Wu Kai woke up with the first ray of sunlight filtering through the leaves. His body was stiff from the cuts of the previous night, but the pain had diminished greatly. He stretched on the thick branch, feeling his muscles respond with renewed vitality. The wounds were almost closed, only pinkish lines marked where torn flesh had once been.
He jumped down from the tree with a light motion, landing without difficulty. The Blood Spiritual Physique still pulsed softly in his veins, like a second heart.
"Good day for hunting." He murmured with a sharp smile.
During the following hours, Wu Kai plunged deep into the forest. He found and killed four lesser beasts. Two initial rank 1 boars, a venom-fanged monkey, and an arboreal serpent. Each kill was cleaner than the last. His movements improved with every fight. The blood needles struck with greater precision, the dagger cut at vital points, and he learned to conserve energy.
He absorbed the blood of each of them immediately. The vital essence entered his body hot, strengthening tendons, bones, and blood. He could feel the third stage getting closer and closer, like a half-open door, lacking only a push.
The sun was already high when he caught the scent of a large prey. A rock black bear, initial rank 1. Perfect. Wu Kai followed the trail, dagger in hand, blood circulating fast in preparation.
That was when he heard voices.
Three youths dressed in the outer robes of the White Cliff Sect emerged among the trees, laughing loudly. Wu Kai froze behind a trunk. He recognized them instantly. The memories of the previous owner of the body came like a punch to the stomach.
They were the same three who had beaten the original Wu Kai to death.
The leader, a tall young man named Liu Wei, was at the fourth stage of the Body Refinement Realm. The other two, Chen Bo and Zhang Ming, as well. Their arrogant faces and cruel laughter were etched into Wu Kai's mind.
"Well, well, look who's here." Said Liu Wei, stopping a few meters away. A sneer curved his lips.
"The trash who can't break through. Wu Kai, isn't it?"
The three approached slowly, blocking the path. Their eyes scanned Wu Kai from head to toe.
Chen Bo frowned.
"Wait… you're at the second stage? How is that possible? You were a piece of shit stuck at the first for two years."
Zhang Ming laughed.
"He must have eaten some lucky herb in the forest. But it doesn't matter. In a month, you'll be expelled anyway. The sect doesn't need trash like you."
The anger burned in Wu Kai's chest like acid. He looked at them with outward caution, but inside a new and cold fury grew. These three had killed the previous Wu Kai for no reason. Just because they could. Because it was fun to beat someone weaker. He had never done anything against them. Never provoke them. And even so, they went after him day after day until the end.
"You…" Wu Kai's voice came out low, controlled.
Liu Wei raised an eyebrow.
"What is it, trash? Going to cry? Ah, but today we're feeling generous. Since you'll be expelled soon, no one will care if we give you a quick beating to refresh your memory."
He slowly unsheathed his sword, the metal gleaming under the sunlight.
Wu Kai did not respond with words. Instead, he turned his body toward the black bear that was still prowling nearby, growling. The beast had sensed the presence of the four and was agitated.
Without hesitation, Wu Kai advanced.
With a fluid motion, he drove the dagger into the bear's neck in a surprise attack. The animal roared in pain, but Wu Kai already had his hands over the wound. His eyes shone in an intense red.
The flow began.
This time, he did not hold back. He pulled the blood with all the speed his physique allowed. Thick, dark streams came out of the bear's body, snaking through the air like living threads before being absorbed into his palms. The sound was wet, almost obscene.
The three disciples stopped, expressions shifting from disdain to surprise.
"What the hell is that?!" exclaimed Chen Bo.
Liu Wei narrowed his eyes.
"Hey, is that a sinister technique? Heh. Now I understand how a useless guy like you, who couldn't break through to the next stage, suddenly managed to advance. You relied on a demonic technique…"
Zhang Ming took a step back but soon regained his cruel smile.
"If the sect finds out, you'll be expelled anyway. So why don't we kill you here and now? No one will find the body in this deep forest."
Liu Wei raised his sword, Qi shining around the blade.
"Good idea. Let's finish this quickly."
Wu Kai ignored the threats. His teeth were clenched, sweat running down his forehead as he absorbed the bear's blood as fast as possible. The essence was dense, powerful. Each refined drop made his body vibrate. The barrier to the third stage was cracking, trembling, about to give way.
"Just a little more…" He thought, hatred fueling his concentration.
"Just a little more…"
The three began to approach. Liu Wei attacked first, the sword coming down in a clean and fast strike aimed at Wu Kai's shoulder.
Wu Kai spun at the last second, still with one hand on the bear. The blade cut the air beside his face. He counterattacked with his free hand, five blood needles shot out, forcing Liu Wei to retreat.
'You killed me once.' Said Wu Kai through clenched teeth, the voice in his mind filled with something dark.
"There won't be a second."
Chen Bo and Zhang Ming attacked from the flanks, fists wrapped in Qi. Wu Kai dodged one blow, took another to the side of his body, but did not let go of the bear. The blood kept flowing into him in torrents.
His body trembled. His bones cracked. The blood within his veins boiled like never before.
The barrier cracked further.
Liu Wei laughed loudly.
"Look at him! Still trying to absorb while getting beaten. Pathetic!"
Another blow struck Wu Kai in the ribs. The pain exploded, but he smiled through it, a cold, demonic smile, his eyes completely red now.
'Come on… faster!' He mentally commanded the bear's blood.
The last thick stream entered his body.
Everything stopped for a second.
Then, an explosive wave of energy burst from within Wu Kai. His muscles expanded slightly, his bones strengthened, and the wild Qi of Body Refinement filled his body.
Third stage.
Wu Kai opened his eyes. The air around him seemed to distort for an instant. He released the bear's dry body, which fell with a heavy thud.
The three disciples stopped, their expressions shifting from amusement to shock.
"Th-third stage?!" stammered Zhang Ming.
Wu Kai straightened his body. The cuts he had just received were already beginning to close. He flexed his fingers, feeling the new power running wild in his veins.
The anger had not disappeared. In fact, it had become something sharper. Colder.
"Now…" He said, his voice low and laden with killing intent.
"Let's see if you still find it fun to beat me."