The air grew thick and heavy with the scent of damp earth and rotting vegetation as the Iron-Fist Mercenaries pushed deeper into the treacherous folds of the Black Wolf Mountain Range.
The transition from the outskirts to the inner regions was subtle yet haunting.
The towering trees seemed to lean inward, their gnarled branches weaving a canopy so dense it strangled the daylight into a gloomy, emerald twilight.
As the group marched, the rustle of undergrowth betrayed the presence of lurking predators.
Several Level 1 Low-Grade beasts scurried through the shadows, creatures that would have been a windfall for any lone hunter.
Under normal circumstances, skinning these beasts and harvesting their cores would net a small fortune in silver.
However, Su Han noticed that the Iron-Fists didn't even spare them a glance.
The mercenaries were on a sanctioned mission, and in the world of high-stakes cultivation, time was more precious than common loot.
Their eyes were fixed on a far more formidable prize: the Four-Colored Poisonous Serpent.
Trailing slightly behind the main squad were the two clients who had commissioned this hunt.
Both were cultivators at the fourth and fifth levels of Body Refining, yet their faces were etched with a visible, lingering anxiety.
Despite their decent cultivation, they knew better than to attempt this hunt alone.
The serpent they sought was a monstrosity at the peak of Level 1 High-Grade, possessing a raw strength equivalent to a Level 9 Body Refining warrior.
But the serpent wasn't the only deterrent in these dark woods.
To reach its lair, one had to navigate the "Black Wolf" territory.
While a single Black Wolf was a manageable threat, Su Han knew they were never truly alone.
They were the undisputed tyrants of this range—cunning, ruthless, and highly organized.
They hunted in massive packs, utilizing tactics that could overwhelm even seasoned veterans.
It was their sheer numbers and savage nature that gave this mountain range its fearsome name.
In these woods, entering the inner circle alone wasn't just brave; it was a death sentence.
"Stay sharp," a voice whispered, though it wasn't a command but the collective instinct of the group.
Throughout the trek, Su Han remained a silent observer, his senses heightened to their limit.
He watched how the mercenaries moved in sync, their feet barely making a sound on the leaf-strewn floor.
Su Han was absorbing everything—the layout of the trails, the hidden markers of beast territories, and the tactical formations.
This was the "experience" he had come for, and he was learning fast.
However, a different kind of predator was also watching within the team.
Su Han could feel a burning gaze boring into the back of his neck like a hot needle.
Every time he glanced sideways, he caught the poisonous glint in Wang Pen's eyes.
The older youth wasn't even trying to hide his malice anymore.
Su Han simply tightened his grip on the hilt of his Venom-Tooth Dagger, his expression a mask of icy indifference.
He would not be the first to strike, but Su Han would certainly be the last one standing.
The group reached a narrow ravine, the gateway to the inner sanctum of the mountains.
The temperature dropped sharply, and a sudden, bone-chilling howl ripped through the silence.
"Form up! Defensive circle, NOW!" Captain Zhao's voice rang out, melodic yet carrying the weight of iron.
Su Han was momentarily taken aback by the sheer speed of the mercenaries.
In a heartbeat, the seven core members had unsheathed their weapons, their movements fluid and practiced.
They created a wall of steel around the clients and the temporary recruits.
Their discipline was world-class, a testament to why they were considered the elite.
Su Han didn't hesitate; he fell into a low crouch, his muscles coiling like a spring.
He was ready to unleash the power of his Tiger's Claw or the speed of Shadow-Step Flicker.
Then, the shadows began to move.
Pairs of glowing, amber eyes ignited in the dense thicket like embers in the dark.
One by one, the silhouettes of massive, soot-colored wolves stepped into the clearing.
The low, guttural growls vibrated in the very air, making the hearts of the two clients hammer against their ribs.
The situation was far worse than a simple ambush.
As Su Han scanned the perimeter, his heart gave a steady, rhythmic thrum—not of fear, but of calculated adrenaline.
They were twelve in total: seven elite mercenaries, two panicked clients, and three temporary recruits.
Surrounding them, emerging from every gap, were over a hundred Black Wolves.
The pack had closed the trap with terrifying precision.
A sea of fur and fangs pressed in from all sides, and the silence was replaced by the sound of a hundred predators breathing in unison.
The hunt for the serpent had suddenly turned into a desperate fight for survival.
The sheer magnitude of the pack sent a cold shiver racing down Su Han's spine.
He wasn't naive; he knew that even the weakest wolf in this swarm possessed strength comparable to a Level 5 Body Refining warrior.
At his current Level 3 status, the math was grim and the odds were stacked against him.
His mind raced, calculating escape routes and scanning the foliage for any weakness.
Suddenly, a familiar, ethereal chime resonated within the depths of his consciousness.
[DING! MISSION SYSTEM ACTIVATED]
[Mission Objective: Eliminate at least 10 Black Wolves.]
[Rewards: 100 Experience Points, 1,000 Silver Coins, and 10 System Store Points.]
[Penalty for Failure: Failure or retreat will result in a permanent reduction of one Cultivation Level.]
Su Han's breath hitched at the notification.
The mention of System Store Points sent a surge of excitement through him.
He knew that upon reaching Level 4, the System Store would unlock—a gateway to treasures beyond imagination.
However, the penalty hit Su Han like a physical blow.
A level reduction? In this world, losing progress was equivalent to a death sentence.
Beads of cold sweat formed on Su Han's brow as he looked at the snapping jaws and predatory eyes.
But as the fear threatened to consume him, a spark of defiance ignited in his gaze.
If the system demanded blood for progress, then blood they would have.
He glanced at the Iron-Fist Mercenaries.
Unlike the two panicked clients, the mercenaries stood their ground with a calm, terrifying resolve.
Su Han focused his vision, calling upon the system to scan the battlefield.
A translucent blue interface flickered before his eyes, revealing the hidden truths of those around him.
The mystery of their confidence was instantly solved.
While the pack was vast, the strongest wolves were only at the Middle-Grade of Level 1.
They possessed power roughly equal to a Level 6 Body Refining cultivator.
In contrast, five of the mercenaries were at Level 6, two were at Level 7, and Captain Zhao...
She was a powerhouse at Level 8.
Looking at her, Su Han felt a rare pang of genuine admiration.
To reach the eighth level of Body Refining at her age—barely two years older than him—was the mark of a true genius.
In Lingshan Town, anyone hitting such heights would be spoken of in hushed, respectful tones.
"They will do the heavy lifting," Su Han thought, a cunning glint crossing his eyes.
"I don't need to be a hero; I just need to be a predator."
As the first wave of wolves launched themselves forward like black streaks of lightning, Su Han didn't rush to the front.
He moved with the shadows, utilizing his Shadow-Step Flicker to stay within the protective radius.
Su Han was like a ghost on the periphery, watching for the perfect moment to strike.
The clash was brutal and bloody.
A Level 7 mercenary swung a heavy claymore, the force shattering the ribs of a lunging wolf.
The beast was sent skidding across the dirt, blood spraying from its maw.
The wolf was mangled, struggling to stand.
Now.
Su Han's eyes locked onto the wounded prey.
In a blur of motion, he vanished from his spot.
He didn't just run; Su Han flowed through the chaos like a silent stream.
He appeared beside the fallen beast, his palm glowing with a fierce, amber light as he unleashed the Tiger's Claw with 100% mastery.
The strike landed with the sound of cracking timber, further dazing the wolf.
Without a second's pause, Su Han drew the Venom-Tooth Dagger.
Even though he hadn't fully practiced the Nine-Times Slash, he channeled his focus into the First Slash.
The blade, enhanced by the dagger's innate speed, tore through the wolf's jugular with surgical precision.
[DING! CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HOST!]
[Target Eliminated: Level 1 Middle-Grade Black Wolf.]
[Rewards: 50 Experience Points, 200 Silver Coins, and 1 Black Wolf Pelt.]
A dark, satisfied smile played on Su Han's lips as the system notification echoed in his head.
The experience flowed into him like a warm current, and the silver coins were safely deposited.
The plan was working perfectly.
To the mercenaries, Su Han was just a lucky kid finishing off their scraps.
But to Su Han, this was the fastest path to evolution.
The battlefield was a cacophony of growls and clashing steel, but Su Han's focus was singular.
Nine more to go.
"Your Power Stones are the fuel for my daily updates. If you liked this chapter, drop a few stones to support the grind!"