The cave of the Rock-Armored Bear was located in a deep valley on the eastern side of the Magical Beast Mountains. Towering ancient trees surrounded the area, their dense canopies slicing the sunlight into fragments that scattered across the moss-covered ground. The valley was thick with earthy spiritual energy, clearly the reason the Rock-Armored Bear had chosen to nest here. The cave entrance was littered with numerous animal bones, and the air carried a heavy, bestial stench. Deep claw marks scarred the rock walls around the opening, testifying to the resident's ferocity.
Silas stood twenty zhang from the cave entrance, the pressure of his Nine-Beasts Perfection radiating outwards unabated, reaching the level of the early second rank. He deliberately didn't suppress his aura, wanting to test his current strength.
"ROAR!"
An ear-shattering roar echoed as a massive Rock-Armored Bear charged from the cave. Standing on its hind legs, it was nearly three meters tall, its body covered in rock-like plates that gleamed with a gray-brown luster under the sparse sunlight. Earthy yellow spiritual energy swirled across its form, indicating its early second-rank power.
Silas's eyes remained calm. He didn't even draw his spear. He wanted to test the limits of what his meticulously tempered physical body alone could achieve.
The bear rose to its full height, its massive paw swiping down with a force that seemed to tear the very air. The strike was imbued with earth-attributed spiritual energy, the palm wind causing the air to vibrate in its wake.
Silas didn't dodge or evade. His right fist shot out to meet the paw, the power of his Nine-Beasts Perfection erupting fully. A faint, jade-like sheen covered his fist, a mark of a physical body that had reached the second rank.
"BOOM!"
The moment fist and paw connected,a shockwave of air erupted, sending fallen leaves scattering in all directions. The Rock-Armored Bear let out a pained roar; the paw that could withstand blades and swords now had its bones utterly shattered, blood seeping from between the cracked plates.
Silas nodded slightly. It seemed the physical strength granted by his Nine-Beasts Perfection was indeed enough to crush a magical beast of the same rank.
Enraged, the bear opened its maw wide, earthy yellow spiritual energy gathering within, preparing to unleash an innate spell.
But Silas wouldn't give it the chance.
His [Drifting Leaf Step] activated, his body appearing like a ghost beside the bear. His right hand formed a claw, the Rock-Clawed Weasel's energy claws instantly extending with a dark, gleaming light.
"RIIP!"
The claws tore effortlessly through the bear's prideful defense,leaving five deep, bone-exposing gashes across its neck. Blood gushed out like a spring, staining the surrounding grass a dark crimson.
The Rock-Armored Bear issued one final, mournful cry before its massive body crashed heavily to the ground, causing the earth to tremble slightly.
Silas skillfully retrieved the bear's gall bladder, storing it in a specially prepared jade box, and then skinned the intact pelt. These were all valuable materials.
On his return journey, he casually hunted a few more peak first-rank magical beasts – one Gale Wolf and two Ironback Boars. To his current self, these creatures posed no threat whatsoever; he dispatched them all in less time than it takes an incense stick to burn.
...
The black market merchant's eyes nearly bulged out of his head when Silas laid out the materials.
"A complete Rock-Armored Bear pelt... plus Gale Wolf claws, Ironback Boar tusks..." The merchant rubbed his hands together, avarice gleaming in his eyes. "Sir, I'll take it all! Twelve hundred low-rank spirit stones!"
Silas didn't haggle. Right now, he needed speed, not petty bargaining. The gall bladder was for the mission; these were just extra earnings.
With the spirit stones, he went directly to the herb district and bought ten Moonlight Grass seedlings for the price of ten low-rank spirit stones. These seedlings were practically ignored in the black market due to their insufficient age.
Returning to his academy quarters, Silas transplanted the seedlings into pots. He placed his hands over them, and the vibrant green energy of the Law of Life slowly infused the plants. At a visible rate, the Moonlight Grass began to grow wildly. Seedlings that had only a few tender leaves moments ago matured into shimmering, silvery mature plants within the time it takes an incense stick to burn, each exuding a pure, moonlit radiance.
"Ten Moonlight Grasses, superior quality." Silas counted his results, nodding in satisfaction.
Next was the most dangerous mission: the assassination.
...
After two days of discreet investigation, Silas had discerned Derek Wood's patterns. This Wood Family steward visited the "Drunken Immortal Pavilion" in the southern city for pleasure every month on the night of the full moon, always accompanied by two early second-rank guards. Derek himself was a mid second-rank cultivator, holding a fairly high position within the Wood Family.
Silas chose to strike at the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. On the night of the full moon, he used the Law of Life to suppress his aura until it was almost indistinguishable from a mortal's. Donning the attire of a Drunken Immortal Pavilion attendant, he looked like nothing more than a common tavern servant to anyone who saw him.
In the Celestial Room Three of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, Derek arrived as expected. Silas kept his head down, standing quietly in the corner of the room, ready to pour wine and serve dishes.
"Truly troubled times," Derek said after drinking a cup of spirit wine, his tone irritable. "The family has lost several disciples in the Magical Beast Mountains, including two direct descendants. The Wu Clan activities outside the city are becoming more frequent too; they attacked three of our merchant caravans last month."
"I heard the City Lord's mansion has also had many deaths recently. The City Lord is furious and is organizing a Witch Hunting Team," one of the guards said.
"Indeed. I just hope the family doesn't select me to join the Witch Hunting Team," Derek replied.
The two guards wore grave expressions. As the steward, Derek likely wouldn't be chosen, but they, as guards, were another matter.
Silas stepped forward to refill the wine, his movements practiced like a seasoned servant.
"The most troublesome issue is the Scale-Split Mine," Derek lowered his voice. "That earthquake caused heavy losses for the family. Not only did the mine collapse, but many slaves died. However..." he changed his tone, "...the family's experts seem to have discovered something in the ruins and have already sent people to investigate."
Silas's heart stirred slightly. The Scale-Split Mine... that place actually held secrets? But he quickly refocused; now was not the time to be distracted.
Time passed minute by minute. Derek finally became thoroughly drunk, and even the guards let their vigilance slip, starting to drink on their own.
Now was the moment!
Silas's figure erupted into motion, his spear appearing in his hand as if from nowhere. He no longer suppressed his cultivation; his early second-rank power burst forth completely, the traits of his Nine-Beasts Perfection surging within him.
The first guard barely had time to react before the spear tip pierced his throat like a striking serpent. But the second guard drew his blade in time, a cyan glow shimmering along the edge – clearly, he practiced some special technique.
"You seek death!" Although drunk, Derek's mid second-rank strength was not to be underestimated. He slammed the table and stood, fiery spiritual energy coalescing between his palms.
Silas didn't dare be careless. His spear shook, the intricacies of the [Art of the Forgotten Spear] unfolding. Spear shadows multiplied, roaring like a hundred beasts – it was his self-created [Hundred Beasts' Roar].
Derek's flaming palm strikes were ferocious. His drunkenness made his assaults more wild, but also less disciplined. Flames surged through the room like raging waves, the scorching heat making it hard for Silas to breathe.
"CLANG!"
Spear and blade met,sparks flying everywhere. Silas used the force to leap back, the nine beast traits within him rotating alternately. But he knew he had to end this quickly.
Just then, Derek seized an opening. A flaming palm strike landed squarely on Silas's chest.
"Pfft!"
Silas spat out a mouthful of blood,a sharp pain from broken bones shooting through his chest. But this was the opportunity he had been waiting for!
While enduring the blow, his spear thrust out at an impossible angle. This strike concentrated all his power; the phantoms of nine beasts converged at the spear tip, emitting a heart-palpitating aura.
Derek clearly hadn't anticipated his opponent would use such a mutually destructive tactic. In the brief moment his old force was spent and new force had not yet risen, the spear had already pierced through his protective spiritual energy and accurately stabbed into his heart.
"You..." Derek's eyes widened in disbelief, staring at the spear protruding from his chest. The flames in his palms slowly extinguished, and his entire body crashed to the floor.
Seeing the situation turn dire, the remaining guard tried to flee, but Silas, gritting through the intense pain, reversed his grip and executed a [Serpent's Bite], precisely piercing the guard's back and through his heart.
The entire fierce struggle had actually only lasted ten breaths. Silas felt at least three of his ribs were broken, and his internal organs were shaken. But he couldn't afford to dwell on it; he quickly searched the three bodies, taking their valuables.
He only found a few silver notes.
Just then, the guards of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion, alerted by the commotion of the fight, rushed in, their footsteps echoing urgently from the hallway. Silas forced himself to summon a burst of spiritual energy, leaped out the window, and vanished into the night after a few bounds.
He had to get far away from the scene before the Wood Family reinforcements arrived. The sharp pain in his chest reminded him that his success this time was largely due to luck. If Derek hadn't been drunk and careless, he would never have been able to win using such a mutually injurious method.
...
Black Market, the secret contact point of the Shadow Pavilion.
Silas handed over the items required for the three missions: the Rock-Armored Bear's gall bladder, ten mature Moonlight Grasses, and Derek's personal token.
The scarred man inspected them and nodded with satisfaction. "All three missions completed excellently. Eight hundred low-rank spirit stones for the assassination, five hundred for the hunt, three hundred for the collection. Total: sixteen hundred low-rank spirit stones."
Silas took the bag filled with spirit stones, feeling its substantial weight. This capital was enough for his next plans.
Reaching a hidden spot in the black market, Silas stored the bag inside the Mirror Space and let out a sigh of relief. He understood the principle that 'a man's wealth is his own ruin by causing others' envy.' Carrying a large bag of spirit stones made one a target anywhere. While he wasn't afraid of trouble, Silas had no desire to attract unnecessary complications.
When he left the black market, the moon had already sunk low in the west. Silas glanced back in the direction of the Magical Beast Mountains. On the streets, the Wood Family's search was still ongoing. The death of a steward and two early second-rank experts in broad daylight might not cripple them, but it was undoubtedly a provocation to the Wood Family's face.
In the end, the search yielded nothing. Suspicion fell upon the other major families within the city; in the eyes of the Wood Family, only they would have the audacity for such an act.