A black-haired boy with glistening skin that seemed to reflect the rays of sunlight was seen resting his back against a brown-colored tree. His eyes were narrowed, his brows furrowed deep in thought.
Shit!
This isn't funny anymore!
"Why can't I have something good without a large number of requirements needed for it?" Lin Ziao grumbled, his voice filled with frustration.
"Seriously, power isn't free for anyone, not even for a genius like me." He spoke to himself, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
"This transformation ability is damn gluttonous," Lin Ziao lamented, shaking his head.
All my Qi gone in just a matter of seconds.
Just when I thought I was finally strong enough.
"Wait… my cultivation rose, and I am now in the Bone Forging Realm!" he suddenly realized, his voice shifting from frustration to joy. But there was still a hint of sadness—after all, his Qi had been drained completely in just a matter of seconds.
On the bright side, he had now obtained an advanced cultivation technique that was connected to the bloodline he never knew he had.
On the dark side, the transformation required an enormous amount of Qi to maintain. His current cultivation—the Bone Forging Realm—allowed him to sustain the transformation for only ten seconds when his dantian was fully saturated with Qi.
If he didn't increase his cultivation, he would have to be extremely careful when using the transformation ability in future battles. But at least it still gave him an edge over his peers at this level.
"I just have to master this technique first. But before that, I need to build a house to stay in for the meantime," said Lin Ziao as he walked over to the nearest tree, ready to start construction on his new makeshift home.
**
Thwack! Thwack!
He chopped down the tree—not with a knife or a blade. He had none of those. He used his own body—his arms and feet.
Paah! Paah!
The tree groaned under the force of Lin Ziao's newfound strength—the force of a reinforced Bone Forging Realm warrior.
Paah! Paah! Paaah!
He continued striking the stubborn tree fiercely.
The sun climbed higher in the sky, marking the arrival of the afternoon. A young boy, drenched in sweat, stood before a tree that had begun to tilt.
Timberrrrrr! Thud!
The tree landed successfully on the ground, waiting to be trimmed… but it never was. Instead, it was left untrimmed and used just like that for the construction of Lin Ziao's house.
And it wasn't just one tree—there were about one… two… twenty trees cut down by him, all set to be used for his new wooden home.
One by one, he began to dig holes in the sun-baked ground, preparing the space for the large trunks that would serve as the house's structure.
Sweat dripped from his forehead, but soon enough, he was done preparing the ground.
Lin Ziao looked at the twenty logs he had cut down and nodded in satisfaction.
"Now, time to set up the walls," he muttered to himself, rolling his shoulders, preparing for the work ahead.
He walked over to the logs and grabbed one. It was heavy, but he managed to carry it and firmly plant it into one of the holes he had just dug.
After making sure it was secure, he grabbed another log and did the same.
Over and over, he repeated the process, ensuring each support beam was firmly lodged into the ground.
Once the main support beams were in place, he gathered small branches and leaves to weave between the logs, creating walls.
It wasn't as beautiful or as durable as his former house, but it was strong and firm It would protect him from the wind and rain, just like his old home.
As the sun began to set, Lin Ziao finally sat down, breathing heavily. A smile filled his face as he looked at his new makeshift home—a simple wooden hut with thick walls and a slanted leafy roof made from large leaves.
Suddenly—
Growl!
His stomach roared, reminding him that he hadn't eaten all day.
He walked over to his bag and picked up his spear. It was time to become the predator, not the prey.
With his spear in hand, he ventured deeper into the forest in search of food.
**
The forest was quiet, with only the occasional rustling of leaves. Lin Ziao moved cautiously, his senses sharp.
He had to be careful—while he was hunting, he could just as easily become the prey.
He crouched low, scanning his surroundings. His sharp eyes caught movement in the distance. A wild boar was sniffing the ground, searching for food.
Lin Ziao tightened his grip on his spear.
He took a deep breath, then launched himself forward, closing the distance between him and the boar.
The boar noticed him and let out a warning snort, lowering its head, ready to charge.
But Lin Ziao was faster.
With a powerful leap, he dodged to the side and thrust his spear forward.
The tip of the spear struck the boar's side, piercing its thick hide.
Squeal!
The boar staggered, but it wasn't dead yet. It turned and charged at Lin Ziao with full force.
Lin Ziao quickly dodged again, narrowly avoiding the sharp tusks.
With precise movements, he struck again, this time aiming for the neck.
The spear found its mark. The boar let out one last cry before collapsing to the ground.
Lin Ziao exhaled, his muscles relaxing slightly.
Victory.
He wiped the sweat off his brow and began preparing the boar for a meal.
He gathered some dry branches and just like the good, old times he smashed rocks together and soon the fire started.
The flames crackled, casting flickering shadows around him as he roasted the meat.
The rich scent of roasted boar filled the air, making his mouth water. After waiting impatiently, he finally took a bite.
The meat was juicy and flavorful. Lin Ziao ate heartily, replenishing the energy he had lost throughout the day.
As he chewed, he stared at the fire, deep in thought.
His journey was just beginning.
He had a long way to go before he truly mastered his abilities. He needed to become stronger. He needed to be able to sustain his transformation for longer. He needed to rise beyond the Bone Forging Realm.
But for now…
For now, he was satisfied.
Lin Ziao leaned back against a tree, looking up at the night sky.
Tomorrow, his training would continue.
But tonight, he would rest.
With a full stomach and a sturdy home, he finally closed his eyes, letting sleep take him as the fire crackled beside him.