Cultivation starts with picking up attributes-Chapter 50: Ch-: A New Journey

The Route from the Northern Region to the Central Region

In the vast expanse of the cultivation world, each region held distinct qualities—climates, spirit densities, powers, and dangers.

The Northern Region, though rich in spiritual minerals and frosted landscapes, was considered remote and isolated, far removed from the bustling heart of the continent—the Central Region.

To travel from the Northern to the Central Region was no ordinary feat. It required a journey of resilience, wits, and martial strength. Only those cultivators who had either backing from great sects or immense individual power dared attempt it.

The Great Forest: Verdant Veins of the Land

The first and most perilous obstacle in the journey was the Verdant Wildwood, a massive forest range stretching across hundreds of miles.

This forest marked the natural border between the Northern and Mid-Western sub-regions and acted as the first true trial to those wishing to enter the continent’s heart.

The Verdant Wildwood was not just a forest—it was a living ecosystem teeming with spirit beasts, ancient flora, and forgotten ruins from the cultivation eras long past.

Trees towered high into the clouds, and the mist rarely lifted from its depths. Dangerous spirit beasts ranging from 2-star to 5-star roamed freely, some in herds, some territorial, and others sentient enough to communicate or form pacts.

The forest was divided into zones—Outer Fringe, Middle Canopy, and Inner Depths.

The Fringe was passable for seasoned cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Realm, but beyond that, especially in the Inner Depths, even Core Formation experts treaded cautiously.

Ancient formations occasionally triggered unexpectedly, remnants of ancient beast tamers and demon sects that once warred here.

The forest was not only a trial of strength but also a place where fate and fortune twisted unpredictably. Rare herbs, beast companions, and treasures could be found... but so could death.

Beyond the forest, after several days’ travel through plains and broken ruins, lay the Azure Expanse—an immense inland sea often mistaken for an ocean due to its sheer size.

It separated the Mid-Western lands from the Central Region and posed its own unique set of challenges.

The Azure Expanse was a majestic body of water filled with whirlpools, spirit tides, and underwater spirit beasts.

It was said to be the remnant of a battle between sea dragons and heaven-tier cultivators eons ago.

The spiritual energy over the sea was dense and volatile, making aerial flight dangerous and teleportation impossible for most below Nascent Soul Realm.

Travelers typically crossed using spirit ships, formations, or by forming temporary pacts with aquatic beast tribes—though none of these options came without risk.

Weather patterns over the Azure Expanse were unpredictable. One moment, a calm sail; the next, a storm imbued with thunder-elemental Qi capable of sinking vessels in seconds.

Certain islands dotted the sea, often used as rest stops or hiding places for pirates, rogue cultivators, or even sea beast clans. Rumors spoke of a floating ruin in the center of the expanse, a legacy site of a fallen sect.

Upon successfully crossing the Azure Expanse, one would arrive at the coastal fringes of the Central Region—land of empires, high-ranking sects, ancient clans, and political intrigue.

The spiritual energy here was not only denser but purer, making it a paradise for cultivation... and competition.

For Tian Shen, Feng Yin, and Little Mei, this path would mark the beginning of a new Chapter—one of greater trials, stronger enemies, but also vast opportunities.

The journey itself would mold them further, their bond tested by beasts, nature, and the very destiny that followed Tian Shen’s strange existence.

...

The thick canopy of the great forest filtered the sunlight into golden slivers that danced across Tian Shen’s face as he stood on a moss-covered ridge.

The air was rich with spiritual energy, the aura of nature pulsing in every leaf and root. His senses were heightened, alert for the faintest ripple of movement.

Beside him, Feng Yin stood with her arms crossed, eyes narrowed as she scanned the terrain. Little Mei, in her fox form, padded silently beside them, ears twitching.

"There," Tian Shen murmured.

He pointed to a nearby clearing where a giant creature with azure fur and six limbs slumbered beneath a twisted, ancient tree.

The beast was nearly twenty feet long, its breathing heavy and rhythmic. Its aura radiated power—strong, but not beyond his reach.

"A 3-star Azure Flame Panther," Feng Yin confirmed quietly.

"Quick, agile, and its flames are deadly. Are you sure you want to do this alone?"

Tian Shen smiled faintly.

"I need to test myself. Besides, it’s been a while since I had a proper warm-up."

He stepped into the clearing, drawing his spirit essence inward, and triggered his Solar Cultivation Technique.

His body radiated a faint golden hue, like the dawn sun rising from his core. With a deep breath, he launched forward.

The panther’s eyes snapped open. It leaped to its feet with a snarl, azure flames licking its fur as it charged.

Tian Shen spun to the side, evading the initial strike with a graceful pivot, then countered with a strike of his Poison Aura Finger Technique.

A pulse of toxic energy surged from his fingertips, searing into the beast’s side.

The panther shrieked, spinning wildly as it tried to claw him. But Tian Shen was faster—his Storm Chasing Technique accelerating his movement like a blur of wind.

He darted in and out, striking precise points, forcing the beast to stagger and bleed spiritual energy.

It tried to unleash its azure flame barrage, but Tian Shen leapt high, over the blast, then descended with a heavy palm strike.

The shockwave cracked the earth and slammed the panther into the ground, dead.

Silence fell, only system’s chimed in his mind.

『Congrats host, you killed 3-star beast and gained Luck points ×100.』

A blue attribute bubble also dropped from the beast’s body, which Tian Shen swiftly absorbed.

『Host gained Spiritual Qi ×500.』

『Host gained Physique ×500.』

『Host gained Fire Element ×100.』

Tian Shen exhaled and wiped a streak of blood from his cheek, satisfied.

"That was easier than I expected."

Little Mei bounded over and sniffed the panther. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

"Kyuu~"

’Not bad, Master.’

Feng Yin joined them, raising an eyebrow.

"You’re definitely stronger now."

But before Tian Shen could reply, the ground trembled.

A roar—so deep and primal it shook the leaves from nearby trees—echoed through the forest.

"F*ck, i hope it isn’t what i think it is."

Tian Shen commented as they turned toward the source.

From the deeper woods emerged a far larger beast. Nearly thirty feet long, armored with scales of blue obsidian and crowned with horns that crackled with raw energy.

Its eyes blazed with fury. The parent of the Azure Flame Panther had arrived.

A 4-star Stormflame Panther King.

"It is." Feng Yin Confirmed while inwardly cursing his jinxed mouth.

"Shit," Tian Shen cursed.

"Get ready."

The panther king didn’t wait. It lunged, faster than anything its size should be. Tian Shen barely had time to raise a hand before its claws met his and sent him tumbling.

Feng Yin’s hands weaved rapidly, summoning talismans that ignited in the air and rained down like comets.

Little Mei casted a crimson illusion field, attempting to disorient the beast.

It faltered, but not for long. With a roar, it shattered the illusions and charged at Feng Yin.

Tian Shen reappeared, slamming his fist into the side of its head, but the beast barely flinched. Its tail lashed out and struck him, sending him crashing into a tree.

Blood spilled from his lips.

Feng Yin darted forward, drawing a defensive circle with a golden formation disc. The panther king slammed into it, almost breaking the shield but it also somehow halted its charge.

"This thing is too strong," she growled.

"We can’t win."

Tian Shen nodded, panting.

"We need to retreat."

Tian Shen pushed himself up, coughing.

"Damn it. On my mark."

He reached into his storage ring and pulled out a talisman—the Burst Cloud Charm, a 3-star Talisman he made himself.

Slamming it into the ground, it erupted into a massive cloud of thick mist. Giving them a perfect chance to commit hit and run.

"Go!"

The three dashed into the fog. The panther king roared in frustration, slashing wildly, but the mist disoriented its senses. Tian Shen winced as he ran, clutching his bruised ribs.

They didn’t stop for miles, darting through underbrush and leaping over roots until the forest finally calmed. Only then did they collapse onto a mossy slope, breathless.

"That... was not how I thought today would go," Tian Shen muttered.

Feng Yin lay beside him, arm slung over her eyes. "You think?"

Little Mei curled up at their feet, tail twitching.

"Kyuuu~"

’Well, at least we’re alive.’

Tian Shen looked up at the rustling canopy.

"Yeah. But this forest isn’t done with us yet."

...

Feng Yin inwardly: Can you please take the trouble to translate what she to me! I don’t understand a single Kyuu~ wait, or maybe not. Kyuu~