Time flowed like the wind—fast, quiet, and relentless.
It had been five months since Xiao Feng entered the Magic Beast Mountain Range. In that time, he had fought, hunted, and bled against dozens of Rank 1 magical beasts, from cunning serpents to savage apes. His sword grew sharper, his instincts faster, and his strength more refined with every battle.
> Current Cultivation: Peak 8-Star Dou Zhe
Daily Energy Points: 80,000
Total Accumulated Energy Points: 5,420,000
He rarely needed to run now.
Foes that once made his heart pound were nothing more than stepping stones. His Wind and Thunder Wings remained unused except for travel and emergencies. His body had hardened, his swordsmanship had reached another level, and his Wind God's Scripture refined his Dou Qi into something fierce and fast.
But there was one beast he never forgot.
And fate brought it back to him.
One cloudy afternoon, deep in the northern sector of the forest, he came upon a familiar ravine. The scent of blood, cracked stones, and massive claw marks confirmed it.
The Ironhide Bear still ruled here.
He stood quietly above the cliffs, gazing down as the massive beast slumbered below, scarred but just as menacing.
> "Five months ago, I couldn't do a thing to you."
He drew Stormedge—now sharper than ever after multiple reforgings and enhancements using the system shop.
> "Now it's different."
He descended slowly, steps silent. As he neared, the bear stirred. Its crimson eyes opened. Its head turned—and with a roar, it lunged.
But this time, Xiao Feng didn't dodge.
He met it head-on.
Clang!
Their first clash echoed like thunder. The beast's claw collided with Stormedge in a burst of wind and force. Xiao Feng slid back, digging his heels into the dirt. The ground cracked beneath him.
Then he moved.
Blades of wind whirled as he slashed rapidly, pushing the bear back step by step. His Dou Qi surged through his body like a tempest, every movement fluid and precise.
The bear swung again—brutal, powerful.
He ducked, rolled, and—
"Falling Wind Slash – Third Form: Silent Tempest Break!"
His sword glowed with silver-blue wind energy. Time seemed to pause. The world hushed.
Then—
Whoosh—SHING!
He vanished and reappeared behind the beast in a blink, his sword dripping with dark crimson. A deep gash split the bear's iron hide from shoulder to flank.
The beast roared in pain and fury—but it was too slow.
Xiao Feng didn't let up.
A blur of movement. A flurry of slashes. Wind cut like blades through steel. Blood sprayed into the air. The bear swung wildly, but hit nothing.
And then, with one last leap into the air, Xiao Feng came down like a falling storm.
CRACK!
His blade pierced straight through the beast's skull.
Silence followed.
The giant fell.
Xiao Feng stood atop the corpse, chest heaving. He wiped the blade clean, eyes cold but calm.
> "It's done."
He retrieved the beast core—larger, more vibrant than a Rank 1's—and slipped it into his ring.
> Item acquired: Rank 2 Beast Core (Iron Attribute)
> "Let this be a reminder…"
"I don't forget."
He sheathed his sword, his aura more refined than ever.
The forest was silent again—but this time, it felt like the silence respected him.