Steadily Upgrading Everything!
Chapter 14: The Battle had begun!

Chapter 14: The Battle had begun!

Before long, John reached the outermost boundary of the Nine Sky Clan’s territory.

Beyond the last watchtower and weather-worn stone markers, the land sloped downward into an endless expanse of wild, unclaimed earth.

A heavy silence hung in the air, broken only by the whisper of wind rustling through the tall grass.

In front of him stretched a vast and foreboding wilderness, far more expansive than the one he had crossed during his escape from the Blue Sapphire Clan.

Trees rose like ancient sentinels in the distance, and dense fog clung to the underbrush, giving the entire region a ghostly, forgotten air.

This is it, he thought. The Deep Havoc Wilderness.

He had heard the name whispered in passing by locals and traveling cultivators.

They spoke of it with awe, fear, and respect.

Unlike the scattered forests or borderlands he had seen before, this wilderness was known for its sheer size and untamed danger.

Even from the outskirts, the energy in the air felt different, thicker, more primal.

John narrowed his eyes and scanned the treeline.

It would be best for me to nestle deep within a forest for now.

Wandering into a city or clan territory without first mastering the Double Face Lizard Technique would be too risky.

He nodded at the thought, confirming his decision.

It was foolish to enter any populated area while his real identity could still be recognized.

Here, in the shadows of wild beasts and ancient trees, he might at least have a chance to train undisturbed.

From overheard conversations and idle talk in the Nine Sky Clan, he had gathered pieces of information about this place.

The Deep Havoc Wilderness wasn’t just dangerous, it was a forbidden zone in the eyes of many.

Its reputation stemmed not only from its size but from the powerful spirit beasts that roamed within.

It was said that the most fearsome beasts in the Deep Havoc Wilderness could reach the peak of Spirit Formation Realm, the Spirit Tree stage, and some rare cases even broke into Core Formation.

John now understood the structure of Spirit Formation more clearly than ever before.

Like the Body Refining Realm, Spirit Formation was split into four distinct stages, each representing a deeper connection between the cultivator’s spirit and the natural world:

Spirit Seed, the birth of spiritual power, raw and unstable.

Spirit Bud, the stage where the power began to mature, gaining control and shape.

Spirit Fruit, a more refined stage, where one’s abilities solidified, blooming with potential.

Spirit Tree, the pinnacle, where one’s spirit cultivation took root in the world like a great tree, resilient, vast, and difficult to shake.

And yet, the Deep Havoc Wilderness was said to house beasts that had moved beyond even that, to the Core Formation Realm, where true mastery over internal energy and spirit consciousness began.

Cultivators at that level could shake mountains and split rivers.

Facing a beast of that level would be suicide for him in his current state.

But this danger was also a blessing in disguise.

That kind of place is exactly where the Blue Sapphire Clan wouldn’t dare search too deeply, John thought, eyes narrowed.

Their attention will be focused on cities, checkpoints, and border roads, not on a death trap like this.

It was a gamble, but one that gave him better odds than trying to outrun an entire clan across the continent.

Drawing in a slow breath, John tightened his robe, adjusted the scroll containing the Double Face Lizard Technique against his chest, and stepped into the wilderness.

As he passed the first line of twisted trees, the sounds of the civilized world faded behind him.

No more footsteps, no guards, no market chatter, only the whispering wind, the distant cry of unseen beasts, and the rustle of unseen movement in the brush.

Every step forward was a step into uncertainty, but John’s mind was calm.

He had chosen his path.

Now, all that remained was to survive long enough to walk it.

After walking steadily for nearly two hours, John finally arrived at the mouth of a large, shadowy cave nestled between two moss-covered cliffs.

Thick vines draped over its jagged entrance like curtains, and the air around the opening was unnaturally still, as if the surrounding forest itself was holding its breath.

He stopped just short of the entrance, a flicker of caution sparking in his eyes.

There was something inside.

A presence, dense, wild, and potent, rolled out from the cave like heat from a furnace.

It wasn’t explosive, but it was solid, restrained, the kind of steady power that only beasts who had survived countless battles could emit.

Without hesitation, John activated his Spatial Awareness, the technique giving him a spherical mental map of everything within twenty meters.

The darkness of the cave was peeled away in his mind’s eye, revealing a sleeping beast curled near the back wall.

"A bear?" John muttered, a frown tugging at his lips.

At first glance, the creature resembled the bears he knew from his previous world, but it quickly became obvious this was no ordinary beast.

Its fur was pitch-black, darker than moonless night, with a faint glimmer like obsidian.

Its claws were elongated, curved like a raptor’s talons, gleaming faintly in the dim light.

Most striking of all were the two massive wings folded along its back, covered in rough feathers that shimmered with a blue-black sheen.

From the center of its forehead, a single ivory horn jutted forward, pulsing faintly with spiritual energy.

Its closed eyes were yellow with vertical slits—beast eyes, cold and ancient.

John’s brows furrowed deeper.

That’s no ordinary bear. It’s some kind of mutated spirit beast.

The aura it was radiating matched the Bone Refinement Realm, just like his own, but there was a subtle density to it, a weight that hinted it may be slightly stronger, or at least more experienced in combat.

John turned his gaze toward the surrounding area.

The terrain here was perfect, secluded, defensible, with natural shelter from the elements.

There was a small stream nearby he had passed just moments ago, and the overhanging cliffs would hide the cave from aerial view.

It was, in every way, an ideal location to settle in and begin his training.

If only it weren’t already occupied.

"This cave... it’s perfect," he murmured.

"Quiet, remote, and well-hidden. I could stay here for months if I needed to..."

His voice trailed off as he glanced back at the beast.

Its chest rose and fell slowly, rhythmically.

Deep in slumber, but very much alive. Very much dangerous.

But with that thing inside...

He hesitated, weighing the risks.

He didn’t want to waste time searching for another shelter, not with night already deepening and spirit beasts growing bolder after dark.

The wilderness wasn’t kind to wanderers, especially those without secured territory.

He had to act now—claim a space and defend it.

John narrowed his eyes, and a cold gleam flickered within them.

"I’ll kill it."

The words were quiet, but absolute.

It was a gamble, yes, but one worth taking.

If he succeeded, he’d have a shelter, a corpse to harvest materials from, and a fearsome location no other wild beast would dare approach for weeks.

He slowly began drawing spiritual energy into his limbs, adjusting his breathing to the rhythm of his Slow Toad Breathing Skill. His muscles tensed, focus sharpening.

One clean strike, while it’s still asleep...

And with that thought, John crept toward the cave, each step light as wind, eyes locked onto the horned-winged bear within.

John stepped silently into the cave, every movement calculated and deliberate.

The beast lay motionless near the back wall, nestled in a shallow bed of stone and moss.

Its breathing was deep and even, but the oppressive aura it gave off remained constant, like the heat of a smoldering volcano.

He moved into position, circling quietly until he was just meters from its massive head.

The air grew heavier the closer he got.

The bear’s horn glowed faintly, reacting to the spiritual energy in John’s body.

There was no more time. He had to act fast!

In one swift motion, John lunged forward, channeling all his strength into his right fist.

With a sharp exhale, he struck straight at the beast’s left eye, the only vulnerable spot not covered in thick fur or bone.

Crack!

A wet crunch echoed through the cave as his fist sank into the bear’s socket.

The creature jerked violently awake, letting out an ear-shattering roar that shook dust from the cave ceiling.

Its wings flared open instinctively, creating a gust that nearly threw John off his feet.

The beast staggered back, blood pouring from its ruined eye, but it was far from defeated.

With a furious bellow, the horned bear swiped at John with its eagle-like claws, the swing swift despite its size.

John dropped to a roll, narrowly evading the attack.

The claws gouged deep lines into the stone wall behind him, sending chips flying.

The battle had begun.