Midas found himself searching for an escape from the confounding passages. As he continued exploring, he noticed the absence of the large beasts he had encountered earlier. Small critters scurried about, and Midas decided to leave them undisturbed, focusing instead on finding a path out.
A slight draft of air caught Midas' attention, guiding him in a specific direction. Intrigued, he followed the subtle current, hoping it would lead him closer to freedom. Although he could endure without food or water for extended periods since reaching the peak of the Qi Condensation Realm, his body still required sustenance. He couldn't neglect the need to replenish his energy and hydrate himself.
Continuing along the draft's trail, Midas soon came across an opening, partially concealed by a large rock. Excitement surged within him as he realized this could be his way out. Utilizing his fists and honing his newfound skill, Starwrought Fists, Midas unleashed a powerful strike, shattering the rock barrier obstructing his path. The skills he acquired now flowed through him naturally, as if they were ingrained in his very being. He murmured, “I think the system is just naming the skills I had already possessed in Erideria.”
“Well, nothing to it. The system certainly makes it convenient to use them.”
Stepping out of the cave, Midas was awestruck by his surroundings. He found himself standing in the midst of a vast and dense forest. Towering ancient trees reached toward the heavens, their interwoven branches resembling an intricate tapestry. The air crackled with mystic energies, and the scent of unknown flora enveloped his senses.
Unbeknownst to Midas, the forest around him was the Endless Forest. It was a treacherous expanse, fraught with numerous perils. It harbored monstrous creatures far stronger than anything he had encountered before. The forest was a place that even the most skilled warriors and mages hesitated to enter, its secrets and dangers known only to those who dared to venture within.
Surveying his surroundings, Midas felt the stirrings of hunger. He looked around to see if there were any creatures nearby that he could hunt, while also wanting to avoid encroaching upon the territory of a powerful beast. Midas surveyed his surroundings and spotted a rabbit-like creature hopping from one rock to another.
He was hesitant about hunting the cute critter but reasoned that he needed nourishment. However, all his qualms were quashed when the seemingly cute and ideally herbivorous animal unhinged its jaw to quickly snap up a small squirrel-like creature.
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Determined to satisfy his appetite, and now a little less guilty about his prospective hunt, he blurred towards the creature, taking care to execute a swift and clean kill. To his dismay, the experience gained from this low-level prey was reduced.
YOU HAVE SLAIN LEPHORAN LEVEL 3 – LESSER EXPERIENCE EARNED FOR KILLING AN ENEMY BELOW YOUR LEVEL. 20 XP GAINED.
With the rabbit-like creature in his possession, Midas set about building a fire using the bushcraft skills he had cultivated during his childhood. A pang of nostalgia hit him as he remembered his mother. He had not thought of her in a long time. A mortal unlike him, Aria had passed away from bloodroot fever when he was just 11. Since then, he’d lived at the mercy of others in his village, at least until it was discovered that he had the talent to be a cultivator and was promptly shipped out to the nearest large sect. Cutting the flow of memories short, he expertly gathered suitable materials, arranged them into a small campfire, and ignited it. As the flames danced and crackled, he slowly cooked the rabbit-like creature, savoring the aroma that wafted from the roasting meat.
While enjoying his meal, Midas's senses alerted him to the presence of a nearby stream. His parched throat yearned for a drink, and he hastened toward the source of the glistening water. Cupping his hands, he scooped up the cool liquid and brought it to his lips, savoring the refreshing taste. As he quenched his thirst, a thought struck him—he needed a way to carry water for future journeys.
Contemplating the predicament, Midas considered the materials available in the forest. His gaze settled upon the sturdy bark of a nearby tree, a perfect resource to fashion a container. With determination, he set to work creating a makeshift water pouch, skillfully manipulating the bark to fashion a vessel capable of securely holding water.
CRAFTED 1 POOR QUALITY WATERSKIN. 10 XP GAINED.
“Poor, huh? I dare you to create a masterpiece from nothing,” he muttered.
Smarting from the system’s description of his improvised solution, Midas continued to walk carefully beside the stream. Despite the system’s derision, he felt that he was coping reasonably well, overcoming the challenges presented by the labyrinth, discovering the forest, and securing both food and water for his immediate needs. But little did he know, far greater trials awaited him within the depths of this mystical realm.
As he skulked ahead, Midas's thoughts turned to the next steps of his journey. He knew he had barely scratched the surface of the vast world that lay before him. Determined to unlock his full potential and face whatever perils came his way, he was resolved to find the Shrine of Ascendancy.