SpaceMage

The sound of a mighty roar echoed through the forest as the winged-bull wakes, disturbed by the impact of the bamboo stick that had penetrated its hide. Ximen Wei was momentarily taken aback by the success of his attack, having not expected the bamboo stick to pierce the formidable hide of the Qi Beast. However, with three Qi Techniques cast, he realized that this outcome was only natural given the increase in power and strength that he had imbued upon himself.

With steely determination, Ximen Wei pushed himself to the limit and cast another Qi Technique. The incantation "Qi Technique - Enfeeble" left his lips, and the merest trickle of blood leaked from his nose, a testament to the strain of unleashing four Qi Techniques simultaneously. Despite this, the effect was instantaneous, as the Qi Beast's movements grew sluggish and its senses dulled.

However, the beast was not easily deterred, and it charged towards Ximen Wei with a speed that belied its weakened state. Just as it was about to reach him, it stumbled into the trap that Ximen Wei had so carefully set, its momentum coming to a sudden halt.

The winged-bull's roar of rage and pain echoed through the forest, a testament to the ferocity of Ximen Wei's trap. Bamboo sticks pierced its body, immobilizing it as it struggled in vain. With a resounding crash, a massive tree trunk descended upon the beast, crushing its lower body into a mangled mess of flesh and bone. Despite its injuries, the beast's eyes still burned with hatred and anger as it glared at Ximen Wei. But its life was finally brought to an end as Ximen Wei plunged his dagger into its forehead, putting an end to its suffering. With a sigh, Ximen Wei gazed upon the fallen beast and murmured to himself, "That was quick."

It appeared that Ximen Wei had overstatemated the winged-bull Qi Beast, having initially judged its strength based on the fluctuations in its aura. He had believed that it was on par with a Level 2 Qi Trainee, but upon closer examination, it was clear that it was teetering on the brink between a Level 1 and Level 2.

Ximen Wei retrieved the lifeless body of the winged-bull Qi Beast from the booby trap, feeling a tinge of regret as he surveyed the ruined state of its lower half. Meat was a rare treat for him, especially considering his diet primarily consisted of foraged fruits and vegetables. He flipped the beast's body and began the task of dissecting it, his movements precise and steady as he searched for its valuable treasures. Finally, after sifting through the internal organs, his fingertips brushed against a small, gleaming pebble.

The glowing pebble was like a beacon of hope in Ximen Wei's eyes, its diminutive size belied the immense power it held within. As he held it in his hand, he could feel a rush of energy coursing through his veins, revitalizing him and filling him with newfound strength. The cold surface of the pebble was a soothing sensation on his skin, and it even seemed to calm the restless energy within his Extraordinary Meridians.

This was the Beast Core, extracted from the body of the winged-bull Qi Beast. It was a treasure that many would kill for in the outside world, and Ximen Wei was well aware of its value. With the right methods, a mortal could become a Level 1 Qi Trainee simply by absorbing this core, bypassing the arduous process of cultivating a Qi Condensation Manual.

As Ximen Wei held the Beast Core in his hand, he couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. He had expected something grander, more powerful, and more enriched with energy and Qi. He had been hoping for a Beast Core from a fully ascended Qi Beast, something that could take his cultivation to the next level and help him break through to new realms.

Despite his disappointment, Ximen Wei knew that he couldn't afford to be picky. Any Beast Core had the potential to aid in his cultivation journey, and he had to make do with what he had. The Beast Core before him might have been considered immature, but it still held significant power, and it was his best chance at advancing his cultivation.

With a determined look on his face, Ximen Wei pocketed the Beast Core and began to make his way out of the area. He knew that the stench of blood and gore would attract other beasts, and he didn't want to be caught in the middle of a battle.

Several hours of trekking through the dense forest led him to an empty cave, and Ximen Wei knew that this was his chance to absorb the Beast Core. He quickly set up traps around the cave to ensure his safety and sat down, cross-legged, to begin the process.

As he held the Beast Core in his hand, he felt a warm current of energy begin to flow through his veins. It was a powerful sensation, one that he had never experienced before, and he knew that he was on the brink of a major breakthrough.

For the next several hours, Ximen Wei remained in the cave, completely absorbed in the process of absorbing the Beast Core. The energy coursing through his veins was intense, but he was able to keep his focus and allow it to nourish his body and elevate it to new heights.

Meanwhile, four men moved with purpose as they made their way into the Desolate Astral Forest, each step taken with precision and confidence. Dressed in the Green Lotus City uniform and bearing the emblem of the Song family on their sleeves, they were clearly on a mission of great importance.

As they walked deeper into the forest, two of the men emitted a powerful aura that could only belong to Qi Cultivators. It was clear that they were not to be trifled with, and any beasts that dared to approach them would do so at their own peril.

Their destination remained unclear, but their movements suggested that they knew exactly where they were going. The thick underbrush of the forest did nothing to hinder their progress, and they moved with a speed and agility that spoke of years of training and experience.