But suddenly he heard a low growl from behind a tree. His steps froze. The sound wasn't from a rabbit or chicken. It was deeper… heavier.
His expression tightened.
"What now…? Please don't be some strong beast."
He slowly turned his head and saw a wild boar about the size of a calf. Its eyes were red from irritation, maybe because Luo Zheng had entered its territory.
Luo Zheng swallowed hard.
"This… this is trouble."
He raised his spear again, legs tense, ready to run or fight depending on the next second.
The boar lowered its head. Its breath came out like hot steam. The ground under its hooves shook a little when it stepped forward.
Luo Zheng felt his back turn cold.
"If it charges… I'm done."
He slowly stepped back, keeping his eyes on the beast. The boar scraped the dirt with its hoof. That was a clear sign—it was about to rush.
Luo Zheng tightened his grip on the wooden spear.
"Don't panic… don't panic… just move at the right time."
The boar suddenly roared and rushed at him like a heavy rock rolling down a hill.
Luo Zheng jumped to the side at the last moment. The boar ran past him and hit a tree with a loud bang. Leaves fell everywhere. Even the tree trunk shook.
He didn't even have time to breathe. The boar turned around again, angrier than before. It charged a second time.
Luo Zheng rolled on the ground, dirt covering his clothes. His heart was beating too fast.
"Why is this beast so crazy!?"
He stood up quickly and pointed the spear forward. He didn't plan to kill it at first—alive beasts sold for more. But right now, staying alive was more important.
The boar rushed again. Luo Zheng planted his feet firmly this time. He aimed at the boar's neck and thrust the spear with all his strength.
Crack!
The spear hit the boar, but the force pushed Luo Zheng back a few steps. His arms felt numb. The boar didn't die. It only got wounded and became even more furious.
"Damn… wooden spear is too weak…!"
The boar charged again. Luo Zheng had no time left to think. He ran toward a tree and used it to jump to the side again. The boar slammed into the tree headfirst and staggered, dizzy from the impact.
Luo Zheng saw his chance.
"Now or never!"
He ran behind the boar and grabbed the broken part of his spear. With all his remaining strength, he stabbed downward on the boar's head.
The boar kicked the ground a few times… then finally stopped moving.
Luo Zheng fell back, breathing heavily. Sweat dripped from his forehead. His hands were shaking.
"That… was too close. One mistake and I would be dead."
He sat there for a while, calming his breath. After a moment, he stood up and looked at the boar's huge body.
"At least this one will sell for a good amount… but next time I need to be more careful."
He wiped dirt from his clothes and picked up what was left of the spear.
"Alive beasts earn more spirit stones… but catching big ones like this? Forget it. I don't want to fight something like this again."
He dragged the boar slowly toward the forest path, step by step, his muscles sore but his heart relieved.
Next day
Luo Zheng went to the pill shop to buy the Body Tempering Pill. This time he had 220 spirit stones with him, which was because of the sale of those three alive animals and that adult bear's dead body.
Suddenly he heard a commotion in the street. This was about a news. Luo Zheng searched for info and found that this was about a pill competition in the Holy Sect.
In the crowd a person said, "This is unbelievable, the Holy Sect master has decided to start an alchemy competition inside the Holy Sect. This has never happened in history."
Another person said, "I heard all the sects are invited to participate here but only 7th stage cultivators can participate."
Another person said, "7th stage? I thought they were only myth. Do they really exist? "
Another person said, "I heard this time mortals can go there to see the compilation but only Separation and Reunion stage cultivators are allowed. But only our city lord is on that realm of cultivation. I am just in Initial stage 6th level."
Luo Zheng heard their interaction. All of them are normal mortal cultivators. Luo Zheng thought, "Is this even happening in the Martial Peak novel? No, is it because I was reincarnated before Yang Kai so the original story hasn't started?"
Luo Zheng left the crowd and then bought two pills from the pill store. But during buying pills, Elder Zhang entered the pill store. Their eyes met.
Elder Zhang saw the pill Luo Zheng was buying. So he advised him, "Luo Zheng, pills can help you to breakthrough but it will reduce your future potential. So don't use pills for breakthrough."
But Luo Zheng explained his situation. He told him about the poison in his body which was blocking his breakthrough.
At first Elder Zhang didn't believe him but when he checked him personally he found the poison in his body. Elder Zhang said, "I am not a poison master or alchemist but I have some knowledge about poison. This poison is powerful for mortals but if you breakthrough to Body Tempering 7th stage it will lose its effect. You joined our Mystic Formation Pavilion so as a gift I will buy the three pills for you. You have great potential for formation. Just think of this as a small favor I am giving you."
Luo Zheng thought, "It's hard to find good people in the world. Even though he is doing this for the benefit of Mystic Formation Pavilion, he is a good person."
Night time
Luo Zheng's Hut
A figure sat cross-legged on the ground. He had long hair, blue eyes, and a handsome young look. His age was around 16. His clothes were ordinary mortal's. Brown-white robe. This was none other than Luo Zheng. He took a Body Tempering Pill and tried to breakthrough.
Just like the previous one, this one made his body overheat.