Chapter 16: The Path to Strength


    Han Ming''s idea was sound, but he encountered a problem that stumped him.


    How could he push his physical limits time and time again? He tried running wildly in an open space, but it took a long time before he was exhausted enough to collapse. However, this didn''t quite reach his limit. It was a waste of time with minimal results. He also tried pushing a large tree with all his might, ending up utterly spent, yet still not reaching his limit.


    He tried various methods, but none worked. Each time he neared his physical limit, he would collapse from exhaustion before reaching it. The last time he had truly pushed his limits was an exception—when his life depended on it, and his body''s potential was unleashed. He returned to the valley, only to find that the lava had flowed away through a crevice, and the volcanic ash had disappeared. This puzzled him greatly.


    It wasn''t until he discovered a small patch of remaining volcanic ash in a corner that he finally understood. The area around the volcano was teeming with small red insects that devoured the ash, leaving nothing behind. Shortly after, red plants sprouted rapidly, attracting large beasts to feed on them.


    He witnessed another volcanic eruption, excitedly watching as the beasts fled from the advancing lava. The scene of humans and beasts fleeing together repeated itself. However, to Han Ming''s embarrassment, this time he managed to run all the way back to the pond without reaching his limit. Though his vision blurred and his muscles ached, he was far from exhausted. It seemed his physical strength had improved significantly. While pleased, he reluctantly abandoned this method.


    Time passed, and Han Ming grew increasingly anxious. If things continued this way, the remnants of the Tree of Life would wither before he made any significant progress, wasting this precious opportunity for growth. He couldn''t bear the thought of regretting it later.


    Since actively pushing his limits seemed futile, he decided to explore the forest, hoping to find something that could help him achieve his goal.


    After wandering the forest for half a day, Han Ming noticed that while there were many animals, most were herbivores, with few aggressive beasts. He had hoped to encounter the kind of beast he had faced before, to engage in combat, but that hope was dashed. He had even prepared by making a more durable leaf pouch to carry water from the pond. He had tested it by cutting his arm and drinking the water, which surprisingly healed the wound. However, the water''s potency diminished over time, eventually becoming ordinary. Fortunately, the pond water could also stave off hunger, sustaining him for long periods.


    Looking at the wooden stick in his hand, Han Ming felt a sense of helplessness. The stick, picked up near the remnants of the Tree of Life, was incredibly hard. He had tried smashing it against rocks until he was too exhausted to lift it, yet the stick remained unscathed, harder than steel.


    Such a fine weapon, yet no use for it.


    Han Ming climbed to the top of the Tree of Life''s remnants and sat on a branch, lost in thought. His current strength allowed him to climb up, though with difficulty. Over the past few days, he had finally mapped out an escape route. Directly above the island was the ceiling of the underground space, with a massive fissure not far from the rock wall. He must have fallen from there. Although the remnants of the Tree of Life were hundreds of meters tall, they still fell short of the ceiling by several dozen meters. Jumping was out of the question, and he hadn''t yet figured out a better way to reach it. Moreover, he wasn''t ready to leave just yet.


    As he prepared to climb down, a faint glimmer of light caught his eye in a distant corner.


    What was that?


    Curious, Han Ming decided to investigate. Perhaps there was something unexpected to discover.


    Grabbing his stick, he hacked through the undergrowth until he reached the source of the light.


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    What he saw left him gaping in astonishment.


    Before him was a massive stone cave enveloped in a faint blue glow. Above the entrance were three large characters: "Shrine of Water."


    Han Ming passed effortlessly through the blue light barrier. As his body made contact, he felt a faint, almost imperceptible surge of water-based magical energy within him. Scratching his head, he paid it little mind and ventured inside.


    After walking for a short while, he found a staircase leading deep underground. It seemed someone had been here before.


    Descending several hundred steps, he emerged into a vast open space. The walls were embedded with faintly glowing blue stones, illuminating the area brightly. Han Ming examined the stones closely, disappointed to find they weren''t the magical crystals he had hoped for.


    Wait! What was that?


    In the distance, he saw figures moving. Could there be people here?


    Gripping his stick tightly, Han Ming cautiously approached. When he finally saw the figures clearly, his pupils contracted, and every hair on his body stood on end. They were skeletons clad in tattered armor, wielding long swords! The nearest skeleton had already spotted him, its hollow eye sockets glowing with red lights instead of eyes.


    Han Ming swallowed hard. Could these be the resurrected humans? Katheryn had mentioned that an elder from her clan had once led an army of resurrected humans, elves, and even dragons. Were these the same?


    The skeleton that had spotted Han Ming charged at him with its sword raised. Han Ming nearly wet himself.


    Nothing could prepare him for the terror of facing such a creature. In his world, people feared ghosts and monsters more than wild beasts. His heart raced as panic set in.


    In a flurry, he raised his stick to block the skeleton''s strike, only to be sent flying several meters, his stick knocked from his hands. Without thinking, he screamed and bolted, running up the stairs and out of the cave. Only after putting considerable distance between himself and the cave did he dare look back, relieved to see the skeleton hadn''t pursued him.


    Could it not leave the cave? Han Ming glanced at the blue light barrier at the entrance, piecing together a theory.


    Taking a deep breath, he decided to leave this terrifying place. His arms still tingled from the skeleton''s strike. The creature was unnaturally strong, and there were many more like it. He had no desire to provoke them.


    As he turned to leave, an idea struck him.


    This was exactly the kind of training opportunity he had been searching for!


    These skeletons were strong and, in a sense, alive. He could use them to push his limits. With the pond water to heal him, what did he have to fear? As long as they didn''t decapitate him, he could keep fighting, growing stronger with each encounter. The skeletons, on the other hand, wouldn''t improve.


    Patting the water pouch at his waist, Han Ming felt a flicker of reassurance. He strode back into the cave, returning to the open space below. Peeking cautiously, he saw that the skeleton that had chased him had returned to its original position. Relieved, he retrieved his stick and crept along the wall.


    The skeleton spotted him again and charged, sword raised. This time, Han Ming was ready. Gripping his stick tightly, he met the skeleton''s attack head-on.


    The stick clashed against the sword, and Han Ming was sent flying once more. But this time, he didn''t flee. Rolling to his feet, he roared and charged again. The skeleton met him, and the two engaged in a fierce struggle. Han Ming was repeatedly knocked back, his hands trembling so badly he could barely hold the stick. His legs shook as he struggled to stand. The skeleton seized an opening, slashing Han Ming''s side.


    "Ahhh! That hurts like hell!"


    Han Ming screamed in pain, clutching his wound as he fled up the stairs. Another slash caught his back as he ran.


    He burst out of the cave and collapsed on the grass outside, hastily drinking from his water pouch. Thankfully, the skeleton''s blade hadn''t struck the pouch, or he would have been in real trouble.


    Within moments, his wounds healed. Han Ming stood up, flexing his muscles. He could feel his strength had increased slightly, not as much as before, but enough to encourage him. If he kept this up, he would grow stronger in no time!


    Determined, Han Ming sneaked back into the cave, picked up his stick, and charged at the skeleton with a roar, "Your grandpa''s back!"


    In his excitement, he forgot his usual tactic of luring the skeleton closer to the entrance. His shout attracted four or five skeletons, and Han Ming yelped, "Oh crap!" before turning tail and fleeing.


    Damn it! I got careless.


    After calming down, he gripped his stick and charged back into the cave.


    Thus began a cycle of defeat, injury, and growth. Han Ming''s strength and speed steadily increased. When his water ran out, he returned to the pond to refill his pouch, then rushed back to fight. From being unable to withstand a single strike, he progressed to holding his own for several exchanges, and eventually to fighting on equal footing. This process took him roughly three days.


    When he finally smashed a skeleton''s head off with his stick, he cheered and laughed triumphantly—only to attract several more skeletons, forcing him to flee once again.


    Not far from the cave entrance, Katheryn sat perched on a branch, her figure flickering in and out of view. Resting her chin on her hand, she watched Han Ming''s狼狈的身影 with an amused smile.


    "This kid is quite interesting..."