After the fierce battle, Linfei gathered dry twigs and leaves, carefully arranging them beside the small fire pit he constructed. He skinned the serpent with practiced efficiency, then cut chunks of the meat to roast over the flames. The rich aroma filled the cool forest air, promising nourishment beyond simple hunger. Eating the serpent meat replenished his strength and invigorated his Qi circulation, vital for recovery after such a punishing fight.
Finding a hidden glade shielded by ancient trees, Linfei settled into a quiet spot rich with latent spiritual energy. He closed his eyes and began to circulate his Qi, directing energy smoothly through the pathways refined in his breakthrough to the Third Level of Qi Refining. The gentle rustling of leaves blended with the rhythm of his breath, grounding him in a forest calm unlike any within the clan estate.
As he cultivated, his mind replayed the battle—recalling the serpent's rapid coils and deadly strikes. He reviewed his own movements, analysing the precise timing of his punches, the subtle shifts in footwork, and the crucial dodges that saved him from fatal blows. This reflection was both a mental summary and a vital exercise: to familiarize his instincts with the serpent's attack patterns and to sharpen his Iron Fist Boxing for future encounters.
Though he had found clusters of Moonroot Grass earlier, Linfei knew better than to consume it raw. Only skilled alchemists could refine such herbs into effective pills or elixirs suitable for cultivation support. Instead, he patiently noted their locations, hopeful that someday he might find an alchemist to trade with or learn their secrets himself.
The quiet of the glade embraced him as he continued his healing and training; each breath, each cycle of Qi nourishing not only his wounded body but deepening his control of the Iron Fist technique.