Quantum Immortal

Wuji spent the next few days in Green Willow City immersing himself in information, seeking to understand more about cultivation, demonic beasts, and the world he now lived in. His knowledge was limited, having grown up in a remote village where cultivation was more of a whispered legend than a practical reality. However, in a place like Green Willow City, knowledge was abundant for those who sought it.

His first stop was one of the city's many libraries, a sprawling building made of polished stone and ancient wood. Inside, the scent of parchment and ink filled the air, and shelves upon shelves were crammed with scrolls and books. Wuji approached the librarian, an elderly man with a long white beard, and politely inquired about any texts on cultivation realms and demonic beasts. The man's eyes gleamed with interest as he led Wuji to a quiet corner filled with detailed volumes.

"Here, young one," the librarian said, pulling out a thick tome. "This text contains information about the basic cultivation realms and their stages. It should help clarify things for you."

Wuji thanked him and immediately dove into the book. As he turned the pages, the mystery of cultivation slowly began to unravel before him. According to the text, the path of cultivation was long and arduous, requiring perseverance and immense willpower. There were five primary realms of cultivation: Body Refinement Realm, Qi Gathering Realm, Foundation Establishment Realm, Core Formation Realm, and Nascent Soul Realm. Each realm was further divided into nine stages, representing the cultivator's progression through that realm.

The Body Refinement Realm was the first step for most people, a process where the body was strengthened and refined to handle the immense power of Qi. It was said that cultivators in this realm could wield their bodies like weapons, their bones as hard as steel. The first three stages were referred to as low-level Body Refinement, the middle three as middle-level, and the final three as upper-level.

Next came the Qi Gathering Realm, where cultivators learned to harness and control the Qi around them. This was the first step towards using Qi for techniques and combat. The progression followed the same pattern as the Body Refinement Realm—low, middle, and upper levels based on the stages.

The Foundation Establishment Realm was a pivotal step in a cultivator's journey, where they solidified their understanding of Qi and its intricacies. It was at this stage that a cultivator's future potential was truly determined.

The Core Formation Realm followed, where a cultivator would form a "golden core" in their dantian, a physical manifestation of their Qi and power. This stage was crucial, as the formation of a core allowed for immense strength and longevity.

Finally, there was the Nascent Soul Realm, a realm of near-mythical status for most common folk. Cultivators at this stage could live for centuries and wield unimaginable power, able to shape the world around them with a mere thought.

As Wuji read through the text, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. The potential for growth in this world was limitless, far beyond anything he had ever imagined on Earth. Yet, he was still in the very early stages of his journey. He suspected he was barely in the Body Refinement Realm, and his encounter with the demonic beast in the forest months ago had been more luck than skill.

But what truly piqued Wuji's interest was the classification of demonic beasts. Much like human cultivators, demonic beasts were divided into levels, or "tiers," depending on their strength and mastery of Qi. The tiers were divided into five main categories: Tier 1 through Tier 5. Each tier, like the human cultivation realms, had nine sub-levels, split into low, middle, and upper levels.

Tier 1 demonic beasts were the weakest, generally those that had only begun to awaken their connection to Qi. However, even a Tier 1 demonic beast could be a formidable opponent for someone like Wuji, who had limited experience with combat. The text described Tier 1 low-level demonic beasts as creatures with minor Qi abilities, mostly using them for basic defense or offense. Tier 1 middle-level demonic beasts were more dangerous, as they had started to refine their control over Qi, while Tier 1 upper-level demonic beasts were the most powerful, just a step away from breaking through to Tier 2.

Wuji thought back to the beast he had killed before arriving at Green Willow City. He couldn't be sure of its exact tier, but from the description, it seemed likely that it had been a Tier 1 middle-level demonic beast. It had shown some ability to use Qi, but being injured it was still able to use Qi to strengthen or protect specific parts of its body.

Satisfied with his newfound understanding of cultivation realms and demonic beasts, Wuji set out to gather more specific information about the creatures that inhabited the areas around Green Willow City. He visited the city's local adventurers' guild, a bustling hall where hunters, mercenaries, and rogue cultivators gathered to exchange information and take on jobs. The guild was filled with the sound of clinking metal, loud conversation, and the occasional boastful shout.

Wuji approached one of the bulletin boards, scanning the various notices for anything related to the demonic beasts that roamed the nearby forests. After a few moments, he found what he was looking for a notice detailing the presence of several Tier 1 low-level demonic beasts in the nearby Serpentwood Forest, about 40 li from the city. The notice warned travelers to be cautious, as even low-level demonic beasts could be deadly to the unprepared.

Wuji's eyes narrowed as he took note of the beasts mentioned on the poster. The list included Ironclaw Bears, Windfang Wolves, and Venomtail Scorpions, all Tier 1 low-level demonic beasts commonly found at the periphery of the forest. From what he could gather, the bears were strong but slow, the wolves relied on their speed and pack mentality, and the scorpions had a deadly sting, though they were smaller and more vulnerable than the other two.

It was exactly the kind of information Wuji had been hoping to find. He took mental notes of the strengths and weaknesses of each beast, knowing that preparation would be key to his survival. The Ironclaw Bears, though powerful, were vulnerable to fast attacks from their flanks. The Windfang Wolves, on the other hand, could be tricked into overextending themselves if their speed was used against them. As for the Venomtail Scorpions, their tails were their most dangerous weapon, but their small size meant they could be crushed if one was quick enough.

Wuji thanked the guild official and left the hall, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. He spent the rest of the day preparing for his hunt. His pack was stocked with essential supplies: a small cooking pot, dried rations, a first-aid kit, and various herbs and remedies. He also carried a selection of weapons, including his trusty sword, a short bow with a quiver of arrows, and a pair of daggers. His plan was to rely on stealth and precision, striking from a distance whenever possible.

As night fell, Wuji returned to the Silver Blossom Inn and laid out his plan. The forest was 40 li away, about a half day's journey by foot. He would set out early in the morning, aiming to reach the forest by midday. Once there, he would spend the afternoon scouting the periphery and hunting one of the Tier 1 low-level demonic beasts. It would be his first real test since arriving in Green Willow City, and though he was confident in his abilities, he knew that overconfidence could lead to disaster.

The next morning, Wuji set out just as the sun was rising, the city still quiet with only a few early risers going about their business. The road leading out of Green Willow City was well-maintained, a testament to the city's wealth and importance. As he walked, Wuji's mind drifted back to the information he had gathered about the cultivation realms and demonic beasts. The sheer complexity of this world continued to fascinate him. The fact that humans and beasts alike could tap into this mysterious energy, Qi, was both thrilling and daunting.

By midday, Wuji reached the edge of Serpentwood Forest. The trees here were tall and dense, their canopies creating a thick layer of shade that made the air cool and damp. The sound of birds and distant animal calls echoed through the woods, a constant reminder that this was not a place to be taken lightly.

Wuji took a deep breath and stepped into the forest, his senses on high alert. The terrain was uneven, with roots and vines crisscrossing the ground, making it difficult to move quickly. He followed the path he had marked on his map, heading towards the periphery of the forest where the Tier 1 low-level demonic beasts were known to roam.

After about an hour of walking, he spotted something in the distance—a hulking shape moving through the underbrush. It was an Ironclaw Bear, its massive frame lumbering slowly through the trees. Wuji crouched low, observing the creature. This was his chance. He had to move quickly and strike from the sides, where the bear's defenses were weakest.

Wuji steadied his breath, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword. This would be his first true hunt, and he was determined to succeed. With the knowledge he had gained, he was ready to test his mettle against the demonic beasts of this world.