Chapter 6: The Fox Den and the Blood Auction
Beneath the silent gray sky, Fang Li moved through the dense undergrowth of the Bone Forest. His steps were almost invisible, as if the earth itself conspired to hide him. After merging "Swift Wind Steps," no trace remained; even the gray dust beneath his feet remained untouched. In his eyes, the world was no longer merely black and white—it pulsed with a thermal glow, revealing the hidden lifeblood of trees and beasts alike, despite the city's silence and his own inner deadness.
"System, locate the target," Fang Li commanded internally, his voice steady and unwavering.
[Target: Ash Fox Den]
[Distance: 400 meters. Count: 12 cultivators of 'Cauldron Ignition' rank. Leader: Peak of Rank 6]
[Warning: The den is protected by a primitive alarm array. Any contact with copper wire will trigger instant poisoned arrows.]
Fang Li paused, glancing down at the copper wire buried beneath the ash. Fear did not touch him—only cold, logical calculation.
"An alarm array? Interesting. System, can I merge my consciousness with it to disable or invert it?"
[Possible, but costly. Merging consciousness with formations requires sacrificing part of your mental focus.]
[Trade-off: Disable the array in exchange for losing the ability to sleep for 48 hours. Your mind will remain fully alert until your nerves collapse.]
"Who needs sleep in a world that hunts you at every turn?" Fang Li replied, icy and detached. "Do it."
[Mental intrusion in progress… Array disabled. You are now a 'ghost' within the camp.]
Slipping past the tall rocks, he observed the den: a small valley with a hidden fire, mercenaries laughing and drinking sharp ash wine. The leader, a massive one-eyed man called Scorpion, inspected stolen weapons with meticulous care.
"This 'Black Star Steel' sword will fetch a high price at the next auction," Scorpion said in a hoarse voice. "With that money, we'll buy positions in Ash City."
Fang Li's gaze locked onto the sword. The "Merged Eye" flickered:
[Rare Material: Black Star Steel]
[Compatibility with Cauldron: 95%]
[Suggestion: Merging this sword with your right arm bones will allow strikes capable of shattering armor.]
A black, bitter smile spread across Fang Li's lips. "Let the harvest begin."
He did not charge head-on. Using "Swift Wind Steps," he slipped behind the last guard. A flash, a hand over the guard's mouth, a muted absorption sound—and the man withered like a dying autumn flower.
[30 units of essence absorbed]
[Storing 'Blood Energy' for next breakthrough]
One by one, the mercenaries vanished into the shadows. A grim comedy unfolded when one tried to rise, only to find himself fused to his fallen companion; before he could scream, Fang Li's icy hand clamped over his throat.
"Looking for your friend?" Fang Li whispered. "He's joining him… in my Cauldron."
Scorpion, realizing the carnage, found himself alone by the fire with three men. A terrifying silence fell.
"Show yourself, coward!" he barked, gripping the Black Star Steel sword.
Fang Li emerged from the shadows, his cloak dusted with gray ash, eyes glowing faintly behind the black smoke.
"You… the bounty boy!" Scorpion stepped back. "How did you… kill my men silently?"
"I am not human yet, Scorpion," Fang Li said, his voice echoing like a grave. "I am simply a scale, here to reclaim what is mine."
Scorpion lunged, sword slicing the air. Fang Li did not dodge—he intercepted with his right arm, now fused with stone bones.
A terrifying metallic clang!
The sword struck Fang Li's hand, sparks flying black as tar. It did not cut through; instead, it embedded slightly, beginning to merge.
[Warning: Merging a metallic weapon with living bone during combat may cause temporary madness.]
"Do it!" Fang Li's internal command rang out.
Black energy erupted, and the Black Star Steel sword began to melt into his arm. Scorpion screamed as his weapon was absorbed. Fang Li felt no pain, only the remolding of his bones into metal, sharp and unyielding.
[Merge Successful!]
[Merged Weapon: 'Crushed Star Arm']
[Properties: Harder than steel, energy edge can be discharged from hand joints]
Scorpion dropped to his knees, terrified. Fang Li stood before him, arm gleaming metallic black, eyes radiating cold madness.
"Thanks for the sword," Fang Li said. In a swift motion, a blade of black energy shot from his hand, severing Scorpion's head instantly.
[Ash Fox Den cleared]
[Collected Essence: Enough to breakthrough to Rank 6]
[System Note: You are now officially a 'Metallic Monster.' Feeling proud? Oh, wait… you sold that too.]
Fang Li stood amid blood and ash, exhausted yet emotionless. His mind raced with extraordinary speed, planning the next move.
"Ash City…" he muttered. "Time to see how the world reacts to the 'Merger' they created with their own hands."