She took a deep breath, composing herself before turning to Tian Ping with a curious look. "It seems you're heading for the main road to Zhou City, aren't you?"
"Yeah," Tian Ping admitted, scratching the back of his head with a slightly sheepish expression. "Honestly, I’m a bit lost. I don't really know the exact directions."
A wide smile spread across Zhou Lan's face. "GREAT! I was on my way back before I was attacked. I can help you get there!" Her enthusiasm was infectious, and for a moment, she seemed to forget the danger they had just faced.
Tian Ping hesitated, debating silently. Should I really bring her along? he thought. I could use the help finding my way, and I have a lot of questions since I'm still new to the outside world. His gaze wandered over Zhou Lan, taking in her tall frame, the way her light blue hair cascaded like a waterfall, her clear azure eyes, and her graceful demeanor. For a split second, his thoughts drifted elsewhere O O—Ahem, stay focused, he mentally chided himself.
"She’s not that bad," Tian Ping mused with a faint smile that he quickly hid behind his usual stoic expression. With a nod, he said, "Alright, let's go then."
As they began walking, the forest path ahead of them seemed a little less daunting. The two of them were now united by a common goal—and perhaps the start of a unique partnership. Their journey through the Great Zhou Forest wasn’t without danger, as they were ambushed by beasts several times. However, with Tian Ping's 6th-stage Dantian Realm cultivation and Zhou Lan's 8th-stage prowess, they dispatched their attackers without breaking a sweat.
Between battles, they spoke at length. Zhou Lan answered all of Tian Ping’s questions about the world with patience and a touch of amusement. "Here," she said, handing him a simple yet intricately designed ring. "This is a spatial ring. You can store the Zhen crystals from the kobolds in it."
Tian Ping examined the ring, his eyes lighting up with curiosity as he slipped it onto his finger. "A spatial ring... this will be useful," he said, hiding his excitement behind a cool demeanor.
She then explained the difference between normal and demonic cultivators, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "Demonic cultivators grow their power through evil deeds or by creating mind demons and absorbing them. For regular cultivators, mind demons are a disaster—they can shatter your focus or even corrupt your cultivation path. But for demonic cultists, they are like treasures, a twisted blessing that strengthens them."
Tian Ping’s brow furrowed as he absorbed the information, a hint of disgust flickering in his eyes. "Cultivating through evil... it's like they've embraced their own corruption."
Zhou Lan nodded, her expression grim. "It’s a path filled with darkness. But that's the risk of walking a crooked path; the further you go, the harder it is to return."
As they continued their journey, Zhou Lan told him about Zhen weapons, revealing their unique properties and uses. "Zhen weapons are forged from Zhen beasts or rare materials. They come in four grades—Common, Spirit, Earth, and Heaven—and each grade has three stages: Initial, Refined, and Perfect," she explained, her eyes lighting up with excitement as she spoke of the dao sword palace.
Tian Ping's interest was piqued, and he couldn't help but smile. "And what's this Dao Sword Palace you mentioned?" he asked.
Side note:Zhen Weapon Grades:
Ordinary Grade: The most basic type of Zhen weapon, often used by novice cultivators. It's forged from low-level Zhen beast materials and has minimal enhancements.
Spirit Grade: A step above the Common Grade, these weapons are imbued with spiritual energy that allows them to channel the user's Zhen energy more efficiently. They are usually used by cultivators who have reached the middle stages of their cultivation.
Earth Grade: Forged from rare Zhen beasts or precious materials, Earth Grade weapons have a strong presence and can create powerful attacks. They are highly sought after by experienced cultivators.
Heaven Grade: The rarest and most powerful Zhen weapons, only a few exist in the world. They are made from the essence of legendary Zhen beasts and materials that resonate with the Dao itself, capable of unleashing devastating power.
Stages within each Grade:
Initial Stage: The weapon is at its most basic form within its grade, capable of wielding its base power.
Refined Stage: The weapon has undergone some refinement or enhancements, allowing it to tap into more potent abilities.
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