The group chatted and laughed as they traveled, making the journey far from tedious. Their pace was brisk, and by midday, they arrived at the edge of a dense forest.
This woodland was called the "Seven Peaks Forest," named for the seven towering mountains within its bounds. Spanning hundreds of li, it housed many first- and second-grade demon beasts. Rumors even spoke of third-grade beasts in its depths, though the area's thin spiritual energy made fourth-grade beasts nearly impossible to nurture.
Zheng Kai's preparations were far more thorough than Lin Feng's—he even had hot meals. Under the envious gazes of the others, he produced a feast from his storage ring. After a hearty lunch, the group entered the forest in high spirits.
Their destination was Crimson Rock Mountain, one of the seven peaks, located dozens of li northeast. It was the nesting ground for their target: Fire-tailed Scorpions.
The first twenty to thirty li of the forest had been frequently cleared by cultivators from Azure Cloud City, leaving few traces of demon beasts. As they ventured deeper, occasional first-grade beasts appeared, but these creatures were far more cunning than ordinary animals. Spotting the group's numbers, they fled instantly. Since none were their quarry, the party pressed onward without pursuit.
The crimson peak, piercing the clouds, had been visible from afar. Yet it took them over an hour to reach its base. Staring up at the fiery-red, towering mountain that seemed to burn against the sky, Lin Feng marveled.
In twenty years, this was his first time leaving Azure Cloud City, his first glimpse of the wider world, his first hunt for demon beasts, his first encounter with such grandeur...
Even in his past life on Earth, he'd been confined to cities—steel cages where he'd dreamed of exploring mountains and rivers. But that wish had gone unfulfilled... until now.
"Demon beast! Watch out!! Wait—it's a lone Fire-tailed Scorpion!"
Zheng Kai's voice snapped Lin Feng from his awe. He turned sharply and spotted a millstone-sized shadow near a rock a hundred meters ahead.
The creature resembled a scorpion but dwarfed its earthly cousins. Its dark-red carapace gleamed, and most strikingly, a fist-sized flame burned atop its arched tail.
Though merely a lowly first-grade beast, seeing it alive stunned Lin Feng. On Earth, such monsters existed only in stories.
Zheng Kai gestured for the group to hide. After a moment's observation, he whispered, "Lucky break! These scorpions usually swarm, but this one's alone—and likely late-stage first-grade. It might even have a demon core."
Lin Feng brightened. "A core? Perfect!"
Zheng Kai chuckled at his eagerness. "Patience. If we rush, it'll bolt. I'll draw its attention while you flank it. Block escape routes."
Duanmu Rui and Qin Ye, familiar with Zheng Kai's methods, nodded and moved left. Lu Cheng followed suit, but Lin Feng suddenly spoke up: "Let me bait it. I need the experience. And... I'd like its core."
Zheng Kai hesitated. "Are you sure? This thing's near first-grade ninth-tier. Even I wouldn't risk facing it alone. It's too dangerous."
"I can handle it," Lin Feng insisted. "Just let me try."
After a tense pause, Zheng Kai relented. "Fine. But if things go south, I step in. The core's yours—agreed?"
The others nodded. Duanmu Rui added softly, "Be careful," before continuing left.
As Zheng Kai and Lu Cheng circled right, Lin Feng stepped forward, heart pounding.
Rustle—
The scorpion whirled, revealing half a bloody rabbit leg in its jaws.
Screech!
Its tail flared as it charged, legs a blur.
"Too fast!" Lin Feng gasped, dodging left just as the beast lunged.
But the scorpion's tail lashed out like a spear, striking his chest with a crack. He flew backward, crashing ten meters away.
"Lin Feng!!" the group shouted, rushing forward—then freezing in shock.
"Ah!!"
Lin Feng sprang up, smothering flames on his robes, and hurled two talismans. Ice spikes thicker than a child's arm shot toward the scorpion.
Thud! Thud!
The beast blocked with its pincers but staggered. Four more spikes followed, then a barrage—Tier 2 Chain Ice Spike Talismans unleashed in panic.
Thud-thud-thud!
The scorpion screeched, dodging wildly. A leg shattered; an eye burst from ice shrapnel. Lin Feng, frantic, didn't stop until his talisman crumbled—then drew a purple one.
Crackle!
A bolt of lightning struck the scorpion. It collapsed, smoking.
Crackle! Crackle!
Lin Feng kept firing, blasting the corpse until Zheng Kai's team stood speechless...