The wind rustled gently through the treetops as Xiao Feng stood atop a rocky outcrop, overlooking a wide stretch of forest. His robe fluttered in the breeze, and his aura pulsed with restrained power.
He had grown stronger.
After slaying the Ironhide Bear, he had taken two full days to rest and reflect. In those quiet moments, one thing became clear—he was only one step away from breaking through to Dou Shi.
But rushing it would be foolish. Strength needed a solid foundation. And for now, there was something he could do to polish that foundation even further.
He opened his system interface.
> Energy Points: 5,420,000
Available Items:
He navigated to the Pill Section, eyes scanning quickly until he found what he needed.
> Item: Star Ascension Pill (3rd Tier)
Effect: Instantly promotes user's cultivation by 1-star level (usable up to 9-Star Dou Zhe)
Cost: 35,500 EP
He didn't hesitate.
Purchase Confirmed.
Energy Points Remaining: 5,384,500
He retrieved the pill—a crystalline violet sphere with traces of golden light swirling inside—and swallowed it without ceremony.
The reaction was immediate.
BOOM!
His Dou Qi surged like a flood. He sat cross-legged instantly, guiding the rampaging energy through his meridians. The Wind God's Scripture operated smoothly, refining the chaotic force into calm power.
Minutes later, he opened his eyes.
> Cultivation: Peak 9-Star Dou Zhe
He exhaled.
> "Almost there."
Now it was time to upgrade his movement technique.
His current Yellow-rank mid-tier technique, Swift Leaf Steps, had served him well—but he needed something faster, more agile, more suited for close combat in dangerous terrain.
He browsed the system shop again.
> Item: Shadow Gale Steps (Black-rank, High-tier)
Description: A high-speed footwork technique infused with wind affinity. Allows silent movement, rapid dodging, and instant bursts of speed.
Cost: 70,000 EP
Purchase Confirmed.
Energy Points Remaining: 5,314,500
He took out the scroll and began studying immediately.
The core principle of Shadow Gale Steps was blending movement with the wind itself—not resisting it, but flowing with it. Rather than brute-forcing speed, it used redirection and subtle shifts to outpace enemies.
Within two hours, Xiao Feng had already grasped the basics.
> "This will do."
His next goal was clear: target more low-level Rank 2 magical beasts—ones at the level of a 1-star or 2-star Dou Shi. He needed more combat experience before breaking through to Dou Shi himself.
He packed up and vanished into the forest with a gust of wind.
Now, when he moved, it was nearly silent. His body blurred through trees and shadows, too fast and light for most beasts to notice until it was far too late.
That day, two Rank 2 magical beasts fell to his sword.
One was a Steelfang Hyena—fast and venomous. The other, a Frost-Tusk Boar, slow but heavily armored. Both were strong. Both were confident.
Both died.
And with each beast slain, his control over his Dou Qi—and the silent storm he had become—grew ever sharper.
The final threshold was close.
The next time he sat down to cultivate… it would be for the Dou Shi breakthrough.