The confrontation was over.
No one spoke.
Wang Li remained seated on the ground, staring at Dao Chi with a look of disbelief.
As for Dao Chi, he had already turned his back.
He did not care about winning.
His mind was occupied with something else.
Haka.
After that brief confrontation, he had gained a preliminary understanding of the nature of his energy.
Earth Haka was not weak.
Rather, it was characterized by stability and density.
However, it consumed a large amount of energy whenever he increased its density.
This meant the real problem was efficiency.
"If I can reduce the energy waste..."
His footsteps stopped.
"Then I can gain greater strength without increasing the amount of energy I use."
It was a simple principle.
But applying it was not simple.
Especially in the body of a beginner.
---
The younger generation gathered once again.
But this time, the instructor was not alone.
Three elders entered the training grounds.
The conversations stopped immediately.
The eldest elder stepped forward and said:
"The first stage of testing is over."
He looked at the youths.
"From today onward, you will be divided into groups."
Whispers began spreading.
He continued:
"Each group will consist of individuals with similar levels of talent."
Then he added:
"But remember one thing."
Silence descended.
"The Haka that has awakened within your bodies does not determine your future."
One of the youths raised his head.
"Then can someone with low talent surpass someone with higher talent?"
The elder smiled.
"They can."
Then his tone changed.
"But it will be more difficult."
Dao Chi immediately understood the meaning.
Talent determined the speed of one's beginning.
But it did not determine the end.
That made sense.
The names of the youths began to be called.
The first group.
The second group.
The third group.
Until the elder reached:
"Dao Chi."
Dao Chi raised his head.
"Third group."
No expression appeared on his face.
But he memorized the names that came before his.
Then the names that followed his.
Seven hundred years ago, he had learned something important:
Knowing those around you was no less important than knowing your own strength.
The elder continued reading.
"Wang Li... second group."
Wang Li raised his head.
He looked at Dao Chi.
His eyes were cold.
He said nothing.
But Dao Chi understood.
The matter was not over.
After the groups were divided, each person was given a designated place to train.
The third group consisted of youths with average talents.
None of them possessed exceptional talent.
This made the atmosphere much calmer.
But Dao Chi was not comfortable.
Because the resources were fewer.
He looked at his allocation.
Fewer energy stones.
Fewer training herbs.
Even the time allowed to use the training grounds was limited.
"So..."
He sat down on the ground.
"This is the real problem."
Not strength.
Resources.
If he wanted to advance quickly, he had to find a way to obtain more.
At the end of the day, the youths returned to their residences.
But Dao Chi did not.
Instead, he headed toward the eastern edge of the village.
There was a small mountain there.
Isolated.
At its base was a dense forest.
According to the memories of the body's former owner, none of the younger generation went there.
The area was considered dangerous.
Not because of powerful beasts.
But because some of the wild plants were poisonous.
Dao Chi stood before the forest.
He stared into it.
Then smiled.
"Poisons..."
He began walking inside.
He was not looking for a fight.
He was looking for something else.
Resources.
Half an hour later, he found his first herb.
He pulled it from the ground.
Then he found a second.
Then a third.
But shortly afterward...
He stopped.
He looked at the ground.
There were footprints.
Fresh ones.
They were not his.
His eyes narrowed.
He crouched down and touched the soil.
"Someone else has been here."
He raised his head.
From deep within the forest...
came the sound of a branch snapping.
Dao Chi stopped.
He did not use Haka.
He simply stood in the darkness.
Then said calmly:
"Come out."
No one answered.
Three seconds passed.
Then a voice came from between the trees:
"I knew someone would come here."
A young girl stepped out from behind a tree.
She was carrying a basket filled with herbs.
She stared at Dao Chi.
Then said:
"You're Dao Chi."
He did not deny it.
"And you?"
She answered:
"Su Mei."
Then she looked at the herbs he had gathered.
"Looks like we're searching for the same thing."
Dao Chi remained silent.
Then he looked at the basket in her hand.
It contained rare herbs.
Far rarer than the ones he had found.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
This girl knew something about resources.
And that was the first thing that caught his interest in her.
But before he could ask...
A roar came from deep within the forest.
Su Mei's expression changed.
As for Dao Chi...
He smiled.
He had finally found an opportunity to test what he had learned.
He said:
"Looks like the forest doesn't want us to leave so easily."
A faint golden aura appeared around his fist.
And from between the trees...
a massive wild beast emerged.
Its eyes were crimson.
Blood covered its claws.
Dao Chi stared at it.
Then said:
"Good."
His smile widened.
"Let's see just how powerful Earth Haka really is."