Hunting the Black Panther

Early the next morning, Lin Fan got ready at dawn. He personally made some food, settled his younger sister Lin Ruoruo, then set out with the Golden Rat Mao Mao on his shoulder and a long spear in hand. The youth's face was fair as jade, his bearing unmatched, as he headed toward the deep mountains surrounding Small Mountain Village.

A Golden Rat stood on Lin Fan's shoulder, its entire body gleaming gold, its fur sleek and glossy. The little fellow's black bead-like eyes were lively and bright, while its nose kept twitching as it worked hard to search for the lingering scent of Ferocious Beasts in the air.

One man and one rat traveled through the faintly cool mountain breeze of morning, heading straight toward the shadowy mountains far beyond Small Mountain Village, directly into the heart of the range.

Unlike the shallow mountains where the hunters and villagers of Small Mountain Village hunted, the shallow mountains contained only ordinary beasts, with unremarkable hides and flesh, little different from the common wild animals of Blue Star in his previous life. The Ferocious Beasts in the deep mountains, however—even one at the Skin Tempering Realm—could easily slaughter all of Small Mountain Village.

Of course, unless food in the deep mountains suddenly became scarce, those Ferocious Beasts were generally unwilling to leave the mountains.

The value of Skin Tempering Realm Ferocious Beasts varied enormously by species. For example, if a rat became a Ferocious Beast, its value would be relatively lower due to its smaller size. But if a wild boar, python, or wild ox became a Ferocious Beast, its value would undoubtedly be much higher. Still, that was not always the case. Some small but exceptionally rare demon beasts were also worth a great deal because demand outstripped supply.

By the time Lin Fan had ventured ten li into the mountains, the forest around him had grown increasingly dense and towering, blotting out the sky and sun. Thick mist filled the woods, vegetation grew dark and deep, and many patches of grass stood taller than a man. Birdsong was scarce, while the entire mountain forest exuded a desolate, savage aura.

A thick layer of dead branches and fallen leaves covered the ground beneath his feet. The wind rustled through the forest, and perhaps in some inconspicuous corner, a Ferocious Beast lay hidden in wait. A gust stirred the leaves of the ancient trees overhead, making the atmosphere even more terrifying and oppressive.

That was why ordinary martial artists were generally unwilling to hunt Ferocious Beasts. The environment and atmosphere here were simply too hostile toward people, and the danger was no small matter. The identities of hunter and prey could switch at any moment. Humans could eat Ferocious Beasts to speed up their martial cultivation; by the same token, Ferocious Beasts could gain great nourishment by eating martial artists and become stronger.

Just as Lin Fan was looking around, the Golden Rat Mao Mao on his shoulder suddenly stiffened. Its nose twitched frantically, and its little claws swiftly pointed toward the dense forest ahead as it let out a series of tiny squeaks.

Lin Fan's gaze sharpened at the sight. He instantly tightened his grip on the spear in his hand. The ninety-jin heavy spear was as light as nothing in his grasp, its shaft dark and gleaming, its tip flashing with cold light and containing the might to tear apart mountains and split boulders. Lin Fan's expression turned grave as he looked over.

Following Mao Mao's direction, Lin Fan swept his spear aside, clearing away the wild grass, dead branches, and shrubs ahead. About ten meters away, within a damp forest hollow, a Black-Spotted Panther with a bluish-black body lay curled up beneath a patch of grass. If one did not look carefully, an ordinary person might only notice it after it launched an attack. At that moment, the black panther's soul-piercing eyes silently met Lin Fan's.

There really is a Ferocious Beast. Lin Fan thought to himself. This Black-Spotted Panther's aura was powerful—it had definitely entered the Skin Tempering Realm. But it likely had not yet reached the Muscle Refinement Realm. Otherwise, Lin Fan would immediately retreat with Mao Mao. Fighting a Ferocious Beast of a similar realm in its own territory was still far too dangerous.

But if it was only a Skin Tempering Realm Ferocious Beast, Lin Fan was confident he could take it down without injury.

Once it realized it had been discovered, the mountain panther's ears rose upright. From its crouched position in the grass, it abruptly stood, savage light surging in its beastly eyes. Its low growl shook the surrounding leaves loose in a flutter, and then its four paws kicked off the ground. Its powerful body burst forward in an instant, whipping up a wild gale through the forest. Its sharp fangs and cold-glinting claws lunged straight for Lin Fan's face, fast as lightning.

Just as the mountain panther was about to pounce within three chi of him, Lin Fan suddenly exerted force with his hand. "Weng—" The heavy refined-iron spear tore through the air. There were no flashy moves, only terrifying strength in its purest form. Lin Fan's spear carried a fierce gale, empowered by his three-thousand-jin immense strength, and struck the mountain panther's hard skull with unerring precision.

Bang!

A dull, heavy sound exploded atop the black panther's head. There was no gruesome tearing sound, only the crushing suppression of brute force. The hard skull of the Skin Tempering Realm Black-Spotted Panther instantly caved in and cracked like a turtle shell.

The black panther that had been pouncing fiercely at Lin Fan abruptly froze in midair, every attack brought to a sudden halt. Then its massive beastly body crashed heavily to the ground. Its limbs twitched twice, then it never moved again.

Lin Fan casually withdrew his spear and looked at the black panther's corpse on the ground. To be safe, he jabbed it several more times with the spear before approaching. He tied up the black panther with the rope he carried and headed out of the deep mountains.

The black panther's fur was smooth and soft, its pelt patterned with well-arranged markings. Lin Fan knew that the fur of this kind of Black-Spotted Panther demon beast was especially beloved by female martial artists. He estimated that the entire black panther could probably sell for around two to three thousand taels of silver.

With the black panther's corpse in one hand and his spear in the other, the youth swiftly leaped and darted through the mountain forest, a Golden Rat perched on his shoulder.

When he reached Small Mountain Village, less than half a day had passed since he entered the deep mountain forest. His younger sister Lin Ruoruo sat before the little thatched hut, propping up her head. In front of the hut, Lin Ruoruo rested her fair, tender cheek in her hand as she waited quietly, her eyes clear and gentle.

She looked up, and her pupils suddenly contracted. Her little mouth fell slightly open as she sprang to her feet. Her brother was charging toward her from afar, carrying a huge black panther with bloodstains on its body in one hand. Killing Intent hung heavily around the panther, its fur glossy and sleek, making it look incomparably fierce and terrifying.

"Brother!" Startled, Lin Ruoruo hurriedly trotted over, then somewhat fearfully tugged lightly at his sleeve. Lin Fan lowered his head and smiled gently. He casually set the black panther down in an open patch of ground, his movements easy and relaxed. "Don't be afraid. It's long dead. It can't hurt anyone."

He softly comforted her for a few moments. Only after seeing his sister calm down did he say, "Brother needs to go to town. I should be back before dark, so be good and stay home."

Lin Fan set down the Golden Rat Mao Mao, then quickly headed toward the town with the black panther. With only one black panther, there was no need to trouble the villagers from the hunting party for their handcart. He could make a quick trip and return from town before nightfall.

Lin Fan carried the enormous Black-Spotted Panther in one hand, his figure light as a swallow as he swiftly traveled over the rugged mountain road. The demon beast's corpse weighed several hundred jin, yet in his hand it was as light as nothing, as though he were carrying no more than a bag of vegetables weighing a few jin.