Lin Yuan had fought medium-tier beasts before. He had even handled high-level Mist-Horned Alphas. But nothing—not a single training session in the last five months—had prepared him for what lay at the very heart of the Whispering Valley.
The air was thick, almost viscous with spiritual qi. It clung to his skin and hair, pulsing like the heartbeat of the forest itself. Roots the size of small trees twisted across the path, and the mist was so dense it was easy to imagine a dozen glowing eyes watching from every shadow.
Ji Han muttered something about "bad vibes" for the fifth time, though Lin Yuan didn't bother responding. He was too busy scanning the area, letting every practiced skill flow naturally. Thunder Slash, Lightning Body, Thunder Barrage—each strike and dodge was second nature now. He didn't need to think. The valley was alive with opportunity, and every moment was a lesson waiting to be learned.
Mei Lian's silver hair glimmered faintly in the mist as she moved with lethal precision. "Keep your spacing. Do not crowd me," she said. Calm, cold, and precise—the kind of advice Lin Yuan didn't really need but appreciated.
A roar shattered the quiet.
Not just any roar. Something ancient and wrong rolled through the trees. The mist parted, and there it was: a Mist-Horned Leviathan, easily triple the size of the largest beast Lin Yuan had fought before. Its horns were jagged, dripping with a faint blue aura, and its eyes glowed like molten metal. Every exhale sent ripples through the spiritual qi around them.
Ji Han's spear trembled slightly in his hands. "Uh… maybe this is too much?"
Mei Lian's eyes narrowed. "No. Focus. Watch the openings. Don't die."
Lin Yuan exhaled. Perfect. Exactly the kind of challenge that demanded precision, control, and mastery. This wasn't about leveling. This wasn't about raw power. This was about skill, timing, and flow.
The Leviathan moved first, swinging a claw that could have smashed a small hut. Lin Yuan sidestepped with Lightning Body, his movement a blur. Thunder Slash followed, cutting through the mist with controlled arcs of electricity. Each strike was deliberate, probing for weak points.
Ji Han engaged on the left, sweeping with his spear, redirecting the creature's attention. Mei Lian struck with pinpoint accuracy on the right, her blade leaving afterimages in the air.
And Lin Yuan? He flowed between them, chaining Thunder Barrage and Lightning Body movements like a river splitting around rocks, striking precisely where the Leviathan's armor was thin.
Minutes felt like hours. Every strike taught him something. Every dodge, every repositioning, every micro-adjustment—he was refining mastery at the highest possible efficiency.
Finally, the Leviathan fell to its knees, letting out a roar that shook the forest canopy. Lin Yuan exhaled slowly, muscles tingling from the exertion. The mist settled, and the forest was silent again.
Ji Han leaned on his spear, breathing heavily. "That… was insane. You… you move like lightning, man."
Mei Lian sheathed her blade, her eyes still sharp but now laced with respect. "You've mastered your skills. Precision, flow, timing… impressive."
Lin Yuan just nodded. No words were needed. Skill spoke louder than boasting, and he had mastered that language long ago.
As the team pressed deeper, the faint glimmer of artifacts caught Lin Yuan's eye. Ancient runes carved into stone, faintly glowing herbs imbued with spiritual energy, a broken shrine where faint magical auras lingered. He moved carefully, examining each, knowing any one could sharpen skills or refine techniques further.
This was the point where raw cultivation levels didn't matter. Mastery and refinement were everything. Every artifact, every rare resource, every carefully chosen strike would make the difference when the system finally allowed him to level up to Foundation Establishment.
Above the forest, the Sword Hall Elder watched silently from a distant peak. The gourd in his hand swirled lightly as a grin curved his lips.
Good. Let him learn the rhythm of real danger. Let him discover skill, flow, and the limits of his control. Soon, the world will demand even more.