After three days of exploring the vast forest within the small dimensional world, Huang Di began to feel more confident. He occasionally encountered Rank 1 and Rank 2 beasts, but none posed any real threat. Rank 1 beasts were roughly equivalent in strength to cultivators in the Lower Foundation Rank (levels 1 to 5), while Rank 2 beasts matched those in the Greater Foundation Rank (levels 6 to 9). Rank 3 beasts, comparable to cultivators of the Lower Profound Rank (levels 1 to 4), would already be a challenge. He preferred not to imagine facing a Rank 4 beast, which equated to those of the Greater Profound Rank (levels 5 to 7).
While resting atop a tree and enjoying some fruits he had found, Huang Di noticed a distant commotion several kilometers away. It was as if two mountains were colliding, the trees trembling violently even at such a distance. Intrigued, he quickly packed his belongings into the dimensional pouch that the Emerald Elder had gifted him just days earlier for his birthday on February 7th.
As he drew closer, he saw countless beasts fleeing in the opposite direction: giant insect-like creatures, gray wolves, massive spiders, and more. The sight triggered his caution but also awakened his curiosity. Something was clearly causing panic, and he needed to know what.
Soon, he realized that even Rank 3 and Rank 4 beasts were stampeding past him without even acknowledging his presence. What could be terrifying them so thoroughly? he wondered. Despite the potential danger, the lure of discovery compelled him onward.
Seeking a safer vantage point, Huang Di climbed to the treetop. From there, he finally saw the source of the chaos. Two Rank 5 beasts, equivalent to experts in the Earth Rank (levels 1 to 5), were locked in a brutal clash atop a low hill roughly three kilometers away.
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The first was a Colossal Fangtooth Gorilla, standing over thirty meters tall. The second was a Venom-Fanged Saber Tiger, half the gorillaâs height but stretching nearly forty meters in length. Both creatures had blood-red eyes and were utterly intent on killing one another.
At the feet of the two titans lay the corpses of a smaller gorilla, about ten meters tall, and a tiger half that size. It was evident that this was the cause of the conflict. Though these beasts lacked human speech (a trait reserved for Rank 7 and above), their instincts clearly blamed the other for their offspringâs death.
The battle raged on, each strike shaking the ground and filling the air with thunderous roars and snarls.
For reasons he could not explain, Huang Di felt compelled to move closer. Leaping gracefully from branch to branch with his perfected âlight steps,â he advanced until he was about five hundred meters from the scene.
Suddenly, a deafening crash made him freeze. He turned just in time to see the two titans tumble from the hill, their massive bodies lying still among the shattered forest below.
He scanned the area carefully. No other presence stirred within at least ten kilometers. The opportunity was too great to ignore.
Approaching with utmost caution, he prodded the beasts with his foot to confirm their deaths. Neither moved. Satisfied, he unsheathed a bladeâthe very first gift he had ever received from the Emerald Elderâand began harvesting the most valuable parts: eyes, hearts, fangs, teeth, hides, and even bones.
The dagger, forged from the carapace of a Rank 6 beast known as the Black Scorpion, sliced cleanly through the tough flesh of the Rank 5 creatures. The ease with which it cut astonished Huang Di. He had never known the bladeâs true origin, nor that it was a relic from a deadly duel the Emerald Elder had fought decades ago.
When his dimensional pouch could hold no more, Huang Di muttered a complaint about the lack of space. He then carved off several large cuts of meat from the fallen beasts to carry with him, knowing well how valuable these resources would prove on his journey ahead.