C5 Barbarian Beast

Woo Yang hung his head in despair, seeking a moment of peace, but what he found instead was the Invincible Manual materializing before his eyes, mirroring his own downcast image. Startled, he leaped to his feet, exclaiming, "Damn it, what on earth is this!"

"Tehe, I'm just trying to entertain you, Master. After all, life's about stirring things up a bit. Plus, I think anyone would get a kick out of seeing you like this," the manual teased.

"Are you suggesting I laugh at myself, or are you implying I'm less than human?"

"Let's not sweat the small stuff, Master. Time is of the essence, so let's get moving. I've been bending over backwards to help you grow stronger, and just now, I've lined up several training methods for you.

Each one is designed so that with a bit of effort, you can complete the task within the set time frame."

"All I want is to stay alive," Woo Yang stated.

"Go hunt Vicious Beasts, collect their cores for cultivation!"

"All I want is to stay alive," Woo Yang repeated.

"Step into the arena, fight for the bounty!"

"All I want is to stay alive!" Woo Yang insisted.

"Venture into the secret realm a second time..."

"I want to live! Stop bringing up the secret realm; I can't shake the feeling that the Tyrant Mastiff is a freak!"

"Well then... Master, you can't blame me for this, but there's one last option: you could choose to end your own life. After you do, I'll take care of your remaining soul."

"Maybe... could you give me a moment to think it over?"

Woo Yang fell silent, regretting ever letting this cursed thing acknowledge him as its master. Without these complications, he might have had fifty more years to live—not a long life by any means, but a decent span to die of old age on the continent.

Maybe a kind-hearted girl who couldn't see his faults would have fancied him, and they could have had a son or even a grandson. But now?

Whether he gambled with his life or not, death was certain.

"Tell me, is there any way to boost my soul force and quickly advance to Rank One Dao Pattern Master?"

"Are you certain you need this, Master?"

"Just don't mess with me. I've only got forty-three years left, and I'm not looking to die before my time."

"Master, are you perhaps misunderstanding something about dying young? But per your request, I will cease to deplete your lifespan. Once you confirm, you may proceed to the cultivation phase."

"Are you serious? No more deceiving me, okay?"

"I pledge on the honor of all my former masters that I have never deceived you."

"All your former masters are long gone, and you still dare to make such oaths?" Woo Yang hadn't given his confirmation when suddenly, the environment around him darkened.

His soul felt as if it had been transported to a different dimension. As the world spun around him, Woo Yang's vision gradually cleared. During this time, rest assured, I will look after your physical body.

I can only protect your physical self in the outside world with the strength you currently possess. Time in this secret realm flows just as it does outside. Any harm you suffer here will be reflected in your physical form.

"The Soul Tree contains the soul seeds, and finding one is the sole path to becoming a Rank One Soul Master!"

With that, the Invincible Manual vanished. Under its control, Woo Yang sat in his room, cross-legged, with his eyes shut tight, his presence subdued like a dormant beast ready to unleash its fury at any moment.

Surveying his surroundings, Woo Yang found himself in the midst of a lush forest. The forest seemed ordinary, with towering trees and verdant canopies, the trunks cloaked in moss. The pervasive greenery, rather than being refreshing, made Woo Yang feel somewhat uneasy.

"This shade of green... it's definitely not from any ordinary forest!"

Woo Yang grumbled to himself. Time was of the essence; he had only five days. He knew neither the location of the Soul Tree nor its distinguishing features. Now, Woo Yang couldn't afford to dally, especially not knowing what pitfalls the Invincible Manual might have in store for him.

The Invincible Manual had set a five-day deadline, so he must locate the Soul Force Seed within that time frame.

Woo Yang had never witnessed anyone cultivating soul force. Fortunately, the Invincible Manual contained all the information he needed, and whatever section he wished to consult would materialize before his eyes.

"The soul is categorized into Innate and Acquired. The Acquired is unlocked through the Soul Seed. This can also tap into one's innate talents, forcefully unleashing the power of the soul..."

With just a cursory look, Woo Yang grasped the method for identifying a soul seed.

The Soul Tree, a rare plant capable of producing soul seeds, thrives as a parasite on other trees. To locate it, one must tune into the soul force's vibrations using their Spirit Power and cultivation level.

Woo Yang combed through the forest with great care. Any tree could be the elusive Soul Tree, and the only way to find it was to connect with it through his Spirit Power and soul force.

An hour into his search, he found himself beneath a towering tree when suddenly, a glob of liquid plummeted from above, splattering onto his arm.

The goo was foul-smelling, reminiscent of the pus-filled sores on a wild dog, and utterly revolting.

Disgusted, Woo Yang hastily wiped the slime off with a leaf and looked up to find a creature resembling a cat perched on a branch, savagely tearing into a lamb that was beyond recognition.

The beast's feast was clearly interrupted by Woo Yang's presence. Its eyes glinted sharply, drawn to the martial energy emanating from him.

Martial cultivators carry abundant Spiritual Energy, which Vicious Beasts are keenly attuned to. This feline monster was undoubtedly an unnamed Vicious Beast.

"This place feels off, almost as if I'm back in the real world," Woo Yang mused, noticing the beast's fixed stare and preparing to bolt.

"Invincible Manual, level with me—what is this place, really?"

"Master, this is indeed where the soul seed can be found. You're not far from the soul force seed's origin. Survive the perils of this place, and within five days, you'll surely detect the soul seed's presence," the manual advised before vanishing without a trace.

"This has to be a forest from the mainland. Could this Vicious Beast be the Nether Ghost Cat?"

Swoosh!

Before Woo Yang could settle on an answer, the beast leaped from its branch, diving straight for him with a ferocious bite!

The strange cat, though only four feet in length, was incredibly agile, akin to a Hunting Leopard. Woo Yang could sense that the beast's power hovered around Qi Stage Rank Three.

If anyone let their guard down, they could be instantly slaughtered by the creature. This was a Vicious Beast, not like those minor martial artists in the family who merely postured with borrowed power.

Amongst Vicious Beasts, there was nothing but relentless killing—no quarter given.

"Royal Tyrant Fist!"

Woo Yang bellowed, both to intimidate the Netherworld Ghost Cat and to bolster his own courage.

Crack, crack, crack...

His sleeve burst asunder as martial arts power surged through him, his arm bulking up with the rapid concentration of force. A mere flick of his wrist now packed the punch of hundreds of kilograms.

But the Netherworld Ghost Worm Cat was no pushover. It had prowled this forest for years, besting many a stronger Vicious Beast than Woo Yang. Even when outmatched, unable to hunt or kill, it could still escape by virtue of its speed and cunning.

"Master, shall I activate the savage beast's weakness analysis?"

"If it's possible, then do it. But if it's going to cost me my life just to analyze, forget it!" Woo Yang gasped, evading the Ghost Cat's slashing claws and lunging bites. Clearly, the dead cat's agility and speed were giving him a tough time; his arms and chest bore the brunt, streaked with blood.

"Analyzing the weakness won't shorten your lifespan, but it will increase your immediate battle fatigue."

"What's this battle fatigue? As long as it won't kill me, turn it on!"

No sooner had Woo Yang spoken than several red dots materialized before him.

"Weakness identified: midsection of the neck, end of the tailbone. Full-force attack has a success rate of over 50%!"

"Only 50%? Damn, just a coin toss?"

Swoosh—Roar—

The Nether Ghost Cat, now thrice engaged and increasingly enraged, lunged once more, this time channeling its spiritual energy. A direct hit from its claw could rob Woo Yang of his combat strength in an instant.

Yet, with the weakness analysis now active, Woo Yang could not only spot the Ghost Cat's vulnerabilities but also found his vision growing keener by the second.

The Nether Ghost Cat's pounce, swift as lightning, seemed to decelerate before Woo Yang's eyes.

"Should I target its neck or its tailbone?"

Time appeared to freeze in that instant. Woo Yang was intently studying the Nether Ghost Cat, scrutinizing its every move. His analysis of its vulnerabilities was refining his approach to the attack, sharpening his focus and steadying his nerves.

Bang!

At the pivotal moment, the Royal Tyrant Fist surged Woo Yang's spiritual energy, infusing his arms with a burst of explosive strength.

"Here!"

In the blink of an eye, Woo Yang's fist crashed into the head of the Nether Ghost Cat. Despite sustaining a deep, bone-revealing gash on his arm from the creature's claws, he retained his combat prowess. Gritting his teeth against the searing pain, Woo Yang delivered another thunderous punch directly to the Nether Ghost Cat's tailbone.

Meow—

As his fist connected with its weak spot, a ferocious power instantly radiated throughout the Nether Ghost Cat's body from the impact at the tailbone.

Crack!

A bone-chilling scream was followed by the sound of splintering bones. The Nether Ghost Cat's assault ceased with a piercing shriek, its tailbone being one of its most vulnerable points.

The spiritual energy within Woo Yang coursed from his fist, through the tailbone, and into the creature's body, not only breaking the tailbone but also shattering its internal organs.

Boom!

The Nether Ghost Cat's body thudded to the ground, lifeless within moments. Woo Yang, ever pragmatic, decided to hoist the carcass onto his back—it might just serve as sustenance in a dire situation.

Post-battle, Woo Yang grew more vigilant and cautious. The savage forest was unpredictable, potentially harboring even mightier beasts.

"I must attune to it with my soul..."

Woo Yang began to experiment with using his soul to commune with the forest. The Invincible Manual was merely a tutor; true strength required his own relentless effort.

To shy away from danger meant to deplete one's life force—a cost Woo Yang could ill afford. After all, even the mightiest among the dead are still just that—dead.

"Where could it be?"

After a day's exhaustive search, an enervated Woo Yang settled under a towering tree, silently attuning himself to the ebb and flow of the world around him. Perhaps, he mused, there would be a reward for his patience.

Time slipped by, and half an hour turned into a full hour.

Woo Yang sat motionless, as if in a trance, oblivious to any difference between himself and the forest around him.

Another hour ticked away, and still, nothing changed.

Two hours, then four...

One day passed, then two, then three, until on the fourth day, Woo Yang, without realizing it, had merged with the forest as if they were one.

Unbeknownst to him, a subtle dark green glow had begun to emanate from his body.

Suddenly, Woo Yang's eyes snapped open.

He was overcome with excitement. Just moments before, he had felt a faint flutter in his soul. Each tree seemed to be imbued with a spirit. After sitting in meditation for so long, in such stillness, it was as if he had slowly established a connection with them—a tenuous yet unmistakable bond.

The Soul Tree...

With a jolt, Woo Yang looked up, his eyes blazing with insight.

He had an epiphany. He knew exactly where the Soul Tree was!