The morning sun pierced through the dense foliage of the Shadowmist Mountain Range, casting dappled light on the damp ground. Lin Feng stood amidst the forest, his Black Panther Cloak gently swaying in the breeze. He was no longer the trembling youth who had fled the night before. Now, he was a true predator.
After dealing with the Dirt Wolf Demon, Lin Feng continued his journey. He didn't venture into the most dangerous areas, instead sticking to the fringes of the mountain range, where low-level demon beasts roamed. His objective was clear: accumulate experience, spiritual power, and gather items for extraction.
Whenever he spotted a demon beast, Lin Feng didn't blindly charge into attack. He would hide, observe, and use the System's extraction ability to pinpoint weaknesses or valuable attributes.
[Detected: Red Viper (Grade: Common). Can be extracted.] [Extraction suggestion: Venom (0.6), Snake Skin (1), Demonic Aura (0.3).]
Lin Feng chose to extract Venom. He thought about synthesizing some kind of poison. Then, he used his Bone Bladecombined with Speed Boost to quickly finish off the Red Viper.
[Devour successful! Consumed: Red Viper (1). Received: Spiritual Power +25. Experience +40.]
In this manner, Lin Feng continuously hunted. He not only gained spiritual power but also accumulated countless strange items from various demon beasts: fur, skin, claws, venom, and even small bone fragments. Whenever he had enough materials, he would experiment with the Synthesize function.
[Synthesize successful! Consumed: Venom (0.6), Plant Essence (0.05). Received: Weakening Poison (Basic) - Causes minor weakening to the target for a short duration.]
[Synthesize successful! Consumed: Dirt Wolf Demon Fur (1), Snake Skin (1). Received: Composite Leather Armor (Low-Grade Spiritual Artifact) - Enhances physical defense (5%).]
Lin Feng didn't wear the Composite Leather Armor, as it wasn't as good as his Black Panther Cloak. He stored it in his System inventory. He realized that the System not only helped him grow stronger in cultivation but also transformed him into a skilled crafter, capable of creating unique items from all things.
By midday, Lin Feng had eliminated nearly ten low-level demon beasts.
[Experience increased! Host Level increased! Current Level: 3.]
[Cultivation: Qi Condensation Realm (Intermediate Stage).]
His spiritual power had significantly increased, reaching 70/200. He was still at the Intermediate Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm, but he felt a greater stability within his dantian.
"Excellent!" Lin Feng murmured. He felt full of energy. He could continue hunting, but a sense of unease suddenly arose. He remembered Elder Hu's words and Ma Dai's gaze. News about him must have spread.
Just then, a familiar yet arrogant aura swept through the forest. Lin Feng's eyes narrowed. It was the aura of an Intermediate Stage Qi Condensation Realm cultivator. And he recognized it.
Hu Lei.
Lin Feng didn't hide. He stood still, concealed in the shadows of the trees, waiting. The Black Panther Cloak perfectly masked his aura.
Light, decisive footsteps approached. Hu Lei appeared, followed by two Hu Family retainers, both at the Initial Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm. Hu Lei wore luxurious brocade robes, his handsome face marred by a disdainful gaze that swept through the forest.
"That brat Lin Feng, daring to hide in here? Truly a rat!" Hu Lei scoffed, completely unaware that Lin Feng was very close.
Lin Feng smirked. He had been waiting for this moment.
"Are you looking for me?" Lin Feng's voice, calm and steady, echoed through the quiet forest.
Hu Lei and his two retainers flinched. They spun around, cautiously looking. Hu Lei squinted, unable to pinpoint the voice's origin.
"Who's there? Who dares to play tricks!" Hu Lei shouted, spiritual power subtly circulating within his body.
Lin Feng stepped out from the shadows, his Black Panther Cloak making him appear like a phantom. His eyes coldly met Hu Lei's gaze.
"It's me, Lin Feng."
Hu Lei's eyes widened. He couldn't believe his eyes. The wretch Lin Feng, able to appear without him detecting it? And this aura... completely different!
"You... are you really Lin Feng?" Hu Lei questioned, suspicious. "What did you do to gain this aura?"
"You don't need to know," Lin Feng replied indifferently. "Why are you looking for me?"
Hu Lei sneered, regaining his arrogant composure. "My father wants you to return to the Hu Family. If you are obedient, the Hu Family will grant you a path to cultivation. You, a wretch, should be grateful for this opportunity."
Lin Feng chuckled, a mocking laugh. "An opportunity? Do you think I need an opportunity from your Hu Family? A family that only knows how to bully the weak and scorn those without spiritual roots?"
Hu Lei's face darkened. "You dare insult my Hu Family? You brat, who do you think you are? You gained a meager fortuitous opportunity and dare to act so arrogant? I'll show you the gap between a genius and a wretch!"
Hu Lei wasted no words. He drew a long sword, its tip gleaming with cold light. Spiritual power surged, and he unleashed a basic sword technique of the Hu Family, aiming straight for Lin Feng.
"Hu Family Sword Art! First Gale!"
The sword carried a whistling wind, moving incredibly fast, aimed directly at Lin Feng's chest. Hu Lei's two retainers smirked. This single strike would be enough to cripple Lin Feng.
Lin Feng stood still, his eyes calm. He didn't dodge.
[Flesh Reinforcement (Intermediate) activated.]
CLANG!
A deafening metallic clang echoed. Hu Lei's sword struck Lin Feng's chest, but it didn't pierce through. It only left a faint white mark on the cloak, and a tingling sensation on Lin Feng's chest.
Hu Lei's eyes widened. "What?!" He couldn't believe it. A sword strike from him, an Intermediate Stage Qi Condensation Realm cultivator, couldn't even harm a mere mortal?
Lin Feng smirked. "Is the strength of a Hu Family genius only this much? Too weak."
Lin Feng's words were like a direct slap to Hu Lei's face. He trembled with rage. "You... you dare call me weak?"
"I not only call you weak, I call you foolish," Lin Feng replied, his tone growing colder. "You don't know what you're dealing with."
Hu Lei was furious. He roared, pouring all his spiritual power into his sword, unleashing a stronger strike. "Hu Family Sword Art! Blazing Gale Slash!"
The sword carried a powerful swirling wind, its might doubled.
Lin Feng still stood still. But this time, he didn't take the blow.
[Detected: Hu Lei (Cultivation: Qi Condensation Realm Intermediate Stage). Can be extracted.] [Extraction suggestion: Spiritual Power (0.5), Sword Intent (0.3), Cultivation Talent (0.1).]
A glint flashed in Lin Feng's eyes. Cultivation Talent! This was the most precious thing!
He didn't dodge Hu Lei's sword strike. Instead, just as the sword was about to connect, Lin Feng unexpectedly extended his hand, moving incredibly fast, and grabbed Hu Lei's wrist.
Hu Lei was terrified. He couldn't believe Lin Feng could be so fast, and dared to directly grab his hand.
[Extraction successful! Received: Spiritual Power (0.5), Sword Intent (0.3), Cultivation Talent (0.1).]
A much stronger surge of energy than from the demon beasts flooded Lin Feng's body. His spiritual power significantly increased. But more importantly, he felt a subtle change in his mind, as if his comprehension ability had been enhanced. That was Cultivation Talent!
Hu Lei felt a strange draining sensation from his body. He was terrified. "You... what did you do to me?"
Lin Feng didn't answer. He released Hu Lei's hand, his eyes filled with disdain. "You are too weak. Not worth my time."
Hu Lei stumbled back a few steps, his face pale. He felt a distinct weakening. Hu Lei's two retainers also stood frozen, not daring to move. They had just witnessed an unbelievable sight: an Intermediate Stage Qi Condensation Realm cultivator suppressed by a mere mortal with just a touch.
"You... who exactly are you?" Hu Lei stammered, his heart filled with fear.
"I am Lin Feng. The one you once scorned," Lin Feng replied coldly. "And from now on, never seek me out again. Otherwise..."
Lin Feng didn't finish his sentence, but his gaze was enough to send shivers down Hu Lei's and his retainers' spines.
Hu Lei dared not stay. He turned and hastily fled, his two retainers scrambling after him. They ran so fast they didn't dare look back.
Lin Feng stood there, watching Hu Lei's retreating back. He smirked. This was just the beginning. He had taught Hu Lei a lesson he wouldn't forget. And news of his "overpowered" nature would surely spread throughout Qingfeng Town.
Lin Feng opened the System Panel.
[Host: Lin Feng] [Level: 3 (EXP: 90/300)] [Cultivation: Qi Condensation Realm (Intermediate Stage)] [Spiritual Power: 97.5/200] [Attributes:]
Strength: 5
Agility: 6
Physique: 5
Spirit: 7 (increased by 0.1 due to Cultivation Talent)
Cultivation Talent: 0.1 (new) [Skills:]
Flesh Reinforcement (Intermediate): Reduces 10% physical damage.
Speed Boost (Basic): Increases movement and reaction speed by 10%.
Devouring Art (Basic): Absorbs spiritual energy from all things, converts it into spiritual power. [Extracted Items:]
Venom (0.6)
Dirt Wolf Demon Fur (1)
Demonic Aura (0.4)
Spiritual Power (0.5)
Sword Intent (0.3)
Cultivation Talent (0.1) [Synthesized Items:]
Heavy Stone (Basic) (1)
Black Panther Cloak (Low-Grade Spiritual Artifact) (1)
Bone Blade (Basic) (1)
Weakening Poison (Basic) (1)
Composite Leather Armor (Low-Grade Spiritual Artifact) (1) [System Points: 0]
Lin Feng looked at the newly appeared "Cultivation Talent" attribute. This was the most precious thing he had extracted from Hu Lei. It wasn't just spiritual power or skills, but an upgrade to his own potential.
He knew the confrontation with Hu Lei was just the beginning. The Hu Family would certainly not let this go. But Lin Feng was no longer the weakling who had to fear. He had his trump card.
"It's time to return to town," Lin Feng murmured.