“Since you now have a sword, I will teach you the basic sword technique of our sect, **Spiritual Sword Strike**. You must practice diligently,” Yu Zhenzi said, though there was a hint of surprise in his voice as he added, “Feng'er, you’ve reached the mid-stage of **Opening the Spiritual Path**?”

Renault nodded. “Yes, Master.”

Yu Zhenzi observed Renault with a pleased expression. “Your advancement didn’t meet my expectations, but I’m still quite satisfied with your progress.” What impressed Yu Zhenzi wasn’t necessarily Renault’s cultivation speed, but his combat prowess. Renault had shown incredible adaptability in battle, using every technique effectively without wasting a single move. The fact that Renault had killed a **Spirit Gathering**-level beast despite being in the **Opening the Spiritual Path** stage was nothing short of remarkable, even unsettling.

What Renault didn’t know was that his master had been secretly observing him during the fight.

**"Player Renault has acquired the skill 'Spiritual Sword Strike' at the Initial level,"** the system notification rang out.

Renault gripped the **Clear Wind Sword**, pointed it forward, and activated the skill. Spiritual energy flowed from the sword, forming into a visible sword aura that shot out with a high-pitched whistle.

With a swift “whoosh,” the energy sword pierced the air, leaving a finger-sized hole in the ground.

“Not bad,” Renault thought to himself. “I wonder how powerful this technique would be at **Grandmastery**?”

Seeing Renault execute the **Spiritual Sword Strike** with such precision, Yu Zhenzi was astounded. He had merely explained the basics and demonstrated the technique once, yet Renault had already mastered it enough to use in combat. This level of comprehension was unheard of in the sect's history.

However, it wasn’t just Renault’s innate talent at work. The game system that had fused with Renault’s body was incredibly powerful. It had recorded Yu Zhenzi’s instructions, analyzed the sword technique, and then integrated it directly into Renault’s mind and body through data processing.

Renault opened his status panel to review his latest stats:

- **Character:** Renault  

- **Level:** 10 (100%) **Giant Spirit Divine Core**  

- **Strength:** 110  

- **Constitution:** 81  

- **Agility:** 26  

- **Speed:** 31  

- **Spiritual Power:** 25  

- **Element:** Fire, Earth  

- **Spiritual Cultivation Level:** Mid-stage **Opening the Spiritual Path**  

- **Reputation:** 100  

- **HP:** 810  

- **MP:** 250  

- **Attack Power:** 1100  

- **Mana:** 350 (Clear Wind Sword adds 100 mana attack.)  

- **Defense:** 810  

- **Movement Speed:** 310  

- **Skills:**  

  - **Giant Spirit Fist** (Consumes 1000 MP, doubles strength-based attack power.)  

  - **Thousand Apparitions Hand** (Complex hand technique with speed so fast it becomes invisible. Consumes 200 MP per use.)  

  - **Spiritual Sword Strike** (Harnesses spiritual power through the sword, unleashing it as an energy blast. Consumes 10 MP per use.)  

- **Weapon:** Clear Wind Sword (Increases mana attack by 100, and all physical attacks are enhanced with mana damage.)

Suddenly, the system blared a warning:

**"Warning! System update: From now on, any player with spiritual weapons or equipment can merge physical and mana attacks into one. However, if the player lacks spiritual gear, physical and mana attacks cannot be combined."**

Renault felt a surge of excitement. The ability to merge physical and mana attacks meant that his combat power had just skyrocketed. With this, battling spirit beasts would no longer be as difficult.

At the same time, Renault couldn’t help but feel a bit amused. The system updates were incredibly fast. Luckily, they didn’t require him to stop functioning—he shuddered at the thought of being frozen in place, unable to move or think, if the system ever went offline for an update.

*(Note: Physical attacks, when used against spiritual beasts, are drastically weakened. Spirit beasts are beings of mana, and physical attacks from ordinary humans have limited effect. Thus, physical attacks don’t deal the same amount of damage as mana attacks.)*

Now that Renault could combine physical and mana attacks, his total attack power had risen to 1450 points (1100 physical + 350 mana). With this level of power, he could easily defeat the Centipede Beast boss that had previously given him so much trouble.

Yu Zhenzi, lost in thought, seemed to be weighing several ideas in his mind. He observed Renault with a keen eye, wondering if his disciple possessed some hidden abilities. Could it all be attributed to the **Heavenly Fruit** Renault had consumed?

After a long silence, Yu Zhenzi finally spoke, having reached a decision. “Fifty miles away from **Tianji Peak** lies a cave known as the **Crimson Flame Cave**. No one has entered it for many years, but recently, strange creatures have been attacking nearby villages. Many villagers have died. Our sect, which takes it upon itself to exorcise demons and maintain order, suspects that these creatures are coming from the Crimson Flame Cave.”

Yu Zhenzi frowned deeply, showing clear concern. “Several disciples have been sent to investigate, but none have returned. Among them were two elite disciples of the sect, and they’ve been missing ever since. I want you to investigate.”

Renault’s face lit up with joy. A new task! This was likely another spiritual cultivation quest, which meant more progress.

“What exactly would you have me investigate, Master?” Renault asked eagerly.

“The **Crimson Flame Cave** has four layers, each more dangerous than the last. I want you to investigate the area surrounding the cave and see if you can confirm whether the creatures are emerging from it. You are not required to enter the cave itself, but there is a strict time limit. Consider this a test of your abilities. The longer we wait, the slimmer the chances of rescuing our trapped disciples.”

Renault felt a sense of foreboding. “Master, what is the time limit for this task?” he asked.

“Two hours. You are to leave immediately, and the clock starts now,” Yu Zhenzi replied.

Renault’s heart sank. He had suspected the task wouldn’t be as simple as it appeared, and his master had confirmed his fears.

“Two hours?” Renault thought, alarmed. The task was definitely more difficult than it seemed.

Still, with a determined expression, Renault confidently declared, “Master, rest assured, I will complete the task.”

Where did this confidence come from? Even Renault wasn’t entirely sure, but he felt an unwavering sense of resolve.

The **Tianji Stone Chamber** was fifty miles from the **Crimson Flame Cave**. With his current abilities, it would take him one full hour to travel there and back. That left no time for rest, and he would have to maintain a relentless pace.