Heading to the valley
After eating python meat, most of the blood and energy that the body had lost was replenished.
For the rest of the day, Lu Heng stayed in the cave to rest and recuperate, avoiding any strenuous activity. The deep, hidden injuries left by the giant python that had constricted his legs were still embedded in his muscles. He could walk normally without any problems, but whenever he exerted force, bent his knees, or made sudden movements, a stubborn soreness, numbness, and weakness would rise in his leg meridians, indicating that the old injuries were still clearly present.
He did not waste this whole day of rest.
In his spare time, he repeatedly practiced breathing techniques, his breaths slow and deep, guiding the circulation of qi and blood in his body. With the help of the original essence remaining in the Bronze Flesh Core, he gradually cleared the blocked meridians and nourished the damaged muscles and bones, while also applying Tiger Bone Wine to the wounds on time.
Lu Heng understood the situation very clearly: to survive, stability was paramount. Acting recklessly would only lead to death; patiently using spare moments to prepare and build up his strength was the safest way to become stronger.
After a full day of rest, my physical condition has recovered sufficiently.
The next morning, sunlight streamed through the natural windows on the second floor of the cave, making the room bright and soft. Lu Heng got up and tidied his clothes, checking his combat equipment item by item, finally his gaze falling on the Bronze Hunting Blade at his waist.
Under natural light, a slight bend in the blade is particularly noticeable. This is a deformation caused by the extreme twisting force of the giant beast during the last fierce battle in the swamp. The blade is still sharp, without chipping or curling, but the structure of the blade has been damaged and can no longer withstand the high-intensity entanglement of head-on collisions, thus creating a real hidden danger for the weapon.
"It's really not easy to find a weapon that you can use comfortably."
After confirming that all equipment was in place and nothing was missing, Lu Heng pushed open the heavy stone door and stepped out of the Shelter.
As soon as he stepped out the door, he instinctively stopped and looked around at the entire Frost Forest.
In stark contrast to the snow-covered landscape of a few days ago, the forest has long since shed its wintery whiteness.
The snow cover has largely melted away. In open woodlands, slopes, and paths where the sun shines directly, the ground is completely dry, exposing a layer of dark brown humus that is soft, dry, and free of any trace of snow or water.
Only in the densely wooded, shady corners, in the hollows of tree roots, and in the shadows of stone walls, were there scattered, fine patches of snow, thin and insignificant. The rest of the shady areas were only slightly damp, carrying a hint of moisture, no longer the muddy, icy, and slippery mess they had been before.
The forest breeze was gentle in the early morning, carrying only a slightly cool, earthy, damp scent. The biting cold was gone, and the whole forest exuded a relaxing, warming feeling.
Lu Heng stepped onto the dry soil and set off steadily.
His goal for today was very clear— Forest Rock Tiger.
After unlocking the Fence Construction Module, a check of the inventory revealed a severe shortage of iron ore and stone, making construction impossible. To complete the Shelter's outer security and build a full fence, it is necessary to go into the mountains to stockpile enough infrastructure materials. The valley where tigers once roamed is rich in mineral veins, but the beasts have long since left, making it the safest place to gather materials at this stage.
He kept a low profile and remained vigilant as he moved forward.
Having survived countless battles in the forest, he was already used to this constant state of tension. With his old injuries not fully healed, he deliberately controlled the rhythm of his leg movements, keeping them slow and steady, avoiding large bending and stretching to prevent aggravating bruises.
As we ventured deeper, we gradually approached the entrance to the valley.
The once quiet and deathly forest was suddenly filled with an unusual noise.
It wasn't the gentle swaying of branches in the breeze, but the dull thud of a large creature moving its body, rubbing against bushes, and squeezing leaves, carrying clear signs of activity and standing out starkly in the silent woodland.
Lu Heng's steps froze instantly. He instinctively lowered his body, quickly pressing himself against a thick tree trunk for concealment, and his breathing became extremely shallow.
A sense of utmost vigilance instantly rose in my heart, followed by a touch of helpless relief.
The empty valley caves of the Forest Rock Tiger are most likely to be occupied and nested by other exotic beasts roaming around.
It's normal for new ferocious beasts to move in; he just hopes their level isn't too high.
If another Bronze Tier beast were to appear, with his current injured body and damaged Hunting Blade, he would have no chance of fighting back. In the end, he would only be able to turn back, making a long and arduous journey for nothing, a complete waste of energy and time.
He held his breath, peering through the gaps in the branches and leaves to pinpoint the direction from which the disturbance was coming.
A moment later, a lithe and graceful black figure slowly emerged from a hidden cave on the outer side of the valley.
Its body is slender and firm, with long and powerful limbs. Its fur is covered with dark spots of varying shades. Its head is slightly lowered, and the muscles in its limbs are tense and ready to leave its burrow to hunt for food.
It's Dark-Spotted Leopard.
With a thought, Lu Heng immediately activated the Wristband's scanning function.
[Dark-Spotted Leopard]
Grade: Black Iron Tier
The moment I saw the level, most of the weight that had been hanging over my heart finally lifted.
The Black Iron-Level Exotic Beast pose a far less significant threat than the Swamp Giant Python fighting to the death; they are not in the same danger level.
But he remained completely unfazed and showed no signs of complacency.
The Dark-Spotted Leopard is a typical high-speed predator in the Frost Forest. It is swift and unpredictable, adept at maneuvering through the forest and launching close-range attacks. Its close-quarters combat is extremely lethal, with a very low margin for error.
Even with his record of slaying Bronze giant python despite being above his level, Lu Heng remained incredibly clear-headed and extremely self-aware.
That desperate battle was a last-ditch effort, a desperate counterattack. Now, with old wounds still unhealed and weapons damaged, his close-combat ability is greatly diminished, making him completely unsuitable for close-quarters combat. Past achievements cannot represent his current state; blindly pushing his luck will only lead to his demise.
Avoid close combat if possible.
Without the slightest hesitation, Lu Heng abandoned the damaged Hunting Blade at his waist, and with a slight movement of his fingertips, took out the Giant-Feather Crossbow from the Storage Space his Wristband.
With both hands firmly supporting the crossbow, he skillfully and silently cocked and bolted the crossbow, the muzzle extending straight out to precisely lock onto the vital parts of the Dark-Spotted Leopard's torso.
A standoff could erupt at any moment.
The Dark-Spotted Leopard at the cave entrance instantly spotted the human figure behind the tree trunk.
His body, which had been moving slowly, suddenly stopped, his limbs pressed low to the ground, his muscles tensed, and his amber vertical pupils locked onto the location where Lu Heng was hiding. A low, hoarse roar rolled from deep in his throat, carrying a strong sense of intimidation and hostility.
Its wild instincts allowed it to clearly sense the deadly danger lurking within the Giant-Feather Crossbow.
It dared not attack at full speed rashly, but could only move slightly to the left and right, constantly probing the angle and looking for an opportunity to strike.
A man and a leopard faced each other across the scattered trees, and the entrance to the valley fell into complete silence.
A gentle breeze rustled through the branches, the warmth of the melting snow dissipated, and a cool, damp air drifted slowly through the woods. A tense and oppressive atmosphere enveloped the entire forest, and no one was willing to back down first.