Consuming Earths, Devouring Skies

After a little bit of cleaning up, Yan Zaizen sat down and pondered. Currently, his mortal body and body cultivation were incredibly powerful. However, the method in the Immortal Herculean Method states the minimum level of strength could rival a peak-Qi Revolving cultivator. At first, he thought since it stated the minimum and not maximum, his strength could reach the Essence Formation, but then the battle occurred.

Su Shinyan, a late-Essence Formation Cultivator fully equipped with ranked weaponry and armor, lost in a one-on-one direct clash with just his fist alone. This level of character could easily be an upper-rank Elder of the Yan Clan, but to him, it was a little too puny. It could be that Su Shinyan was a book with a gilded cover but no content, but it seemed unlikely due to his occupation.

He checked and double-checked his level of success into the Nascent Herculean Physique, but it retained signs of being wholly within the initial-success stage. So it just made things more confusing.

He was almost certain his physical body could rival an initial-Qi Unification cultivator in combat.

Looking at his bleeding fist and the deep cut left on it by Su Shinyan's saber, he couldn't help but contemplate. A surge of Qi whirled around his fist, a trace of the Unyielding Flame of Life brought forth, and the wound started to heal at visible speeds. It only took two minutes before the wound healed completely. With widened eyes, he looked in disbelief. However, thinking about it, he quickly calmed down.

His conceptual law of life, the Unyielding Flame of Life, was at the Perfect Nascent-level -- touching upon the Force-level. Not to mention, it embodied the essence of lifeforce. It makes sense that, even with his weak cultivation, he could heal a wound this minor so quickly.

Could that be it?

Perhaps the conceptual law of life strengthened his body considerably. He believed this line of thinking for a second, before shaking his head. Even if a world law was so miraculous, the Unyielding Flame of Life's enhancing effect versus the amount of time since it was conceptualized was too short for this level of increase. Otherwise, he could immediately reach the Origin Core Realm in strength within a year. That didn't seem likely.

It had to be something else.

After thinking of all possible avenues, he could only assume that the Immortal Herculean Method was wrong in its description or its guess was considerably undervalued. He could only shake his head and put it at the back of his mind for the moment.

"Are we ready?" He asked carelessly.

Ying Sumian looked towards this slightly skinny yet absolutely frightening youth and could only say in response, "Young Hero, when you're ready, we're ready." Her words pretty much coincided with what Yan Zaizen wanted. His eyes lit up with excitement and nodded.

"I'm ready. Let's go."

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The journey was quite smooth. Using his powerful spiritual sense, he avoided any dangerous areas, and for those he wasn't sure about, he'd inform the others and they'd deliberate and decide their path. This made the travel easy, and for beasts that were unfortunate to cross their paths, they lost their lives with their cores. This was almost easy money, and after Yan Zaizen learned of the prices for the beast cores of Basilisk Forest, his eyes lit up with greed.

A rank one beast core, around the initial/mid-Qi Revolving Realm, was worth about 3-5 drops of low-grade liquid essence. A rank two beast core, around the late/peak-Qi Revolving Realm, was worth about 10-15 drop of low-grade liquid essence. A rank three beast core, around the initial/mid-Essence Formation Realm, was worth about 1 drop of mid-grade liquid essence. A drop of mid-grade liquid essence had the same value as 100 drops of low-grade liquid essence. Not only was it purer than low-grade essence, it was far more effective in the conversion to Qi, in alchemy, armament creation, or even refining one's foundation.

Therefore, he had a vast amount of wealth with his current load, and he didn't mind having more.

They traveled day and night, soon several weeks passed by. At this point, Yan Zaizen was quite familiar with the others in the squad, and even a form of camaraderie was being established. From young, Yan Zaizen never really had friends, except when his parents were still alive.

At least, he didn't have real friends.

The moment misfortune hit, they skedaddled faster than a hare seeing a wild dog.

He didn't know if the others were like this, albeit he assumed they were, it still felt nice to have some form of friendly company. Especially in a forest where nearly everything was poisonous and wouldn't mind eating you, dissolving you in their stomach acid, and release you as waste after getting all they need from you.

Finally, after their several weeks of travel, they reached their destination: Xuanwu City.

Xuanwu City was the largest city established in the Basilisk Forest. It was considered safe haven by all hunters of the forest. Its rules were strict and the punishments dealt out were swift, but what truly gives the city clout was the owners and regulators — Earthly Titan Sect. It was one of the top five sects in the entire country, with cultivators at the Origin Core Realm, giving it immense power and influence. Anyone who dares goes against it, would be the same as an ant going against a behemoth. No way of survival.

Yan Zaizen found this to be interesting, especially learning that amongst the five sects, the Earthly Titan Sect had the most unorthodox method - Body Cultivation. A majority of their members excel in cultivating their bodies, and they possessed some of the greatest martial arts of the country. However, body cultivation required a firm will and deep pockets. Therefore, they made a ton of profits from external sources, like the Xuanwu City.

As he approached the city in the middle of the Basilisk Forest, he was absolutely surprised. It had walls as high as one hundred meters high, completely made of black metal, and towers situated at the top radiating with energy. They were defensive means against any beast horde that may strike. The trees were completely cleared away, and he didn't see a single one in sight. This gave him some relief, considering the dangers of the forest like traps, poison, among other things.

The place was incredibly lively. Some hunters were seeking refuge and safety within its walls to recuperate after a fierce struggle, others were bringing in their trophies of victory, and more many were getting ready to start their hopeful venture into the forest for harvest. Cultivators ranged from many levels, but many were in groups at the Qi Revolving Realm with a leader or two at the Essence Formation Realm.

This was Yan Zaizen's first time seeing so many people dressed in a myriad of different armors and organizations. It was like an entirely new world to him.

Spreading his spiritual sense outwards, he turned towards a direction. Seeing who was there, his eyes widened as he said with shock, "You're here?!"