Encountering a One-Eyed Demon Wolf in the Wild

What did an outstanding mage need? Naturally, real combat ability.

Lin Lan remembered that cultivation in Xiayu, thanks to the Earth Sacred Spring, was as fast as riding a rocket. But relying solely on external aids meant having no combat experience and lacking the control of a Super Rank Mage. Even a mid-level monarch could wipe out Xiayu. There were plenty of Super Rank Mages there, but they were basically useless.

The best way to gain real combat experience was demon hunting. It could rapidly improve one's strength, combat experience, and spellcasting speed. Most

importantly, it made money!

"Register as a hunter at the Demon Hunting Hall, then pick up some bounties." Seeing that this was feasible, Lin Lan immediately set off. It just so happened that he was on break with no classes, so he could improve his strength and earn some money to buy a Star Magic Artifact.

Demon Hunting Hall.

"Morning Wind Squad needs a Water Element mage proficient in using Water Guard for protection."

"Anyone want to join our Wind Forest Squad? Plenty of jobs and generous pay. Requires a Beginner Level Magic second-level mage."

"Bounty: one One-Eyed Demon Wolf fang."

There were many postings on the large screen in the Demon Hunting Hall. There were also plenty of people using the most primitive method—standing around and shouting—to recruit members or post bounties.

Lin Lan walked up to the front desk. The receptionist was a pretty young woman with a sweet smile on her face.

"Hello, sir. Is there anything you need help with?" Seeing Lin Lan approach, the receptionist took the initiative to ask. Lin Lan looked rather mysterious in his mask and baseball cap, but she remained very enthusiastic.

"Hello. Help me apply for a hunter license," Lin Lan said. "Also, help me see if there are any bounties within the city." His expression was hidden by the mask, but he raised his eyes to look at the receptionist with some expectation.

"May I have your name, sir?"

"Lin Lan."

In this world, registering for a hunter license did not require an ID card or anything like that. Even names could be made up freely. In Lin Lan's view, this was meant to attract more people to join, while hunter ranks limited what missions each qualification could accept, protecting those who lacked the strength but still wanted to throw their lives away.

"And please tell me your magic element," the receptionist said politely, though her face also showed some curiosity. Why was this person dressed like that?

"Lightning Mage!" After speaking, Lin Lan raised his hand and focused his control. Seven stardust particles revolved over his palm, carrying faint arcs of electricity.

"What? A Lightning Mage? You're actually a Lightning Mage!" The receptionist's eyes trembled, and her voice rose with excitement. She had never expected to encounter a rare Lightning Mage while working at the front desk.

The people nearby also noticed the vortex in Lin Lan's hand and immediately gathered around. Seeing this, Lin Lan helplessly withdrew it at once.

"Brother, join our Wind Cloud Squad! Great benefits, guaranteed treatment, and you can even be vice-captain!"

"Brother, don't listen to him. Their squad is famously inefficient. Join our Cheng Xi Squad, and I'll make you captain right away!"

"Brother, don't listen to them. They're all trash. Come with me, and I'll give you two hundred thousand a month!"

The squads fought fiercely to recruit him, all fawning over him. Some even offered to send female squad members his way. Lin Lan looked thoroughly annoyed. He should have known better than to show off instead of keeping a low profile.

More and more people surrounded him. The receptionist cleverly handed Lin Lan a phone number, and he took it before breaking through the crowd and making a run for it.

What a joke. Lin Lan had been a first-class athlete in his previous life. Beginner Level Magic mages simply could not catch him.

"Fuck! That's cheating! You used Wind Element magic..." After quite some time, Lin Lan finally managed to get away, and those people gave up. Still, their demon-hunting group chats had probably exploded. There was no helping it—Lightning Mages were just that rare in Bocheng, and every one of them had been wildly eager.

Lin Lan returned home, opened the slip of paper, and dialed the number written on it. The call was quickly answered.

"Hello. Just email me the bounties I asked for."

Lin Lan spoke.

"Hello, Mr. Lin Lan. Let me add your account! It'll be more convenient to send you what you need, and next time you won't have to come to the Demon Hunting Hall. I can just send it directly to you," the receptionist said eagerly. Lin Lan did not know whether her service was normally this good or whether it was because he was a Lightning Mage.

"Sure, that's more convenient. Just add me directly," Lin Lan replied calmly.

The receptionist then sent all the bounty information to Lin Lan and also told him her name: Zhang Ruobi.

"Take this one for me—the one asking for four fangs and eight claws from One-Eyed Demon Wolves." Lin Lan carefully reviewed the bounties, and this was the only suitable one. The payment was also quite high: two hundred and eighty thousand. He only needed to kill two.

"Alright, Mr. Lin Lan. I'll send you the employer's information."

Lin Lan arrived at Xuefeng Mountain Post Station, one of the routes out of the city for demon hunting.

"Hello, you need identification to leave the city. Please show it," a soldier said, stopping Lin Lan. The city exits were guarded as well; otherwise, people might decide to run out and throw away their lives.

"This is my hunter license." Lin Lan took the hunter license from his pocket and handed it over.

The soldier accepted it and began examining it.

"An entry-level hunter license, and a Lightning Mage! But why are you heading out alone? You're only at Beginner Level Magic. Demons won't care what element you use—they'll just eat you," the soldier said, looking at Lin Lan in shock as he warned him. After all, a single adult demon could handle an entire squad. Lin Lan was likely in danger going out alone.

Still, he could not help but lament that not even Xuefeng Mountain Post Station had a Lightning Mage.

"It's fine. I'm just looking around nearby for some herbs. My friend got injured," Lin Lan made up an excuse. He could not say that he was heading out alone to kill demons, or he definitely would not be allowed through.

"Alright... then be careful out there!" After thinking it over, the soldier agreed. The military was already supposed to patrol the surrounding area, and activities near Bocheng were fairly safe.

The moment Lin Lan left the city, he began heading deeper into the wilderness, moving farther and farther away from Bocheng.

After following a narrow trail left by demons for around ten minutes, Lin Lan noticed that something ahead was wrong. It was too quiet.

There had been insect chirps and birdsong just moments ago, but now Lin Lan could hear only his own footsteps. He became increasingly cautious.

When he reached an open area, Lin Lan finally saw a large hole beneath a dirt slope about one hundred and fifty meters ahead. Two demons stood beside it.

They had wolf bodies and single crimson eyes, with sharp claws and fangs. One was sleeping, while the other was preparing to head in Lin Lan's direction.

So this must be... a One-Eyed Demon Wolf!