Renault knew well that his inability to progress was due to the quest limitations. The system had its benefits, but it also had drawbacks. However, as long as there were quests to complete, all of these issues would resolve themselves.

"Disciple, I’ve decided to send you down the mountain for some training, to see how much progress you’ve made," the stone disk said.

It threw out a talisman, and immediately, Renault heard the system notification: **"Player Renault has received the spiritual cultivation quest: 'Training.' Would you like to accept?"**

Renault had been waiting for this for a long time, so he naturally accepted the quest.

"To the south of Tianji Mountain, in the bamboo forest, there’s a spirit beast called the **Centipede Beast**. I want you to bring me ten of its horns, and I will forge a weapon suitable for you," the stone disk instructed. "The talisman I gave you can be worn on your chest, allowing you to enter and leave this chamber freely."

Renault smiled slightly. His master wasn’t too bad, after all. He had even received a pass to enter the chamber freely, something even Elder Lu didn’t have.

After accepting a dagger meant for harvesting the horns of the Centipede Beast, Renault quickly left the chamber.

Having received the quest, he was eager to complete it.

After descending Tianji Mountain and traveling south for about ten miles, Renault arrived at a dense bamboo forest.

Within the forest, Renault spotted the spirit beasts. These Centipede Beasts were level 6 plant-based spirit creatures, their bodies segmented and covered in green plates, making them difficult to spot amidst the bamboo.

These beasts were in the early stages of spiritual cultivation, similar to Renault. From the stone disk’s perspective, the beasts were a match for Renault’s current level. Defeating ten of them would be a test of his abilities, especially since he wasn’t given a proper weapon—only a dagger for harvesting the horns, which wasn’t much use in combat.

The Centipede Beasts had ten body segments, each with two legs.

Spotting a Centipede Beast, Renault lunged forward and launched a punch through the air. The force of his strike caused the bamboo to sway as the wind roared.

This punch, powered purely by strength, created ripples in the air, and even Renault was shocked by the power it generated.

With 110 points in strength, his attacks were incredibly powerful.

In the game, not even a level 50 player could reach 110 strength unless they completed hidden quests or received rewards for becoming an immortal at level 60.

A loud boom echoed as the ground trembled. The Centipede Beast was torn in two by Renault’s punch, clearly killed in one blow.

Stepping forward, Renault grabbed its horn with his bare hand, pulling it free without needing the dagger.

His strength was immense, as if he were possessed by a powerful force. Feeling confident after his quick success, Renault turned, leapt into the air, and swept his leg in a horizontal kick.

The force from his kick snapped several bamboo stalks, and another Centipede Beast hidden among them was knocked flying by the shockwave.

The beast tumbled through the air before regaining its footing and running away at top speed, its many legs churning furiously.

The fallen bamboo leaves were swept up by the wind, obscuring Renault’s vision as the Centipede Beast tried to escape.

Grabbing a broken bamboo stalk, Renault dashed forward through the swirling leaves. He leaned in, threw the bamboo with a swift motion, and the stalk whistled through the air.

The speeding bamboo pierced through the Centipede Beast, pinning it to the ground. The force of the throw scattered the falling leaves, some of which were torn apart by the wind pressure.

With a wail, the Centipede Beast writhed in place, unable to move.

Renault rushed forward, stepping firmly on the beast’s body. Grabbing its horn with a strong pull, he yanked it free, causing the beast to thrash violently before dying.

Although the Centipede Beasts were at the same level as Renault, they were no match for him. With two horns in hand, he needed only eight more to complete the quest.

However, finding the Centipede Beasts in the bamboo forest wasn’t easy. Renault glanced around but couldn’t spot any others. It seemed his earlier display had scared them into hiding.

Knowing that Centipede Beasts were plant-based creatures, and that they lived in the bamboo forest, Renault guessed that their nests were likely at the base of the bamboo roots.

He began searching the roots of the bamboo, and soon enough, he found a hole about the size of a washbasin—definitely a Centipede Beast nest.

Crouching low, Renault placed one hand on the ground for support and punched the edge of the hole with his other hand.

A loud *bang* echoed as the ground shook and the bamboo swayed wildly. The entrance to the hole partially collapsed.

With another swing of his arm, Renault struck the ground several more times. The edge of the hole cracked, and dirt and grass flew everywhere.

Feeling a gust of air flow from the hole, Renault flipped backward just as a Centipede Beast emerged from the collapsing nest.

"Got you!" Renault smirked. While flipping back, he suddenly shot forward again with perfect control, like a stone ricocheting through the air.

Seeing Renault approach, the Centipede Beast coiled its body and lashed out with its tail. Green light flickered, enhancing its attack.

"Foolish!" Renault scoffed. Mid-air, he punched the Centipede Beast’s tail, extinguishing the green light in an instant.

The tail's spiritual energy enhancement was no match for Renault’s raw strength. The beast's tail armor cracked and fell apart under the force of the blow.

With a shriek, the Centipede Beast tried to flee.

"Where do you think you’re going?" Renault shouted, rushing forward. He grabbed the creature's tail with both hands, lifted it off the ground, and swung its body over his head.

As the beast’s head swung past, Renault grabbed its horn and yanked, pulling it free in one swift motion.

The beast let out a final wail as blood sprayed from the wound, and Renault stood victorious with another horn.

Continuing his search for nests, Renault found more Centipede Beasts hiding among the bamboo roots and hunted them down to collect the remaining horns.