As Zhen Huan stepped deeper into Willow Mist Valley, the mist curled around his legs like living silk. The silver-green canopy above was veiled, and the edges of trees blurred, their outlines shifting faintly in the low light.
I have no idea where I am, he thought, glancing around. The valley seemed both tranquil and deceptive—each step muffled, each shadow uncertain.
Behind him, Yun Sha's voice broke the stillness. "Hey, wait for me."
He turned around, startled. "Oh—sorry, I forgot you were with me."
As he spoke, movement flickered in the mist behind her. Four sleek forms padded into view, their fur silvery-blue and glowing faintly in the dim light. Their bushy tails shimmered like wicks of spirit flame.
The Dewtail Foxes.
They moved in perfect coordination, their paws silent. In a flash, they lunged at Yun Sha's back.
But Yun Sha, already sensing them, didn't even flinch.
Let's see how well he handles this.
Zhen Huan's eyes widened as he spotted the foxes charging in. Without hesitation, he pulled his sword from the system storage and dashed forward.
"Hey! Get behind me!" he shouted.
Yun Sha merely walked forward calmly, letting the foxes' pounce miss her entirely as she passed Zhen Huan. Her eyes lingered on him for a moment.
No way he beats them alone.
Zhen Huan rushed past her, planting himself between her and the beasts. As he locked eyes with the nearest fox, a glowing window blinked into his vision.
[Info: Dewtail Foxes – Rank 1, Mid-Tier Beasts]
He read it quickly and slashed his sword horizontally at the closest fox. The creature leapt to the side, agile and swift—the blade struck the earth with a dull thud and stuck there, lodged in the roots.
It dodged?!
A second fox sprang from behind the first, launching itself at Zhen Huan with a snarl, its claws gleaming in the twilight. Zhen Huan yanked at his sword but it didn't budge. Without a choice, he abandoned the weapon and leapt backward just in time.
The fox's claws carved into the ground, narrowly missing him.
As the second fox landed beside the embedded blade, something shifted.
A low hum pulsed from the Invincible Slayer Sword.
The air thickened. A dark aura radiated from the weapon—silent, dense, and lethal.
The second fox froze mid-movement. A ripple of dread coursed through its body as it sensed the sword's unnatural killing intent.
Its legs locked. Its glowing tail flickered erratically. The beast remained crouched, trembling where it stood, as if an ancient predator had just looked directly into its soul.
Third fox and first fox rushed forward towards zhen huan the fourth fox jumped into trees and wait for right movement to sneak attack on zhen huan.
Zhen Huan charged headfirst, sword raised and eyes sharp as blades. The mist swirled around his feet as his figure blurred, rushing toward the two furious Dewtail Foxes.
The third fox, its claws still glowing with fire, leapt high into the air to strike from above. At the same time, the first fox crouched low and dashed forward, aiming to sweep Zhen Huan's legs from beneath him with a claw laced in spiritual energy.
Zhen Huan smirked.
Two directions… simple.
He dropped to one knee and spun sharply, sweeping his sword in a wide arc. The spinning slash collided with the first fox mid-dash, throwing it off balance and slamming it against a tree with a loud thud.
At that moment, the third fox came down like a burning arrow, its fiery claws aimed straight at Zhen Huan's back.
But he was ready.
He pushed off the ground and rolled forward, avoiding the scorching strike by inches. The fox's claws smashed into the earth where he'd just been, sending sparks flying as scorched soil exploded into the air.
Zhen Huan came out of the roll and turned in one smooth motion, his sword glowing faintly with the mist's spiritual energy. The Invincible Slayer Sword pulsed in his hand, reacting to his momentum.
He slashed upward—clean, fast, and precise.
The blade connected with the third fox's hind leg as it tried to retreat. A sharp yelp filled the valley, and blood splattered across the pale grass.
The third fox stumbled, but it didn't go down. It snarled, now limping, but its rage was only growing. The first fox recovered and stood beside it, blood dripping from a wound across its chest.
They circled Zhen Huan, baring their fangs.
Zhen Huan narrowed his eyes.
They're learning. Moving smarter.
He stood still, blade down at his side, breathing slow and steady. The mist around them began to drift more thickly now, clinging to the trees like ghostly threads. The silver-green leaves of the willows shimmered quietly overhead.
Suddenly, the two foxes charged at once, one from the left, the other from the right.
Zhen Huan didn't move.
He waited.
One step closer… two…
Then he sprang into action.
He ducked under the first fox's swipe, then turned and planted his foot firmly into its ribs, sending it crashing into the mist.
The third fox came in from behind, jaws wide.
Zhen Huan twisted and brought his sword around in a blinding slash.
The blade met its mark.
Blood misted through the air as the third fox let out a final screech before collapsing to the ground, unmoving.
A familiar violet glow appeared again in Zhen Huan's vision.
System Prompt:
You have successfully killed a Dewtail Fox – Rank 1, Mid-Tier Beast.
XP Points Granted: 200
Current XP Points: 600
Zhen Huan didn't even pause. He turned toward the last fox—injured, panting, but still baring its fangs. Its body shook, but it didn't back down.
Zhen Huan walked toward it slowly.
"Let's finish this," he muttered.
The fox lunged with one last desperate attack.
Zhen Huan met it head-on.
One clean thrust.
The blade pierced through its heart.
The fox shuddered, then went still.
System Prompt:
You have successfully killed a Dewtail Fox – Rank 1, Mid-Tier Beast.
XP Points Granted: 200
Current XP Points: 800
He exhaled and pulled the sword free.
Behind him, Yun Sha clapped slowly.
"You didn't die. I'm impressed."
Zhen Huan wiped his blade on the grass and looked at her with a tired smirk.
"I told you I'd be fine."
Yun Sha raised an eyebrow. "Barely."
He looked back at the three fallen foxes. The mist had started to clear slightly, revealing the peaceful glimmer of the moon above the trees.
Just as Zhen Huan turned to leave the misty clearing, a sharp gust rustled the trees above. From the shadows of the willows, a fourth Dewtail Fox burst forth—its body a blur of blue light, claws extended and eyes locked on Zhen Huan's back.
It was fast.
Too fast.
But before Zhen Huan could even raise his sword, a thin ray of spiritual light pierced through the fog like a needle.
The ray struck the fox directly in the forehead.
The beast's body froze midair—then dropped to the ground lifeless, its momentum rolling it once before it lay still.
Zhen Huan spun around, sword half-drawn. "What was that?"
Yun Sha lowered her hand, spiritual energy still glowing faintly at her fingertips.
"Nothing," she said calmly, folding her arms. "You were just about to die, so I saved you."
Zhen Huan let out a short breath and sheathed his sword. "Oh. Thank you."
Then, without wasting time, he walked over to each fallen Dewtail Fox and absorbed them into his system storage with a wave of his hand.
A familiar window floated before his eyes.
Storage Window
Items Stored:
• Bed Sheet – 1
• Blanket – 1
• Cooked Beast Meats – 4
• Healing Cream – 1
• Spiritual Pouch – 1 (Empty)
• Spices Box – 1 (21 Spices)
• Dewtail Foxes Corpse – 4
Zhen Huan looked at the list and sighed to himself.
Still no spiritual stones. I need to start collecting something valuable.
But just then, the system display flickered and shifted into a new prompt.
System Prompt:
Host has two options:
1. Breakthrough to Qi Refining – Fourth Layer
2. Learn new attack: Meteor Rain Of Sword
Which one do you choose?
Zhen Huan raised his eyebrows. So it's up to me now… But will I lose XP points for this?
Another window popped up beside the first one.
System Prompt:
Yes. It will cost 800 XP Points for either choice.
Then the second window vanished.
From a short distance, Yun Sha tilted her head, watching him stand motionless, deep in thought.
Why is he just standing there like an idiot?
Zhen Huan took a breath and made his choice.
"I'll choose breakthrough," he muttered. I already have one sword attack. It should be enough for now.
The window disappeared.
A soft pulse of light surged from his body as the next window appeared.
System Prompt:
800 XP Points have been deducted.
Current XP Points: 0
The ground beneath his feet trembled. A low hum rose through the valley, vibrating through the misty air as spiritual energy burst through Zhen Huan's body like a dam breaking.
He staggered, fists clenched, as the energy rampaged through his meridians—hot, wild, and alive. It surged through his arms, down his legs, flooding every pore.
The air snapped around him.
Leaves danced in a cyclone. Dust lifted in swirls. The mist recoiled as if driven away by invisible force.
Then—
BOOM
A deep thunderous shockwave echoed through Willow Mist Valley.
Even Yun Sha took a step back, hair rippling in the pressure.
What the… he just broke through again? Didn't he do that just a day or two ago?
She narrowed her eyes, watching him surrounded by light and spiritual energy.
Is this guy even normal?
Zhen Huan stood in the center of the chaos, body still trembling from the power surge. A smile crept across his face as the energy slowly settled.
He had done it.
Qi Refining – Fourth Layer.