner energy to slowly heal his body.
As the night deepened, the forest sounds gradually subsided, leaving only the crackling of the fire and the occasional distant roar of wild beasts. Sitting by the fire, Zhang Hao's thoughts gradually detached from the tension of battle, allowing him to sense the changes within his body.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and attempted to sense the flow of true energy within. In the heat of battle, each of his strikes had nearly depleted his strength, but now he felt a subtle warm current slowly moving within him, a sensation he had never experienced before. This warm current seemed to gather in his dantian and then spread throughout his limbs and body, warm and powerful.
Zhang Hao recalled the old farmer mentioning that cultivators feel a change in their true energy when they break through to a new level. Could it be that in the battle with the beast, he had inadvertently touched the threshold of the third layer of the Body Refinement stage?
He continued to introspect, attempting to guide this true energy, allowing it to circulate within him. As the energy flowed, he felt the pain in his body gradually easing, an unprecedented experience. Zhang Hao knew this was the self-healing ability of cultivators during their practice, his physical fitness and recovery capabilities enhanced by the battle.
Over time, Zhang Hao felt more and more immersed in this state of cultivation. His breathing became steady and deep, each breath seemingly absorbing more of the energy from the heavens and the earth. His body seemed to blend with the surrounding natural environment; he could feel the growth of trees, the pulse of the earth, and even the trajectory of the stars in the night sky.
This sensation brought him immense tranquility and contentment. He knew he stood on the threshold of the third layer of the Body Refinement stage, and with continued effort, he could truly enter this new realm. The battle was not only a test of his body but also a significant turning point on his path of cultivation.
As the first rays of dawn pierced the canopy, casting light on Zhang Hao's face, he slowly opened his eyes. His gaze flickered with determination; he was ready to face the challenges ahead. Rising to his feet, he dusted off his clothes, grasped his short sword, and set off once more on his journey to Qingchuan Sect.