The night inside Black Wolf Mountain grew deeper and colder.
Moonlight barely pierced through the thick canopy of ancient trees. Shadows stretched across the forest floor like silent monsters waiting in the darkness.
But Fan Lin walked calmly through it all.
Moments ago he had slaughtered an entire wolf pack and even killed the Black Fang Wolf King. The battle had left blood stains on his clothes, yet his expression remained relaxed.
Inside his mind, the system panel floated before him.
HEAVEN-DEFYING SYSTEM
Host: Fan Lin
Realm: Body Tempering Level 4
Strength: 19
Agility: 18
Spirit: 14
EXP: 200 / 400
SP: 100
Skills
• Basic Sword Technique Lv1
• Basic Archery Technique Lv1
Inventory
• Iron Hunting Bow
• 6 Grey Wolf Beast Cores
• 1 Wolf King Core
Fan Lin held the newly obtained Iron Hunting Bow in his hand and gently pulled the bowstring.
TWANG.
The sound was crisp and powerful.
"A good weapon," he said with satisfaction.
Before receiving the bow, he had relied on sticks and stones to fight demon beasts. Now he finally had a proper hunting weapon.
His gaze then shifted to the glowing map inside the system.
A small golden dot blinked repeatedly.
TREASURE DETECTED
Item: 500-Year Wild Ginseng
Distance: 2.6 km
Danger Level: Unknown
Estimated Value: 120 Gold
Fan Lin's eyes gleamed.
A 500-year ginseng was an extremely valuable medicinal treasure.
Even large martial clans might fight over such a rare herb.
It could strengthen the body, nourish blood, and even help martial artists break through cultivation bottlenecks.
"If I obtain it…"
"I might level up again."
Without hesitation, Fan Lin began moving toward the treasure.
His footsteps were light.
His senses were fully alert.
The deeper he went into the mountain, the more dangerous the forest became.
Large claw marks appeared on tree trunks.
Broken bones of animals scattered across the ground.
The smell of blood floated in the wind.
Suddenly—
Rustle.
Fan Lin immediately crouched.
His eyes focused ahead.
A massive wild boar was digging the ground near a bush.
But this was no ordinary boar.
It was nearly two meters long, with thick black skin and two curved tusks like blades.
The system instantly displayed its information.
Iron-Tusk Boar
Level: Body Tempering Level 4
EXP Reward: 200
SP Reward: 10
Fan Lin smiled faintly.
"More experience."
Slowly he took an arrow from the system inventory.
The arrow tip gleamed coldly.
He placed it on the bowstring.
His breathing slowed.
The world seemed to grow quiet.
Only the boar remained in his sight.
The Iron-Tusk Boar suddenly lifted its head.
Maybe it sensed danger.
But it was too late.
TWANG!
The arrow shot forward like lightning.
THUD.
It pierced straight into the boar's eye.
The beast roared in pain and charged wildly toward Fan Lin.
Its massive body crushed bushes and small trees.
But Fan Lin remained calm.
He quickly fired another arrow.
TWANG!
The second arrow pierced deep into its neck.
The boar staggered.
But it still rushed forward.
Just before it reached Fan Lin—
He jumped aside.
The beast crashed into a tree trunk with a loud bang.
Fan Lin quickly drew a dagger from his belt and stabbed into its throat.
Blood sprayed everywhere.
The Iron-Tusk Boar collapsed heavily onto the ground.
Then the system voice sounded.
DING
Iron-Tusk Boar killed
EXP +200
SP +10
The panel flashed brightly.
EXP: 400 / 400
LEVEL UP!
Realm: Body Tempering Level 5
Strength: 23
Agility: 21
Spirit: 17
A surge of power rushed through Fan Lin's body again.
His muscles tightened.
His breathing became deeper.
Even his vision felt sharper.
Fan Lin clenched his fists.
The strength flowing through him was far greater than before.
"So this is Level 5…"
He smiled with satisfaction.
But he didn't stay long.
The treasure was still ahead.
Following the glowing system map, Fan Lin continued moving deeper into the forest.
After about half an hour—
He finally reached a small cliff valley.
A thin stream flowed quietly between rocks.
The air here felt unusually fresh.
And there…
Near the base of a large stone wall…
A glowing plant grew.
Its roots looked like a tiny human figure.
Its leaves were dark green.
A faint golden light surrounded it.
Fan Lin's eyes widened.
"500-year ginseng."
The system confirmed it.
Heaven-Earth Treasure
500-Year Wild Ginseng
Effect:
• Strengthens body
• Increases cultivation speed
• Can grant EXP when consumed
Estimated Value: 120 Gold
Fan Lin slowly approached it.
But just as he was about to reach the plant—
A low growl echoed from behind the rocks.
Fan Lin instantly stopped.
His eyes turned sharp.
From the shadows emerged a huge black creature.
It looked like a cross between a leopard and a wolf.
Its body was sleek but muscular.
Its claws were long and curved like daggers.
The system panel flashed.
Shadow Fang Leopard
Level: Body Tempering Level 6
EXP Reward: 350
SP Reward: 20
Fan Lin frowned slightly.
"Level 6…"
That meant the beast was stronger than him.
But behind it—
The 500-year ginseng glowed quietly.
Fan Lin smiled.
"A treasure guardian."
"That makes sense."
The leopard lowered its body and bared its fangs.
It had clearly guarded this ginseng for years.
And now a human dared approach it.
The beast roared and lunged forward like a black shadow.
Fan Lin instantly drew his bow.
TWANG!
An arrow shot toward the leopard.
But the beast was incredibly fast.
It dodged in mid-air.
In the blink of an eye it appeared right in front of Fan Lin.
Its claws slashed toward his chest.
Fan Lin jumped backward narrowly avoiding the attack.
The leopard landed silently and prepared to strike again.
Fan Lin's eyes narrowed.
"This will be a good fight."
He drew another arrow.
The night forest grew tense.
Two hunters faced each other.
One human.
One demon beast.
Only one of them would walk away alive.
Fan Lin pulled the bowstring slowly.
His smile returned.
"Come…"
"Let's see who deserves that treasure."
The Shadow Fang Leopard roared.
And the battle began.