The Task System, the Main Plot Emerges

By the time Lin Fan returned to Jiangnan City, it was already late at night.

The city gates were about to close. When the guards saw the five of them battered and ragged, they simply checked their mission credentials and waved them through. Martial Artists returning from the Wilderness were usually in no better shape, so the guards had long since stopped being surprised.

The team turned in their mission at the Martial Artist Association, collected their Academic Credits and payment, then split the money on the spot.

The Crimson Flame Tiger's materials sold for a total of 23,000 Huaxia Coins. With the 10,000 mission reward, that came to 33,000 altogether. After deducting about 3,000 for shared expenses such as medicine and Ice Condensation Pills, 30,000 remained.

By the rules, Sun Wanting, as team leader and chief tactician, received 20 percent, or 6,000; Lin Fan, as the main attacker and the one who delivered the killing blow, received 30 percent, or 9,000; Chen Dahu, Zhou Ming, and Bai Susu each received 15 percent, or 4,500 apiece. The tiger's penis was separately valued at 5,000 and went to Lin Fan as an extra reward for delivering the final sword strike.

Lin Fan received 14,000 Huaxia Coins, a heavy wad of bills that he tucked into his clothes.

"Go back and rest up," Sun Wanting urged. "We'll meet at the usual place in three days and take a new mission. Don't go wandering around before then. Especially you, Zhou Ming. You're not getting out of bed until your ribs have healed."

"Got it, Captain," Zhou Ming replied with a bitter smile. The Pain Relief Powder had worn off, and now every step made him grimace in pain.

Bai Susu helped Zhou Ming along, while Chen Dahu limped. The five of them parted ways.

By the time Lin Fan returned to his dorm at the academy, it was Zi Shi.

He didn't go straight to bed. First, he treated the burn on his left arm. The Cooling Paste Bai Susu had given him worked well; the burning pain eased considerably after he applied it. Then he took a Returning Origin Pill and began meditating to restore his Vital Energy.

The battle had taken a lot out of him, but the rewards were substantial.

[Battle Results]

[Defeated Crimson Flame Tiger (upper second rank): Proficiency +150 (rank-difference bonus)]

[Gale Sword Technique proficiency +38, current level: Mastery (1420/5000)]

[Combat Instinct proficiency +25, current level: Proficient (320/500)]

[Movement Technique proficiency +18, current level: Proficient (280/500)]

[Iron Body Skill proficiency +12, current level: Perfected (fixed)]

[High Temperature Resistance proficiency +8, new skill unlocked]

[Teamwork proficiency +15, new skill unlocked]

[Current Skill Points: 4]

The system notifications filled the screen.

Lin Fan examined them carefully. The two newly unlocked skills interested him most:

[High Temperature Resistance (Beginner 5/100)]: The ability to withstand high-temperature environments. Each level increases heat resistance.

[Teamwork (Beginner 15/100)]: The coordination between teammates, affecting Cooperative Combat.

Looks like actual combat really is the fastest way to improve, Lin Fan thought.

One battle was worth several days of ordinary cultivation.

He opened the Attribute Panel:

[Character: Lin Fan]

[Age: 16]

[Realm: 2nd Grade Martial Artist (second tier)]

[Vital Energy: 600/1200 (recovering)]

[Art: Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art, First Revolution (Minor Accomplishment 5000/5000, can break through to the Second Revolution)]

[Martial Skills: Basic Fist Technique (Mastery), Basic Sword Technique (Mastery), Gale Sword Technique (Mastery 1420/5000), Iron Body Skill (Perfected)]

[Special: Gale Sword Intent (Beginner 1/1000)]

[Support Skills: Alchemy (Beginner 50/100), High Temperature Resistance (Beginner 5/100), Teamwork (Beginner 15/100)]

[Skill Points: 4]

[Storage Space: 1 cubic meter (0.9 used)]

The First Revolution of the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art had reached Minor Accomplishment. He could begin cultivating the Second Revolution.

According to the art's description, each breakthrough would transform his Vital Energy and increase its total capacity. The Second Revolution was twice as difficult as the First, but its effects were even more pronounced.

I should use my Skill Points first.

After thinking it over, Lin Fan decided to spend all four Skill Points on the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art.

Although he could break through to the Second Revolution now, he could still accumulate proficiency in the First. According to the system's rules, the more proficiency he accumulated within each level, the firmer his foundation would be after breaking through, and the faster he would cultivate afterward.

[Skill Points x4 consumed]

[Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art, First Revolution proficiency +400]

[Current proficiency: 5400/5000 (excess accumulated)]

Excess proficiency wouldn't go to waste. It would be converted into initial proficiency for the Second Revolution after he broke through.

Good. Now I'll try to break through.

Lin Fan sat cross-legged and regulated his breathing.

He already knew the First Revolution's circulation route by heart. Now he had to follow the art's instructions and open the meridian pathways for the Second Revolution.

He closed his eyes and sank his awareness into his body.

Profound Origin Qi surged from his dantian, traveled once along the First Revolution's route, then... turned toward a completely new meridian.

"Hss—"

A searing pain struck him.

Opening a new meridian was like carving a path through his body with a chisel; every inch forward brought a ripping agony. Sweat instantly soaked his clothes, but Lin Fan gritted his teeth and kept pushing his Vital Energy onward.

One inch, two inches, three inches...

The Second Revolution's route was far more complicated than the First. It involved three main meridians and twelve branch meridians. The slightest mistake could damage them, setting his cultivation back at best and leaving him crippled at worst.

But Lin Fan had the system.

[Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art, Second Revolution pathway progress: 1%...3%...5%...]

The progress bar crept forward.

Every 1 percent added 10 proficiency points.

Time passed, little by little.

The moonlight outside the window slowly drifted west.

When the eastern sky began to pale, a muffled boom sounded inside Lin Fan's body.

It wasn't an explosion, but the sound of a bottleneck shattering.

The Second Revolution's main meridian had been opened!

Profound Origin Qi surged like floodwaters bursting through a dam, rushing along the newly opened meridian. A tingling sensation followed wherever it passed. His Vital Energy capacity grew at a visible rate, and its quality improved as well.

[Nine Revolutions Mysterious Origin Art, Second Revolution successfully opened!]

[Current level: Beginner (100/1000)]

[Vital Energy Cap +800, Vital Energy quality increased by 50%]

[Excess proficiency converted: 400 excess points from the First Revolution converted to Second Revolution proficiency]

[Current proficiency: 500/1000]

[Realm increased: 2nd Grade Martial Artist (second tier) → 2nd Grade Martial Artist (third tier)]

He'd broken through!

Lin Fan opened his eyes and felt the surging power within him.

His Vital Energy capacity had soared from 1,200 to 2,000, and its quality had increased by 50%. That meant the same moves would hit harder while consuming less energy.

"At this rate, two or three more real fights should get the Second Revolution to Proficient," he estimated.

At that moment, birds began to chirp outside the window.

Dawn had broken.

Lin Fan stood and stretched. The burn on his left arm had scabbed over and no longer hindered his movements. He washed up, changed into clean clothes, and prepared to go to the dining hall for breakfast.

He had just reached the foot of the dormitory building when the system's Prompt Tone suddenly rang in his mind—

It wasn't the usual chime, but a low hum filled with a sense of urgency.

[Warning: Abnormal Energy Fluctuation detected]

[Source: Wilderness areas around Jiangnan City]

[Nature of fluctuation: Unknown, suspected human interference]

[Area affected: Continuing to expand]

[System analysis: This fluctuation is connected to the abnormal Demonic Beast gatherings previously encountered by the host]

Lin Fan stopped in his tracks.

An Abnormal Energy Fluctuation?

Abnormal Demonic Beast gatherings?

He immediately thought of the Rock Armored Boar herd in Gray Rock Valley, the Crimson Flame Tiger in Flame Valley, and those faint, lingering sensations of being watched.

System, give me the details, he silently prompted.

[Generating analysis report...]

[Report generated]

[Conclusion: Within a 150-kilometer radius of Jiangnan City, Demonic Beast activity has increased by 47% over the past thirty days, and aggression has risen by 62%. Three abnormal gathering incidents have occurred, including the two encountered by the host.]

[Energy fluctuation detection: The same frequency of unknown energy fluctuation was detected before and after all three incidents.]

[Fluctuation source location: Approximate direction, northwest; distance, about forty kilometers]

[Recommendation: Investigate further]

The system interface expanded to display a simplified map of the area around Jiangnan City. Three red dots marked the sites of the abnormal incidents. A dotted line stretched from them toward a mountainous region to the northwest.

The words [Suspected Source] were marked there in red.

Right after that, the system issued a new mission:

[Main Quest Issued]

[Quest Name: Investigate the Abnormal Demonic Beast Gatherings]

[Quest Description: Demonic Beast activity around Jiangnan City is abnormal and has already threatened the city's safety. Please determine the cause of the abnormality and eliminate its source if possible.]

[Quest Hint: The abnormality may be related to the mysterious organization "Shadow Society." Proceed with caution.]

[Quest Objectives: 1. Determine the cause of the abnormality (0/1); 2. Find the source of the energy fluctuation (0/1); 3. Eliminate the threat or report it (0/1)]

[Quest Rewards: Skill Points x10, Storage Space expanded to 10 cubic meters, one random Earth-grade item]

[Failure Penalty: None (but if the abnormality continues, it may trigger a Beast Tide against Jiangnan City)]

[Accept?]

Lin Fan's pupils contracted.

A Main Quest!

The rewards were astonishingly generous—10 Skill Points, equivalent to 1,000 proficiency points; a tenfold increase in Storage Space; and a random Earth-grade item.

But the possible consequence was even more alarming: a Beast Tide could sweep into Jiangnan City.

A Beast Tide...

It was the nightmare of every city in the Wilderness. Thousands upon thousands of Demonic Beasts swept in like a flood, smashing through the city walls and leaving the land strewn with corpses. Jiangnan City had suffered three Beast Tides in its history. The most recent had been twenty years ago, claiming 50,000 lives and reducing half the city to ruins.

If his inaction led to a Beast Tide...

Lin Fan drew a deep breath.

"Accept."

[Quest accepted]

[Quest countdown: 30 days]

[Quest hint updated: It is recommended to form a team to investigate. Solo action carries an extremely high risk.]

[Map marker updated. Please check.]

On the system map, the red dot in the mountains to the northwest began to flash. A countdown appeared beside it: 29 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes.

After accepting the quest, Lin Fan didn't act immediately.

He needed more information.

Few people were in the dining hall at breakfast time. Lin Fan bought two meat buns and a bowl of congee, found a seat in the corner, and organized his thoughts as he ate.

The system quest had specifically mentioned the Shadow Society.

This was the third time he'd heard of the mysterious organization.

The first time had been when Zhou Ming mentioned that the Shadow Society was collecting strange crystals. The second had been when Old Man Li warned him to watch out for them. The third was now, with the system directly suggesting they might be connected to the abnormality.

"What exactly is the Shadow Society trying to do?" Lin Fan frowned.

Collecting crystals, causing Demonic Beast abnormalities, triggering a Beast Tide... What were they hoping to achieve?

Destroy Jiangnan City?

What would they gain from that?

As he pondered, someone sat down across from him.

"Morning, Lin Fan."

It was Zhou Ming.

His face was still pale, but he seemed much better. He held a hand to his chest as he walked, moving with great care.

"What are you doing here? Weren't you told to stay in bed and rest?" Lin Fan asked.

"I couldn't stand lying there." Zhou Ming smiled wryly. "Besides, I have some important information to tell you."

"What information?"

Zhou Ming glanced around, then lowered his voice. "It's about the abnormal Demonic Beast activity."

Lin Fan's heart stirred. "What do you know?"

"After I got back last night, I couldn't sleep because of the pain, but that didn't stop me from thinking," Zhou Ming said. "I went through all the information I've collected over the past three months and noticed a few patterns."

He pulled a crumpled sheet of paper from his clothes, unfolded it, and spread it across the table.

The paper showed a simplified map of the area around Jiangnan City, marked with more than a dozen red dots and several arrows.

"Look," Zhou Ming said, pointing at the map. "These are records of abnormal incidents in the Wilderness over the past three months. Demonic Beasts gathering for no apparent reason, becoming unusually aggressive, species appearing in areas where they shouldn't be, and so on."

"There have been seventeen incidents in total. I numbered them in chronological order and noticed a pattern: the incidents are happening more and more frequently."

He pointed to a table. "Three in the first month, five in the second, and nine in the third. And after each incident, the next one happens closer to Jiangnan City."

Lin Fan studied the map. The red dots did indeed seem to be closing in from the outskirts.

The farthest red dot was a hundred li away, while the nearest had already come within thirty li.

"There's something even stranger." Zhou Ming continued, "I compared the dates when these unusual incidents happened and found that they all occurred within three days before or after the full moon."

"The full moon?" Lin Fan frowned.

"Right. I checked the astronomical records. The full moons over the past three months fell on the fifteenth of last month, the sixteenth of the month before that, and the fourteenth three months ago. The unusual incidents were concentrated around those dates."

Zhou Ming paused, lowering his voice. "And after each incident, a batch of 'unusual Demonic Beast materials' appears on the black market. They have stronger energy fluctuations than ordinary Demonic Beast materials, but... there's something indescribably eerie about them."

"Eerie?"

"I bought a scale taken from an unusual Rock Armored Boar." Zhou Ming pulled a small cloth bundle from his clothes and opened it. Inside was a dark-brown scale about the size of his palm.

"Look here."

He pointed to the edge of the scale.

Lin Fan leaned closer. A hair-thin gray line ran along the edge, like some kind of mark or a naturally formed pattern. But on closer inspection, the line was unnaturally regular.

"This is..."

"I don't know." Zhou Ming shook his head. "But I tested it with an instrument. This scale's energy fluctuations are thirty percent stronger than those of an ordinary Rock Armored Boar scale, but the frequency is strange—sometimes fast, sometimes slow, as if... something were interfering with it."

Lin Fan took the scale. It felt cool in his hand.

He activated the system's analysis function.

[Item: Rock Armored Boar Scale (Abnormal)]

[Quality: Mortal Tier High Grade (should be Mortal Tier Mid Grade)]

[Condition: Energy disruption; unknown mark present]

[Mark analysis: Suspected mental interference mark; may affect Demonic Beast behavior]

[Source: Rock Armored Boar affected by unknown energy]

The system's notification confirmed Zhou Ming's assessment.

"Where did you get this scale?" Lin Fan asked.

"I bought it from a dealer on the black market called 'Old Ghost.'" Zhou Ming said, "Old Ghost specializes in selling unusual Demonic Beast materials. He said they come from a mysterious supplier and that a batch appears after every full moon."

"Can you get in touch with this supplier?"

"No." Zhou Ming shook his head. "Old Ghost said he's never seen the supplier's true face either. Every deal goes through an intermediary. Money and goods change hands, and no one says a word more than necessary."

Lin Fan pondered for a moment.

Unusual incidents, the full moon, the Shadow Society, a mysterious supplier, energy fluctuations...

The pieces seemed to form a pattern, but a few crucial ones were still missing.

"Zhou Ming, do you know of any unusual places about eighty li to the northwest?" Lin Fan asked.

The source marked by the system lay in that direction.

Zhou Ming thought for a moment. "Eighty li northwest... That's the edge of the Shadowy Mountain Range. The terrain there is complicated, with lots of valleys, and supposedly quite a few ruins of ancient relics. But Demonic Beasts are everywhere, and Spatial Rifts often appear, so few people dare to venture far in."

"Spatial Rifts?"

If you enjoy this book and want to find it again next time, remember to add it to your bookshelf.

"Right. Small, unstable Spatial Rifts that appear at random and connect to unknown regions." Zhou Ming said, "The military has a watch post there, but they can only monitor the large rifts. The small ones are impossible to guard against."

Lin Fan's heart stirred.

Spatial Rifts, ancient relics, Demonic Beasts everywhere... It certainly fit the profile of an "abnormal source."

"You're thinking of going there?" Zhou Ming saw what he was getting at.

"Yeah." Lin Fan didn't hide it. "I think the source of these unusual incidents might be there."

"That's too dangerous." Zhou Ming said gravely, "The Shadowy Mountain Range is one of the most dangerous areas around Jiangnan City. 3rd Tier and 4th Tier Demonic Beasts roam there year-round, and people have even spotted traces of 5th Tier Demonic Beast Kings. And the Spatial Rifts there..."

He paused. "I heard a Hunting Group went missing in the Shadowy Mountain Range last year. Three months later, all they found were a few pieces of shattered equipment and... several dried corpses. The bodies were intact, but their blood had been drained, as if something had sucked it all out."

Lin Fan's heart tightened.

But he had already accepted the mission. There was no turning back.

Besides, if the system was right and the anomaly continued, it could trigger a Beast Tide. Then Jiangnan City would be in danger. Xiaoyu was still in the city.

"I have to go." Lin Fan said.

Zhou Ming looked at him and sighed. "I knew I wouldn't be able to talk you out of it. But if you really plan to go, you'd better prepare for every eventuality. The Shadowy Mountain Range isn't like Flame Valley. People really die there."

"I know."

"And if the anomaly really is connected to the Shadow Society, you'll have to be even more careful." Zhou Ming lowered his voice. "I've recently dug up a few scraps of information about the Shadow Society. The organization seems to be conducting some kind of 'sacrificial ritual.'"

"A sacrificial ritual?"

"Yeah. There are rumors that they've built secret altars in the Wilderness and use Demonic Beast blood and human lives in their rituals to awaken some 'ancient being.'" Zhou Ming said, "Of course, it's just a rumor, and there's no way to tell if it's true. But where there's smoke, there's fire. Keep an eye out."

An ancient being...

Lin Fan recalled the fleeting gray glint in the Crimson Flame Tiger's eyes.

Could that have been the result of a "sacrificial ritual"?

"Understood." Lin Fan nodded. "Thanks for the information."

"Don't mention it." Zhou Ming smiled, then winced in pain. "You're the one who saved my life. But I'm afraid I can't go with you this time. These ribs will need at least half a month to heal."

"Take care of your injuries." Lin Fan said, "Your information's already been a huge help."

They chatted a little longer, then Zhou Ming went back to his dorm to rest, unable to bear the pain.

Lin Fan sat alone in the cafeteria, watching the sky outside the window grow brighter.

The main quest, the Shadowy Mountain Range, the Shadow Society, the sacrificial ritual, the ancient being...

It seemed that everything was weaving itself into a vast web.

And he was walking, step by step, toward its center.

After breakfast, Lin Fan went to see Sun Wanting.

Sun Wanting lived in a small detached courtyard near the academy. It was property her father had left her. The courtyard wasn't large, but it was tidy, with several hardy plants growing in it.

Sun Wanting opened the door soon after he knocked.

She was wearing training clothes, a sheen of sweat on her forehead. She had clearly just finished her morning workout.

"Lin Fan? You're up early." Sun Wanting looked surprised. "Are you feeling better?"

"More or less." Lin Fan said, "There's something important I'd like to discuss with you."

"Come in."

There was a stone table in the courtyard, and the two of them sat down.

Lin Fan got straight to the point and explained the system mission—leaving out the system itself, of course. He only said that he had learned through a certain channel that the unusual Demonic Beast behavior might trigger a Beast Tide, and that the source was suspected to be in the Shadowy Mountain Range.

After listening, Sun Wanting furrowed her brow.

"The Shadowy Mountain Range..." She mused, "That place really is dangerous. When my father was still alive, the Thunder Hunting Group once took a mission to scout the Shadowy Mountain Range. Twelve people went, and only seven came back. Every one of them was injured."

She looked at Lin Fan. "Are you sure you want to go?"

"I am." Lin Fan said, "If there's really a chance it could trigger a Beast Tide, we have to stop it. Jiangnan City couldn't withstand another Beast Tide."

Sun Wanting was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I agree. But the two of us aren't enough. We need a full team."

"What about Chen Dahu's injuries..."

"His hand isn't badly hurt. He should be seventy percent recovered in three days." Sun Wanting said, "Zhou Ming has broken ribs and won't be able to do anything strenuous for at least half a month, so he can't come this time. Bai Susu can join us. Her medical skills will be important in the wilderness."

"We're still missing a scout." Lin Fan said.

Without Zhou Ming, the team's scouting ability would be greatly reduced.

Sun Wanting thought for a moment. "I know someone who might be able to join us temporarily. He goes by 'Shadow.' He's a lone scout with plenty of experience, but his fee isn't cheap."

"Money's not a problem." Lin Fan said. He had more than ten thousand Huaxia Coins, and the potential rewards from this mission would be enough to cover the fee.

"Then I'll get in touch with him." Sun Wanting said, "But before that, we need a more detailed plan. The Shadowy Mountain Range is vast. Where exactly is this 'source' you mentioned?"

Lin Fan took out some paper and a pen and sketched a rough location based on the marker on the system map.

"Eighty li northwest, on the southeastern side of the Shadowy Mountain Range, somewhere around here." He pointed to the map. "The terrain should be a valley or basin. There might be ruins or a cave."

Sun Wanting studied the map, her expression growing more and more grave.

"If I remember right, the place you're talking about has another name."

"What name?"

"Cannibal Valley." Sun Wanting spoke slowly. "They say few people who go in ever come back alive, and those who die there meet strange ends, as if their life essence had been drained. The military once sent a scouting team, but they couldn't find the cause. The place was simply designated a forbidden zone."

Cannibal Valley...

Lin Fan thought of the dried corpses Zhou Ming had mentioned.

"Even so, we still have to go." He said.

Sun Wanting looked at his determined expression and suddenly smiled. "I knew you'd say that. All right. Since you've made up your mind, I'll go with you. But this mission is extremely dangerous, so we'll need to prepare thoroughly."

"What do we need?"

"First, enough high-grade pills. Returning Origin Pills, healing pills, antidotes, and 'Mind-Clearing Pills' to counter mental interference." Sun Wanting began listing them. "Second, special equipment. There are Spatial Rifts in the Shadowy Mountain Range, so we'll need Space Stabilization Talismans to detect them and warn us. Third, maps and information. Even though it's a forbidden zone, someone must have been there. We need to gather as much intel as possible."

She paused. "Fourth, and most important, a reliable backup plan. If we lose contact after going in, someone needs to know where we are and be ready to call for help if necessary."

Lin Fan nodded. "You take care of those arrangements. I'll pay whatever it costs."

"We'll talk about money later." Sun Wanting waved a hand. "First, we need to sort out the team. I'll contact Shadow, and you go prepare the pills and equipment. Also, bring Chen Dahu and Bai Susu over. We need to have a meeting."

They split up and got to work.

Lin Fan went to the academy's pharmacy and the black market, buying a large quantity of pills and several Space Stabilization Talismans. They were expensive—each one cost two thousand Huaxia Coins. He bought three, nearly draining his savings.

But for the mission, it was worth it.

At noon, the four members of the team gathered in Sun Wanting's courtyard.

Chen Dahu had both hands wrapped in bandages, but his spirits were good. Bai Susu had brought her medicine kit and was already prepared with various medicines. Sun Wanting had also brought a stranger with her.

He was a young man in his early twenties, slight of build and dressed in gray training clothes. His face was expressionless, but his eyes were sharp. He stood in a corner, almost blending into the shadows, his presence barely noticeable.

"This is Shadow, a temporary team member. He specializes in scouting and stealth." Sun Wanting introduced him. "Shadow, this is Lin Fan, the main organizer of this mission."

Shadow nodded without speaking.

Lin Fan nodded back. He could tell that Shadow was no weakling—at least a 3rd Grade Martial Master—and he specialized in concealment and reconnaissance, exactly what the team needed.

"Now that everyone's here, let's get down to business." Sun Wanting spread out a map. "Our target is Cannibal Valley, on the southeastern side of the Shadowy Mountain Range. Our goal is to investigate the source of the abnormal Demonic Beast gatherings and eliminate the threat if possible."

She looked at everyone. "I'll make this clear up front: this mission is classified as 'extremely dangerous.' We may encounter 4th Tier, or even 5th Tier, Demonic Beasts, as well as unknown dangers. There's still time to back out."

Chen Dahu grinned. "Captain, what are you saying? If Brother Fan's going, I'm definitely going with him."

Bai Susu spoke gently but firmly. "I'm the medic. The team needs me."

Shadow was silent for a moment, then spoke. "As long as the pay's good, I'm in."

Sun Wanting nodded. "All right. Since everyone's decided to go, let's draw up a detailed plan."

She began assigning tasks:

"Shadow, you're in charge of scouting and finding the way. Once we enter the Shadowy Mountain Range, you'll go ahead and keep a one-li distance. Report back immediately if you spot anything unusual."

Shadow nodded.

"Chen Dahu, you're in charge of defense and clearing the way. If we get into a fight, you take the front."

"Got it!" Chen Dahu thumped his chest, then winced in pain.

"Bai Susu, you'll stay in the middle and handle healing and support. Also, keep an eye out for unusual toxins or energy fluctuations in the environment."

"Okay."

"Lin Fan and I will handle the main offense. If we get into a fight, we'll deal with the most troublesome enemies."

Lin Fan nodded.

"Here's the plan: we leave first thing tomorrow morning and expect to reach the outskirts of the Shadowy Mountain Range in two days. On the third day, we enter the range and spend a day reaching the Cannibal Valley area. We begin investigating on the fourth day and decide how long to stay based on the situation. The whole operation must take no more than seven days. Whatever the outcome, we start back on the seventh day."

Sun Wanting looked at everyone. "Any questions?"

"None," they answered in unison.

"Good. Make your preparations today. Meet at the North City Gate tomorrow at dawn."

The meeting ended, and everyone dispersed.

Lin Fan was the last to leave.

"Sun Wanting, thank you." He said earnestly.

Sun Wanting shook her head. "You don't have to thank me. If this could really trigger a Beast Tide, then it's our duty as Martial Artists to stop it. Protecting the city and the ordinary people—that's what my father taught me."

She paused and looked at Lin Fan. "But I have a question. Why are you so determined to do this? Is it only because it might trigger a Beast Tide?"

Lin Fan was silent for a moment.

He couldn't tell her about the system mission or that he was worried about Xiaoyu.

In the end, he gave her a partly honest answer. "Because I've experienced loss. I don't want to see more people go through the same thing."

Sun Wanting seemed to understand. She nodded.

"Then let's work together to stop it."

After leaving Sun Wanting's courtyard, Lin Fan didn't return to the dorm. Instead, he went to the library.

He wanted to look up information on the Shadowy Mountain Range and Cannibal Valley.

The library's administrator was still Old Man Li. He sat behind the counter, engrossed in a yellowed old book.

"Old Man Li." Lin Fan greeted him.

Old Man Li looked up. When he saw Lin Fan, a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes. "Oh, it's you. Are you healed?"

"More or less." Lin Fan was a little surprised. "You knew I was injured?"

"Heh, Jiangnan City isn't that big. News travels fast." Old Man Li chuckled. "Especially the story of you hunting the Crimson Flame Tiger. It's spread throughout the Hunting Groups already. The Thunder Team won its First Battle Victory. Not bad."

Lin Fan's heart stirred. "Old Man Li, I'd like to look up some information."

"What information?"

"About the Shadowy Mountain Range, especially Cannibal Valley on its southeastern side."

Old Man Li's smile vanished.

He put down the old book and looked at Lin Fan, his gaze turning deep and somber. "You're going there?"

"...Yes."

"Why?"

Lin Fan hesitated, then decided to share part of the truth. "I think it might be connected to the recent Demonic Beast anomalies. If we don't do anything, it could trigger a Beast Tide."

Old Man Li fell silent for a long time.

So long that Lin Fan thought he wouldn't answer.

"Come with me." Old Man Li finally rose and walked toward the back of the library.

Lin Fan followed.

They passed row after row of bookshelves and reached a corner at the very back. The shelves here were thick with dust, clearly seldom visited.

Old Man Li pulled a thick leather-bound tome from the lowest shelf. There were no words on its cover, only a strange symbol—the image of an eye.

Lin Fan's pupils constricted.

He had seen that symbol before.

On the wooden token carried by the dead soldier in Gray Rock Valley!

"This is..." His voice sounded hoarse.

"An investigation record from fifty years ago," Old Man Li said slowly. "About Cannibal Valley, and... the Shadow Society."

He opened the tome. Inside were handwritten notes, the script neat but somewhat faded.

"Fifty years ago, Jiangnan City also experienced an unusual gathering of Demonic Beasts, on a much larger scale than this one," Old Man Li said. "The military organized an investigation team. I led them into the Shadowy Mountain Range to investigate."

"You led the team?" Lin Fan asked in surprise.

Old Man Li nodded. "I was still in the military back then. We tracked an Abnormal Energy Fluctuation and eventually found its source—a primordial altar deep in Cannibal Valley."

"An altar?"

"Yes. The altar was covered in bizarre runes, and a purple crystal was enshrined at its center." Old Man Li's gaze grew distant. "The crystal emitted intense mental waves. It could affect the surrounding Demonic Beasts, driving them berserk and drawing them toward it."

A purple crystal...

Lin Fan thought of the "source of the energy fluctuation" mentioned in the system mission description.

"We tried to destroy the crystal, but failed," Old Man Li continued. "The altar had a powerful protective formation, and then... people from the Shadow Society appeared."

His voice lowered. "They were a group of men in black robes, all extremely powerful. Their leader called himself the 'Nether Emissary.' He was at least a seventh-grade Martial Emperor. We were no match for them. Of the twelve members of the investigation team, I was the only one who escaped, and I was gravely wounded."

Lin Fan was stunned.

A seventh-grade Martial Emperor! A powerhouse who could fly through the air and break an army single-handedly!

"What happened after that?"

"The military sent even stronger experts, but the altar and crystal had already disappeared," Old Man Li said. "The Shadow Society also vanished without a trace for a long time. The incident was classified, and the records were sealed."

He closed the tome and looked at Lin Fan. "Now, fifty years later, the anomaly has appeared again. You should understand what that means."

Lin Fan nodded. "The Shadow Society is back, and they may be carrying out the same plan."

"That's not all." Old Man Li shook his head. "They failed fifty years ago. Now that they've returned, they must be much better prepared. If you go now, the odds of survival are slim."

"But we have to go," Lin Fan said. "If they succeed, Jiangnan City will be in danger."

Old Man Li looked at him and sighed. "I know I can't talk you out of it. In that case, take this."

He pulled a jade pendant from his robes. It looked much like the one Lin Fan already had, but was more ancient, and the runes on it were more intricate.

"This is an Evil-Breaking Jade Pendant. It can resist mental interference and the corruption of evil forces," Old Man Li said. "In Cannibal Valley, the most terrifying thing isn't the Demonic Beasts, but... something else."

"Something else?"

"I can't really explain it." Old Man Li shook his head. "Back then, near the altar, I sensed an incredibly evil presence, like... living darkness. This pendant might help you."

Lin Fan took the pendant. It felt warm and smooth in his hand.

"Thank you, Old Man Li."

"Come back alive." Old Man Li patted his shoulder. "If you really find any clues, don't act rashly. Come back and report immediately. There are things you can't deal with yet."

"I understand."

By the time he left the library, dusk was drawing near.

Lin Fan gripped the Evil-Breaking Jade Pendant, his heart heavy.

The events of fifty years ago, the Shadow Society, the primordial altar, the purple crystal, the Nether Emissary...

The clues kept multiplying, but the mystery only deepened.

Back in his dorm, he began organizing his gear.

Pills, talismans, weapons, rations, a waterskin... He checked each item one by one, making sure nothing was missing.

At last, he took out the two Skill Points the system had rewarded him. He hadn't used them yet.

After a moment's thought, he decided to put them into the Gale Sword Technique.

The Shadowy Mountain Range was fraught with danger. He needed greater offensive power.

[Skill Points x2 consumed]

[Proficiency in Gale Sword Technique +200]

[Current Proficiency: 1620/5000]

He was still some way from the peak of Mastery Level, but at least he'd improved a little.

Everything was ready.

Lin Fan lay in bed, but couldn't fall asleep.

He thought of Xiaoyu.

He would be gone at least seven days. Xiaoyu would be home alone during that time. The neighbors would keep an eye on her, but he still couldn't put his mind at ease.

Once I finish this mission and get the reward, I'll move us into a bigger place and hire a nanny. I can't keep leaving Xiaoyu alone, Lin Fan thought.

Moonlight spilled through the window, cool and clear as water.

Lin Fan gazed at the moon and suddenly remembered what Zhou Ming had said: abnormal incidents always happened around the time of the full moon.

Tomorrow was the twelfth. The full moon was three days away.

If the pattern held, the next abnormal incident might happen in the next few days.

And they were heading straight for its source.

"Shadow Society..." Lin Fan murmured the name. "What are you really after?"

There was no answer.

Only the moonlight silently shone down on the sleeping city and the dark mountains beyond it.

Something was stirring there.