SpaceMage

As Ximen Wei made his daily pilgrimage through the dense underbrush, his tranquil journey was abruptly interrupted by the discovery of a strange and unknown life form. His heart raced with fear as he cautiously approached the strange creature, unsure of what dangers it may pose.

With stealth and precision, Ximen sought refuge in the nearby bushes, peering through the foliage at the enigmatic creature. The sight that met his eyes was unlike anything he had ever encountered before, a spectacle that would challenge the foundations of his understanding and shake the very fabric of his beliefs.

As Ximen Wei emerged from the safety of the bushes, his gaze was met with a formidable sight. A massive bull, lay slumbering before a darkened cave. The creature was adorned with small demonic wings, a sight that would have struck terror into the hearts of lesser men.

Upon closer inspection, Ximen realized that the bull was not just any ordinary beast. The fluctuations of Qi energy emanating from its body indicated that it was a Qi Beast, a formidable creature with power beyond that of ordinary animals. Ximen's instincts told him that this was a level 2 Qi Trainee, a being that he would normally have no chance of defeating.

Ximen Wei's thoughts were consumed by the possibilities that lay before him. He was well aware that if he was successful in acquiring the Beast Core from the sleeping bull, it would be a turning point in his cultivation journey. The Beast Core, the source of the creature's power, would allow him to progress to the second level of Qi training with ease and swiftness.

But even if Ximen had no personal interest in using the Beast Core for his own cultivation, he understood the value it held in the marketplace. With the right buyer, he could receive an unprecedented sum of money.

As Ximen Wei gazed upon the sleeping winged-bull, his eyes shone with a greedy glint. He remembered passing by a bamboo field earlier in his journey and seized upon the opportunity to gather materials for his trap. With purposeful strides, he retrieved his dagger and set off towards the bamboo field.

The bamboo shoots were tall and slender, and Ximen selected the strongest and most flexible of them for his project.

With his dagger in hand, Ximen set to work, carefully cutting the bamboo into equal lengths and shaping each one into a sharp spear. He then dug a deep pit, taking care to make the edges as smooth as possible so that the beast wouldn't suspect anything.

Next, Ximen began to rig the pit with a series of tension cords made from sturdy vines he found growing near the bamboo field. He attached one end of each cord to the bamboo spears and the other end to strategically placed stakes, ensuring that the cords were taut and ready to snap when triggered.

The final step was to disguise the trap. Ximen covered the pit with a layer of leaves and grass, taking care to blend it in with the surrounding terrain. He then scattered a trail of bait, leading the beast straight to the trap.

However, Ximen's sense of unease lingered. Despite the deadly trap he had crafted, he felt that it was still far from enough. The beast was a formidable opponent, and Ximen was determined to leave nothing to chance. He spent hours fine-tuning his plan, seeking out additional resources and devising new strategies to ensure his success.

Ximen Wei knew that simply relying on a booby trap alone would not be enough to bring down the formidable winged-bull. Its skin, like that of all Qi Beasts and Qi Cultivators, was tough as stone and would easily resist the sharp bamboo spears. So, Ximen set out to find a way to increase the destructive power of his trap.

Despite the difficulties posed by the mutated nature of the forest, Ximen persevered and eventually came across a tree that he deemed suitable for his needs. With great effort, he hacked away at the trunk with his dagger, cutting it down and dragging it back to the trap site.

With the tree in place, Ximen set to work, arranging it in such a way that, if the bull were to fall into the pit, the massive trunk would come crashing down from above, adding a formidable amount of weight to the already deadly trap. Ximen's engineering skills were put to the test as he balanced the trunk and rigged it with a series of tension cords, ready to unleash its full force upon the unsuspecting beast.

Ximen Wei stood steadfast, his hands moving in fluid gestures as he cast spells upon himself and his surroundings. The bamboo spears hanging from the tree overhead glinted menacingly as the tips were imbued with his "Qi Technique - Sharpen". Despite the exertion, Ximen Wei's eyes were determined and his breaths steady as he prepared for the battle ahead.

Hours of preparation and incantation had gone into setting this trap, but Ximen Wei knew it still wasn't enough. He wiped the sweat from his forehead, steeling himself for the task ahead. With a deep inhale, he began to channel his qi, casting "Qi Technique - Strengthen" upon himself. A rush of power coursed through his veins, making him feel more alive and invigorated.

Next, Ximen Wei summoned the "Qi Technique - Bedevilment". The air around him grew thick with malevolent energy as his aura shifted, becoming darker and more sinister. His eyes shone with a red gleam, and the faint outline of a horn could be seen upon his forehead. The new Qi Condensation Manual had greatly enhanced this technique, encompassing all aspects of combat.

Ximen Wei's body was awash with power, his senses heightened as he felt his skin grow rough and his nerves become numb to the sensation of pain. He gazed upon the sleeping winged-bull with the focused intensity of a lion stalking its prey. With a fluid motion, he launched a bamboo stick towards the beast, ready to see the result of his hours of preparation.