Conan awoke in his dormitory, his body still weary but his spirit rejuvenated by the victory of the previous day. The duel he had fought echoed in his mind, but he knew that triumph was only the beginning of a much more arduous journey. Unbeknownst to him, news of his victory had already spread through the sect, fueling rumors that he was yet to encounter.

The soft glow of dawn filtered into his room. After completing his morning routine, Conan prepared for what truly mattered: his cultivation. He needed to advance to the Body Refinement Realm, and for that, he required resources. The nearby forest was the perfect place to find herbs that would speed up his progress and, hopefully, magical beasts whose materials could be used to refine Qi fortification pills.

The morning air was crisp, and the forest's silence was broken only by the occasional sound of leaves rustling under Conan's feet. He wandered with careful steps, alert to any sign of danger. His senses, sharpened by cultivation, soon detected something unusual—a strong, almost tangible presence. He knew what it meant: a magical beast was nearby.

Guided by his instincts, Conan moved forward, his steps becoming quieter and more deliberate. The path led him to a clearing bathed in sunlight. At the center, a crystal-clear lake reflected the sky, creating an almost surreal scene. However, what truly captured his attention was the enormous black serpent coiled around a rock in the middle of the lake. Its eyes were predatory, fixed on him with a cold gleam. On the rock, a golden flower radiated a soft light—one of the rare herbs Conan sought.

He took a deep breath, analyzing the situation. The snake was no ordinary opponent. Its size and aura indicated it was a second-rank beast, equivalent to the Body Refinement Realm. Conan knew a direct confrontation would be risky, perhaps even suicidal. He needed more than brute strength; he needed strategy.

With a firm grip on his bronze sword—a reward from the previous day's duel—Conan began devising a plan. He needed to lure the snake out of the water where its mobility would be restricted and use the terrain to his advantage.

In a swift move, Conan leaped towards the snake, aiming a decisive blow at its head. But the creature was fast—much faster than he anticipated. With a sudden movement, it dodged and counterattacked with its tail, a powerful strike that Conan barely managed to block. The impact threw him backward, dragging him across the clearing’s ground, while the metallic clang of his sword echoed in the air.

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"This is stronger than I expected," Conan thought, feeling his hands tingle from the force of the impact. He was panting, but the flame of determination burned in his eyes. This battle would not be decided by strength alone, but by strategy.

Quickly regaining his footing, Conan began to maneuver around the snake, keeping it in his sights while studying its attack patterns. Each strike from the beast was fierce, and he dodged narrowly, using the terrain to his advantage. The snake, growing increasingly agitated, attacked with more aggression, but it began to take a toll on its stamina. Conan knew it couldn’t sustain that pace forever.

At last, the opening he had been waiting for appeared. The snake, in a desperate lunge, missed its target and left its head exposed for a moment. Without hesitation, Conan advanced and drove his sword deep into the creature’s head.

An agonized, high-pitched scream reverberated through the clearing as the massive serpent writhed before finally falling still.

Breathing heavily, Conan withdrew his sword from the serpent’s skull and sheathed it. His gaze then turned to the golden flower. He approached the rock in the center of the lake, where the herb still shimmered, undisturbed by the chaos around it. Carefully, Conan plucked the flower, feeling its vibrant energy flow through his hands. A satisfied smile curved his lips.

"This is just the beginning," he thought. The fight with the snake had been challenging, but each obstacle overcome made him stronger. With the golden flower in hand, he was one step closer to reaching the Body Refinement Realm.

After exploring the forest further and gathering other valuable herbs, Conan decided it was time to return to the sect. The day had been productive, but he knew he needed rest to process his achievements. As he made his way back, a sudden alertness struck him. Out of nowhere, a figure appeared, blocking his path. It was Amara Lencastre, one of the sect’s strongest disciples.

"May I help you, Miss Amara?" Conan asked, his voice cautious but curious. Amara was not someone who approached without reason.

"No need to be so formal, just call me older sister," she replied with a light smile. "I was looking for you. The rumors have spread quickly. They say you’ve really started taking your cultivation seriously."

Conan raised an eyebrow but remained calm. "Rumors spread fast around here. But did you come all this way just to confirm that?"

Amara chuckled softly. "The rumors aren’t just idle talk. The sect leader is also interested in you. She asked me to inform you that she wants to see you personally."

Conan felt a shiver run down his spine. The sect leader? Why would she be interested in him? He tried to keep his surprise in check.

"I understand," he replied, maintaining composure. "I’ll see her tomorrow morning."

"Then I’ll leave you to it, younger brother Itharis," Amara said, giving a meaningful farewell.

"Goodbye, older sister," Conan responded, giving a respectful bow.

Amara walked away, and Conan watched her retreating figure with a thoughtful expression. What could the sect leader want with him? This question now loomed over him like a shadow, but he knew he would only find answers the following day.

Upon returning to his dormitory, Conan prepared to rest, though his mind remained restless. Tomorrow, he would meet with the sect leader and finally discover what awaited him. Whatever it was, he knew his destiny was just beginning to unfold.