The burning leaves cracked under Lin Feng's feet, each step disturbing the eerie stillness of the crimson forest. Strange rust-colored trees reached toward the sky like twisted claws, their branches tangled in blood-red moss. The two moons above bathed the forest in a haunting glow.
His cheek still stung from the slap he'd delivered to the arrogant cultivator moments ago — his first act of dominance in this new world. The man had gone down like a bag of potatoes, unconscious before his head hit the tree.
[Mission Complete!]
You have slapped a cultivator from the Crimson Cloud Sect.
Reward:
— 200 System Points
— 1x Low-Grade Spirit Core
— Passive Skill Unlocked: Combat Instinct (Lv.1)
— Beginner's Combat Pack received
A cold thrill rushed through Lin Feng's spine as the words appeared in golden light across his vision. It wasn't a hallucination — this was his reality now.
"System, open Combat Pack."
[Opening Beginner's Combat Pack…]
Steel-Blooded Tunic (Uncommon) – +10 Defense
Spirit Infused Boots – +3 Agility
Basic Healing Pill x3
Short Spirit Blade (Rusty) – +5 Attack
Soul Sense Compass – Tracks spiritual energy signatures
Armor and a weapon materialized beside him in a quiet flash of silver light. Lin Feng quickly pulled on the tunic and boots, feeling a wave of warmth pass through his limbs as the gear bound to his soul. He slid the dull blade into his belt and pocketed the compass.
"I might not know how to cultivate yet," he muttered, "but I look the part now."
He turned back to the unconscious cultivator.
"Leave him or kill him?" Lin Feng asked aloud.
[System Advice: Optional Kill Quest Available.]
Objective: Eliminate Crimson Cloud Sect Cultivator
Reward: +400 SP | 1x Random Ability Scroll
Warning: Will alert enemies of the Crimson Cloud Sect
He stared down at the young man. Arrogant. Powerful. A threat in the future, no doubt. But helpless now. Killing him would be smart — efficient even — but something inside Lin Feng resisted.
He stepped away.
"Not today. I'm not a monster… not yet."
The forest grew darker as Lin Feng pressed deeper, guided by the Soul Sense Compass. It pulsed faintly, pointing northwest toward a distant energy signature.
Leaves shimmered underfoot, glowing faintly as though feeding off spiritual residue. The world smelled of copper, ash, and something else — something hungry.
Suddenly, the compass spun wildly, then went dead.
Warning: Beast-Level Energy Detected
[Quest Updated!]
Survive the encounter
Defeat or evade the threat
Bonus Objective: Harvest Spirit Core
The wind shifted.
A low growl rumbled through the trees.
Branches snapped. Heavy breathing. The ground trembled.
And then it stepped into view.
A wolf — no, a hellhound. Black fur steaming with smoke, eyes glowing like burning coals. It stood nearly six feet tall at the shoulder, its fangs long as daggers.
Lin Feng's instincts screamed at him to run.
Instead, he took a step forward.
[Combat Instinct Activated]
Time slowed. The beast lunged. Lin Feng's body moved on its own, rolling beneath the beast's claws and slashing with his rusty blade.
Sparks flew.
The blade bit shallow, barely piercing the creature's hide.
It howled in pain — more annoyed than hurt.
[You have struck a Tier-1 Spirit Beast]
+25 SP
Minor effectiveness due to weapon quality
"Crap," Lin Feng breathed, dodging left as the beast's jaws snapped inches from his chest.
He backpedaled, ducking under its next swipe, then slammed a healing pill into his mouth. The energy surged through him, burning hot and then cooling his nerves.
The beast circled him, growling low, its eyes calculating.
"System, is there a weak spot?"
[Analyzing…]
Weak Spot Detected: Exposed underjaw during charge
Recommended Action: Counter-lunge mid-pounce
Lin Feng swallowed hard.
"Alright. Come on then, you oversized mutt."
The hellhound charged, mouth open wide to tear out his throat.
Lin Feng waited.
Waited…
NOW.
He ducked and leapt, plunging his blade upward with all his strength into the beast's throat.
Blood exploded in a burst of dark mist. The beast wailed, thrashing violently. Lin Feng held tight to the blade's hilt, using the momentum to swing onto the creature's back.
With a final scream, the beast collapsed, twitching, its life fading.
Silence fell once more.
[Beast Killed: Tier-1 Spirit Hound]
+500 SP
+1 Spirit Beast Core (Inferior)
Skill Unlocked: Beast Slayer (Lv.1)
Achievement: First Blood – Spirit Beast
Lin Feng rolled off the corpse, panting hard. Blood soaked his tunic. His arms trembled.
But he was alive.
"System… I did it," he whispered.
[New Passive Ability: Beast Slayer (Lv.1)]
Increases damage against Spirit Beasts by 10%
Increases tracking awareness when near beasts
[System Level Up: Host Progressed to Level 2]
Vitality +5
Strength +3
Intelligence +2
New Feature Unlocked: Skill Tree (Basic)
[Would you like to view your Skill Tree?]
Lin Feng blinked.
"Hell yes."
🌟 [Skill Tree – Basic Branch Activated]
Active Skills:
Flicker Step (Locked) – Move in a blur for 1 second
Iron Palm (Locked) – Slam attack, small AOE damage
Passive Skills:
Combat Instinct (Lv.1)
Beast Slayer (Lv.1)
Path Perks (Choose One):
Path of the Predator – Increased sensory and reaction time
Path of the Storm – Faster skill cooldown and agility
Path of the Tyrant – +5% pressure aura in combat
[Choose Path to Progress Your Build]
Lin Feng stared, breath shallow. Each path glowed like a different destiny. Predator. Storm. Tyrant.
"I'm no tyrant… and I've survived off instinct so far."
He selected Path of the Predator.
The skill tree shimmered and reorganized. His body pulsed with heat — sight sharpened, hearing deepened, his balance refined.
[You have chosen: Path of the Predator]
— Passive unlocked: Keen Senses (Lv.1)
— Bonus: +2 Agility | +2 Awareness
Suddenly, a voice crackled through the air — not from the System.
"Well, well… he killed a Shadowfang on his first day?"
Lin Feng spun.
A figure emerged from the trees. A man, perhaps twenty-five. Robes black as ink. A jagged tattoo curled around his throat like a brand. His eyes glowed violet — not natural.
"You're not from around here," the man said, voice silky and cold. "Your aura… it reeks of something old. Something… artificial."
"Who are you?" Lin Feng asked, raising his blade.
The man smiled.
"I'm someone who collects things that don't belong. Unfortunately for you… that includes you."
The man lifted a single hand.
Spiritual pressure crushed the air around Lin Feng. He dropped to a knee, struggling to breathe. The beast corpse behind him began to dissolve — absorbed by the stranger's power.
"System…" Lin Feng choked out, "what the hell is he?"
[Scanning…]
Danger Level: ??? (Beyond Scan Capacity)
— Status: Host must retreat immediately
"Retreat? From what?"
The man's smile widened.
"From me."