Harvest and Loot

Moonlight flowed like water through the broken window lattice, spilling onto Lin Fan's cross-legged form.

The Star-Patterned Blue Fluorescent Grass in his bosom emitted a faint blue glow, its cooling breath steadily seeping into his body, nourishing his wounded frame and weary spirit. Lin Fan could clearly feel the deep, bone-exposed wound on his back slowly closing, and a numb, itchy sensation came from his broken arm bone—this was bone mending.

[Health Points +3, current 68/100]

[Mental Power +0.2, current 13.2]

[Moonlight Spirit Condensation Technique Proficiency +2, current 6/100]

Cultivation lasted two hours.

When Lin Fan opened his eyes again, the sky outside the window was already dimly lit with dawn. He moved his right arm; though it still ached, he could barely flex it. The wound on his back had scabbed over and no longer seeped blood.

"These Trauma Powder and Rejuvenation Powder really work well," Lin Fan murmured, glancing at the two small cloth pouches on the table—one was the Trauma Powder Skinny Monkey had given him, the other the wooden token from Iron Shield.

He recalled again the scene of fighting side by side with Zhao Tie and the other two yesterday. Though it was only a temporary team, the trust forged in that life-or-death struggle was stronger than many long-term relationships.

"Too bad not every cooperation goes this smoothly."

Lin Fan's eyes darkened as another experience from half a month ago surfaced in his mind.

That was his first time joining a temporary hunting team, and also his first deep lesson in the cruel rules of this world.

Flashback · Half a Month Ago

At dawn, Jiangnan City's West Gate Plaza gathered over a hundred martial artists. Some were fully armed, others in tattered clothes, but all had the gleam of resource hunger in their eyes.

Lin Fan stood at the edge of the crowd, wearing the cheapest coarse cloth martial robes, holding a rusty short blade scavenged from the secondhand market. He had just trained Basic Fist Technique to the Proficient Level and urgently needed real combat and money-making opportunities.

"Black Wind Hunting Team recruiting! Clearing Rock Rats from the Western Suburb Mine. Requirements: 1st Grade Martial Trainee or above, combat experience preferred! Pay distributed by kill count—5 Credit Points per Rock Rat!"

A bald, scar-faced man shouted from atop a stone stool, with seven or eight fierce-eyed martial artists standing behind him.

Lin Fan hesitated, then walked over.

"Kid, what realm?" The bald man looked him up and down.

"1st Grade Martial Trainee," Lin Fan answered honestly.

"Killed any demonic beasts?"

"Killed a few Steel Tooth Rats," Lin Fan said, recalling his encounter a few days ago outside the city wall—his first time facing a demonic beast alone, nearly dying, but also gaining valuable experience.

The bald man squinted, as if assessing Lin Fan's worth. After a moment, he nodded. "Alright, you're in. I'm the captain, Liu Heizi. Simple rules: follow orders, get paid by kills. Anyone caught hiding loot loses a hand."

Lin Fan's heart tightened, but his face remained calm. "Understood."

The team quickly gathered ten people. Aside from Captain Liu Heizi, a 2nd Grade Martial Artist, the rest were 1st Grade Martial Trainees. After brief introductions, they set off for the abandoned mine in the western suburbs.

On the way, a thin, middle-aged martial artist sidled up to Lin Fan and whispered, "Little brother, first time with Liu Heizi's team?"

Lin Fan nodded.

"Be careful." The middle-aged man glanced ahead at Liu Heizi. "That guy... plays dirty."

Lin Fan took note.

The mine was five li outside the western suburbs. The entrance was half-hidden by weeds, and a foul, stinking wind blew from within. Bones lay scattered on the ground—some human, some demonic.

"Rock Rats are earth-attribute 1st Tier Demonic Beasts. Good at digging, their incisors can chew through rock," Liu Heizi briefed them. "Their demonic cores are in the abdomen—don't aim for the head. Three per group, clear the three main side tunnels. I'll hold the entrance."

When groups were assigned, Lin Fan ended up with the thin middle-aged martial artist and a silent scar-faced man, tasked with clearing the leftmost side tunnel.

The tunnel was deep and winding, claw marks covering the rock walls. After about a hundred paces, a rustling sound came from ahead.

"Here they come." The middle-aged man gripped his iron fork tightly.

From the darkness, five or six Rock Rats charged out. They were slightly smaller than Steel Tooth Rats, with gray-brown fur that blended with the rock, making them hard to spot in the dim mine.

Battle erupted.

Lin Fan swung his short blade at a lunging Rock Rat. The blade struck its back but only left a shallow gash—this beast's hide was as hard as stone!

[Basic Saber Technique Proficiency +3]

The panel flashed, but Lin Fan had no time to check. Another Rock Rat pounced from the side. He sidestepped and threw a punch.

"Bam!"

The Collapse Force of his Minor Accomplishment Level Fist Technique penetrated the hide, shattering the rat's internal organs. It screeched and collapsed.

[Killed 1st Tier Rock Rat, Fist Technique Proficiency +8]

"Good fist technique!" the middle-aged man praised, piercing a Rock Rat's abdomen with his iron fork and precisely flicking out its demonic core.

The scar-faced man used a heavy sword, each swing crushing a Rock Rat's skull with brutal efficiency.

The three gradually built synergy, advancing steadily. Deeper in the mine, more Rock Rats appeared, but Lin Fan noticed that killing these high-defense rats boosted his Fist Technique Proficiency more than Steel Tooth Rats did.

[Basic Fist Technique: Proficient (312/500)]

[Basic Footwork: Proficient (189/500)]

[Origin Energy: 142/150]

The fight lasted an hour. The trio cleared at least thirty Rock Rats. Lin Fan had killed eleven on his own, pushing his Fist Technique Proficiency to Proficient (398/500)—close to the Mastery Level.

"Almost done. Let's head back," the middle-aged man said, panting.

The three of them returned the way they came, collecting Demonic Cores along the path. Lin Fan counted his haul—twelve in total. One had been given to him by the middle-aged Martial Artist after killing it, as thanks for saving his life.

At the cave entrance, the other two groups trickled out as well. Liu Heizi stood at the mouth of the cave, a large cloth sack laid out before him.

"Hand over all the Demonic Cores. I'll count them and split the pay."

Everyone dropped their Demonic Cores into the sack. Liu Heizi counted them—ninety-seven in total.

"As agreed, five points per core, total four hundred eighty-five points." Liu Heizi pulled out his Identity Card. "I take twenty percent management fee. That leaves three hundred eighty-eight points, split ten ways—thirty-eight point eight each. I'll be generous: thirty-nine per person."

Someone frowned, but no one spoke up.

Lin Fan did the math. He'd turned in twelve Demonic Cores. At five points each, that should be sixty points. But now he'd only get thirty-nine. That was a cut of more than a third.

"Captain, I turned in twelve Demonic Cores," Lin Fan said.

Liu Heizi glanced at him. "So?"

"If we split by kills, I should get more."

The atmosphere froze solid.

The other team members all looked at Lin Fan—some surprised, some gleeful, a few nodding to themselves.

Liu Heizi laughed, a sneer laced into it. "Kid, I make the rules. I say how we split, and that's how we split. Got a problem?"

Lin Fan clenched his fists. He could feel the Origin Energy radiating from Liu Heizi—far beyond his own. A 2nd Grade Martial Artist, at least mid-stage.

A direct fight was hopeless.

But he didn't want to just take it. This wasn't just about the money—it was about principle.

"Captain, before we set out, you said we'd split by kills," Lin Fan said, keeping his voice as steady as he could. "If the rules can change whenever you feel like it, who'd ever want to go on a mission with you?"

"Heh, quite the talker." Liu Heizi stood up, a full head taller than Lin Fan. "Then let me tell you how it is today: I'm the captain, and what I say goes. You want more? Fine—beat me, and all these cores are yours."

He jabbed a finger at the sack of cores, his eyes full of challenge.

The surrounding team members backed off a few steps. No one dared interfere. The middle-aged Martial Artist looked like he wanted to say something, but his companion held him back.

Lin Fan fell silent.

He calculated. His own strength: Basic Fist Technique at Proficient Level, Footwork at Proficient Level, 142 points of Origin Energy. His opponent: a 2nd Grade Martial Artist, mid-stage, exact strength unknown, but definitely far stronger.

His odds were less than one in ten.

But just accepting this? He couldn't stomach it.

"What's wrong? Scared?" Liu Heizi snorted. "If you're scared, take your money and get lost. Learn your lesson—in this world, strength is the rule."

Strength is the rule.

Those words hit Lin Fan like a hammer.

He looked at Liu Heizi's brutish face, at the numb or pitying eyes of the surrounding team members, at the bloodstained sack of Demonic Cores.

Then he made his decision.

"I'll fight," Lin Fan said.

Liu Heizi froze for a second, then burst out laughing. "Good, you've got guts! Come on, let me see how a 1st Grade Martial Trainee like you dares to talk rules with me!"

The two faced off in the open ground at the cave entrance.

The other team members formed a circle, expressions mixed.

"Kid, I'll give you three moves." Liu Heizi crossed his arms, completely dismissing Lin Fan.

Lin Fan didn't hold back.

He took a deep breath, channeled Origin Energy into his legs, and exploded forward with full Footwork, closing the distance in an instant.

First punch—straight for the face.

Liu Heizi casually tilted his head to dodge, but Lin Fan's punch was a feint. The real strike was below—his left leg whipped out like a lash, aimed at Liu Heizi's knee.

"Not bad." Liu Heizi stepped back half a pace, dodging the kick.

But Lin Fan's assault came like a tidal wave—punches, elbows, knees, kicks, all the variations of Basic Fist Technique chained together without pause. Though the power wasn't enough to break through, the seamless transitions kept Liu Heizi from counterattacking for a moment.

Three moves passed in a flash.

"My turn." Liu Heizi grinned savagely and threw a punch.

A 2nd Grade Martial Artist's Origin Energy surged outward, the wind of the punch howling. Lin Fan didn't dare take it head-on; he activated his Footwork, barely dodging. But Liu Heizi's second punch came faster, cutting off his retreat.

"Bam!"

Lin Fan crossed his arms to block, but the force sent him flying backward, slamming into the rock wall.

[Health Points -22]

His arms went numb, his chest tight.

The gap in strength was too vast.

"That all you've got?" Liu Heizi pressed forward. "And you still want to talk rules with me?"

Lin Fan struggled to his feet, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.

He had been observing the entire time. Liu Heizi's fist technique was fierce and aggressive, but it lacked variety and had a habit—every time before throwing a punch, his right shoulder would dip slightly.

That was an opening.

But with Lin Fan's current attack power, even if he struck the opening, it would be difficult to inflict meaningful damage.

Unless...

Lin Fan looked into Liu Heizi's eyes.

"What, still want to fight?" Liu Heizi sneered. "Kneel and admit your mistake, and I'll let you off—"

Before he could finish, Lin Fan moved.

He channeled all his Origin Energy into his legs, pushing his speed to the limit—not charging at Liu Heizi, but toward the bag of Demonic Cores at the cave entrance.

"You're asking for death!" Liu Heizi roared in fury and gave chase.

But Lin Fan's target wasn't the Demonic Cores.

He came to a sharp stop in front of the bag, spun around, grabbed a handful of dirt, and flung it straight into Liu Heizi's face.

"Dirty trick!" Liu Heizi shut his eyes instinctively.

Now!

Lin Fan condensed all his strength, all his Origin Energy, all his will into his right fist.

The Collapse Force of his Minor Accomplishment Level fist technique, the speed of his Proficient Level footwork, the boost of 142 Origin Energy—

A single punch aimed at that opening on Liu Heizi's right shoulder!

"Bam!"

The fist landed solidly.

The Collapse Force surged into his body. A bone-cracking sound came from Liu Heizi's right shoulder, and his entire arm went limp in an instant.

"Ahhh—!" Liu Heizi screamed, his left fist lashing out instinctively.

Lin Fan couldn't dodge in time. The punch struck his abdomen, sending him flying backward as he spat out a mouthful of blood.

[Health Points -35, current 43/100]

Severely injured.

But he smiled.

Because Liu Heizi's right arm was crippled—at least temporarily unable to exert force. And from that punch, he could feel the Collapse Force rushing into Liu Heizi's meridians, causing internal damage.

Liu Heizi clutched his right shoulder, his face pale. He tried to channel Origin Energy to heal, but the meridians around his shoulder were in chaos, and the energy couldn't flow smoothly.

"You..." He stared at Lin Fan, murder in his eyes.

The other team members were stunned. A 1st Grade Martial Trainee had actually injured their 2nd Grade Martial Artist captain?

Lin Fan struggled to his feet, walked over to the Demonic Core bag, and reached inside.

He counted out twelve Demonic Cores and tucked them into his own clothes.

Then he counted out another thirty-nine—the base share he was owed.

"I'm taking my portion," Lin Fan said, his voice calm but carrying an unyielding resolve. "The rest is yours to split."

With that, he turned and walked away, his steps unsteady but firm.

Liu Heizi wanted to stop him, but the searing pain in his right shoulder left him unable to move. He also knew that the Collapse Force from that punch was strange—he had to regulate his breathing quickly, or it might leave permanent damage.

The other team members exchanged glances, but in the end, no one dared to stop Lin Fan.

That middle-aged martial artist quietly gave Lin Fan a thumbs-up.

Walking out of the mine, the sunlight was blinding.

Lin Fan leaned against a tree, gasping for air. His abdomen throbbed with pain, his Health Points were down to 43, and his Origin Energy was nearly depleted.

But in his arms were fifty-one Demonic Cores, worth 255 Credit Points.

More importantly, he had understood the rules of this world.

Strength was the law.

Without strength, you couldn't even keep what was rightfully yours.

But strength alone wasn't enough—you also needed wisdom and courage.

Liu Heizi was stronger than him, yet Lin Fan had severely wounded him. Because Liu Heizi had underestimated him, because Lin Fan had found the opening, because he had dared to risk everything.

"Next time... I'll be stronger," Lin Fan murmured, his gaze resolute.

End of Flashback

Morning light streamed through the window lattice, falling on Lin Fan's face.

He snapped out of his memories and gently touched the scar on his chest. That battle in the mine had taken him three days to recover from, but it had also pushed his fist technique to the Mastery Level.

And now, his strength was at least three times greater than back then.

"Different captains, different endings," Lin Fan muttered to himself.

Zhao Tie, Skinny Monkey, and Iron Shield followed the rules and valued righteousness. People like Liu Heizi, on the other hand, treated others as tools.

But in the end, everything came down to strength. If Lin Fan hadn't been able to kill the Rat King when they faced it yesterday, would Zhao Tie and his two companions have been so polite to him?

Probably not.

This world was just that cruel, and just that simple.

Lin Fan stood up and stretched. His injuries were recovering well; this afternoon's assessment should be no problem.

He looked at the Star-Patterned Blue Fluorescent Grass on the table. Its blue glow had dimmed, but it still exuded a cool, refreshing aura.

"This grass... might help me break through to 2nd Grade."

Lin Fan had a plan. Once the assessment was over, he would sell this grass together with the Rat King's Demonic Core and exchange them for enough resources to break through to 2nd Grade Martial Artist.

There was also the Moonlight Spirit Condensation Technique on that stone slab. Though incomplete, combined with the Star-Patterned Blue Fluorescent Grass, he might be able to cultivate it.

Everything was heading in a good direction.

But Lin Fan didn't let his guard down. He knew that the further he went on the martial path, the harder it would get, and the stronger the opponents he would face.

People like Liu Heizi wouldn't be few, and scions of noble families like Wang Hao wouldn't let things rest.

He had to get stronger faster.

"Big brother, time to eat." Lin Xiaoyu's voice came from outside the door.

"Coming."

Lin Fan put away his thoughts and pushed open the door.

A new day had begun. This afternoon would be the first step toward changing his fate.

And he was ready.