Spirit Beast Mountain lay fifty miles outside Azure Sun City.
From a distance, it looked like a sleeping beast stretched across the horizon—its ridges jagged like fangs, its forests thick and dark like fur, its mist rolling endlessly like breath. The locals called it a mountain, but every cultivator who had stepped inside knew the truth.
It was not a mountain.
It was a mouth.
A mouth that ate men, swallowed secrets, and spat out either corpses or miracles.
The Ji Clan's expedition team departed at dawn.
A dozen armored guards marched in disciplined silence, their weapons strapped across their backs, their eyes sharp and cautious. They were all seasoned fighters, mostly at Body Tempering Seventh Layer to Ninth Layer, with a few at Qi Refining First Layer—strong enough to deal with bandits and low-level beasts.
At the front rode two men in dark green robes, their auras restrained but heavy.
Qi Refining Fourth Layer.
They were not elders, but they were the Second Elder's trusted subordinates.
Ji Wuyuan sat inside a carriage in the middle of the formation.
The carriage was spacious and lined with soft cushions, but he didn't lean back like a pampered young master. He sat upright, eyes half-lidded, listening to every sound outside.
Hooves crunching on dirt.
Armor plates shifting.
The faint whistle of wind cutting through tree branches.
The distant calls of birds.
To anyone else, it was simply a trip.
To Ji Wuyuan, it was the beginning of his first hunt.
The War Archive's black page hovered faintly at the edge of his vision, visible only when he willed it. Its presence wasn't comforting—it was cold, like a blade pressed against the soul.
Merit: 0.
Nightveil Slots: 0/9.
Clan Seed: Not Established.
Everything was still at the beginning.
But beginnings were always the easiest place to rewrite fate.
A soft rustle came from outside the carriage.
"Young Master," a guard's voice sounded respectfully. "We are nearing the mountain boundary."
Ji Wuyuan's tone was gentle.
"Understood."
He stepped out of the carriage.
The air changed instantly.
The moment Spirit Beast Mountain entered their range, the spiritual energy in the environment thickened. It wasn't the clean, calm energy cultivated within the clan's formation. It was wild, violent, mixed with beast aura and the faint stench of blood that never truly left the soil.
The road narrowed, swallowed by trees.
The forest here was ancient. Some trunks were thicker than houses, their roots twisting like dragons, breaking stones apart as if the mountain itself was alive.
The guards tightened formation.
Ji Wuyuan walked calmly in the center, hands folded behind his back, looking like an innocent child enjoying scenery.
Only the two Qi Refining subordinates kept glancing at him.
Their eyes were polite.
But there was a cold watchfulness behind it.
Ji Wuyuan didn't mind.
Let them watch.
The more eyes on him, the more valuable it would be when those eyes closed forever.
One of the men stepped forward, smiling faintly.
"Young Master," he said warmly. "Spirit Beast Mountain is dangerous. Please remain close to us. If anything happens, do not panic."
His tone sounded like concern.
Ji Wuyuan recognized him immediately.
Zhou Han.
The Second Elder's dog.
The other man, standing slightly behind, was Qin Shou, equally loyal to Ji Mingxiu.
Ji Wuyuan smiled sweetly.
"Thank you, Uncle Zhou. I will not cause trouble."
Zhou Han's smile deepened.
"Good."
Ji Wuyuan's eyes lowered slightly.
Uncle?
A Qi Refining Fourth Layer cultivator calling him Young Master and acting like family… the Second Elder truly knew how to plant people close.
But planting people close was meaningless if the soil itself belonged to him.
The expedition moved deeper.
As the sun climbed, the forest became darker. Mist clung to the ground, cold and damp, making footsteps sound muffled.
A guard suddenly raised his hand.
"Stop!"
Everyone froze.
A faint growl came from ahead.
The bushes trembled.
Then a beast crawled out.
It was a wolf—no, not a normal wolf. This one was nearly the size of a horse, its fur dark gray, its eyes glowing faintly green. Its teeth were long enough to pierce armor, and its claws dug into the earth like hooked blades.
Ironfang Wolf.
Body Tempering Ninth Layer.
The guards tightened grip on their weapons.
But before anyone could move, another growl sounded.
Then another.
The mist shifted, and more wolves emerged.
Five.
Ten.
Fifteen.
A pack.
Their eyes locked onto the humans like hungry lanterns.
The atmosphere instantly turned heavy.
Zhou Han's expression darkened.
"A pack this large… something is driving them."
Qin Shou drew his sword.
"Kill them quickly. If blood scent spreads, more beasts will come."
The guards surged forward, forming a defensive circle around Ji Wuyuan.
Steel flashed.
The first wolf lunged.
A guard stepped forward and slashed, cutting its neck open. Blood sprayed, hot and thick, splattering onto leaves.
The wolf collapsed, twitching.
But the rest didn't retreat.
Instead, they howled.
A savage, bone-chilling howl that made the mist tremble.
They attacked.
The forest erupted into chaos.
Wolves leapt from every angle, snapping at throats, tearing at legs, dragging guards down into the mud. The guards fought back fiercely, spears and blades stabbing repeatedly, but the wolves were fast and fearless.
Ji Wuyuan stood in the center, expression calm.
His heart did not race.
His hands did not tremble.
He watched the battle like a spectator.
Not because he was careless.
Because he was calculating.
This was the cultivation world.
If he panicked now, he would die later.
A wolf slipped through the guard line, its body low, its eyes locked onto Ji Wuyuan's throat.
It moved like lightning.
A guard tried to block, but his spear was knocked aside.
The wolf's jaws opened, teeth glinting—
Ji Wuyuan moved.
His small body shifted with sudden speed, stepping half a pace to the side. His right hand shot out, fingers like claws, and struck the wolf's jaw.
A sharp crack echoed.
The wolf's skull shattered.
Its body slammed into the ground, dead instantly.
The guards froze for a heartbeat.
Even Zhou Han's eyes widened.
An eight-year-old young master…
killing a Body Tempering Ninth Layer beast with bare hands?
Ji Wuyuan's expression remained gentle, as if he had merely swatted an insect.
But inside, his blood thrummed.
Not excitement.
Control.
The Nine Tribulation Ironbone Art had strengthened his bones far beyond his realm.
His cultivation was only Body Tempering Third Layer.
But his body…
was already different.
The wolves continued attacking, but their momentum had faltered.
They had sensed something wrong.
The prey was not prey.
Zhou Han shouted, "Finish them!"
The guards roared and surged forward, slaughtering the remaining wolves. Within minutes, the forest floor was littered with corpses, blood soaking into the earth.
The mist carried the scent of iron.
Ji Wuyuan wiped his hand with a cloth a guard offered him, smiling politely.
"Thank you."
The guard's hands shook slightly as he bowed.
"Yes, Young Master."
Zhou Han walked closer, his smile forced.
"Young Master is truly… extraordinary."
Ji Wuyuan tilted his head, looking innocent.
"I only reacted instinctively."
Zhou Han's eyes flickered.
Instinct?
That strike had been too clean.
Too precise.
Like a seasoned killer.
But he couldn't say it aloud.
He could only swallow suspicion.
Ji Wuyuan's gaze drifted toward the wolf corpses.
Then his vision flickered.
A cold line appeared on the War Archive panel.
[Merit gained: 1][Reason: First kill in hunting ground][Nightveil Token progress: 1/9]
Ji Wuyuan's heart remained calm, but satisfaction spread through him like warm wine.
Merit.
Finally.
The system was not generous.
It demanded blood.
Good.
That meant it would never become useless.
The expedition continued.
They moved cautiously now, because wolf packs rarely attacked without reason.
And Ji Wuyuan already suspected why.
Something stronger was nearby.
Something that had forced the wolves into frenzy.
An hour later, they reached a clearing.
The trees here were broken, as if something huge had crashed through. The ground was scorched, and the air smelled faintly of sulfur.
A guard swallowed nervously.
"What… did this?"
Zhou Han's expression turned grim.
"A beast."
Qin Shou's eyes narrowed.
"And not a low-level one."
Ji Wuyuan stepped forward, his gaze calm.
In the center of the clearing lay a half-eaten corpse.
A cultivator.
His robes were torn, his chest ripped open, his organs missing. His face was frozen in terror, eyes wide as if he had seen death itself.
On his wrist was a jade bracelet engraved with a symbol.
A small sword surrounded by flames.
Zhou Han's pupils contracted.
"That's… the mark of the Flame Sword Sect."
The guards gasped softly.
Flame Sword Sect was a sect under Crimson River Prefecture, far stronger than any clan in Azure Sun City. Even their outer disciples were arrogant enough to slap clan elders without fear.
If a Flame Sword Sect disciple had died here…
Then something serious was happening.
Ji Wuyuan's eyes narrowed slightly.
This was interesting.
In his last life, Flame Sword Sect had been one of the protagonist's stepping stones.
A disciple offended him, got killed, and the sect elders praised him for being "decisive."
Fate always favored him.
But now…
a disciple was dead before the protagonist even arrived.
Was fate shifting?
Or was someone else interfering?
Ji Wuyuan's mind sharpened.
This was an opportunity.
A huge one.
Because if a sect disciple died, the sect would investigate.
And if the Ji Clan was caught here…
they could be blamed.
Unless…
he used it properly.
He turned his head slightly.
"Uncle Zhou," he said softly, "we should leave."
Zhou Han blinked, surprised.
"Young Master, we haven't gathered anything yet."
Ji Wuyuan's expression was calm but serious.
"This corpse is trouble. If Flame Sword Sect arrives, they will not listen to explanations. They will kill first, ask later."
His words were logical.
Even Qin Shou nodded.
Zhou Han hesitated, but he couldn't deny it.
"Fine. We'll retreat."
They turned to leave—
And the forest shook.
A heavy thud echoed like a drumbeat.
Then another.
The ground trembled.
The guards froze, weapons raised.
Mist parted.
Something huge stepped into the clearing.
A bear.
But not a normal bear.
This one stood over three meters tall, its fur dark red like dried blood, its eyes burning with savage intelligence. Its claws were as long as swords, and its aura pressed down like a mountain.
Crimsonback Demon Bear.
Qi Refining Third Layer.
The guards' faces turned pale.
Even Zhou Han and Qin Shou's expressions changed.
A beast at Qi Refining Third Layer could slaughter them all.
It roared.
The sound exploded through the clearing, shaking leaves from trees.
Then it charged.
Its speed was terrifying for its size.
A guard tried to dodge, but the bear's paw swept out.
Bang!
The guard's body exploded into a spray of blood and bone fragments.
Instant death.
The guards screamed and scattered.
Zhou Han shouted, "Hold formation!"
But formation meant nothing against raw power.
The bear slammed into the group, crushing two more guards under its weight.
Ji Wuyuan's eyes remained cold.
This was not a situation for bravery.
This was a situation for survival.
His mind moved instantly.
If he ran, the bear would chase him.
If he hid, it would smell him.
If he fought…
he was still Body Tempering Third Layer.
Even with Nine Tribulation Ironbone Art, he couldn't match Qi Refining Third Layer head-on.
Unless…
He used what he had.
Ji Wuyuan's gaze flickered toward the shadows.
His lips barely moved.
A single word.
"Now."
The shadows behind the bear twisted.
A black line shot out like a spear.
Wei Yan appeared for a single breath—his presence so faint that even Zhou Han didn't notice until it was too late.
His blade flashed.
A thin, almost invisible cut appeared across the bear's neck.
The bear froze.
Its roar choked.
Blood sprayed like a fountain.
Its massive body swayed… then crashed to the ground, shaking the clearing.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The guards stared, mouths open.
Zhou Han's face turned pale.
"What… what killed it?"
Qin Shou's eyes darted around wildly.
"I didn't see anything!"
Ji Wuyuan stepped forward calmly, looking at the bear corpse.
His expression was serious, as if he was equally shocked.
He spoke softly, voice trembling just enough to sound real.
"A hidden expert…"
The guards swallowed.
A hidden expert?
In Spirit Beast Mountain?
Zhou Han's mind raced.
If a hidden expert was nearby, it could mean a sect elder, a rogue cultivator, or someone hunting beasts.
Either way, it was terrifying.
Ji Wuyuan looked at the Flame Sword Sect corpse again, then at the bear.
His mind was already shaping the story.
A Flame Sword Sect disciple died here.
A Qi Refining beast was killed instantly by a hidden expert.
If the sect investigated…
they would find the bear corpse.
They would find claw marks, blood, destruction.
They might assume the disciple died fighting the beast.
And the "hidden expert" killed the beast after.
It was plausible.
It was clean.
It erased the Ji Clan's involvement.
Ji Wuyuan's eyes lowered.
Perfect.
A villain didn't need to be seen.
He only needed results.
His War Archive flickered again.
[Merit gained: 5][Reason: Hidden subordinate kill credited to host][Nightveil Token progress: 6/9]
Ji Wuyuan's heart remained steady, but his satisfaction deepened.
So merit could be gained through subordinates.
Good.
That meant his army would not just be decoration.
It would be his path.
Zhou Han swallowed and forced a smile, though sweat ran down his temple.
"Young Master… we should leave immediately."
Ji Wuyuan nodded obediently.
"Yes."
They retreated quickly, dragging wounded guards and avoiding the clearing.
Behind them, Wei Yan melted back into shadows, unseen.
By the time they reached the mountain boundary, the sun was already lowering.
The expedition had lost three guards and gained almost nothing in herbs.
To anyone else, it was a failure.
But to Ji Wuyuan…
it was a perfect first step.
Merit: 6.
Nightveil progress: 6/9.
And most importantly—
He had confirmed something.
The Second Elder's people were watching him.
Zhou Han and Qin Shou kept glancing at him, their expressions complicated.
They had seen him kill a wolf with bare hands.
They had seen a Qi Refining beast die mysteriously right after.
They were afraid.
And fear was the beginning of obedience.
That night, back in his room, Ji Wuyuan sat quietly, the War Archive open.
Wei Yan stood behind him like a silent shadow.
Ji Wuyuan spoke calmly.
"Did anyone notice you?"
Wei Yan's voice was steady.
"No."
Ji Wuyuan nodded.
"Good."
Wei Yan hesitated, then spoke.
"Master… the Flame Sword Sect disciple's death will attract attention."
Ji Wuyuan's eyes were calm.
"That is why we will prepare."
Wei Yan lowered his head.
"As Master commands."
Ji Wuyuan tapped his finger lightly.
His mind was already moving ahead.
The Awakening Ceremony.
It would happen later, when he was older—around ten or eleven, when the clan held the official test for the younger generation. That ceremony would decide status, resources, and future paths.
And Ji Wuyuan would use it to shock everyone.
Not as a genius.
As a monster.
But before that…
he needed power.
He needed his first Nightveil slot unlocked.
He looked at the War Archive.
Nightveil Token: 6/9.
He whispered softly.
"Three more."
His smile was gentle.
But his eyes were dark.
"Then the hunt truly begins."