Hell Forest — Crimson Leaf Region
Zhen Huan tightened his grip around the hilt of his sword. His eyes gleamed as he gazed deeper into the looming forest ahead.
A cold smile touched his lips.
If killing beasts earns me XP… then I'll just have to become ruthless. Heh.
He turned toward the forest's depths, red eyes burning with unwavering determination. With the sword in hand and the thrill of his first breakthrough still pulsing through his veins, he took off at a run, the ground blurring beneath his feet.
His body felt light—faster, more agile.
As he sprinted forward, he leapt upward, aiming for a thick tree branch. With a single, clean jump, he landed on it without stumbling.
A grin stretched across his face.
He continued forward, bounding from one branch to another, weaving through the towering trees with growing confidence.
But soon, something strange caught his eye.
A patch of forest ahead looked different. The leaves of the trees had turned an eerie crimson color, as though stained by blood. The air felt heavier, charged with danger.
Why are the leaves crimson here? he wondered.
He came to a halt on one of the crimson-leafed branches, crouching low as he looked around. Some trees were still normal, while others bore the strange red foliage.
Zhen Huan dropped to the ground without making a sound.
A moment passed.
Then he felt it—a presence. No, multiple.
His newly sharpened senses kicked in, alerting him.
Behind him, five pairs of eyes glowed faintly in the shadows.
Zhen Huan spun around sharply.
"You cowards, come out!" he shouted, his voice steady despite the bead of sweat running down his chin.
Slowly, five beasts emerged from the trees.
They were wolves, each with thick red fur and burning eyes. As they stepped into view, they let out a thunderous, united roar. The force of their auras stirred the air, sending dust flying past Zhen Huan.
His heart pounded, but he stood firm.
A info window appeared in front of his eyes.
[Info: Fire Fang Wolves – Rank 1, Low-Tier Beasts]
Zhen Huan felt his throat tighten.
"Ah… guys, let's talk, okay? Violence is bad…"
Before he could finish, one of the wolves lunged at him, its sharp claw slashing toward his chest.
Zhen Huan raised his sword instinctively.
Clink!
The sound of metal clashing echoed as the sword met the beast's claw.
Blue aura surged from Zhen Huan's side, red from the wolf's. Their energies collided violently.
Before he could catch his breath, another wolf soared through the air, leaping over the first and aiming directly at him with a roar.
Zhen Huan shoved the first wolf backward and sprang away just in time.
The second wolf crashed to the ground where he had just stood, claws tearing into the earth.
But it wasn't over.
The remaining three wolves charged toward him in unison, snarling and snapping.
Zhen Huan spun and jumped up into one of the crimson-leafed trees.
I have to trick them. Exhaust them first.
The wolves skidded to a stop beneath the tree, baring their fangs. Zhen Huan stood above them, grinning.
"You cowards! Come kill me! Or are you too scared?"
The wolves growled louder. Their red auras flared in response to his provocation. Enraged, all five began slamming their heads and bodies into the tree trunk.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
The tree trembled violently with each impact.
Just before it could fall, Zhen Huan leapt to the next tree.
The wolves rushed after him and began attacking again.
He continued this cycle—jumping from tree to tree, mocking them, forcing them to chase him. Thirty, forty times he repeated the process.
Until finally, the wolves began to slow.
Their movements lost strength.
Panting, tongues hanging, the beasts collapsed onto the forest floor—completely exhausted.
My trick worked, Zhen Huan thought with a smug grin.
He dropped silently from the tree and walked toward the fallen wolves. His footsteps were slow, deliberate.
He stood before the first beast, raised his sword high, and drove it down with precision.
One after another.
The second.
The third.
The fourth.
And the fifth.
Each kill was swift, clean, and final.
The forest grew silent once again, and the crimson leaves above fluttered gently in the breeze.
Zhen Huan stood among the fallen beasts, his sword dripping with their blood.
Zhen Huan stood among the corpses of the five fallen wolves, blood staining the earth around him. His chest rose and fell with each breath, the thrill of survival still pulsing through his veins.
A familiar chime echoed in his mind as a purple window appeared beside him.
System Prompt:
You have successfully killed five Fire Fang Wolves – Rank 1, Low-Tier Beasts.
XP Points Granted: 500
Current XP Points: 500
Zhen Huan glanced at the glowing window and sighed.
I thought I'd get over a thousand…
Still, a smirk played across his lips. He started walking forward, deeper into the forest, sword still in hand. The crimson leaves rustled above him, whispering through the branches.
"System," he called out. "Can I break through again with five hundred XP points?"
The system answered with a crisp chime.
Ding!
Yes, you can break through once.
His eyes narrowed slightly. "Really? How much will it cost?"
The window changed again.
Ding!
It will take 300 XP points.
Zhen Huan kept walking, his eyes fixed ahead as he pondered.
It only took 100 XP for my first breakthrough… Why is the second jump costing 300?
He looked back at the system screen but received no answer to the question.
"Fine. Do it once," he said flatly.
The window vanished.
Moments later, another system notification rang in his ears.
System Prompt:
300 XP Points have been deducted.
Current XP Points: 200
A rush of spiritual energy surged through his body.
It swirled around him like a rising storm, lifting dust and loose leaves into the air. His muscles tensed as the energy poured into every corner of his being.
Then—
Boom.
A violent explosion of spiritual force erupted from his body, far stronger than before. The trees around him trembled, and several cracked apart, their trunks splitting as they collapsed to the ground in thunderous crashes.
The wind howled, shaken by the raw surge of power.
When the dust settled, Zhen Huan stood tall in the center of the devastation, his body glowing faintly with the remnants of spiritual light.
Qi Refining – Second Layer.
He exhaled slowly.
He can feel his body is more powerful and more light.
Zhen Huan stood still for a moment, gazing at the lifeless bodies of the five Fire Fang Wolves sprawled across the forest floor. The scent of blood hung heavy in the air, mixing with the dampness of the crimson-leafed trees.
He narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
"System," he asked aloud, "are the beasts' bodies useful or just trash?"
Back on Earth, every cultivation novel said beast corpses could be sold for money—cores, fangs, fur, all valuable stuff.
A familiar chime echoed within his mind.
Ding!
Host, beast bodies can be sold for spirit stones, resources, or bartered. They are highly valuable in the right markets.
Zhen Huan nodded with satisfaction.
Hah. Just as I thought.
Without hesitation, he extended a hand toward the corpses.
"System storage."
A soft hum resonated through the air. A glowing purple portal appeared beneath the beasts, the energy swirling like a vortex. One by one, the wolf bodies vanished into the portal.
Then, another window appeared beside him, listing the contents of his storage.
---
Items Stored:
• Bed Sheet – 1
• Blanket – 1
• Normal Clothes Set – 1
• Fire Fang Wolves Corpse – 5
---
He smiled as he scanned the list.
"Oh, great. If I ever make it to a town, I can sell these."
With renewed confidence, he turned away from the clearing, the broken trees behind him marking his victory.
He took off running once more, heading deeper into the heart of the Hell Forest. Each step was silent, sure, and full of rising purpose.
Zhen Huan was no longer just surviving.
He was advancing.