Braving the Monster Beast Mountain Range

Morning light had just spilled over Wutan City's bluish-gray walls when Xiao Yan, carrying a bulging pack, stood at the fork in the road outside the city. Inside the pack, the Bronze Medicine Cauldron that had accompanied him for so long was wrapped in three layers of thick, soft burlap to prevent it from making noise if bumped; in his Storage Ring, Healing Pills and Qi Gathering Powder were neatly sorted into Jade Bottles, along with the Short Blade he had just sharpened to a gleaming edge with a whetstone, its blade flashing with a chilling light—this was everything he possessed for entering the Monster Beast Mountain Range, as well as the confidence he needed to face its unknown dangers alone.

"Kid, remember the route." Elder Yao's voice sounded in Xiao Yan's mind, carrying a steady reminder. "The Monster Beast Mountain Range is divided into three layers. The outskirts are mostly home to First-tier Demonic Beasts, such as Silver Horn Horses and Swift Shadow Foxes. They are not particularly aggressive and are suitable for practice. The Misty Valley in the middle region is Second-tier Demonic Beast territory. Black Mane Bears and Rending Claw Wolves are active there, and their strength must be handled cautiously. At the very depths lies Crimson Fire Cliff, where even Third-tier Demonic Beasts are not uncommon. Even cultivators in the Dou Shi Realm would not dare venture in lightly, so you absolutely cannot go there at your current stage. Hone yourself in the outskirts for three days before heading to Misty Valley. Do not get greedy for achievements and rush ahead."

Xiao Yan nodded firmly, committing Elder Yao's words to heart. He raised his head and looked ahead. The sprawling Monster Beast Mountain Range lay shrouded in morning mist, its towering ancient trees like the arms of massive beasts, crisscrossing to obscure the sky. From afar, the entire range resembled an ancient ferocious beast lying in wait, radiating a suffocating sense of oppression. Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yan suppressed the faint nervousness in his heart, gripped the Short Blade at his waist, and strode into the forest.

The moment he entered the outskirts of the mountain range, rustling sounds drifted through the woods. Unfamiliar birds chirped from the branches, while sunlight filtered through gaps in the leaves and scattered dappled light across the ground blanketed in fallen leaves. The air was filled with the damp fragrance of grass and trees, and everything appeared tranquil and peaceful. Yet Xiao Yan knew that beneath this calm surface lurked deadly danger—sudden attacks from Demonic Beasts and hidden traps could appear at any moment. He did not dare relax. His Right Hand remained tightly wrapped around the Short Blade, his left hand hanging naturally at his side, ready to unleash Dou Qi at any time. His gaze vigilantly swept across the surrounding bushes and tree trunks. His footsteps were extremely light, and every step landed on the thickest piles of fallen leaves to avoid making noise and revealing his position.

After walking for about half an hour, a rapid clatter of hooves suddenly came from ahead, accompanied by low, snorting roars. Xiao Yan's heart tightened. He immediately slipped sideways behind a thick ancient banyan tree and looked through a gap in the trunk—there, a Demonic Beast resembling a fine horse but a full circle more muscular was lowering its head to graze on the grass. A sharp horn half a foot long grew from its head, gleaming faintly silver. It was a First-tier Demonic Beast, a Silver Horn Horse.

Silver Horn Horses were not particularly violent by nature, but if disturbed, they would launch fierce charges with their horns. Their force was enough to snap tree trunks as thick as a bowl, making them the ideal targets for early training. A sharp gleam flashed through Xiao Yan's eyes as he slowly pulled out his Short Blade. His fingertips moved slightly, and pale blue Dou Qi began circulating soundlessly, flowing along his arm into the blade and causing its already cold surface to appear covered in a faint halo. He crouched low and circled around behind the Silver Horn Horse as silently as a civet cat, doing his best to blend his presence into the surrounding grass and trees.

Just as Xiao Yan came within less than three zhang of the Silver Horn Horse, it seemed to sense something amiss. It abruptly raised its head and let out warning snorts. The Silver Horn atop its head turned toward Xiao Yan's hiding place, while its hooves scraped uneasily against the ground. Xiao Yan knew he could wait no longer. Before the Silver Horn Horse had fully turned around, he exploded forward, his body shooting out like an arrow released from its bow. Empowered by Dou Qi, his Short Blade swiped toward the Silver Horn Horse's neck!

With a pfft, the sharp blade sliced across the Silver Horn Horse's hide, leaving behind a shallow wound two inches long. Blood immediately seeped out. The Silver Horn Horse howled in pain and rage, then kicked off hard with its hind legs and charged Xiao Yan with a strong wind in its wake, the Silver Horn atop its head aimed directly at his chest. Xiao Yan had been prepared. His footwork changed, and he unleashed Windwalk Steps, his body flashing to the right like a phantom. He narrowly avoided the Silver Horn's charge, then raised his foot and viciously kicked the Silver Horn Horse in the side of its abdomen.

With a muffled bang, the Silver Horn Horse lost its balance and staggered back several steps. Its eyes were filled with Fierce Light as it lowered its head again, its horn pointed at Xiao Yan in preparation for a second charge. This time, Xiao Yan did not dodge. Instead, he tightened his grip on the Short Blade and charged straight at the Silver Horn Horse. The instant its horn was about to strike him, Xiao Yan suddenly lowered himself, his body nearly pressed flat to the ground. The Short Blade in his hand followed the curve of the Silver Horn and chopped viciously at the joint of the Silver Horn Horse's front leg!

With a crisp crack, accompanied by the Silver Horn Horse's piercing screams, its front leg joint was severed by the blade. It could no longer support its body and crashed to the ground. It struggled to rise, but could only kick its hind legs futilely before quickly losing all strength.

Xiao Yan rose while leaning on his Short Blade, gasping heavily as fine Sweat Beads seeped across his forehead—this was the first time he had killed a Demonic Beast alone. It had seemed smooth, but every step had kept his nerves taut. From circling behind to lying in wait to choosing the moment to attack, even the slightest mistake could have gotten him injured by the Silver Horn Horse's charge. He walked over to its corpse and carefully cut off the Silver Horn with his Short Blade. It felt icy cold and was extremely hard. "A First-tier Demonic Beast's horn can sell for fifty Gold Coins. Not a bad start." Xiao Yan placed the Silver Horn into his Storage Ring, feeling more confident.

"Not bad. You knew to avoid its edge and attack its weakness. That is far better than blindly fighting head-on." Elder Yao's voice carried approval. "You timed that final strike very well. Treat the scrape on your arm, then continue deeper. If you encounter a Second-tier Demonic Beast, remember to use Windwalk Steps to open up distance. Do not clash with them head-on—use your movement technique to find their openings."

Only then did Xiao Yan notice that while avoiding the Silver Horn Horse's charge, his arm had been grazed by a thorn on a tree trunk, leaving a shallow wound that was now seeping blood. He took out a Healing Pill, poured one into his mouth, and swallowed it. The pill melted the moment it entered his mouth, and a cool current slid down his throat, quickly easing the pain from his wound. After simply wrapping his arm with a strip of cloth, Xiao Yan packed his things and continued toward the middle region of the mountain range.

The farther inward he went, the denser the trees became, as did the morning mist. Visibility fell below three zhang, and the distant scenery became a blur. The scent of grass and trees in the air gradually faded, replaced by a faint smell of blood and flesh—the lingering scent left behind by Demonic Beasts. As he ventured deeper, that smell grew increasingly strong. Xiao Yan gripped his Short Blade tighter, Dou Qi slowly circulating within his body as he prepared for any sudden situation.

After walking for about an hour, heavy breathing sounds suddenly came from the mist ahead, accompanied by the rustling of something heavy being dragged. Xiao Yan immediately stopped, held his breath, and slowly approached the source of the sound, every step exceptionally cautious. Through the drifting fog, he vaguely saw a Demonic Beast shaped like an ox and covered in black mane. It was using its sharp claws to Tear Open the corpse of an antelope. Those claws gleamed coldly, effortlessly ripping through the antelope's hide and flesh—it was a Second-tier Demonic Beast, a Black Mane Bear.

Black Mane Bears had rough hides and thick flesh, tremendous strength, and claws capable of easily tearing through stone. They were common ferocious beasts in the mountain range's middle region, far stronger than Silver Horn Horses. Xiao Yan's heart tightened as he gripped his Short Blade, quickly considering his options—fighting head-on would definitely put him at a disadvantage. He had to rely on Windwalk Steps to maneuver around it and seek out its weak point.

Taking a deep breath, Xiao Yan circulated his Dou Qi and moved around behind the Black Mane Bear like a phantom. The Black Mane Bear was focused on tearing into its prey and had not noticed danger approaching at all. Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened, and his Short Blade, infused with Dou Qi, stabbed viciously toward the Black Mane Bear's hind leg!

A crisp clang rang out like metal striking metal. The Short Blade struck the Black Mane Bear's fur and left only a shallow white mark, unable to break its defenses. The Black Mane Bear abruptly turned around, its bell-sized eyes staring fixedly at Xiao Yan. It let out a furious roar, raised a palm-like claw, and swatted at Xiao Yan with a howling strong wind!

Xiao Yan's feet shifted as he unleashed Windwalk Steps, his body drifting three zhang to the side like a willow catkin. He barely avoided the Black Mane Bear's attack. Its claw struck the ground, sending shattered stones flying and leaving a shallow crater behind. Its strength was obvious. This Black Mane Bear's hide is even tougher than I expected. Ordinary attacks cannot break through its defenses. Xiao Yan's gaze rapidly swept across the Black Mane Bear's body before settling on its eyes and abdomen—these were the weakest points in every Demonic Beast's defenses, and also his only chance to break through.

When the Black Mane Bear saw that its strike had missed, it became even more frenzied. Roaring, it charged at Xiao Yan, wildly swinging its claws as it tried to rip apart the human who had interrupted its meal. Xiao Yan did not panic. He unfolded Windwalk Steps and swiftly moved around the Black Mane Bear, like a butterfly circling flames. From time to time, he launched feints, stabbing at the Black Mane Bear's limbs with his Short Blade to disrupt its attention.

The Black Mane Bear grew increasingly agitated from Xiao Yan circling it. It roared as it chased after him, gradually losing all order in its movements while its breathing became heavier and heavier. Xiao Yan knew the opportunity had come. He suddenly closed in, his Short Blade aimed directly at the Black Mane Bear's left eye. The Black Mane Bear instinctively turned its head, but it could not fully avoid the strike. The blade swiped past the Corner of the eye, leaving a deep wound. Blood erupted at once, covering its eye.

"Roar—!" Overcome by excruciating pain, the Black Mane Bear completely descended into a frenzy and charged recklessly at Xiao Yan, even its direction becoming slightly skewed. Xiao Yan had already prepared for this. Borrowing the speed of Windwalk Steps, he circled around to the Black Mane Bear's side. More Dou Qi gathered in his Short Blade, and the glow around its blade became increasingly distinct. He took a deep breath, leaped up, and drove the Short Blade viciously into the Black Mane Bear's abdomen!

This time, the blade smoothly broke through the Black Mane Bear's defenses and pierced into its body. The Black Mane Bear let out piercing screams as its massive body crashed to the ground. It twitched a few times before losing breath, blood erupting from the wound in its abdomen and staining the surrounding fallen leaves red.

After landing, Xiao Yan's Legs went weak, and he collapsed onto the ground, gasping heavily. His arms trembled slightly from exerting too much force just now—killing a Second-tier Demonic Beast had taken far more effort than he had imagined. Not only did he have to stay alert to the Black Mane Bear's attacks at all times, he also had to use his movement technique to wear down its stamina. By the end, he had consumed nearly half his Dou Qi. After resting for a while and catching his breath, he got up and walked over to the Black Mane Bear's corpse, cutting off its four Bear Paws and extracting the Demonic Core from its body. The Bear Paws were plump and were extremely valuable ingredients, worth over a hundred Gold Coins each in Wutan City. The Second-tier Demonic Core was Dark Black and contained pure Dou Qi, worth three hundred Gold Coins. The gains from this trip would be enough to cover his expenses for the next few days.

Just as Xiao Yan placed the spoils into his Storage Ring and was preparing to find a place to rest, Elder Yao's urgent warning suddenly sounded in his mind. "Careful! Three people are approaching this way. Their auras are mixed and chaotic. They do not seem like cultivators here for training; they seem more like bandits who have spent years looting in these mountains!"

Xiao Yan's heart tightened. He immediately gripped the Short Blade he had just put away once more and quickly hid behind a thick ancient tree, looking outward through a gap in the branches and leaves. Soon, three burly men dressed in coarse cloth and carrying bows appeared in his Line of sight. The leading man had a scar running from the Corner of the eye to his chin. His gaze was vicious, and a rust-covered machete hung at his waist. At a glance, he was clearly no good man.

"Big Brother, look! What is that?" A tall, thin man beside him pointed at the Black Mane Bear's corpse on the ground, his voice filled with delight. Scarface strode forward. When he saw the Black Mane Bear's massive body, greed flashed in his eyes. "Well, well, a Second-tier Black Mane Bear! I did not expect to find prey like this here. Looks like we are lucky today. Carry the corpse away. The Bear Paws and Demonic Core will fetch quite a bit of money!"

Another short, fat man noticed the bloodstains and signs of battle on the ground. Confused, he said, "Big Brother, this bear looks like it was just killed. The corpse is still warm. Could there be other cultivators training nearby?"

Scarface sneered, and his gaze became even more vicious. "Who cares who it was? So what if they killed the bear? In this Monster Beast Mountain Range, strength is reason! Carry the corpse away. If we run into anyone, kill them directly and save ourselves the trouble! Are the three of us brothers supposed to fear some reckless brat?"

A cold gleam flashed through Xiao Yan's eyes when he heard this—these three were indeed bandits who specialized in stealing the spoils of those training in the mountains. Without the slightest hesitation, he gripped his Short Blade and slowly stepped out from behind the tree, blocking the Black Mane Bear's corpse. He said coldly, "I killed this Black Mane Bear. If you want to take my things, have you asked my blade first?"

When Scarface saw that Xiao Yan was only a boy of fifteen or sixteen, with a somewhat lean frame, his eyes were filled with disdain. He snorted. "A brat like you dares show off in front of me? Get lost while you still can. Otherwise, I will slaughter you too and throw you to the Demonic Beasts as a snack!" As he spoke, he gave the two men beside him a look. All three drew the machetes from their waists and closed in on Xiao Yan, forming a triangular formation. They were clearly veterans who often worked together to loot others.

Xiao Yan did not retreat. Dou Qi rapidly circulated within his body, and a faint white glow appeared on his Short Blade. He knew that when dealing with bandits like these, he could not be softhearted. He had to strike first. Before the three could close in, Xiao Yan charged at the tall, thin man on the left. Windwalk Steps unfolded, and with a flicker of his body, he appeared before the man, his Short Blade stabbing directly toward his chest!

The tall, thin man was caught completely off guard. He had not expected Xiao Yan to be so fast. It was already too late for him to raise his machete to block, and he could only instinctively retreat. But Xiao Yan's blade was faster. With a pfft, the Short Blade plunged into his chest. The tall, thin man let out a scream and fell to the ground, quickly losing breath.

Scarface and the short, fat man were both shocked and furious. They had not expected this boy to strike so ruthlessly. "Brat, you are seeking death!" Scarface roared as he swung his machete down at Xiao Yan's head. The blade carried a strong wind, and he had clearly gone for the kill. Meanwhile, the short, fat man circled around to Xiao Yan's back, thrusting his machete toward Xiao Yan's back in an attempt to attack from both sides.

Xiao Yan's gaze sharpened. His footwork shifted, and he turned sideways to Avoid Scarface's attack. At the same time, he abruptly leaned backward, evading the short, fat man's sneak attack, then slashed backward across the man's arm. "Ah!" The short, fat man screamed as his arm was cut open with a wound Deep enough to see bone. Blood flowing freely, his machete fell from his hand.

Seeing this, Scarface took the chance to launch a sneak attack from behind. His machete cut toward Xiao Yan's back with a fierce strong wind. Xiao Yan suddenly bent at the waist, his body curving like a bow. The machete swiped past his scalp and struck the tree trunk beside him, leaving a deep slash. Before Scarface could pull his blade back, Xiao Yan spun around and stabbed his Short Blade toward Scarface's lower abdomen!

Scarface hastily retreated, but he was still a step too slow. The blade pierced his lower abdomen. Though the wound was not deep, it still made him bare his teeth in pain. Seeing Xiao Yan's sharp movements, he knew he had encountered a formidable opponent. This boy looked young, but his real combat experience was exceedingly rich. If they kept fighting, they might not gain any advantage. Fear flashed through Scarface's eyes, but he still spoke stubbornly. "Brat, you have guts! Consider yourself lucky today. We are leaving!" With that, he helped the injured short, fat man up, and the two fled miserably toward the mountain range's outskirts, not even bothering to take the tall, thin man's corpse with them.

Xiao Yan did not pursue them. He understood that one should not chase a desperate enemy. If those two had companions, rashly pursuing them could lead him into danger. Watching their backs disappear into the mist, Xiao Yan let out a breath. This was his first real battle against humans. It required more skill and ruthlessness than fighting Demonic Beasts, and the slightest carelessness could cost him his life. He checked himself. Aside from a corner of his clothes that Scarface's machete had grazed, he had no other injuries. He then placed the Black Mane Bear's corpse into his Storage Ring—although the corpse was heavy, an intact Demonic Beast corpse could sell for more in the Marketplace, so it could not be wasted.

As the sun set, the mist gradually dispersed, and Xiao Yan arrived beside a small stream. The water was crystal clear, revealing smooth pebbles at the bottom. Unknown wildflowers bloomed along the bank, releasing a faint fragrance. He washed the blood and dust from his body with stream water, then took out compressed rations and ate them with the water. The compressed rations tasted bland, but they could quickly replenish his strength. Xiao Yan swallowed them in large mouthfuls, his gaze directed toward the distant forest that was gradually being enveloped by night. Listening to the roars of Demonic Beasts echoing through the woods, he felt no fear. Instead, he was filled with fighting spirit—this was only the beginning of his training. Today's battles had made him understand the importance of real combat and given him a clearer understanding of his own strength.

As night fell, Xiao Yan found a sheltered cave beside the stream. The cave was not deep, but it was large enough to accommodate one person. He lit a bonfire. The flames crackled as they illuminated the cave and dispelled the night's chill. Xiao Yan placed the Bronze Medicine Cauldron beside the fire to dry it. The Water vapor on its surface evaporated in the heat, and a layer of White Mist appeared. He leaned against the cave wall, crossed his legs, circulated his Dou Qi, and began cultivating, refining the remaining medicinal power within his body.

Elder Yao's voice slowly sounded in his mind. "You performed well today. From killing the Silver Horn Horse to dealing with the Black Mane Bear, then taking care of those three bandits, you have improved quickly. Especially when fighting humans, you did not hesitate and understood how to strike first. That is very important in training. Go take a look at Misty Valley tomorrow. The Blood Leaf Flower you need grows there. It is a key medicinal ingredient for refining the second-grade Clear Spirit Pill. But be careful of the Misty Miasma in the valley. It can make people dizzy and disoriented, even numb their nerves. Remember to take a Detoxification Pill beforehand."

Xiao Yan opened his eyes and watched the flames dance in the bonfire, determination shining in his eyes. He clenched his fists and silently made up his mind: no matter how many difficulties he faced, he would make a name for himself in this Monster Beast Mountain Range. Not only would he gather enough medicinal herbs and Demonic Beast materials, he would also improve his strength. When he headed to Jia Nan Academy a year from now, he would make everyone see how much he had grown.

The night grew deeper, and roars rang through the forest one after another, sometimes low and sometimes shrill, carrying the scent of danger. Yet the bonfire in the cave burned steadily, like the faith in Xiao Yan's heart. It illuminated the road ahead and warmed his night of solitary training.