The beast charged forward with a thunderous roar, its massive body shaking the ground beneath it. It reared its head and opened its mouth wide, rows of jagged fangs glinting like blades, ready to tear him apart.
But Wang Fang was no ordinary mortal.
He had already stepped onto the path of cultivation.
In a single breath, he drew the sword Doctor Lu Cheng had given him. The blade flashed coldly as he leapt into the air, just as the beast's jaws snapped shut beneath him—missing him by less than a hair's breadth.
Before he could land, the beast twisted its massive body and lunged again, its momentum tearing through the air.
Wang Fang stepped lightly, his movements swift and precise. He dodged each violent bite with calm focus, every strike passing through nothing but empty air. Only faint afterimages remained where he had stood moments before.
The beast grew frantic. Its attacks became wild, heavy, and uncoordinated.
That was the opening.
Wang Fang twisted his body mid-step and drove his foot hard into the side of the beast's jaw.
Boom!
The impact echoed through the forest. The beast's head was smashed sideways, its balance completely shattered for a brief instant.
That instant was enough.
Wang Fang's eyes sharpened. Sword intent gathered in his grip as he surged forward. In one clean, decisive motion, he slashed upward.
The blade flashed.
The beast froze.
A thin red line appeared across its neck.
In the next heartbeat, its head fell heavily to the ground. The massive body collapsed moments later, lifeless before it even realized it had been defeated.
Wang Fang landed lightly, sword lowered, his breathing steady—completely uninjured.
"Huh…" he muttered, staring at the corpse. "I didn't think I'd be this strong."
He frowned slightly. "Or… is this beast just too weak?"
After a brief hesitation, his gaze drifted deeper into the forest.
"…If I don't go further, I might miss an opportunity."
Clenching his jaw, Wang Fang moved forward.
As he ventured deeper, he noticed a strange fruit hanging from a low branch. Spiritual fragrance lingered faintly around it. He picked it up and ate it as he walked, the taste bitter yet refreshing.
Not long after—
Clang!
The sharp sound of clashing metal rang through the forest.
At the same time, a powerful pressure surged from the same direction.
"What the hell…? Wang Fang's expression changed instantly.
He moved carefully toward the source of the sound, concealing his presence.
What he saw made him pause.
A girl was fighting a beast.
She was beautiful, with smooth skin and a noble aura that set her apart from ordinary villagers. Though young, her movements were sharp and disciplined, clearly trained by a powerful background.
She was battling a Tier-3 Ironhide Boar.
Wang Fang's eyes widened slightly.
Huh"
"She's just a kid… how is she fighting something like that?
But it was clear—she was struggling. Her breathing was uneven, sweat soaked her clothes, and her attacks were growing slower.
Should I help her? Wang Fang thought.
But another thought followed immediately.
I need to get home. My mother—
Suddenly, a shadow fell over him.
"…Is it about to rain?
No.
The sun was still blazing overhead.
The air around him shifted sharply.
His instincts screamed.
Move.
Wang Fang leapt out of the bushes just as a massive shape crashed down where he had been standing.
Another Ironhide Boar.
The ground trembled.
The girl turned sharply, her pupils shrinking.
"Another one?!"
She clenched her teeth in anger, then her gaze fell on Wang Fang.
"…Who is that guy?
Two Ironhide Boars.
One injured girl.
And Wang Fang, standing right in the middle.
The forest fell deathly silent
Just before chaos was about to erupt