It had been close to a year at this point that Tyler's entire world had changed, and over half of this had been spent unconscious with nothing but his divine sense to feel the world around him.

Containing his divine sense like this was refreshing.

As the sun began its ascent above the horizon, Tyler walked forward. A quick survey of his surroundings revealed no recent signs of human presence. He was aware that a dozen ghosts had passed through this area less than an hour ago, but he struggled to discern any lingering traces or disturbances.

That is unless you considered the withering of the entire forest as evidence of the ghosts' influence.

When he was actively using his divine sense not too long ago, Tyler was clear that there was nothing alive in a 5-kilometer radius. Not a single animal, spirit beast, cultivator, or mortal. Everything was barren.

As Tyler continued to advance, the unsettling absence of any signs of life grew increasingly eerie. There was no birdsong, no rustle of leaves, not even the distant scurrying of tiny creatures. The only sound that filled Tyler's ears was the haunting murmur of the wind, its whispers an unsettling sensation.

Typically, with his divine sense, the winds had been a source of clarity. They carried subtle but vital information about events beyond his sphere of influence. Tyler found it easy to decipher, extract scents and sounds, and unravel their hidden messages. However, at this moment, the winds' whispers remained undecipherable.

It was as if the world had shifted into an unfamiliar language, leaving him feeling disconnected from the essence of nature he knew so intimately. Despite the disconcerting nature of this situation, Tyler pressed on.

Simultaneously, Tyler's soul avatar was busy at work inside of his inner world. He would run this experiment of navigating the outside world without his divine sense, but he still had to continue using everything else at his disposal. With knowledge of herbology fresh in his mind, he started looking at the recently acquired herbs and grew curious.

He had made Serene Dew inadvertently in the past, transforming what was once imagery to help him meditate into an actual physical substance with astronomical value. Sure, there was the chance that this was a by-product of being stuck between worlds for ten thousand years, but he had nothing better to do now.

He had grown accustomed to doing multiple things at once within his inner world and on the outside, and this recent experiment would be just that, as it would require a lot of care and attention from his soul avatar.

According to the texts he had read, if the leaves from the plants he had gathered were handled correctly, most of them could be replanted. So, Tyler opened up the three books on herbology he possessed and started looking at the requirements for growing most of the plants he had acquired.

Tyler's first step was to carefully gather the leaves and seeds from the herbs he intended to replant. He selected the specimen he had the most of, the Alterleaf. This plant was relatively common in these woods and could be used for various pills, potions, and other remedies.

With the leaves and seeds in hand, Tyler turned his attention to the soil preparation portion of the textbook. The Alterleaf was quite agreeable about the soil it needed to grow. Still, even then, Tyler's island only really possessed sand, water, and the warehouse and mini home for himself.

He had no actual soil. While some plants could freely grow in sand, Alterleaf could not.

So, Tyler took the devices he had bought back in Sword King Mountain for a whooping 14 silver coins in order to help him transfer the sands to expand his island and put them to use here. Sure, the soil of this forest had seemed dead and devoid of energy, but Tyler didn't mind this. He could nurture it with his own Qi into usable soil for the Alterleaf.

Using these devices, he didn't need to utilize his divine sense. He stopped for a short hour and gathered enough of the lifeless dirt to create two large gardens.

The first garden would remain untouched, with the soil left in its natural state, nourished solely by the waters gradually generated from his Kidneys. The second garden, however, would become an experimental playground as he sought to alter the soil using various materials and explore the underlying laws governing it.

When your Kidneys were tempered with True Essence and generated tiny bits of it, it turned out that this water would help his inner world's ocean regenerate much faster and reduce his need for access to an actual body of water to replenish his Qi at accelerated speeds.

After Tyler transferred the dirt into his inner world, he resumed his travels, searching for these mysterious ghosts and the source of this village's calamity.

From within, Tyler created the two separate gardens on each side of the tiny home he had built for his soul avatar and got to work.

He transplanted the Alterleaf into the desolate soil, adhering closely to the planting guidelines in his herbology manual. Each herb had unique requirements, and Tyler ensured it was adequate, even though the Alterleaf's needs were relatively straightforward.

Unlike most tier 1 plants, which had an array of variables essential for their growth—such as specific nutrient types, soil composition, Qi levels, and root-friendly textures—the Alterleaf's demands were uncomplicated.

All it required was thick soil capable of absorbing Qi and allowing for proper aeration; the primary factor for its growth was the ability to absorb Qi. Had it not been for its requirement for thicker dirt, sand would’ve been perfect.

The following vital components in the equation were water and sunlight.

Tyler meticulously supplied each herb with the perfect amount of water, harnessing the magical qualities of his Qi. He placed his hopes on the ambient energy within his realm, which had no sun but emanated mysterious laws. These laws drew in light from both external sources and within the realm, emitting a gentle warmth permeating every corner of this unique space.

Tyler did not need to worry about pests and other diseases from within his inner world. So, he skipped over the parts about employing formation and charms.

Given that he had tons of materials in his warehouse, he replicated the same thing in the second experimental garden with a single leaf of Alterleaf, used a few identifiable materials, and dispersed them into it.

More precisely, he put a few pieces of raw Crimson Iron as it diffused fire Qi into the soil according to his book. He also found that he could balance it out with a few roots of Earth Radish, which would add a substantial amount of wood and earth elemental Qi.

Now, all he needed to do was wait. Monitor the soil and plants, water it, and wait for the magic to happen.

Tyler continued his march in the outside world, but with each step, the sense of lifelessness seemed to grow with each passing moment. The soil beneath his feet gradually became ashy and desiccated. Pausing, he looked ahead and saw the forest's end, giving way to a vast clearing.

This entire stretch of land stood in stark contrast to the lofty mountains of Veridian Peaks, as its flatness couldn't be ignored. Near his cave, the forest had thrived, lush and vibrant, with a dense canopy resonating with the symphony of birdsong.

In this particular part of the forest, however, despite an equal number of trees, vegetation was conspicuously absent, and the leafless canopy left Tyler with an unsettling feeling of unease that was only made worse by him not using his divine sense.

As Tyler approached the forest's edge, Qi suddenly surged toward him, prompting his head to snap upward. His eyes widened in alarm as he spotted a spear hurtling from the branches above. He hadn't even registered the presence of someone—or something—hidden in the tree.

Pure instinct took over, and Tyler swiftly thrust his fist toward the descending spear.

Before he could even discern whether his punch had made contact with the spear, another burst of Qi emanated from his side, accompanied by a primal war cry. "Capture the human, but be careful! His aura is monstrous," the voice declared in a wet, guttural tone as if the speaker lacked vocal cords and instead spoke from the depths of their body.

At that moment, Tyler almost unleashed his divine sense to get a better sense of the threat, but at the last moment, he restrained himself. These were not True Essence attacks. These were made of Qi, and he should be able to fight.

Unable to evade the impending pincer attack in time as he couldn't pinpoint its exact location and trajectory, Tyler had no choice but to preemptively use the Galeweave Shield to deflect the oncoming strike while simultaneously punching forward.

The spear collided with his fist, resulting in an explosive release of Qi and a flurry of swirling winds. The impact sent the initial attacker reeling backward, stumbling out of the tree and falling with a loud thumping sound to the ground.

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"Ugh!" the first attacker's breath was taken away.

The shielding technique slightly displaced the second strike and grazed Tyler's skin instead of penetrating directly into his ribs. However, such force wasn't enough to puncture his skin, so using the movements ingrained in him by Master Tanaka, he kicked to the side, using a tremendous amount of Qi to send the second attacker flying.

Regrettably, Tyler had failed to pinpoint the precise location of his attacker, causing his kick to connect with thin air. In the wake of his missed strike, he looked around and saw the wave of Qi he had unleashed promptly be dispelled by the attacker's saber swing, slicing through Tyler's Flowing River Sweep just as he had done to Master Tanaka in the past.

As if two attackers were not enough, Tyler heard blades being drawn, and he looked around swiftly only to see a total of fourteen grotesque humanoid creatures swiftly approaching.

These nightmarish entities appeared to be walking corpses. Their flesh was pallid and mottled, hanging loosely from their thin frames. Hollow eyes devoid of life glared at Tyler with malevolent intent, their sockets filled with an eerie red glow. Jagged, yellowed teeth protruded from their leering mouths, and while it seemed like their limbs shouldn't be functioning correctly, their motions were as fluid as any man.

There was no mistaking it: Tyler had stumbled upon a lair of undead, and these grotesque aberrations were advancing toward him, weapons drawn.

While he had encountered skeletons that were likely under the control of others, these undead beings appeared sentient. It was a development Tyler hadn't anticipated, but given all that he had witnessed in the past year, facing the undead wasn't the most daunting or scary challenge he had encountered.

But before going all out, Tyler decided to try and gather some information. "I apologize. I didn't know this territory belonged to anyone." Tyler said, still on guard and looking around at the undead.

A scoff resounded from one of the bigger abominations. "Stupid human, you think we're gonna fall for that? No one ventures this far into dead lands without looking for us. Now die." A thick green glow enveloped its saber and an illusion of nine ghosts manifested behind the man wailing.

Enemies in sight, Tyler wasted no more breath. It was indeed stupid of him to assume he could get anything out of undead after chasing ghosts over a hundred kilometers and walking an entire day towards their destination in the middle of nowhere.

Determining the cultivation level of these assailants without resorting to his divine sense was impossible for him right now. Yet, his instincts reassured him that this fight was well within his capabilities. Drawing upon the teachings of Master Tanaka, he swiftly assumed the Radiant Wave Stance.

Recalling the fundamental movements of the Iron Fist, Whispering Palm, Soaring Crane Kick, Flowing River Sweeps, the Flowing Tides Blow, and the Dam-Breaking Strike, he readied himself for the impending battle.

Tyler understood that he might sustain injuries without relying on his divine sense, but he accepted this risk. Should he find himself pushed to the brink, he had the ace up his sleeve, ready to unleash his divine sense and turn the tide of the encounter.

The abomination lunged forward, its saber cutting through the air, trailed by the haunting wails of the ghosts. Tyler, unflinching, tapped into his Qi, feeling its energy surge within him like a tempestuous river.

His aura surged to a level far surpassing its usual passive state. Employing the formidable Thundering Winds and Sword Clouds Method from his inner world, the air around him crackled with the heightened intensity of his power, every fiber of his being primed to fight.

First came the Iron Fist. Tyler's hand, glowing with radiant Qi, shot out with the speed and strength of a meteor, aiming to shatter the saber's eerie glow. His fist clashed with the weapon, sending a shockwave of energy that rippled through the air, scattering the wailing ghosts and sending the weapon flying.

Without pause, Tyler punched forward once more. His second strike echoed like thunder crackling in the skies and targeted the guts of the abomination. Tyler’s movements were too fast, and the undead creature staggered backward a few dozen meters, its aura flickering under the swift assault.

At that moment, Tyler felt an exhilarating clarity. The uncertainty of the outcome, the thrill of a fight that did not feel orchestrated, invigorated him. His divine sense, which had distorted his perception of time in battle, had been a crutch. Each movement of his adversaries, every subtle shift in the air, was perceptible to him in excruciating detail when he used it, reducing every fight to a simple math equation of who had more potent techniques.

With a confident smile, Tyler prepared to meet the undead head-on. He stood his ground, his body a conduit of Qi, ready to unleash the full might of his martial prowess. More abominations were attacking him, and as a spear and axe neared, he executed a masterful display of the Whispering Palm technique.

His palms moved with the precision of a seasoned warrior, intercepting the weapons with deft movements. The clash of Qi against undead steel resounded through the dead lands, creating a symphony of battle. Each palm strike from Tyler neutralized the force of the incoming attacks, turning their lethal intent into harmless bursts of energy.

But Tyler did not stop there. With the attacks intercepted and with the agility of a panther, he shifted his stance, preparing for his counterattack. His movements were a blur as he utilized the Soaring Crane Kick, his body leaping and spinning through the air.

With his attention entirely devoted to dispatching the two abominations with his Soaring Crane Kick – a move so powerful it reduced them to an explosion of guts and blood – Tyler had inadvertently left an opening.

A silent and deadly arrow had been loosed amidst the chaos, its presence masked by the dense Qi saturating the air.

The arrow found its mark as it struck Tyler in the abdomen with a thud. The force of the impact knocked the wind out of him. Pain seared through his body like wildfire, a sharp, agonizing sensation that threatened to overwhelm his senses.

For a moment, time appeared to freeze. Tyler staggered, his hand instinctively clutching the site of the wound. The instant the projectile had made contact, he could sense the familiar corrosive energy, reminiscent of his ordeal at the Twelve Ghosts Ridge, attempting to infiltrate his body.

However, even in the face of this sudden injury, Tyler's determination did not waver. He gritted his teeth and concentrated his Qi on the wound to stop the bleeding and minimize the harm. His past experiences in the military had taught him to endure such injuries, and the trace amounts of Water True Essence coursing through his body lent their healing properties to swiftly contain the invasive Qi.

Aware that the unseen archer still posed a threat, Tyler scanned his surroundings, the agony of the corrosive Qi unable to suppress his alertness. However, despite his best efforts, the archer remained invisible.

Recognizing that there was little he could do about the hidden assailant and that the injury was mostly under control and unlikely to cripple him, Tyler redirected his focus to the approaching abominations.

He burst into laughter in an attempt to taunt more enemies to charge at him so that the archer did not have a clear shot. "Hahaha! GOOD! I have not felt this alive in months! COME!" His defiant challenge echoed through the clearing.

With unwavering focus and a fierce determination in his eyes, Tyler stepped forward, employing the Mistwalker's Stride, a sword materializing in his hands. This weapon, a tier 2 sword of unknown grade, had lain in his warehouse, unused. Now, it was summoned for the battle, its blade gleaming with latent power.

Despite the throbbing pain of his wound, Tyler's movements retained their lethal precision. He channeled a considerable amount of Qi into the sword, the energy coursing through the blade, transforming it into an extension of his will. With a deep breath, he gathered his strength.

Then, with a swift, fluid motion, Tyler unleashed a single, powerful slash. The sword cut through the air, a brilliant arc of energy trailing in its wake. A cascade of Qi shot forth as he executed the Rippling Blade technique.

The slash was aimed at the nearest trio of undead advancing towards him while brandishing a pair of swords each. The energy unleashed was overwhelming, a tidal wave of force that bore the full brunt of Tyler's cultivation.

The battlefield was a scene of carnage in the wake of Tyler's powerful slash. The undead caught directly in its path were obliterated, their aberrant forms reduced to pools of blood on the ground, joining their friends' guts. The surrounding abominations, witnessing the power of this technique, hesitated.

Amid this chaos, the voice of the undead leader rang out, carrying with it a tone of desperation and fear. He had recovered from Tyler's initial punches, but the tide of the battle had turned decidedly against them. "I've already called for reinforcements! Master is on its way! Retreat! We cannot beat this human!" he bellowed.

This declaration revealed a new layer of danger for Tyler. The arrival of their master, undoubtedly a being of considerable power, posed a significant threat. If Tyler’s guess was accurate, that person should be at least in the Sea Formation stage to be the leader’s master.

Despite his injury, his resolve did not falter, and he pulled out the arrow in his guts. He prepared himself for the possibility of facing a more formidable adversary, his mind racing to formulate strategies, and the only thing that was certain in all of the scenarios was that these undead should not be allowed to leave here. They would pose a more significant threat were the master to arrive.

With rapid slashes toward the sky, he invoked a powerful technique that transformed the forest’s atmosphere.

Torrential Rain Strikes.

The skies responded to his call, darkening ominously as clouds gathered with unnatural speed. Thunder rumbled, a deep, resonating sound that momentarily stunned the retreating undead. Then, as if the heavens themselves were aligning with Tyler's will, rain began to pour down in torrents.

But this was no ordinary rain. Each drop was infused with Tyler's Qi, transforming the downpour into a lethal storm. The Qi was sharp and unyielding, and their frail bodies stood no chance against this onslaught. They were cut down one by one, their forms dissolving under the relentless barrage of Qi-infused raindrops.

All except for the undead leader. The man was holding his saber, staring daggers at Tyler as his technique was hard at work repelling the assault. His Qi appeared to have little effect against the spectral forms of the nine ghosts that encircled it. It was impressive but not something that would scare Tyler.

After all, had he used his divine sense and ensured that some soul power was infused into any of these attacks, all these undead would've perished without a fault. These were not soulless puppets like the Ridge. These were proper undead cultivators.

An eerie silence blanketed the battlefield for a few fleeting moments in the aftermath of the battle. The only sound that pierced through was the soft patter of raindrops descending upon the blood-soaked earth.

A sinister laughter reverberated through the air, causing the ground beneath Tyler's feet to tremble. "Hahahah! These poor fucks couldn't even handle a single Qi Transformation cultivator. Pitiful. Die." As Tyler watched, the heavens above took on a strange, unsettling greenish glow, and he bore witness to a grotesque transformation.

The Undead Leader's body rapidly decayed and disintegrated at an alarming pace. The man's final cry was silenced before it could escape his body.

In a fraction of a second that felt like an eternity, Tyler sensed an ominous wave of True Essence coming his way. With the feeling of having no other viable option, Tyler unleashed his divine sense.