The fire crackled in the hollow as Lin Feng stared up at the stars, letting his mind wander through the events of the day. He should have felt safe, surrounded by new companions, but the wilds were never truly quiet. Every rustle in the undergrowth made his heart jump.
Zhang Wei and Yu Yan kept watch at the edge of the camp, their silhouettes tense in the moonlight. Min and Jin dozed fitfully, their weapons close at hand. Lin Feng shifted on his bedroll, forcing himself to relax.
Then, faint voices drifted through the trees—too deliberate, too close. Yu Yan's eyes narrowed. She nudged Zhang Wei, who gripped his club and motioned for everyone to stay low.
From the shadows, three figures emerged, their black tunics emblazoned with a snarling wolf's head. One, tall and lean with a jagged scar across his chin, grinned cruelly. The others followed, weapons glinting in the firelight.
"So this is the famous Yu Yan's group," the scarred man sneered. "Too bad you're so far from the city walls. Hand over your packs, spirit cores, and weapons. Maybe we'll leave you with your lives."
Zhang Wei's eyes narrowed. "Night Wolf Gang. You're bold, attacking a sect candidate group."
The gang members laughed, spreading out to encircle the camp. "Bold? Maybe. Smart? Definitely. Our boss, Black Fang, is out hunting. He'll be back in a few hours. You don't want to be here when he returns—he gets hungry after a hunt."
Yu Yan stepped forward, fire dancing on her knuckles. "If you want what we have, come and take it!"
Lin Feng's heart pounded. He glanced at his system panel, wondering if he could copy a skill or talent in the chaos of a real fight. The gang members, aside from the leader, seemed similar in strength and skill to his own group, but there were three of them—and the threat of Black Fang's return loomed like a shadow.
Jin whispered, "We have to finish this fast. If their leader comes, we're dead."
The scarred man lunged, swinging a heavy saber. Zhang Wei met the scarred thug's saber with his club, the crack of wood against metal echoing through the clearing. Sparks flew as Zhang Wei held his ground, his muscles straining. Yu Yan darted forward, her fists blazing, and forced the second thug to fall back, flames licking at his sleeves. The third gang member, wielding a chain, spun it threateningly as he circled toward Lin Feng and the brothers.
"Stay behind me!" Min barked, his skin rippling as the Stone Skin talent activated, turning his arms rock-solid.
Lin Feng's mind raced. He needed to act—this was his chance to grow, but also a fight for survival. The chain whipped toward his face, and he ducked instinctively, feeling a rush of wind above his head.
He reached out, grabbing the chain as it recoiled. The thug yanked
Lin Feng gripped the chain, feeling the thug's strength through the taut metal links. Instinctively, he tugged hard, unbalancing his opponent. At the same moment, the thug lunged forward, trying to regain control, and Lin Feng seized the chance to close the distance. As their hands met in the struggle, Lin Feng's panel flickered:
Innate Talent detected: Iron Grip (Active)
Attribute Orb generated: Strength +1
A surge of raw power flowed into Lin Feng's arms. He yanked the chain free and, with a quick twist, sent the thug sprawling onto the ground. The attribute orb dissolved into him, making his muscles burn with new energy.
Meanwhile, Jin and Min coordinated with Zhang Wei, focusing on the saber-wielding thug. Jin darted in with feints, drawing the thug's attention, while Min's stone-arm punched with the force of a hammer. Yu Yan, fire swirling around her fists, drove the second gang member back step by step, her eyes fierce.
The saber thug snarled, swinging wide at Jin, but the nimble youth ducked under the blade. Min seized the opening, his stone-clad fist crashing into the thug's ribs with a sickening crack. The gangster dropped his saber, gasping in pain, and stagger