The morning sun filtered through the leaves of the forest as Wuji, Zhao Kai, and Yang Rui ventured deeper into the woods. The air was cool, but there was a palpable sense of anticipation among them. Wuji had spent the night resting, his body recovering from the battle with the Ironclaw Bear, and now, alongside two cultivators from the Frozen Lake Sect, he felt more confident than ever.

Zhao Kai led the way, spear strapped to his back, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of movement. Yang Rui walked beside him, her hand resting lightly on the hilt of her sword. Wuji trailed behind, his own sword at the ready, ears attuned to the forest sounds. They moved cautiously, knowing that this part of the forest was home to stronger beasts, and the herbs they sought were likely to be guarded by dangerous creatures.

The further they traveled, the denser the forest became. The trees grew taller, their trunks thick with age, and the undergrowth tangled beneath their feet. The forest felt alive, teeming with Qi that permeated every inch of the environment. Wuji could feel it, like an invisible pressure in the air, and it only served to remind him how different this world was from the one he had left behind.

Zhao Kai finally stopped, kneeling by a cluster of vibrant blue flowers nestled between two large rocks. "This is one of the herbs we're looking for," he said, plucking a single flower and holding it up to show Wuji. "It's called the Frozen Bloom. Its properties are ideal for stabilizing a breakthrough into the Qi Gathering Realm."

Wuji crouched beside him, inspecting the flower with curiosity. It was delicate, with petals that seemed to shimmer in the light. Despite its beauty, there was a faint chill emanating from it, as if the flower itself was infused with the essence of ice.

"We'll need more than just this one," Yang Rui said, her voice soft but determined. "We're looking for two specific herbs, and they're all likely to be in the more dangerous areas of the forest."

Wuji nodded, understanding the gravity of their task. The Frozen Bloom was just one part of the puzzle. They needed to gather all the necessary herbs if Zhao Kai and Yang Rui were to successfully break through to the next realm. For cultivators, such breakthroughs were life-changing, and failure could result in severe consequences, even death.

They pressed on, navigating through the forest with increasing caution. As they ventured deeper, the air seemed to grow colder, and the ground beneath their feet felt uneven and treacherous. Wuji noticed the shift in the atmosphere. There was a tension here, a sense that something was watching them from the shadows.

His instincts proved correct when they entered a small clearing and Zhao Kai suddenly raised his hand, signaling for them to stop. Wuji halted, his muscles tensing as he gripped the hilt of his sword. He could feel it—the presence of a Qi beast nearby.

"Be ready," Zhao Kai whispered, his voice low and urgent. "I sense something strong."

The three of them spread out, forming a loose triangle as they prepared for whatever was lurking in the woods. Wuji's heart pounded in his chest, his eyes scanning the dense undergrowth for any signs of movement. Then, he heard it—a deep, guttural growl that seemed to reverberate through the trees.

Out of the shadows emerged a massive creature, its hulking form covered in thick, bristling fur. The beast's eyes glowed with a faint red hue, and its claws dug into the earth as it stepped into the clearing. Wuji's breath caught in his throat as he recognized the beast—it was an Ironhide Wolf, an upper-level Tier-1 demonic beast known for its incredible strength and near-impenetrable hide.

Zhao Kai cursed under his breath. "This one's going to be tough."

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Yang Rui drew her sword in a flash, the blade gleaming in the dim light. "Stay focused. We can't afford any mistakes."

The wolf let out a deafening howl, its sharp teeth bared as it charged toward them with terrifying speed. Wuji barely had time to react before Zhao Kai was already moving, his spear cutting through the air with precision. The spear tip met the wolf's hide with a loud clang, sparks flying as the weapon glanced off its armored fur.

"It's tough!" Zhao Kai shouted, quickly retreating as the wolf swung its massive claws at him.

Wuji knew they were in for a difficult fight. The Ironhide Wolf's defenses were formidable, and while it was only a Tier-1 beast, its upper-level strength made it a deadly opponent. He had never fought a beast like this before, and the pressure of the encounter was unlike anything he had experienced.

Yang Rui moved swiftly, darting in from the side with her sword aimed at the wolf's legs. She slashed with fluid grace, aiming for the joints where the hide might be thinner, but the wolf was faster than it looked. It twisted its body with surprising agility, dodging her strike and countering with a vicious swipe of its claws. Yang Rui narrowly avoided the attack, rolling to the side and coming back to her feet with a determined glint in her eyes.

Wuji couldn't stand by any longer. He rushed forward, his sword raised high as he aimed for the wolf's side. His blade struck true, but the impact was less than he hoped for—the wolf's hide was like iron, and his sword barely left a mark.

"Dammit," Wuji muttered under his breath, pulling back before the wolf could retaliate.

Zhao Kai grinned despite the intensity of the battle. "It's a tough bastard, isn't it?"

Wuji didn't respond, his mind racing as he tried to think of a way to pierce the wolf's defenses. The beast's hide was nearly impenetrable, but there had to be a weakness. Every creature had a weak spot, and Wuji was determined to find it.

The wolf lunged at Zhao Kai again, its claws aiming for his chest. Zhao Kai spun his spear in a wide arc, deflecting the attack just in time. But the wolf wasn't done—it followed up with a powerful bite, its jaws snapping at Zhao Kai's arm. Zhao Kai barely managed to leap back, but the wolf's teeth grazed his sleeve, tearing the fabric.

Wuji's eyes narrowed. The wolf's movements were fast and aggressive, but they were also predictable. It favored its left side, using its right claws and teeth to attack. That gave Wuji an idea. If he could distract it long enough, maybe he could get close enough to strike a critical blow.

"Zhao Kai, Yang Rui," Wuji called out, his voice steady despite the chaos. "I have an idea. Keep its attention on you two."

Zhao Kai nodded, immediately understanding Wuji's plan. "Got it. Yang Rui, let's go!"

The two cultivators moved in tandem, attacking the wolf from opposite sides. Zhao Kai's spear danced in the air, striking with rapid precision, while Yang Rui's sword sliced through the gaps in the wolf's defense. The wolf roared in frustration, its attention divided between the two skilled fighters.

Wuji seized the opportunity. With the wolf distracted, he darted in low, moving toward its exposed underbelly. His sword glinted in the light as he aimed for a vulnerable spot just behind the beast's front leg, where its hide was thinnest.

The wolf sensed him too late. Wuji's blade plunged deep into the beast's side, cutting through flesh and muscle. The wolf howled in pain, thrashing wildly as blood sprayed from the wound. But Wuji didn't stop—he twisted the blade, driving it deeper until he felt the wolf's body shudder beneath him.

With a final, pained growl, the Ironhide Wolf collapsed to the ground, its massive body going still.

Panting, Wuji pulled his sword free and stepped back, wiping the blood from his blade. Zhao Kai and Yang Rui approached, both of them breathing heavily but unharmed.

"Nice work," Zhao Kai said, giving Wuji a nod of approval. "You found its weak spot."

Wuji smiled, though his body ached from the intensity of the fight. "We make a good team."

Yang Rui knelt beside the fallen wolf, inspecting its body for any useful materials. "It'll fetch a decent price at the market, but we didn't come here for a bounty. Let's keep moving."

They continued their journey deeper into the forest, and after another hour of searching, Zhao Kai finally found what they had come for—a small, hidden grove where the last of the herbs they needed grew in abundance. The herb, called Iceheart Grass, shimmered with an ethereal glow, its Qi-rich properties clear from the way the air around it seemed to hum with energy.

Zhao Kai carefully harvested the herbs, placing them in a small pouch. "This is it," he said, his voice filled with satisfaction. "With these, we'll be able to break through."

Wuji watched as Zhao Kai stood, the weight of their success settling over the group. They had survived the hunt, defeated a powerful Qi beast, and gathered the herbs they needed.

Now, it was time to return to Green Willow City.