While Raid was being targeted by multiple forces, he ventured deeper into the demonic forest, unaware of the impending danger. Notably, the group of Venomous Snake Mercenaries had deployed their forces to search for him.

Raid entered the forest searching for herbs for alchemy and opportunities for breakthroughs. He encountered many beasts guarding spiritual plants and fruits, killed them, and took parts of their bodies and the spiritual plants, storing them in his storage bag.

As the day passed and night fell, Raid dug a cave to stay in, as dangerous beasts emerge at night.

"... It's time to practice alchemy. This time, I'll make life-saving pills in case I encounter a dangerous beast..."

He sat down and practiced alchemy with the various plants he had taken from the alchemy pavilion and those he had obtained from the beasts. The night passed without him sleeping, as it had become normal in the Qi Refining stage to go without sleep for a week.

In the morning, he ventured deeper into the forest again. While walking, he sensed a somewhat strong spiritual energy. He went to investigate and found a cave with a small spiritual spring, guarded by a black tiger with some blue stripes, sleeping in front of the spring.

"... Damn, it's a Lightning Tiger of the late first level. Its strength is around the eighth stage, but this bastard is very fast, making it hard for me to kill him... Hmm, but he's perfect for training my Shadow Steps... And that spring too..."

Raid approached the tiger, but at that moment, the previously lying and sleeping tiger opened its eyes, stood up, and growled at Raid in a threatening tone. Raid used Shadow Steps and quickly appeared in front of the tiger, throwing a Mountain-Shattering Fist.

Despite his speed, his fist was met with a claw as fast as lightning, with some thunder streaks, causing Raid to fly backward and crash into a large rock, his hand numb from the lightning.

"... Damn, it's at the ninth level. It seems the spring has made it very difficult to fight. I need to escape now..."

Raid turned and ran quickly, but found the Lightning Tiger right next to him, striking with another claw, sending him flying and spitting blood from his mouth.

"... Damn you, cursed tiger. Just wait; I will definitely kill you..."

Raid took advantage of the blow's impact, used Shadow Steps, and disappeared from the tiger's sight.

The tiger was surprised and growled angrily for a while before returning to the spring. As for Raid, he was standing on a tree branch, unnoticed by the tiger. He sighed in relief, then sat on the branch and took a healing pill to recover.

However, his body began to recover slowly due to the Heavenly Tyrant Emperor Technique strengthening him. He needed a lot of energy to heal.

If the pills were of high quality, he would recover quickly, but he couldn't produce second-level pills yet.

"... If I awaken my lineage, it will have some abilities, and my body will recover quickly..."

Raid said with sadness. Most people awaken their lineage when they enter the Blood Refining Realm, and some go even further.

 Rarely is anyone born with their lineage active, but these individuals train from birth, unknowingly being peak geniuses.

"... The stronger the lineage, the harder it is to awaken it. It seems my lineage is extremely powerful, as my father and mother said. Hmph... Whatever, I'll definitely stand at the top of the world..."