Chapter 3: Mastery of the Forest
The sun had barely risen over the dense canopy when Lin Tian opened his eyes. The forest stretched endlessly before him, alive with the hum of qi. Every leaf, every branch, every shadow seemed to tremble under his gaze, sensing the presence of someone who no longer belonged to the mortal world.
Stretching, Lin Tian felt the residual power from yesterday's Sign-In coursing through him. Muscle fibers pulsed, nerves tingled, and his aura radiated outward like a low, constant storm. He flexed his fingers experimentally and conjured a small gust of wind, sending leaves tumbling like golden confetti. "This world… is almost too easy," he muttered.
The first task was simple: understand the forest. The ruins he had discovered yesterday were ancient, yes, but the forest itself was alive with energy. Every inch of soil and stone carried qi traces, some dormant, some active. Most cultivators would spend decades deciphering the energy flows here, but for Lin Tian, it was instinctual. His senses expanded, reading the flow like a map, tracing hidden veins of power, feeling the latent potential in every living creature around him.
> [System Message]
> Daily Sign-In Available
He pressed his wrist absentmindedly. Light flared briefly, washing over him like sunlight magnified a hundred times. Power surged again, reshaping his aura, refining his techniques, and pushing his body to limits far beyond mortal comprehension.
> [Sign-In Successful]
> Reward: Spirit Core ×2
> Martial Power Increased Exponentially
> New Technique Unlocked: Gale Palm Overdrive
Lin Tian exhaled, feeling the effortless strength that now flowed in him. "The forest won't know what hit it," he said with a wry grin.
As he walked deeper, shadows shifted. A group of massive predators emerged from the undergrowth—tiger-like beasts with jagged fangs and eyes that burned with hunger. Lin Tian's aura flared lightly, the faint tremor of his overwhelming presence enough to make them hesitate. Predators that would have torn even the strongest sect disciple apart froze, sniffing the air with fear they could not understand.
He raised a hand casually, as if swatting flies. A single Gale Palm strike sent the creatures flying, crashing into trees and rocks with earth-shaking force. Not one dared rise again. The forest was his playground, and the creatures within it had learned a lesson they would carry back into the shadows: Lin Tian was untouchable.
Minutes passed, then hours. The sun climbed high, filtering through the thick canopy, catching dust and pollen in golden rays. Lin Tian moved through the ruins, testing his abilities, pushing his techniques to their limits. The Gale Palm now had multiple variations—overdrive, piercing strike, and a subtle ripple that could disrupt the flow of qi in living creatures. Every fragment of energy he absorbed added layers to his mastery.
> [System Message]
> Nearby Threat Detected: Low-Level Forest Spirits
> Recommendation: Optional Engagement
Lin Tian tilted his head, smirking. "Optional, huh? I think I'll make it… mandatory." He extended a hand. The air around him shivered as the first spirit approached. Translucent, flickering, barely corporeal—but Lin Tian's presence made it pause, quivering in recognition of the imbalance it faced. He didn't even need to touch it. A thought, a flick of his fingers, and the spirit shattered, its energy absorbed instantly into his system.
> [Spirit Energy Absorbed: +3]
> Martial Power Increased
The forest hummed, almost approvingly. Lin Tian moved further, exploring underground ruins where hidden channels of qi pulsed in patterns too complex for ordinary cultivators to detect. He traced veins of power that connected the ruins like arteries in a body, feeling the pulse of the forest itself. Each step, each breath, increased his strength subtly, but exponentially.
> [Hint: The forest responds to supreme power. Exploit your surroundings for maximum growth.]
He paused at a clearing where sunlight struck a central altar, worn by centuries. His eyes scanned the carvings—ancient symbols of cultivation, methods for refining qi, hints of techniques lost to time. Most cultivators would study these for decades. Lin Tian smiled. *I'll learn them in hours.*
A sudden rustle drew his attention. From the shadows stepped a creature far larger than any predator he had faced—a massive wolf-like beast with multiple eyes, each glowing with faint qi. Its aura was strong, dangerous, yet as it approached, Lin Tian felt the familiar thrill of supreme confidence. *Too weak to even test me.* He flexed, and with a single movement, Gale Palm Overdrive surged, sending the creature flying, leaving only a crater and a faint echo of energy.
> [System Message]
> Enemy Eliminated.
> Spirit Energy Absorbed: +5
> Martial Power Amplified
He laughed softly, walking toward the edge of the clearing. The forest stretched endlessly before him, untouched, unexplored, and yet already conquered in essence. Every step he took resonated with quiet dominance, every breath a symphony of power, and every movement a demonstration that in this world, Lin Tian was untouchable.
Hours turned to evening as he climbed a hill, overlooking the forest. The sun set behind the horizon, painting the sky with fire. Lin Tian sat cross-legged, meditating, letting the energies of the forest flow through him. The Sign-In System glowed faintly on his wrist, whispering promises of limitless growth, techniques yet undiscovered, and rewards that would dwarf the ambitions of any ordinary cultivator.
> [Hint: Early solitude maximizes growth efficiency. Engage challenges at your discretion.]
He smiled faintly. "Solitude suits me perfectly. Let the world come to me. When I am ready, nothing will stand in my way."
As darkness fell, the forest settled into a quiet rhythm. Yet even in the shadows, unseen eyes watched—a predator, a spirit, a cultivator perhaps. They sensed power beyond comprehension. And they would remember this day, the day a human, reborn as Lin Tian, claimed the forest as his own.
Alone, untouchable, and growing stronger with every breath, Lin Tian's journey had only begun. The World of Martial Qi stretched before him, limitless, challenging, and waiting. And he, reborn, unstoppable, would face it all—and dominate.