A Lesson in Picking on the Weak and Fearing the Strong

Magic City.

The best tavern in the city, Flowing Fire Tavern.

Lei Wen had reserved a private room by the window.

The table was laden with exquisite dishes.

Lian Qiu was wolfing down food while vividly recounting interesting stories from the academy.

One junior sister had confessed to Te...

Another senior brother had accidentally set his eyebrows on fire during a magic practice...

Lei Wen listened quietly, occasionally placing a chopstickful of food into his sister's bowl.

Luo Ye's usually indifferent expression softened slightly as he watched the smile on her face.

"Brother!"

"What are you going out for, Luo Ye?"

Lian Qiu asked curiously between bites, holding a cup of fruit juice.

"To gain experience. I'll be leaving tomorrow."

Lei Wen answered casually.

He did not want his sister to worry.

Demon Flag Mountain was a place where nine out of ten entered never returned.

Telling the two girls would only make them anxious and afraid. It would serve no purpose.

"Tch, being all mysterious."

"By the way, Brother, I'm already a fourth-tier mage!"

"Impressive, huh?"

Lian Qiu wrinkled her nose, then proudly sat up straight.

As she spoke, she flicked a finger.

A clear water ball gathered at her fingertip, changing into various shapes.

Her control was indeed quite good.

A thirteen-year-old fourth-tier mage.

That talent was outstanding even in all of Magic City.

"Not bad."

"But don't get arrogant. The path of magic is long, and the fourth tier is only the beginning."

Lei Wen smiled and nodded.

"Got it!"

"Just like Father."

Lian Qiu stuck out her tongue.

Night gradually deepened.

Outside the window, Magic City's lights flickered brightly.

Lei Wen pulled out a storage ring from his sleeve and pushed it before Lian Qiu.

He had sorted it out on the way here.

"What is this?"

Lian Qiu picked it up curiously.

"Father gave it to you as pocket money."

"Mother asked me to give you some magic scrolls."

"Also, I put a few things in there myself."

Lei Wen said with a smile.

In truth, most of the contents were his own spoils.

Though he had spent these years cultivating at home, he occasionally slipped out to hunt in the forests near Flowing Fire City.

The magic cores of those low-level Flagrant Beasts were worth quite a bit when sold.

More importantly—

He had also put in the eighth-tier earth-element defensive scroll Mother had given him.

"I have money. I don't need—"

"Take it."

"When you're outside, how can you get by without money?"

"Buy whatever you want. Don't wrong yourself."

"And keep that defensive scroll close to you."

"If you encounter danger, tear it open immediately. Don't hesitate."

Lei Wen spoke in a tone that brooked no argument.

Seeing the concern on Lei Wen's face, Lian Qiu's heart warmed.

Although her brother usually did not speak much and seemed cold whenever she saw him—

He cared deeply for her.

"Got it, Brother."

"What about you? Things won't be easy for you outside either..."

Lian Qiu cleverly put away the ring.

"I don't need those external things."

Lei Wen stood, drained his drink, and a fierce pride flashed in his eyes.

He was a warrior.

The sword in his hand was his best defense.

Besides—

Only by placing oneself in mortal danger could one unleash one's greatest potential.

Relying on life-saving items left an escape route in one's heart, and the blade would grow dull.

That was contrary to his path of cultivation.

The siblings chatted for a long time.

Until the moon was high in the sky.

Only then did Lei Wen escort the still-reluctant Lian Qiu back to the academy dormitory.

Standing beneath the women's dormitory building—

He watched her small figure disappear through the door, turning back every few steps.

The smile on Lei Wen's face slowly faded.

The night wind blew past.

Carrying a faint chill.

He turned and looked north.

That was the direction of Demon Flag Mountain.

Black flames flickered in the depths of his eyes.

The peaceful days were over.

Next—

It was time for a hunt.

The next morning.

Before dawn had broken—

Lei Wen, dressed in black, was already standing at the northern gate of Magic City.

He had not gone to say goodbye to Lian Qiu.

Partings only made people sentimental.

Since he had confirmed that his sister was doing well and could protect herself—

He could leave without concern.

Beyond the northern gate—

The scenery gradually grew desolate.

The farther north he went, the stronger the smell of blood in the air became.

There were fewer travelers on the road as well.

No longer were they well-dressed merchants and students.

Instead, they were mercenaries and adventurers carrying blades, their eyes fierce and wary.

Every one of them bore the weathered air of someone who had walked the line between life and death for years.

Lei Wen rode on horseback at an unhurried pace.

He deliberately did not conceal his aura.

He looked like a young nobleman fresh out of his family estate, foolishly sneaking out to have some fun without knowing the dangers of the world.

That was also a kind of camouflage.

Hunters often exposed themselves in the posture of prey.

"Hey, kid!"

"You dare travel alone?"

"A young nobleman like you should go home and drink milk!"

By the roadside—

A group of resting mercenaries looked at Lei Wen and burst into mocking laughter.

Among them, a Light Mane let out a long whistle, his greedy gaze sweeping over the Black Panther beneath Lei Wen.

Fine horse.

Worth at least several hundred gold coins.

If they got this haul...

The Light Mane exchanged looks with his companions.

The few men understood at once and slowly rose, deliberately blocking the road.

Lei Wen reined in his horse.

Looking at the group of fools who did not know whether they lived or died—

The corner of his mouth curled into a cold arc.

Just as he had been thinking about finding someone to test himself on, someone had delivered themselves to his door.

Perfect.

He would use them to sharpen his blade.

"Move."

Lei Wen said flatly.

"Yo, quite the temper."

"Kid, leave behind the money and horse on you, and this old man might—"

The Light Mane sneered as he drew the large saber at his waist.

Before his voice fell—

A black shadow flashed past.

Fast.

Too fast.

So fast that the Light Mane did not even see what had happened.

He only felt a chill at his waist.

Then—

His body began spinning, and in his final sight, he saw a headless corpse spurting blood as it fell from the saddle.

That was... me?

That was the Light Mane's final thought.

Thud.

A head hit the ground.

The smiles on the remaining mercenaries froze.

They stared at the youth sitting calmly on his horse, whose sword had not even been fully drawn.

Fear flooded them like icy water.

"Sev... seventh-tier warrior?!"

Someone screamed in terror.

They had not expected Lei Wen's strength to be so terrifying.

That explosive speed and force in that instant were absolutely not something a low-level warrior could possess.

They had kicked an iron plate!

"Run!"

No one knew who shouted first.

The remaining men wished they could grow two more legs as they scrambled toward the forest on both sides of the road.

Lei Wen did not pursue.

It was only a mere winged spider; it was not worth wasting time on.

He could not even be bothered to glance at the corpse on the ground.

He merely brushed the beast mark on the back of his hand.

Sure enough, it was his first time killing someone.

Yet strangely, Lei Wen felt no discomfort at all.

Instead, the beast mark on the back of his hand gave rise to a sense of longing.

"Don't be impatient."

"Once we enter the Flagrant Beast Forest, I'll grant your wish!"

Lei Wen murmured softly.

Black Panther tensed its legs.

Black Panther stepped over the corpse and slowly headed toward the mountain range filled with a deathly aura.