Zhen Shi was dashing through the Berthelien forest with the wind on his back. Mystical streaks of sunlight shone through the tree leaves lighting up the dark and humid forest. The forest was filled with tall evergreen trees, thick foliage, and shrubs. Wherever you looked one would be met with vibrant greenery.

Then there was the sound of animals that continued to follow him. This wasn't the natural sound of a bird, deer, or other such harmless creature... Oh, no, these were the furious guttural howls of the horde of demonic beasts that were chasing after him.

Immediately after entering the forest, Zhen Shi had realized how much of a boring grind it would be to kill beast after beast to level up. As such he had decided to loudly dash through the forest and gather as many as possible before killing all of them in one single swoop!

And the demonic beasts had been more than happy to chase after the human core formation cultivator that was 'stupid' enough to enter by himself and make such a loud racket. After all, they were stronger than any human of the same cultivation level and greatly outnumbered this one fellow. The only problem was how they were going to divide this one human among themselves...

After a while longer, realizing that he had gathered enough prey, Zhen Shi decisively stopped in a small meadow.

The demonic beasts who were more than happy to have their meal a bit earlier continued to dash forwards. Lions, Tigers, Serpents, Wolves, weird hybrids, and all sorts of different beasts impatiently launched themselves towards Zhen Shi.

But to the surprise of the beasts, their 'meal' confidently raised his head and shouted out, "O evil beasts of the Berthelien forest, who have consumed many innocent humans. But today is your greatest fortune! The good karma in your previous lives has bought you this reward! In pity for your uncontrollable savageness, I have decided to give you the opportunity to see a vision of the heavens and reform yourselves! Then you can repent and die in shame!"

Saying so, Zhen Shi used the wind aether to lower his pants, "Shaming the Heavens!"

Even if the skill would be strongest when he used his own hands to reveal himself, he wasn't shameless enough to do that... unless absolutely necessary, of course.

At the sight of the 'heavenly vision', the horde of beasts froze in shock with widened eyes, completely unable to move. Most of the beasts were at the Core Formation Stage and there were even a few Soul Formation Stage beasts. But how could they handle a skill that even a Soul Transformation-Peak Xue Yuegui couldn't handle when Zhen Shi was much weaker?

The beasts felt the blood rise to their throats as they realized that the so-called 'vision of the heavens' was. But they were frozen in shock and unable to even cough blood... how cruel...

At the same time, a voice rang out, "Alas, forgive me, my dear beasty friends. I know all too well, that it is much too difficult to live after witnessing the magnificence of the heavens. So as a final kindness on my part, I'll let you die with this heavenly vision everlasting in your mind..."

Zhen Shi's figure blurred as he combined his wind aether with [Draconic Wind Steps] and formed into six wind shadows of himself. All six of them dashed forwards and began to attack the helpless beasts.

While five shadows made use of to burn the Core formation beasts into dust, the other wind shadow wielded a sharp and fearsome sword and easily beheaded the Soul Formation stage beasts.

By the time the wind shadows reformed into a single Zhen Shi wielding a sword, the ground was littered with burnt ashes and a few headless corpses.

Instantly, the system rang out in a volley of notifications...

Ding!

Congratulations to the user for eviscerating Core Formation Stage Cultivators!

The user has gained 100 exp x 34!

Ding!

Congratulations to the user for beheading Soul Formation Stage Cultivators!

The user has gained 1000 exp x 4!

'Shit! What the heck is up with this low exp? Could it be that I only get 100 exp for any cultivator of the same stage as me and 1000 for those in the next? But... this is unfair!"

System: "..."

Ding!

Congratulations to the user for earning 10 OP!

Ding!

The user has gained 500 exp for System Skill: !

has reached System Level 3!

Ding!

Congratulations to the user for defeating your first Core Formation Stage cultivator!

The user gains a minor reward bag!

Zhen Shi waited in silent expectation for another notification, when his eyes suddenly widened in realization, "Shit! That stupid system rule! I forgot about it...! Then does this mean that since I currently have the reward for defeating my first Core Formation Stage enemy, I will not gain one for Soul Formation stage enemies ever again? Damn it! System this is horrible customer service! You should take Hephaestus as an example!"

System: (>ლ)

As the system remained silent, Zhen Shi could only grumble, "Open the minor reward bag!"

Ding!

Minor Reward Bag opened. You have gained 30 OP!

"At least this is an acceptable reward. I should be able to get myself another divine boon pretty soon."

Consoling himself as such, Zhen Shi heaved a disappointed sigh as he reverted the sword in his hand, back into its original appearance of a bow.

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Since he had been unable to fulfill his dream of using a sword he had made use of the bow's transformation ability to turn it into a sword... And since it was a God bow, even without any weapon intent it was rather powerful.

Storing the bow back within the system storage, Zhen Shi mentally said, "Status!"

User: Zhen Shi

Cultivation Level: Core Formation Stage 4 II Physical Cultivation Level: Core Formation Peak

Cultivation energy: 100%

Race: Probably Human

Cultivation Path: Base-

Skills: [Draconic Wind Steps(Movement Technique)-First Step-Initiate] 

[Unarmed Water Style(Martial Art)-Novice]

[Descending Bow(Intent-based Martial Art)-Initiate]

Exp points: 7,800/20,000

OP(Otaku Points): 40

Titles: -Otherworld Reincarnator {Effect: Instant Spell Casting of learned spells one grade below. Intelligence +20 Charisma +40}

-Scholarly Librarian {All user known data and information can be instantaneously viewed at the user's leisure. Grants access to the Scholarly Library. Never forget anything ever again!}

-Acquainted with Aether{ As an acquaintance of aether, they would naturally not hide from your sight. Currently grants [Aether sight]: The ability to see aether everywhere and anywhere and discern the type, in most occasions.}

-Fake Tarzan ([Bestial Instincts]-Permanent 2x action and reaction speed increase)

Status: Normal {No effects}

Seeing nothing special, Zhen Shi was getting ready to move on. The last battle had been a bit too easy. He needed something stronger to get a proper idea about his own power. And as luck would have it, a terrifying roar rang out, "ROAR! How dare you kill so many of my fellow beasts? Humans are always so cruel! What did they do to you? They were ONLY going to eat you! As such, this white and pure-hearted one can only execute that will in their place!"

A large gorilla-type beast with pure and shiny white fur lumbered from amongst the trees. Through the aether, Zhen Shi could see that this demonic beast was at Soul Transformation-Peak.

'How the hell did I not hear this loud lumbering giant! And is it stupid? ONLY kill and eat me? HAHA, this gorilla is funny!'

Zhen Shi couldn't help but laugh as he said, "Don't worry, I ONLY killed them as well!" Instantly he threw out a Hel's Flare fireball at the speechless gorilla.

Baboom!

The fireball exploded covering the gorilla in fiery flames. The gorilla began to roar in pain but was able to easily hold back the flames using imbued soul energy and reduce its injuries by a great deal. But due to the fearsome power of Hel flames, the pure white gorilla's fur was now pitch black!

Horrified by its new appearance, the gorilla roared with eyes red with rage, "NO! My beautiful and pure white fur!"

Zhen Shi couldn't help but reply back with a grin, "Be thankful to this scholarly self! You look like a normal gorilla now!"

But the gorilla ignored him and continued to roar in rage, "How dare you defile my beauty? I'll kill and defecate on you!" Instantly, a strange energy that was as strong as weapon intent, but not quite the same, manifested around the pitch-black gorilla.

Zhen Shi frowned as he quickly flipped through his knowledge from the Scholarly Library, 'This energy... is it mana?'

As the mana revolved around the gorilla, the gorilla's rage settled and it quickly calmed down. Calmly closing its eyes, the gorilla raised two hands and began to mutter inaudible words as if it was chanting in order to prepare a magic spell.

Zhen Shi couldn't help but grin and say, "A gorilla mage? I guess... 'You're a wizard, Hairy'!"

But as cocky as he was, he wasn't going to underestimate the gorilla wizard and hurriedly activated cranking it up to 60%!

Even if he had access to arrow intent of his own, spells were slightly stronger that weapon intent in a direct comparison of power. Not to mention this 'Hairy Potter' was two whole cultivation levels above him.

Also considering the fact that he was facing a demonic beast, using was his best bet. Azure scales began to spread throughout his body as two horns grew out of his head. His trousers were stabbed through by a draconic tail, his shoes ruptured as claws grew out and his hands curved into terrifying claws as well.

Ignorant of the Zhen Shi's transformation, the gorilla began to speak out confidently with its eyes still closed, "I don't know who this Hairy fellow is... but know that your death is near!"

It opened its eyes and roared out, "Face my original spell! {Dawn of the Planet of the--"

But it's spell was caught in its throat as it began to stare at Zhen Shi with fearful eyes. Currently, Zhen Shi looked like a fearsome killing machine. His eyes were filled with malicious killing intent and his mouth was curved in a demonic grin.

The gorilla felt a terrifying psychological pressure from Zhen Shi's draconic appearance. Even if the Dragon bloodline was unrelated to a Gorilla, it couldn't help but feel an instinctive fear arise from deep within its mind. As such, the pitch-black gorilla shuddered in terror and began to escape... or at least it tried to...

Thwack!

Zhen Shi's draconic tail struck instinctively struck against the ground granting him terrifying momentum. With a speed that was even a bit faster than [Draconic Wind Steps], he reappeared next to the escaping gorilla.

SLASH!

And with a single claw strike, the gorilla's head was ripped off.

Since the bestial killing intent was slightly sated by this kill, Zhen Shi's mind cleared a bit. He hurriedly made use of this moment to deactivate .

As his figure reverted back to normal, Zhen Shi couldn't help but heave a relieved sigh while making a mental note to be careful of using . Since he had overestimated the gorilla he had used the skill at a level that was a bit more than he could handle.

Putting this matter aside, looking down at the hole in his pants and his ripped pants, Zhen Shi couldn't help but feel annoyed. It looks like he'll have to begin packing extra clothing from now on..

Ding!

Congratulation to the user for killing a Soul Transformation Peak-Demonic Beast!

The user has gained 15,000 exp.

Ding!

Congratulations to the user for reaching the Core Formation Stage 5!

As the skeletal planet within his dantian expanded and grew slightly stronger, Zhen Shi fell into thought, 'Even Hairy Potter wasn't much of a challenge. Looks like my next opponent will have to be a Nascent Soul stage fellow...'

Suddenly remembering that demonic beast corpses or rather their beast cores were valuable, Zhen Shi manifested a single draconic claw and ripped out a core from the headless gorilla corpse.

Observing the beast core filled with translucent pitch-black soul energy he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. 'Huh. So while the gorilla was white on the outside it was black on the inside. There is a lesson to be learned here, but... I don't give a shirt!'

Thinking so, Zhen Shi proceeded to gather the beast cores of the hordes he had killed before. Counting the 34 ordinary beast cores and the 6 soul energy imbued beast cores, Zhen Shi unhappily packed them into a satchel he had 'borrowed' from the old butler.

'System, why won't you let me store this kind of stuff in the inventory as well? Aren't you being too proud by only allowing the storage of system-related items? Remember, being too proud and acting like a braggart leads to a quick death!'

System: (>ლ)

Sighing deeply about his heavy problems, Zhen Shi continued to dash forwards.

But to his surprise, he soon realized that no beast dared come forth and when he approached, they quickly retreated. It appears that his dragon form had scared them a bit too much...

Rather disappointed, Zhen Shi proceeded forwards in hope of finding beasts that would get cocky or didn't know of his power.

After a few minutes, he suddenly realized that he was walking along a strange trail. Following it with morbid curiosity he soon saw that the path ended at the entrance to a mountain chasm. The chasm led into a misty and almost ghostly valley. He could almost see strange shadows shuffling about, but the moment he tried to focus on them, the shadows disappeared... Even the aether was unable to see through...

Growing curious but still careful, Zhen Shi carefully looked around and noticed a rotten piece of wood covered by some overgrown weeds. On closer inspection, he realized that it was a signpost!

Clearing the weeds with a claw slash, and after minutes of trying to read the faded words upon the signpost, he finally realized what it said.

"The Valley of No Return."