As Arya and his new spirit beast began their journey deeper into the caves of Dreadfall Forest, an unknown pursuer—someone else also after him—entered the forest without Arya's knowledge.
"Where are you hiding, little ant? Come out—your death has come for you," muttered a man in a black outfit as he stepped through the same gates through which Arya and his team had entered. Peering deep into the forest, he continued, "Daring to kill my junior brother and escape? It's not going to take me long once I find you. Since you're clearly in the outer areas, bearing my junior brother's emblem, I'll cut off your four limbs and hang your head at the Fallen Leaves City border as a tribute to my deceased brother."
With a mix of anger and a playful glint in his eyes, the dark-clad man advanced deeper into the forest. His movements were so swift and silent that even the fallen leaves around him remained undisturbed. From a distance, he appeared less like a human and more like a shadow gliding between dark, twisted trees. His middle finger ring glowed with dark hues—a sign that he was using his seed skills while moving stealthily. Judging by the ring's colors, it might be a dark elemental or possibly an electric elemental skill.
Despite his haste and determination to complete his kill for revenge—and perhaps to settle scores with another at the Finlet Academy—he knew that tracking someone in this vast forest would be challenging. Even with a tracking device and the target's location, the unpredictable terrain and the presence of wild beasts could easily delay him for an entire day. After all, even a Level 46 cultivator like him sometimes struggled with Dreadfall Forest's chaos.
Meanwhile, inside the third cave, Arya—having removed the aura protection to focus on cultivating without wasting time—was in a sorry state. His breathing was heavy, and sweat dripped from his body. Yet, he was smiling for two reasons. First, he had finally reached the end gate of the third cave without the aura protection from the little beast on his shoulder. Second, his cultivation had just broken through to Level 23 after more than half a month of arduous effort, boosted by the beast blood he absorbed the previous day and the intense exercises in the stifling, aura-filled cave.
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"Nothing changes with a one-level breakthrough—you're still the same weak human who can't stand against a stronger cultivator. Stop celebrating now; move forward, and you'll be very happy with what I'm about to give you in exchange for your promise. So hurry up!"
Arya's momentary joy vanished as he heard the familiar voice coming from his left shoulder. "Move ahead—I've already traveled for a whole day. It's time to set up my tent for tonight. Here in Dreadfall Forest, it's hard to tell the correct time, but judging by the deepening darkness in these caves, it must be around 5:30 or so."
The voice continued with a teasing lilt, "If I were you, I'd have traveled both day and night without wasting time worrying about what awaits me. But here you are, treating it as just another task instead of the opportunity it is. You're not telling me what to expect, nor whether you can agree to my conditions."
After a pause, the beast added, "To pique your interest, I'll say this: what I want to give you will instantly boost your strength. It's something immensely valuable for your future—an opportunity you might not get again. It's almost as significant as having me as your first spirit companion."
Arya considered this carefully. If the gift were as important as the bond of having such a powerful spirit by his side, he would be willing to accept all its conditions—provided it didn't cost him his life.
"If what you say is true, and this gift is as crucial as having you beside me, then I might agree to your conditions. But only if it's possible and doesn't endanger my life," Arya replied.
"Don't worry," the beast assured him. "I'm connected to you in a way that prevents me from asking for anything that could cost us both our lives. All I require is your promise—nothing more."
With that settled, Arya began unpacking his camping equipment and quickly set up his tent. He also started a campfire to cook the beast he had hunted earlier—though he spared the two light-element beast bodies, knowing they could fetch a good price in pink coins. It was only at night that both he and the spirit beast enjoyed a freshly cooked meal; during the day, while traveling, Arya subsisted on dried meat. The spirit beast, despite its connection to him, preferred not to eat during the day, claiming it could fast for an entire month and only feasted at night because Arya's cooking was excellent.
