"Better to grow here first," he told himself. "Stronger, steadier. When I leave this valley, I’ll step into the world on my own terms."

  Li Yan’s fingers curled into a tight grip, mind racing. He still had to awaken the rest of his elemental affinities. So far, Darkness had awakened through Yan Tian, and Fire through Yao Fuhuo’s help.

  But seven more elements still slumbered within him.

  Drawing in a steady breath, Li Yan calmed himself. "One step at a time." Determination flickered in his purple eyes as he exhaled.

  After a few moments of contemplation, Li Yan looked up at Yao Fuhuo, who patiently awaited his decision. With firm resolve, he declared, "Alright, I will stay here and cultivate until I’m strong enough to face the outside world on my own. But… what about Yan Tian’s wishes?"

  He hesitated, then added quietly, "I can fulfil his second and third wishes in time, but what about the first? He wanted to see his cousin and family one last time. You said his soul didn’t have much time left."

  Yao Fuhuo’s gaze softened. "Your reasoning is sound, Li Yan. But returning now would raise questions—ones you cannot yet answer. Staying here for at least two or three years is the best choice."

  She paused, then added gently, "And as for Yan Tian… after sealing him, I confirmed that his soul will last for more than eight years."

  "Also, I visit this place every three months. If I sense any deterioration in his soul under unknown circumstances, I will personally take you back to his family’s town to fulfil his wish."

  Li Yan blinked, surprised by the time Yan Tian had been left.

  But relief soon followed, and he nodded. "Then I’ll follow Senior Yao Fuhuo’s advice."

  The evening breeze swept across the peak, carrying the scent of pine and the distant cries of beasts from the valley below. Twilight streaked the sky in orange and deep purple. Li Yan drew in a breath of air and straightened his back.

  "So, where do I begin?" he asked, curiosity stirring. "Yan Tian’s memories showed me the many paths in this world—alchemy, craftsmanship, arrays…"

  Yao Fuhuo nodded. "Yes, those paths exist. But your priority must be cultivation and combat. Strength comes first—everything else will follow."

  Her expression hardened. "Stay here in the valley. Train with the others. Face the magical beasts that roam these lands. They will temper your body and sharpen your mind."

  "Once your foundation is solid, you can explore alchemy, craftsmanship, or any other art. The knowledge and resources you’ll need already exist here."

  Li Yan nodded in agreement. The plan was simple, yet demanding.

  But another question burned in his mind. "What about the other seven elements? How do I awaken them?"

  Yao Fuhuo’s expression softened. "Awakening elements is not simple meditation. Each has its own will, its own nature. To awaken them, you must immerse yourself in the environments that embody them or claim treasures infused with their essence. Only by confronting them directly will they recognize you."

  Li Yan frowned slightly. "So, I need to seek out places or treasures that resonate with each element?"

  "Exactly." She nodded. "Fire, water, earth, wind, lightning, nature, metal, darkness, light—each will demand its own trial."

  "Your Darkness awakened naturally during Yan Tian’s ceremony, and I helped you with Fire. But the others will not yield so easily. They will demand trials—not only of strength, but of will, and perhaps even of heart."

  Li Yan thought for a moment. "Wouldn’t an Elemental Essence Crystal help me, like Yan Tian and other cultivators during their awakening ceremony?"

  Yao Fuhuo shook her head. "No. The Elemental Essence Crystal can be used only once, and Yan Tian has already used it. Your path is different now."

  Li Yan’s mind buzzed with possibilities. Trials for each element… it wouldn’t be easy. Yet the difficulty only firmed his resolve. The road ahead was long, but he had already committed to walking it.

  Yao Fuhuo’s voice drew him back. "Don’t worry. Other than Fire, I possess three more affinities—Light, Nature, and Earth. I can guide you through those awakenings. But you must earn them through hard work and dedication."

  Li Yan absorbed her words, realization settling in. Regardless of the amount of help he received, his progress would ultimately depend on his own efforts. There would be no shortcuts.

  He clenched his fists, resolve flashing in his eyes. "What do I have to do?"

  Yao Fuhuo remained silent, only waving her hand. In the blink of an eye, they vanished from the tranquil mountain peak and reappeared deep within the valley’s forest.

  Li Yan blinked in surprise, adjusting to the shadowy world around him. Towering trees rose like pillars, their branches weaving a canopy that scattered dim light across moss-covered rocks and uneven terrain. The air carried the damp, earthy scent of an untouched wilderness.

  Before he could ask where they were, Yao Fuhuo moved her hand in a few gestures, and golden letters shimmered into existence before them:

  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  [ Hunting Ground: Tier-1 ]

  [ Alive Magical Beasts: 6,351 ]

  Li Yan’s eyes widened. "A… Hunting Ground?"

  "Yes," Yao Fuhuo said calmly. "As I told you before, I created this forest outside the valley, and the only reason was to help Darkness Element holders hone their combat skills."

  "At first, it was just wilderness, but as they grew stronger, they constructed arrays to divide the forest into tiered zones, ranging from one to six. This prevents weaker or new cultivators from encountering beasts far beyond their strength."

  Li Yan was stunned. The valley wasn’t just a refuge—it was a carefully designed world of training and growth. "It’s… incredible," he admitted softly.

  "But what exactly do I have to do?" he asked, turning back to her.

  Yao Fuhuo gestured to the trees around them. "This is the Tier-1 Hunting Ground. Right now, over six thousand beasts roam here."

  A faint smile curved her lips. "Your first task is simple in words, but not in practice. Break through to the Qi Refining Realm—and collect 1,000 Tier-1 Beast Cores. When you succeed, I will help you awaken one of your elemental affinities."

  Li Yan froze. Breaking through wasn’t the issue if he cultivated regularly. But one thousand cores? That meant killing at least one thousand beasts—if he was lucky.

  His hands clenched. This wasn’t just about numbers—it was a trial by fire, an opportunity to sharpen his blade and temper his will.

  He sifted through Yan Tian’s memories. In this world, beast cores weren’t merely lumps of energy. Each contained the elemental essence of the beast it belonged to—fire, lightning, water, and more.

  They were seldom used for cultivation because their Qi was too sparse, but their elemental imprints made them invaluable for alchemy, crafting, and array formations, depending on their Tiers.

  Just as his resolve hardened, Yao Fuhuo spoke again, which proved Li Yan’s estimation wrong. "But keep in mind—the chance of obtaining a core from a Tier-1 beast is only ten percent."

  Li Yan’s eyes widened. "Ten percent? That means… ten thousand kills for a thousand cores? But this area only has six thousand beasts!"

  "Do not be anxious," Yao Fuhuo said with a knowing smile. "Each month, the elders replenish the Hunting Grounds with new beasts, drawn from Dawnlight Valley and the outside forests."

  "These Hunting Grounds are carefully maintained for combat training—it will never run dry."

  Li Yan exhaled slowly, the weight of the challenge pressing against his chest.

  Ten thousand battles.

  Ten thousand risks.

  Endurance, patience, strategy. Without them, he wouldn’t last.

  Yao Fuhuo’s voice cut through his thoughts. "Remember, this task isn’t just about collecting cores. Every battle will refine your instincts, strengthen your body, and awaken your spirit. Each encounter is a step toward the cultivator you must become."

  Li Yan nodded firmly. She was right—this wasn’t just a grind, but a crucible.

  He glanced around, listening to the rustle of leaves, the low growls in the distance, and the faint scent of blood and earth. This place reeked of danger—but also of promise.

  He straightened his chest. "Then this is where I’ll hone myself. This is where my journey begins."

  Taking a deep breath, he clenched his fists. "I’m ready."

  Yao Fuhuo’s eyes gleamed with approval. "Good. Tomorrow morning, before I leave, I’ll send you to Ji Hong. There, your training will begin in earnest. For now, let me take you to a place where you can rest."

  Before Li Yan could respond, Yao Fuhuo waved her hand. The forest dissolved around him, replaced by the dizzying weightlessness of teleportation.

  In an instant, they reappeared high atop a massive tree. Its branches were as wide as stone bridges, and at the center of the canopy stood a wooden house that had seamlessly grown into the tree itself.

  The structure seemed alive, its walls interwoven with bark and vines. Lanterns dangled from branches, glowing faintly. Blossoms bloomed from curling vines, filling the air with a sweet fragrance.

  "This…" Li Yan whispered, clearly amazed by the sight in front of him. "This place is amazing."

  Yao Fuhuo smiled as they approached. A flick of her fingers lit a lantern by the roof, bathing the interior in warm, gentle light.

  The house was simple yet elegant: a moss-and-leaf bed carved directly from the tree’s trunk, a smooth wooden table with a single chair, and small windows that allowed silver beams of moonlight to filter in.

  Night had fully settled by the time Li Yan stepped inside, his gaze tracing every detail. "It’s… beautiful," he said quietly.

  "I built this treehouse in my early days here," Yao Fuhuo said, her tone softening. "It was a place of peace for me. Now, it will be yours for tonight."

  Li Yan turned to her, gratitude clear in his eyes. "Thank you, Senior Yao Fuhuo. It’s the perfect place to gather my thoughts and prepare for tomorrow."

  Before he could say more, she suddenly vanished. Li Yan blinked, unsettled—until she reappeared moments later, carrying a basket woven from vines and filled with fruit.

  "Eat these and rest," she said, handing them over. "You’ll need your strength for what’s coming."

  He chuckled softly, realizing only now how hollow his stomach felt. "If you hadn’t brought food, I was just about to ask."

  Yao Fuhuo moved to the doorway, her figure outlined in moonlight. "I’ll leave you now. At dawn, I’ll send you to Ji Hong. Sleep well, Li Yan—your journey has only just begun." With that, she stepped out from the tree house and vanished.

  Silence filled the tree house. Li Yan looked down at the basket: two large peaches, three apples, a cluster of grapes, berries, and pears glistened under the lantern light.

  He sat on the moss bed, picked up a peach larger than his palm, and bit into it. Sweetness flooded his senses, richer than any fruit he’d tasted on Earth.

  "Even the finest fruit on Earth can’t compare…" he murmured.

  "These… they must contain energy," he murmured between bites, marveling at the refreshing vitality each fruit carried. He ate slowly, savouring them until his hunger eased.

  Then, he set the rest aside and lay down on the moss bed. To his surprise, it cradled him like silk. The night sounds—rustling leaves, distant calls of nocturnal beasts—blended with the pale glow of the moon, weaving a peace he hadn’t felt in years.

  His eyes grew heavy. "A thousand Beast Cores… new elements… survival…" His thoughts blurred, dissolving into sleep.

  Deep within his spiritual sea, Yan Tian’s sealed soul sat unmoving, locked in silent meditation, while the seal Yao Fuhuo had cast held him in stillness.

  And so, for the first time since arriving in this world, Li Yan slept.

  He was no longer the tycoon who ruled over glass towers and boardrooms. He was a cultivator, stepping into a vast new world where only strength, struggle, and growth would define his path.