The battle erupted in an instant.
The twelve Steel Tooth Rats shot forward like arrows loosed from a bowstring, splitting into four groups of three and pouncing precisely on the four of them. Their attacks were no longer a chaotic frenzy of bites; they worked together tactically—one attacking high, one striking the middle, and one going low, sealing off every avenue of escape.
"Watch out!" Zhao Tie roared, sweeping the saber strapped to his back at the charging rats.
Facing three Steel Tooth Rats, Lin Fan remained uncommonly calm.
On the Status Panel, [Basic Footwork] had already reached Mastery Level (687/1000) during their frantic run. The 20% speed boost gave him room to maneuver.
The Steel Tooth Rat on his front left lunged straight for his face, its incisors gleaming coldly. Lin Fan twisted aside and swept his short blade upward, stabbing at its belly. But the rat twisted in midair to dodge, its claws adding another bloody gash to his arm.
[Basic Saber Technique Proficiency +5] [Health Points -8]
Pain jolted his nerves, but the battle lust in Lin Fan's eyes only burned brighter.
The Steel Tooth Rat behind him took the chance to bite at his ankle. He stomped hard, sending dust billowing from the ground and making the rat falter. Lin Fan's right foot lashed out like a whip, Collapse Force from his Minor Accomplishment Level fist technique surging through his toes—
"Crack!"
The rat's skull split with an audible snap. It tumbled away, twitched a few times, then lay still.
[Killed a 1st Tier Steel Tooth Rat, Basic Fist Technique Proficiency +10, Essence +3] [Combat Experience +5]
The third Steel Tooth Rat was already at his chest, its incisors barely half a foot from his throat. Lin Fan had no time to pull back his leg. His left hand shot out like a claw, five fingers hooking around the rat's neck. He twisted hard!
"Squeee—"
Its scream cut off abruptly. The Steel Tooth Rat's neck snapped, and its body went limp.
[Killed a 1st Tier Steel Tooth Rat, Basic Grappling Technique Proficiency +12] (New Skill) [Essence +3]
"So grappling techniques are a thing, too..." Lin Fan thought, but he had no time to dwell on it. More Steel Tooth Rats were pouncing at him.
He fought while retreating, making sure to stay inside the circle of Beast Repellent Powder. The safe zone was only three zhang across. The four of them fought back-to-back, barely holding the line.
On the other side, Zhao Tie and the others were under even greater pressure.
The Rat King didn't attack personally. It crouched on a mound in the distance, its scarlet eyes coldly watching the battlefield as it occasionally let out a short squeak. Every time it did, the Steel Tooth Rats changed their attack rhythm.
"That beast's giving orders!" Skinny Monkey gritted his teeth. His short blade pierced a Steel Tooth Rat's eye, but a gash opened beneath his ribs. "We have to take it out first!"
"Iron Shield and I will clear a path. You look for an opening!" Zhao Tie said, panting as his saber cleaved two Steel Tooth Rats apart.
Iron Shield charged with his shield raised, like a war chariot bearing down on the Rat King. Three Steel Tooth Rats leaped onto his shield, their claws scraping against it with a shrill screech, but they couldn't break through.
Zhao Tie followed close behind, his saber carving a bloody path like a whirlwind.
A mocking glint flashed in the Rat King's eyes. It swept a forepaw, and five Steel Tooth Rats flanked them from both sides, trying to cut off their retreat!
"Watch out!" Seeing this, Lin Fan dashed out of the safe zone.
He knew he wasn't strong enough to take on the Rat King head-on, but he could help clear out the lesser rats. His short blade flashed through the air. His technique was still rough, but the force-generation methods of his Minor Accomplishment Level fist technique could be applied to anything. Every slash carried the penetrating power of Collapse Force.
[Basic Saber Technique: Beginner → Proficient (112/500)]
With each consecutive kill, his saber technique proficiency skyrocketed, breaking through to Proficient Level! The 10% boost to its power made the blade sharper; now a single slash could cut through a Steel Tooth Rat's bones.
"Squeak!"
A Steel Tooth Rat pounced from the side at the back of Zhao Tie's neck. Quick as a flash, Lin Fan hurled his short blade!
"Thwack!"
The blade pierced the rat's belly, pinning it to the ground.
[Basic Throwing Technique Proficiency +8] (New Skill) [Killed a 1st Tier Steel Tooth Rat, Combat Experience +3]
Lin Fan was more at ease fighting barehanded. He unleashed his Minor Accomplishment Level fist technique with all his might, every punch carrying Collapse Force. Any Steel Tooth Rat he hit was either dead or crippled.
[Basic Fist Technique: Minor Accomplishment (1182/5000)] [Basic Footwork: Mastery (734/1000)] [Essence: 82/170]
His proficiency was soaring, and his Essence was slowly recovering during the battle (killing Demonic Beasts granted Essence). But his stamina was draining faster. After fighting at high intensity without a break, his stamina had fallen to 28 points.
"I can't hold out much longer..." Lin Fan's legs felt weak, and his breathing came in ragged gasps.
Just then, the Rat King seemed to sense his weakness and let out a shrill squeal.
Four Steel Tooth Rats abandoned their attack on Zhao Tie and the others and all turned toward Lin Fan!
"Lin Fan, watch out!" Iron Shield shouted, but three Steel Tooth Rats had him pinned down, preventing him from coming to the rescue.
The four Steel Tooth Rats pounced from four directions, sealing off every escape route. Lin Fan's pupils contracted—he was trapped in a killing formation!
In that moment between life and death, his mind was strangely clear.
The Status Panel's numbers flashed before his eyes: [Basic Fist Technique at Minor Accomplishment Level, Collapse Force trait] [Basic Footwork at Mastery Level, 20% speed boost] [28 stamina, 82 Essence]...
"I have no choice but to fight!"
Lin Fan didn't retreat. He charged straight at the Steel Tooth Rat in front of him. All the power in his right fist gathered as his Minor Accomplishment Level fist technique unleashed its full force, Collapse Force boring through its body—
"Bang!"
The Steel Tooth Rat flew backward like a cannonball and smashed into a tree. Its organs shattered, and it died.
[Killed a 1st Tier Steel Tooth Rat, Fist Technique Proficiency +10] [Combat against a higher tier (a 1st Grade Martial Artist against elite fighters directed by a 2nd Tier Demonic Beast), additional Proficiency +10] [Combat Experience +8]
But the other three were already upon him!
The one on his left bit at his arm. Lin Fan drove his elbow into it, Collapse Force blasting through the joint and shattering the rat's skull.
The one on his right went for his legs. He raised his knee and slammed into it, crumpling its body and sending it flying.
But the last one—the one leaping at him from behind—had already aimed its claws at his back!
There was no dodging it!
Lin Fan gritted his teeth and leaned forward, trying to lessen the damage. Its claws tore through the flesh of his back, deep enough to expose bone. Blood sprayed everywhere.
[Health Points -25] [Injured: Laceration on back, bleeding effect, -1 Health Point per second]
Pain made Lin Fan's vision go black, but he didn't fall. Instead, he used his forward momentum to roll away and open up some distance.
The three Steel Tooth Rats lay dead, but the danger wasn't over—the bleeding effect continued to drain his Health Points.
He quickly pulled out a Hemostatic Bandage and hastily wrapped it around his back. He sprinkled powder over the wound. The sting made him suck in a sharp breath, but the bleeding slowed.
[Hemostasis successful, bleeding effect removed]
He was safe for the moment.
But that round of fighting had cost him dearly. He had only 15 stamina and 62 Essence left, and his Health Points were down to 47 (out of 100). If he was surrounded again, he would die for sure.
Panting hard, Lin Fan looked toward the Rat King.
Zhao Tie and Iron Shield had reached a point ten steps from the Rat King, but eight Steel Tooth Rats were blocking them. Skinny Monkey had vanished at some point—he must have used some kind of stealth technique to prepare for a sneak attack.
The Rat King still crouched on the mound, its eyes gleaming with cunning. It didn't seem in a hurry, as if it intended to wear down the four of them, both body and will.
"This can't go on..." Lin Fan thought anxiously.
He surveyed the battlefield. Corpses of Steel Tooth Rats littered the ground—at least forty of them. But more than a dozen elite rats remained by the Rat King, and it was a 2nd Tier Demonic Beast, at least as strong as a 2nd Grade Martial Artist.
They had no chance in a head-on fight.
They had to find a way to break the deadlock.
Lin Fan's gaze fell on the mounds of earth. The Steel Tooth Rats' nests... If the nests were destroyed, would the swarm fall into chaos?
A dangerous idea took shape.
He looked at Zhao Tie and gestured toward the mounds. Zhao Tie paused, then understood and nodded firmly.
"Iron Shield, cover me!" Zhao Tie roared, his saber attack growing even fiercer.
Iron Shield slammed his shield into the ground with a thunderous boom, drawing the attention of most of the Steel Tooth Rats.
Lin Fan seized the opportunity and rushed toward the nearest mound.
The Rat King sensed his intent and gave a sharp, urgent squeal. Three Steel Tooth Rats broke away from the battle and charged straight at Lin Fan.
But Lin Fan was ready. He pulled the last thing he had from his clothes—not a weapon, but a packet of fire-starting tinder and a small jar of lamp oil.
He had bought them from a general store, intending to use them to start fires in the Wilderness. Now they had a new purpose.
"Get lost!"
Lin Fan punched away the oncoming Steel Tooth Rat and rushed to the mound. It was built from loose earth, with a rat hole beneath it. He poured the lamp oil over the mound, struck the tinder alight, and tossed it onto the oil.
"Whoosh!"
Flames leaped up and quickly spread. Terrified squeaking came from the rat hole beneath the mound as several Steel Tooth Rats fled in panic.
It worked!
Lin Fan repeated the process, setting a second and then a third mound alight.
Amid the blazing flames, thick smoke billowed across the nest area. The swarm fell into chaos. Some Steel Tooth Rats ignored the Rat King's orders and instinctively rushed to their nests to put out the fire.
"Now!" Skinny Monkey's voice came from behind the Rat King.
A shadow sprang from behind a mound like a ghost, its short blade thrusting straight at the back of the Rat King's neck!
The Rat King reacted instantly. It spun around, its incisors snapping at Skinny Monkey like blades. But Skinny Monkey's attack was a feint. His real killing move came from his left hand—a second short blade slid from his sleeve and stabbed toward the Rat King's eye!
"Squeee—!"
The Rat King screamed. Its left eye had been pierced, and blood poured out. It shook its head wildly, flinging Skinny Monkey away.
"Skinny Monkey!" Zhao Tie's eyes blazed with fury as he brought his saber down on the Rat King's neck with all his strength.
Though wounded, the Rat King still had the strength of a 2nd Tier Demonic Beast. It blocked the saber with its incisors, sending sparks flying. At the same time, it swept its forepaw across and knocked Zhao Tie back several steps.
Iron Shield rushed in and slammed into it with his shield. The Rat King staggered, but its tail lashed out like a steel whip, striking the shield with a thunderous clang. Iron Shield staggered back three steps before regaining his balance.
By then, Lin Fan had arrived as well.
He had only 12 stamina, 55 Essence, and 43 Health Points left. He was in terrible shape, but his eyes were sharp as blades.
A venomous light gleamed in the Rat King's single eye as it fixed its gaze on Lin Fan. He was the one who had destroyed its nest and killed the most of its kin.
"Squeee—!"
The Rat King abandoned Zhao Tie and Iron Shield and charged straight at Lin Fan!
It was too fast!
Lin Fan barely had time to react before the Rat King was right in front of him, its incisors like two curved blades thrusting straight for his chest!
At the brink of death, time seemed to slow.
Lin Fan could see the blood vessels in the Rat King's single eye, smell the stench of its breath, and feel the deathly chill of its incisors.
There was no dodging it.
But he didn't close his eyes and wait to die. Instead, he gathered all his strength, all his Essence, and all his will into his right fist.
Minor Accomplishment Level fist technique, Collapse Force trait, empowered by 170 points of Essence...
"Break... for me!"
He punched forward. The move was plain and unadorned, but it carried an unrelenting resolve.
The instant his fist collided with the Rat King's incisors, Lin Fan felt every bone in his arm groan. But Collapse Force surged through like a rising tide, traveling along the incisors and into the Rat King's skull.
"Crack, crack..."
Faint sounds of fractures came from inside the Rat King's skull.
Its incisors broke. The ferocity in its eye froze, then quickly faded. Its massive body slumped to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
[Killed the 2nd Tier Demonic Beast, Steel Fang Rat King; Basic Fist Technique Proficiency +100] (Tenfold reward for killing a higher-tier enemy) [Combat Experience +50] [Essence +20] [Achievement unlocked: Slay a King Across Tiers (first time killing a Demonic Beast leader of a higher tier)] [Achievement reward: Skill Points +1]
Status Panel notifications flashed wildly before him, but Lin Fan could no longer make them out.
He fell to his knees, his right arm hanging limply. At least three bones were broken. A deep gash, exposing bone, had also been torn across his chest by a broken incisor, and blood was pouring out.
Health Points: 9/100, critical condition.
His consciousness began to blur.
"Lin Fan!" Zhao Tie's shout seemed to come from far away.
"Quick, the hemostatic medicine! Rejuvenation Powder!" Skinny Monkey shouted.
"Hang in there, kid!" Iron Shield's large hand caught him.
Lin Fan felt someone put something in his mouth. A bitter liquid trickled down his throat. A warm current rose from his stomach and spread through his limbs, and his Health Points began to slowly recover.
[Took a Mortal-grade superior healing medicine, 'Rejuvenation Powder'; Health Points +30, bleeding effect removed]
His consciousness cleared a little.
Lin Fan opened his eyes and saw Zhao Tie and the others gathered around him, their faces filled with concern and shock.
"You... killed the Rat King?" Skinny Monkey asked hoarsely.
Lin Fan managed a difficult nod and looked toward the Rat King's corpse. The 2nd Tier Demonic Beast was well and truly dead. Its skull had caved in beneath the white fur on its forehead—the internal damage had been caused by Collapse Force.
"Minor Accomplishment Level fist technique, combined with the Collapse Force trait..." Zhao Tie examined the wound on the Rat King and sucked in a breath. "That punch of yours was already close to a 2nd Grade Martial Artist's full-strength strike. No—it might have been even stronger."
Iron Shield silently patted Lin Fan on the shoulder. No words were needed.
"The nest is destroyed, the Rat King is dead, and the remaining Steel Tooth Rats have scattered." Skinny Monkey stood and looked around. "We... won."
Yes, they had won.
But the price had been steep.
Lin Fan was badly injured, with a broken right arm and a chest wound that needed stitching. Skinny Monkey had been wounded beneath the ribs and lost a lot of blood. Zhao Tie and Iron Shield also had several minor injuries each, and their stamina was completely spent.
Most importantly, Rejuvenation Powder was expensive. Zhao Tie had used his own spare bottle on Lin Fan. That was a considerable debt of gratitude.
"Gather the spoils and leave, quickly," Zhao Tie said. "The smell of blood will attract other Demonic Beasts. We can't stay here long."
The four of them forced themselves to rally and began collecting the Demonic Cores.
The Steel Tooth Rats' Demonic Cores were inside their skulls. They were the size of soybeans and gray in color. The Rat King's Demonic Core, by contrast, was walnut-sized, dark gray with white streaks, and worth at least ten times as much as an ordinary Demonic Core.
Lin Fan counted them. They had killed a total of fifty-three ordinary Steel Tooth Rats and the Rat King, giving them fifty-four Demonic Cores altogether.
By their agreement, Lin Fan received a base share of 20% for serving as bait, while the rest was divided according to the number of kills. He had killed nineteen ordinary Steel Tooth Rats and the Rat King by himself, accounting for more than a third of the total.
"You killed the Rat King, so its Demonic Core is yours," Zhao Tie said fairly. "As for the ordinary cores, you take twenty, and the three of us split the remaining thirty-three. Any objections?"
Skinny Monkey and Iron Shield shook their heads. Without Lin Fan, they might have been wiped out today, let alone killed the Rat King.
Lin Fan thought it over. "I'll take just fifteen ordinary cores, and I'll keep the Rat King's core. Deduct the cost of the Rejuvenation Powder from my share."
"No way." Zhao Tie waved a hand. "That medicine was used to save your life. It doesn't count. We'll split them as we agreed."
After a few more arguments, they finally settled on the division: Lin Fan would take the Rat King's core and eighteen ordinary cores, while Zhao Tie and the other two would each take eleven or twelve.
With the military's mission rewards added in—10 points per rat—Lin Fan would earn: the Rat King's Demonic Core, worth at least 150 points on the market; eighteen ordinary cores, worth 270 points; and 180 points in mission rewards. All told, he'd get more than 600 Credit Points!
That was enough to buy a month's worth of medicine for his younger sister, with some left over to improve their living conditions.
"Worth it." Lin Fan smiled, then bared his teeth as the movement tugged at his wounds.
Once they had packed up, the four supported one another as they left. Smoke still rose from the burning mound, and Steel Tooth Rat corpses littered the ground. The nest was as good as destroyed.
After they had walked a mile, Lin Fan suddenly stopped.
"Wait."
"What is it?" Zhao Tie warily scanned their surroundings.
"It's not a Demonic Beast." Lin Fan pointed to the woods on the right. "There's... something glowing over there."
The others looked. Sure enough, deep in the woods, a faint blue light flickered in and out of sight.
"It might be Glow Grass, or some other spirit herb." Skinny Monkey's eyes lit up. "Should we take a look?"
Zhao Tie hesitated. "We're all injured. If we run into danger again..."
"I'll check it out," Lin Fan said. "Wait here. If there's any danger, I'll send a signal."
His injuries were the worst, but curiosity drove him on. That blue light gave him a strange feeling; it didn't seem like an ordinary spirit herb.
He crept into the woods, and the blue glow grew clearer. At the roots of an ancient tree, Lin Fan found its source.
It was a blue plant about the size of his palm, with three leaves, each marked by silvery veins. A gentle light radiated from it. Within three feet of the plant, not a blade of grass grew, as if it had claimed the ground for itself.
"This is..." The contents of the Basic Spirit Herb Compendium Old Man Li had given him flashed through Lin Fan's mind. "Moonlight Grass? No, Moonlight Grass is white... Could it be a mutation?"
He crouched down and examined it carefully.
The little blue plant seemed to sense his approach. Its light flickered faintly, as if it were breathing.
Lin Fan reached out and gently touched a leaf. A chill brushed his fingertip, and at the same time, a prompt appeared on the Status Panel:
[Special spirit plant discovered: Star-Patterned Blue Fluorescent Grass] [Grade: Mortal Tier Top Grade (Mutated)] [Effects: Direct consumption greatly increases Mental Power and aids cultivation of soul-related techniques; can be used to refine a "Spirit Awakening Pill"] [Growing conditions: Requires over ten years of growth in a place with ample moonlight and intersecting ley lines; an extremely low chance of mutation] [Estimated market value: 800–1,200 Credit Points]
Eight hundred to twelve hundred!
Lin Fan's heart pounded. This plant was worth more than the Rat King's Demonic Core!
Carefully, he dug up the Star-Patterned Blue Fluorescent Grass by its roots, wrapped it in oiled paper, and tucked it inside his clothes.
Just as he was about to leave, he noticed something else beneath the tree roots: a palm-sized gray stone tablet, half-buried in the dirt.
He dug it out. The tablet was covered in densely carved writing, but it was badly worn. He could barely make out a few words: "...moonlight... spirit... meditation..."
"A fragment of a cultivation manual?" Lin Fan's heart stirred.
He pocketed the tablet too, then hurried back.
"What did you find?" Skinny Monkey asked.
"A mutated Glow Grass. It's worth a bit." Lin Fan didn't mention the tablet. "Let's get moving. It'll be dark soon."
The four continued on and finally reached Jiangnan City's west gate before nightfall.
When they turned in the mission, the military staff saw the fifty-four Demonic Cores—including the Rat King's—and stared in disbelief. Only after checking everything repeatedly did they process the paperwork, depositing 540 Credit Points directly into their Identity Cards.
As they parted, Zhao Tie clapped Lin Fan on the shoulder. "Kid, you're one tough bastard. If you want to work together again, come find me at the guild anytime."
"Will do." Lin Fan nodded.
Skinny Monkey tossed him a little cloth pouch. "There's some Trauma Powder inside. It works better than hemostatic powder. My treat."
Iron Shield silently handed Lin Fan a wooden token carved with the character "shield." "If you need anything, come find me."
Lin Fan accepted each gift and thanked them sincerely.
Though the three had only been temporary teammates, they were good men and worth getting to know.
By the time Lin Fan returned to the Slum District, it was completely dark.
Dragging his exhausted, badly injured body, Lin Fan pushed open the courtyard gate. The house was lit.
"Big brother!" Lin Xiaoyu rushed out. When she saw him covered in blood, tears welled up in her eyes. "What happened? Who hurt you?"
"I'm fine. Just flesh wounds." Lin Fan forced a smile. "Big brother... made a fortune today."
He took out his Identity Card, then showed her the Star-Patterned Blue Fluorescent Grass.
Lin Xiaoyu didn't understand how valuable any of it was. Seeing that her brother was alive was enough.
After washing his wounds and applying the Trauma Powder, Lin Fan felt much better. The Rejuvenation Powder was still working, and his Health Points had recovered to 65. He had also splinted his broken arm with a board.
After dinner, Lin Fan returned to his room and took out the gray stone tablet.
By lamplight, he carefully made out the writing. It was broken and incomplete, but he could piece together the general meaning:
"Moonlight Spirit Condensation Technique... visualize the bright moon... draw moonlight into the sea of consciousness... temper the soul... Mortal Tier Top Grade... incomplete..."
It really was a technique for cultivating the soul. Though it was an incomplete Mortal Tier Top Grade technique, it matched the effects of the Star-Patterned Blue Fluorescent Grass perfectly.
"Could this be meant to go with it?" Lin Fan mused.
He tried visualizing according to the fragmentary instructions on the tablet, but without the complete technique, the effect was negligible.
Still, a new entry appeared on the Status Panel:
[Technique: Moonlight Spirit Condensation Technique (Fragment)] [Current progress: Not yet initiated (1/100)] [Effect: With each circulation, Mental Power +0.1; soul strength slowly increases] [Status: Incomplete; cultivation efficiency -80%; risk of cultivation deviation]
There were risks, but it was worth a try. After tomorrow's exam, he could study it properly.
Lin Fan put away the tablet, then opened the Status Panel to check what he'd gained today:
[Character: Lin Fan] [Realm: 1st Grade Martial Disciple (First Stage)] [Lifespan: 100 years] [Strength: 13](+3) [Defense: 10](+2) [Speed: 11](+2) [Spirit: 13](+1) [Comprehension: 15] [Bone Structure: 18] [Vital Energy: 190/190](+20) [Health Points: 65/100] [Skill Points: 1] [Technique: Basic Breathing Technique (Proficient 688/1000)] [Technique: Moonlight Spirit Condensation Technique (Fragment, Not yet initiated 1/100)] [Martial Skills] - Basic Fist Technique: Minor Accomplishment (1292/5000) - Basic Footwork: Proficient (791/1000) - Basic Saber Technique: Skilled (145/500) - Basic Grappling Technique: Initiated (12/100) - Basic Throwing Technique: Initiated (8/100) [Combat Experience: 89]
After a single day of fighting, his strength had increased by at least thirty percent! His fist technique had made the most progress. He was still a long way from Major Accomplishment Level—5,000 points—but at this rate, he had a chance of breaking through within a month.
Most precious of all was the 1 Skill Point.
"Skill Points can be exchanged for 100 points of proficiency..." Lin Fan considered how to use it.
He could put it toward his fist technique and speed up his breakthrough to Major Accomplishment Level. Or he could use it on his footwork to reach Minor Accomplishment sooner. Or he could save it for a higher-grade technique or martial skill in the future.
After hesitating for a moment, Lin Fan decided to hold on to it for now. Skill Points were too precious to waste; he had to use them where they counted.
Outside the window, moonlight flowed like water.
Lin Fan sat cross-legged and began circulating the Basic Breathing Technique to heal. Vital energy flowed through his meridians, nourishing his injured body as his Health Points slowly recovered.
His consciousness gradually sank into cultivation.
But just then, the Star-Patterned Blue Fluorescent Grass inside his clothes began to glow faintly. A thread of cool energy seeped into his body and traveled through his meridians into his mind.
[Nourished by the aura of the Star-Patterned Blue Fluorescent Grass, Mental Power +0.5] [Moonlight Spirit Condensation Technique proficiency +3]
Lin Fan's heart jolted, but he didn't stop cultivating.
Moonlight spilled through the window lattice onto his body, its glow mingling with that of the Star-Patterned Blue Fluorescent Grass. A strange sensation began to sprout in his sea of consciousness, as if something were waking up...
Before you continue