Qing Yan arrived at the local Bounty Guild and stepped through the creaky doors. A middle-aged manager sat at the counter, lazily flipping through a ledger. He looked up at Qing Yan's worn-out robes and dirt-smeared face.
Manager (grumbling):
"Welcome..."
His tone was flat, unimpressed. The kind of welcome meant for people who wouldn't walk out alive.
Qing Yan:
"I want to take on a bounty hunting task."
Manager (thinking):
Another wannabe looking to die early. Great.
He gestured lazily toward the task board.
"Pick whatever. It's your funeral."
Qing Yan walked up to the board. The tasks were pinned high above eye level, but he didn't move.
Instead, he lifted a finger.
With a flick, the highest-paying bounty fluttered off the wall and flew neatly into his hand — pulled by invisible force.
Manager (jaw dropping):
Silent, invisible t-telekinesis?! He's… he's at least a Void-Step Realm cultivator… in those rags?! Shit!
Qing Yan:
"This one."
The manager immediately straightened up, his voice shifting to smooth politeness.
Manager:
"Of course, sir! I'll register it under your name right away. May I have the honor of your name?"
Qing Yan:
"Qing Yan."
Manager:
"Yes, yes! One moment, sir… All done. Now, just need a pin number for verification."
Qing Yan:
"Pin?"
Manager:
"Yes, sir. It confirms you're the one who accepted the mission. Standard guild security."
Qing Yan:
"Hmm… Let's go with '11sonofbitches.'"
The manager froze.
Manager:
"Er… Sir… 11 is… the sacred number of the Eleven Gods. Could you… perhaps choose something less… offensive?"
Qing Yan:
"Hah? That's why I chose it."
Manager (sweating):
"R-Right. Of course. Here's your guild token. Safe travels, sir… haha…"
Qing Yan turned to leave.
Qing Yan:
"The criminal. Where was he last seen?"
Manager:
"In the Spiritual Beast Forest, sir."
Qing Yan:
"Perfect."
He vanished from the doorway.
The manager slumped behind the counter, drenched in cold sweat.
Manager (thinking):
Judging someone by their clothes... I really need to stop doing that.
Soaring through the skies, Qing Yan skimmed over treetops, riding wind like a ghost.
Qing Yan (thinking):
Li Heiye. A cold-blooded killer. No crime untouched — theft, murder, worse. Noble-backed bounty. Pretty good payout. Should be easy.
The forest loomed ahead. Ancient. Vast. Shrouded in mist and mystery.
Qing Yan (thinking):
Spiritual Beast Forest... Said to be filled with rare herbs and powerful beasts. Overflowing with natural Qi. A paradise for cultivators. And hell for the unprepared.
He landed near the outer edge, where cracked stones formed a forgotten path swallowed by moss.
Qing Yan:
"So this is it… Alright. Time to sniff out this rat."
He closed his eyes and extended his Qi sense. The forest unfolded in layers — birds, beasts, spiritual energy pulsing like breath.
Then he felt it — a vile, twisted presence to the west. Heavy and dark. Someone enjoying violence far too much.
Qing Yan (thinking):
Found you, Li Heiye.
Just as he was about to withdraw his sense—
BOOM.
A thunderclap rang out in his mind.
From the forest's forbidden depths, far beyond where even Sect Elders dared to tread, a pressure responded.
Two enormous, glowing blue eyes opened within the darkness of an unseen cave.
A voice echoed directly into Qing Yan's soul. It was deep. Cold. Ancient.
???
"Mortal… Your arrogance amuses me. But you are not welcome in my territory."
Qing Yan blinked, smirking.
Qing Yan:
"...Oh? Looks like someone noticed me."
He stared into the misty forest ahead.
Qing Yan:
"A spiritual beast who can speak and sense Qi this far out… interesting. I'll pay him a visit next time."
He turned his focus back toward the corrupted energy of Li Heiye.
But far above, hidden in the canopy, Li Heiye crouched silently, eyes glinting with malice. Watching. Waiting.
Li Heiye (grinning):
"Tch... Looks like another bounty hunter's sniffed me out.… They're getting desperate….but you'll wish you hadn't stepped into this forest."
[TO BE CONTINUED]