The forest air was thick with tension.
Freshly ascended into the Dou Shi realm, Xiao Feng had no intention of wasting time basking in his achievement. Power was meant to be tested, sharpened, and tempered in battle.
And today, he had found the perfect whetstone.
A loud roar echoed through the woods as a massive silhouette emerged from the trees. It was nearly three meters tall, coated in dark silver scales, with jagged horns protruding from its head. Its claws could rip through stone, and its eyes gleamed with predatory intelligence.
> Name: Ironhorn Lizard
Rank: 2nd-Rank Magic Beast (Equivalent to 5-Star Dou Shi)
Affinity: Earth
Threat Level: High
Xiao Feng narrowed his eyes.
> "Tougher than the Ironhide Bear… but perfect."
The beast spotted him and roared, charging like a boulder let loose.
BOOM!
Xiao Feng's Dou Qi cloak activated instantly, wind-like energy coating his body. He sidestepped the lunge effortlessly, the new Shadow Gale Steps letting him move like mist between trees.
He appeared beside the lizard in a flash.
> "Falling Wind Slash – First Form: Triple Gale Cut!"
His sword moved faster than the eye could follow.
Shiiing! Shiiing! Shiiing!
Three rapid slashes tore through the lizard's thick hide, drawing blood—but not enough to slow it. The beast roared and swung its tail with monstrous strength.
CRACK!
He raised his sword and blocked with his Dou Qi-enhanced strength, but the impact still sent him skidding back several meters. Trees splintered under his boots.
> "Its defenses are strong. Then let's up the pace."
Xiao Feng darted forward again, this time using the second technique he had honed through countless fights.
> "Falling Wind Slash – Second Form: Gale Bloom!"
Twelve blinding slashes rained down like a storm of steel and wind. The beast howled as several of its scales were torn off, blood flowing freely now. It staggered but retaliated, jaws wide open, trying to crush him in a single bite.
He leapt back, barely dodging the snapping maw, his cloak flickering with wind energy as he hovered midair for a split second.
Then his expression hardened.
> "Time to end it."
He steadied his breathing.
His eyes narrowed.
The forest grew quiet.
Wind coiled around his body.
> "Falling Wind Slash – Final Form: Silent Tempest Break."
He vanished.
Only a whisper of wind remained.
A second later—
BOOOOM!
Xiao Feng reappeared behind the lizard, sword raised high, blood dripping from its edge. The Ironhorn Lizard stood frozen for a moment... then collapsed with a ground-shaking thud, its skull split from crown to jaw.
The clearing was silent once more.
Xiao Feng let out a breath, calming the flow of his Dou Qi. He looked down at the fallen beast, its massive form lying still among the trees.
> "Even a 5-star Dou Shi beast can fall… if I strike first and fast enough."
He sheathed his sword, picked up the Rank 2 beast core, and turned to leave, his aura calm but sharper than ever.
His Dou Qi cloak flickered and faded.
> "Now… let's see how much further I can go."