Mountain Forest Hunt

The air seemed to solidify.

Li Yuan held his breath, his body pressed tightly against the rough tree trunk, like a stone sculpture merged with the forest. His gaze was locked onto the Tusked Boar dozens of steps away, which was rooting in the dirt with its tusks, searching for tubers.

Observing it up close, one could feel the ferocity of this beast even more. Its dark fur shone with oil, as if clad in a layer of armor. The muscles in its thick neck bulged, and each step of its sturdy limbs carried a heavy Sense of Power. Its pair of curved, sharp tusks, under the dappled light filtering through the leaves, gleamed with a chilling light that made one's heart palpitate.

This was not a drill; it was a true life-or-death struggle. A single mistake could result in being disemboweled by those tusks or crushed into a pulp by its heavy body.

Li Yuan's heart beat powerfully and slowly in his Chest Cavity, not from fear, but from a battle intent mixed with tension and excitement. Crimson Sun Qi and Blood flowed faster within his body, bringing a burning Sense of Power and elevating his five senses to their peak. He could hear the boar's heavy breathing, smell the strong, pungent odor emanating from its body, and even see the bits of grass and mud clinging to its fur.

He did not attack rashly. This boar's hide was thick and tough. The crude Iron Rod in his hand, if it couldn't hit a vital spot, might not even be able to break through its defenses.

He was waiting, waiting for the optimal opportunity.

Time passed bit by bit. The boar seemed unaware of the lurking danger, continuing to forage leisurely, gradually approaching the large tree where Li Yuan was hiding.

Now!

The moment the boar turned sideways, lowering its head to gnaw on a plant's root, exposing the relatively vulnerable side of its neck and belly—

Li Yuan moved!

He stomped his feet hard, the soft humus beneath him exploding into a small pit. His body, like a coiled leopard, suddenly sprang out! Its speed was so great it stirred up a gust of wind!

He let out no cry; all his strength and spirit were concentrated on the Iron Rod in his hand. Crimson Sun Qi and Blood surged madly into his right arm, making the rough Iron Rod seem to heat up slightly. The Tip locked onto the area below the boar's neck, near the base of its front leg—the approximate location of its heart!

"Whoosh!"

The sound of air being pierced was sharp!

The boar, worthy of being called a Fierce Beast, was already alert the instant Li Yuan moved! It violently raised its head, its small eyes bursting with ferocity, and let out an angry roar. Its sturdy hind legs exerted force, and instead of dodging, it charged towards Li Yuan! It intended to shatter this little thing that dared to provoke it with its hard head and tusks!

However, Li Yuan's speed Far Exceeded its expectations!

In the lightning-fast moment before the tusks could touch his body, Li Yuan's charging figure suddenly ducked and slid sideways, narrowly evading the fatal charge of the tusks! At the same time, his right arm, gripping the Iron Rod like a taut bowstring, suddenly released!

"Thwack!"

A dull sound of a sharp object piercing flesh!

The Iron Rod, imbued with his entire body's strength and Crimson Sun Qi and Blood, pierced with pinpoint accuracy into the position Li Yuan had intended! The Tip of the Iron Rod penetrated the tough hide, tore through muscle, and sank deeply in!

"Roar—!"

The Tusked Boar let out an extremely piercing howl. Its massive body stiffened violently from the Sharp Pain, and then it erupted with even more frenzied strength! It wildly swung its head and twisted its body, trying to shake off the "bug" hanging on it!

Li Yuan felt a tremendous force transmitted from the Iron Rod, his tiger's mouth instantly splitting and bleeding profusely! He held the Iron Rod tightly, his body tumbling uncontrollably with the boar, but he gritted his teeth. Not only did he not let go, but he used all his strength to shove the Iron Rod deeper! And twist it!

"Gurgle..."

It sounded like some internal organ had been ruptured.

Crimson Sun Qi and Blood surged madly into the Tusked Boar's body along the Iron Rod. That scorching, domineering power exploded within it, further intensifying its pain and injuries!

Blood gushed out like a spring from its wounds and snout, splattering half of Li Yuan's body a scarlet hue.

The boar's struggles grew weaker and weaker, its roars turning into feeble grunts. Finally, its massive body crashed to the ground. Its limbs twitched a few times before falling silent.

In the forest, only Li Yuan's extremely heavy breaths remained.

He released the hand gripping the Iron Rod and staggered back a few steps, leaning against a tree to barely keep his balance. His right arm throbbed with a tearing ache, his tiger's mouth burned fiercely, and his whole body was covered in mud and bloodstain, looking utterly disheveled.

But as he looked at the Tusked Boar, now dead, a fierce flame burned in his eyes.

Success!

He, alone, using an Iron Rod and his nascent "Crimson Sun," had successfully hunted a low-level Fierce Beast!

This wasn't scraps from his family's leftovers, nor discarded ore found by chance in the market. This was a trophy he had personally seized from these dangerous woods with his own strength!

An indescribable sense of accomplishment, mixed with the smell of blood, filled his chest cavity.

He didn't waste time resting. He quickly pulled out the Iron Rod and wiped it clean in the nearby grass. Then, he squatted beside the Tusked Boar's corpse and began to process it.

He lacked professional skinning skills, so he could only rely on brute force and the sharpness of the Iron Rod to painstakingly peel off the most valuable, relatively intact boar hide, and laboriously chop off the pair of intact tusks. As for the flesh...

Li Yuan's gaze fell upon the bloody carcass, its body brimming with potent blood energy. His throat involuntarily bobbed.

The "Crimson Sun" sent out a signal of craving, stronger than ever before.

He grinned, revealing blood-stained teeth.

"Don't rush... dinner is served."