The gates of the Heaven's Ruin loomed before Lin Feng like the mouth of a colossal beast. Swirling light carved runes in the air, pulling cultivators inside by the dozens. Noble clans marched proudly, sect disciples in robes of fire and thunder strode with arrogance, and mercenaries with scarred faces howled with anticipation.
No one looked twice at Lin Feng. To them, he was just another beggar, waiting to be trampled underfoot.
But inside his mind, the voice rang again:
[Null-Origin activated.]
[Unlike standard crests, you cannot absorb Heaven's energy directly. Alternative function unlocked: Predatory Assimilation.]
[Rule: Kill a beast → Absorb its core → Evolve.]
Lin Feng's eyes flickered. Every cultivator refined their genetic crest to awaken power, but his was different. He had to kill to grow.
He clenched his fists. "So the world made me prey. Fine. I'll become the predator."
—
Inside the Ruin, chaos reigned.
The first realm was the Crimson Plains, a barren land under a blood-red sky. Jagged stones jutted from the ground like broken swords, and the air was thick with the stench of iron. From every direction came the roars of beasts—creatures warped by the Ruin's madness.
The nobles gathered in squads, shields and spears ready. The sect disciples began chanting formation spells. Even mercenaries grouped together for survival.
Lin Feng walked alone.
He had no weapon but a rusty dagger scavenged from the marketplace, and no armor beyond his torn robes. Yet, his eyes gleamed sharper than any sword.
The ground shook. A Scarlet Fang Wolf leapt from the shadows, its body as tall as a man, fangs dripping with corrosive venom. Its eyes locked onto Lin Feng—the weakest prey in sight.
Screams echoed from the distance as others fought their own battles, but no one came to help him.
Lin Feng's pulse quickened. The wolf snarled, lunging for his throat.
And then—
[Quest generated: First Hunt.]
Target: Scarlet Fang Wolf.
Reward: Assimilation of Beast Core.
Failure: Death.]
Lin Feng gritted his teeth. "No retreat, no second chance."
He sidestepped, barely avoiding the wolf's bite, though its claws tore a gash across his arm. Blood dripped, but he didn't falter. Instead, he slashed at its flank with the dagger. The blade barely scratched the beast's hide, but it made the wolf howl in anger.
The battle turned into a desperate dance—fangs snapping inches from his face, claws raking the air, Lin Feng rolling, ducking, striking with wild precision. His body screamed in pain, but his eyes… his eyes burned with a feral determination.
Finally, as the wolf lunged again, Lin Feng shoved his bleeding arm into its mouth. The beast bit down, venom flooding his veins. But in that instant, he drove the dagger upward with his other hand—piercing the wolf's throat.
The Scarlet Fang Wolf thrashed, then collapsed in a pool of crimson.
Lin Feng fell to his knees, gasping. His vision blurred from poison, but the voice cut through the haze:
[Beast slain.]
[Predatory Assimilation in progress.]
[Scarlet Fang Wolf Core absorbed.]
[New Trait unlocked: Venom Resistance (Lv.1).]
The venom burning his blood began to fade. His wounds sealed faintly, leaving faint scars instead of death.
Lin Feng stared at his trembling hands, then at the dead wolf.
He laughed. The sound was ragged, half-mad, but it echoed in the Crimson Plains like a declaration of war.
"I may start with scraps," he whispered, eyes glowing in the blood-red light, "but I will devour everything this world denies me."
Far away, sect disciples and nobles cheered their victories. None noticed the starving cripple who had just taken his first step toward becoming a predator of predators.
But soon… they would.