The lifeless remains of the Green Spirit Herb crumbled into dust between Lin Yuan's fingers.
He looked inward once more.
The gray sapling had changed again.
Its trunk was no longer completely withered. Two emerald leaves now swayed gently on its branches, and a faint life force flowed through it. Although its aura was still weak, it was noticeably stronger than before.
"It really grows by absorbing the essence of spiritual treasures..."
Lin Yuan murmured.
If that was true, then the countless spiritual herbs, monster cores, and heavenly treasures scattered across the Vast Heaven Continent might become the nourishment his Martial Soul needed.
But there was one problem.
Those treasures were guarded by powerful spirit beasts or controlled by influential sects.
A poor youth like him could not obtain them easily.
"I'll start with what I can."
He ventured deeper into the outer region of Mistwood Forest.
The towering trees blocked much of the sunlight, leaving the forest floor dim and cool. The chirping of birds gradually faded, replaced by the occasional growl of spirit beasts.
After walking for nearly an hour, Lin Yuan found three more low-grade spiritual herbs hidden beneath a rocky slope.
As before, the sapling eagerly absorbed their essence, leaving the plants dry and brittle.
Each time, its vitality increased a little.
By sunset, a third leaf had emerged.
Although it still hadn't broken through to a higher rank, Lin Yuan could clearly feel the difference.
His body felt lighter.
The spiritual energy around him responded more readily.
Even his cultivation had become smoother.
"At this rate, it's only a matter of time."
Just then—
Rustle.
The bushes behind him shook.
Lin Yuan immediately turned.
A pair of crimson eyes stared back at him.
A gray wolf, nearly as tall as his waist, slowly emerged from the undergrowth. Sharp fangs protruded from its mouth, and spiritual energy rippled faintly around its body.
A Gray Wind Wolf.
A First-Order Spirit Beast.
Lin Yuan's expression grew serious.
Spirit beasts were far stronger than ordinary animals. Even the weakest among them could easily kill an unprepared cultivator.
The wolf lowered its body and growled.
Then it lunged.
Lin Yuan rolled to the side just as its claws tore through the ground where he had been standing.
He drew the iron dagger he always carried while gathering herbs.
Compared to the beast's claws, it looked pitifully small.
The wolf attacked again.
This time, Lin Yuan sidestepped and slashed at its flank.
Clang!
The blade barely cut through its thick hide.
"So tough..."
The wolf roared in anger and swung its tail, sending Lin Yuan crashing into a tree.
Pain shot through his back.
He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and forced himself to stand.
"If I run now, it'll chase me until I'm dead."
His eyes sharpened.
He had hunted wild animals since childhood.
Spirit beasts were stronger, but they still had weaknesses.
As the Gray Wind Wolf charged once more, Lin Yuan waited until the last possible moment.
At the instant its jaws opened—
He stepped to the side and thrust his dagger upward.
Slash!
The blade pierced one of the wolf's eyes.
The beast let out a miserable howl, thrashing wildly.
Ignoring the pain in his arms, Lin Yuan gripped the dagger with both hands and drove it into the wolf's throat.
The struggle lasted only a few breaths.
Finally, the wolf collapsed.
Silence returned to the forest.
Lin Yuan sat on the ground, breathing heavily.
"I won..."
It had been a narrow victory.
Had he hesitated for even a moment, he would have died.
As he rested, the sapling within his spiritual sea stirred once again.
Its roots stretched toward the fallen wolf as if responding to something hidden inside it.
Lin Yuan's gaze fell upon the beast's chest.
"A monster core..."
Not every spirit beast formed one, but those that did contained the purest essence of their cultivation.
As he carefully cut open the wolf's chest, he found a small pale-green crystal nestled beside its heart.
The moment he held it, the sapling trembled with unmistakable excitement.
Lin Yuan smiled.
"So... even monster cores can nourish you."
He had just discovered another path to making his Martial Soul grow stronger.