SpaceMage

Chapter 41 41 - Swamp

?Ximen Wei was left perplexed by the stealthy nature of the one-horned alpacas. Despite his heightened senses, he had been completely caught off guard by their presence. It was almost as if they had been deliberately hiding their auras, so as not to attract attention.

What was even more disconcerting to Ximen Wei was the nature of their horns. As he studied them more closely, he couldn't help but notice that their aura was strangely reminiscent of his own Qi Technique, Bedevilment.

The aura emanating from their horns was multifaceted and ever-changing, making it difficult for Ximen Wei to pinpoint exactly what was going on. It was as if the horns possessed some kind of mysterious power that he couldn't quite comprehend.

As Ximen Wei pondered over the mystery of the one-horned alpacas, he couldn't help but be captivated by their peculiar auras. It was a combination of devilish and defiled energies, almost as if the beasts had been touched by dark forces. He had read about these Qi Beasts in the World Encyclopedia, but seeing them up close was an entirely different experience.

As he continued his journey through the Desolate Astral Forest, Ximen Wei couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in his gut. Every rustle of leaves, every snap of twigs made him jump in anticipation of an attack from the beasts that lurked in the shadows. The forest was a dangerous place, and one misstep could lead to certain death.

As he walked, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the beauty of the forest. The trees towered over him, their branches stretching towards the heavens. The leaves rustled gently in the breeze, and the sun shone down through the canopy, casting dappled light on the forest floor.

As Ximen Wei journeyed further into the Desolate Astral Forest, his initial estimations proved to be grossly underestimated. Time stretched on, with each day feeling like an eternity as he pushed forward. The forest seemed never-ending, and its perils countless. It was a place where danger lurked at every turn, and only the most prepared and skilled of adventurers could hope to survive.

Each step brought new challenges for Ximen Wei, as he saw countless Qi Beasts that he had never seen before. Saber-toothed tigers with razor-sharp fangs prowled in the shadows, ready to pounce at a moment's notice. Giant striped elephants with tusks like spears were a formidable sight, their eyes locked onto their prey. Ximen Wei even encountered bees that were the size of a small child's fist, their stingers as deadly as any sword.

Despite his growing experience and mastery of his Qi Technique, the odds seemed stacked against Ximen Wei. The forest was an unforgiving place, and it tested his limits at every turn. As he pressed on, he couldn't help but wonder how much longer he could endure the trials and tribulations of the Desolate Astral Forest.

Ximen Wei let out a heavy sigh, his mind in turmoil as he thought about this world. As he took in the sights and sounds of this strange and mysterious place, he couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and excitement. This world was unlike anything he had ever experienced before, a place filled with untold secrets and hidden treasures, just waiting to be uncovered.

In spite of his initial thoughts, Ximen Wei had come to realize that the Qi World was not so bad after all. In fact, he had grown quite fond of this place, and the thought of leaving filled him with a deep sense of sadness. But he knew that he had made a promise, and he was honor-bound to keep it.

As he made his way across the treacherous terrain, Ximen Wei's mind wandered back to his recent successes. He had managed to acquire two more Beast Cores, each one from a Qi Beast equivalent to a Level 1 Human Qi Trainee. While they were not as potent as the Beast Core belonging to the winged-bull, they still held a considerable amount of energy, and had propelled Ximen Wei's cultivation base to new heights.

The seventh Extraordinary Meridian had been a particularly difficult challenge, but with his unyielding willpower and unrelenting determination, Ximen Wei had managed to solidify it to a staggering 70% completion. This was a remarkable achievement, and one that he was immensely proud of.

He could feel a tangible difference in his power and energy. The once faint flow of Qi around him now pulsed with a vibrant energy, and he could sense it more clearly than ever before. With each passing day, his progress accelerated, and he found himself growing stronger at an unprecedented rate.

The power coursing through his body was astounding, and with every new day, Ximen Wei felt more confident in his abilities. His training had become second nature to him, and he had developed an acute sense of his surroundings, able to detect even the slightest fluctuations in the natural energy around him.

But it wasn't just his body that was evolving - Ximen Wei's knowledge of the Qi World was growing with each passing day. With the Earth-grade Qi Condensation Manual provided by Long Gen, he had unlocked new insights into the nature of Qi, learning how to absorb it more efficiently and effectively than ever before.

This newfound knowledge, combined with his tireless efforts, meant that Ximen Wei was now on the cusp of reaching the second level of Qi Trainees in less than two months.

One day passed.

As Ximen Wei journeyed on through the vast expanse of the forest he stumble upon a swamp that stopped him in his tracks. The swamp stretched out as far as the eye could see, and he knew that there was no way around it - the only way forward was through.

But as he peered more closely at the murky, viscous liquid before him, Ximen Wei felt a sudden wave of nausea and revulsion wash over him. This was no ordinary swamp - it was a swamp made entirely of human flesh and organs, a ghastly amalgamation of blood and viscera that seemed to pulsate and writhe beneath his feet.

The stench of death and decay hung heavily in the air, and Ximen Wei could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he contemplated the horrors before him. How could such a thing exist in the world, he wondered? What kind of twisted and malevolent force could have created something so abhorrent?

For a moment, Ximen Wei felt a deep sense of despair wash over him. How could he possibly navigate this monstrous obstacle, this swamp of blood and gore?