In the quiet embrace of morning, the mist clung gently to the ground around the Magical Beast Mountain Range. Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Yao had found a temporary place of refuge—a small, hidden clearing surrounded by thick foliage. The early sun filtered weakly through the canopy above, casting soft patterns of light and shadow over them.
Xiao Yao leaned against a thick tree trunk, arms folded, as Xiao Yi Xian sat cross-legged nearby, her eyes closed in meditation. The cool, fresh air was occasionally broken by the distant cries of beasts and the rustle of leaves under the morning breeze.
They had rested well, but Xiao Yao's heart could not settle completely.
By the time noon arrived, restlessness gnawed at him. Though he could not properly cultivate just yet—his foundation still needing refinement after his recent rapid strength gains—he could still hunt. Accumulating resources, beast cores, and medicinal ingredients was a necessary investment for his future growth.
After giving Xiao Yi Xian a simple nod, he ventured a little deeper into the forest, careful to mask his presence with practiced steps. The Magical Beast Mountain Range was vast and dangerous, but it was also teeming with opportunity.
Within a short span, Xiao Yao had already slain several magical beasts—first-tier creatures, young cubs and even some adults who dared to stand in his way. Their strength was nothing exceptional, but every victory added to the spoils tucked into the bag at his waist. Beast cores shimmered faintly within it, each one a future stepping stone on his path.
He wiped a smear of blood from his cheek with the back of his hand, breathing steadily. The thrill of battle, even against weaker foes, stirred his spirit.
However, fate had more in store for him.
As he moved deeper into the densely packed forest, the temperature seemed to drop slightly. The shadows thickened, and an eerie silence overtook the surroundings.
From behind a massive oak, a monstrous figure emerged—the sight sent a chill crawling down his spine.
A Giant Blood Spider.
Its bloated red body glistened ominously under the dim sunlight, eight thick legs sinking into the ground with heavy, trembling steps. Dark, viscous fluid oozed from its mouth as it hissed menacingly, its many eyes locking onto Xiao Yao with predatory hunger.
"Tsk, tsk... A second-rank beast!!" Xiao Yao exclaimed, his voice laced with a mix of excitement and caution.
Without warning, the spider lunged forward. From its swollen abdomen, thick strands of web shot out, aiming to bind him where he stood. The web was disgustingly sticky, and he noticed immediately—through a quick sniff of the air—that it was also highly flammable. A dangerous combination.
Xiao Yao twisted his body with fluid agility, narrowly dodging the threads that splattered onto the ground, leaving sizzling marks as they clung to the forest floor.
In one swift motion, he unsheathed his TianHuang Ancient Sword.
The blade sang as it left its scabbard, catching the light. Its surface shimmered with an almost sacred brilliance. Despite its seemingly delicate design, Xiao Yao knew better—the sword was forged with materials lost to time itself, durable beyond imagination and sharp enough to slice through the toughest hides.
With a precise, practiced movement, Xiao Yao slashed downward.
The blade met the spider's chitinous body with a sickening crunch. Dark blood sprayed from the wound, staining the ground beneath them.
The Giant Blood Spider shrieked, its heavy body trembling violently. It attempted to scuttle backward, but its sheer size worked against it. Unlike its smaller brethren, its massive frame made it sluggish and clumsy.
Taking advantage of its weakness, Xiao Yao dashed forward, driving the TianHuang Ancient Sword into another vulnerable spot—right beneath its monstrous jaw.
The spider's movements grew frantic, but it was too late. With another powerful thrust, Xiao Yao finished it.
The giant beast collapsed, its legs curling inward as its life fled from its grotesque body.
Breathing heavily, Xiao Yao stumbled back a few steps, wiping sweat from his brow.
"Huff... huff... Even though this sword is amazing, I still couldn't kill it easily!" he muttered under his breath, feeling the soreness in his arms from the fierce exchange.
As he wiped the blood off his blade, his thoughts suddenly drifted, growing wild and ambitious.
A crazed glint flashed through his eyes.
"Xiao Yan... Oh Xiao Yan... when are you finally going to be crippled?" he thought darkly, almost laughing to himself. "I want your master... for myself!!"
His grip on the sword tightened as a strange, dangerous fire began to burn inside him.
After slaying the Giant Blood Spider and gathering the beast core, Xiao Yao sat down under the shade of an old, gnarled tree. His clothes were slightly torn, and small scratches lined his arms, but his spirit remained sharp.
Holding the core in his palm, he spoke in a low voice, "System, devour these, but don't claim the rewards yet."
The response was instantaneous.
[Ding!... Devoured.]
A moment later, the familiar translucent panel floated before his eyes.
---
[Status Panel]
Name: Xiao Yao
Age: 12
Dou Qi: Dou Zhe 1 star
Soul Realm: Spirit Realm
Attributes:
● Talent – 30
● Physique – 14
● Comprehension – 41
● Charm – 84
● Constitution – 15
● Perception – 48
• Dou Qi – 40
• Soul – 8
■ Bloodline – 0 (Not Available)
■ Physique – None
■ Attributes – Fire (Trace of Wood)
Techniques: (Tap to View)
Skills: (Tap to View)
Origin Points: 7
Sky Points: 2,101,000
Rewards Unclaimed (Tap here to claim)
---
Xiao Yao studied the panel carefully, his gaze sharp and thoughtful. His progress was slow but steady.
His fingers lightly tapped the air, closing the panel. He exhaled softly, a sigh of quiet frustration leaking from his lips. "Still too weak..." he muttered to himself.
He stood up, dusted off his clothes, and stretched his limbs. "I should go back!!"
With a surge of Dou Qi, his Eagle Wings unfurled from his back with a rustle, golden light shimmering against the backdrop of the towering trees. Flapping them powerfully, he shot into the sky like a soaring falcon, the forest becoming a blur beneath him.
The wind howled in his ears as he zipped across the landscape. Within minutes, the familiar rocky mountain they were temporarily living on came into view. However, something unusual immediately caught his attention.
A small hut stood not far from their main resting point—something they had built hastily for shelter. But now... a strange, foreboding aura lingered in the air, an invisible pressure pressing down like a heavy blanket.
As Xiao Yao drew closer, he instinctively covered his nose and mouth, his senses screaming at him. A dense poisonous miasma radiated from the hut, almost visible in faint greenish wisps.
His expression changed drastically.
"That's the Woeful Poison Body!!" he thought anxiously, recognizing the signature aura.
Xiao Yi Xian was in danger!
Without hesitation, Xiao Yao kicked the door open. It slammed against the wall with a deafening crack.
Inside, the air was thick and nauseating, and at the center of the chaos, Xiao Yi Xian lay on the ground, her body trembling violently. Her face was ghastly pale, her lips tinged with a dangerous purple hue. Poisonous mist swirled around her, seeming to pulse with her pained breathing.
Seeing this, Xiao Yao's heart clenched tightly.
Without wasting a second, he dashed forward, kneeling beside her trembling figure.
"System! Remove all the poison in the air except for the poison within Xiao Yi Xian's body! And expel any invading poison from me too!!" he barked urgently.
[Ding!... Devouring started.]
At that moment, a powerful suction force spread out from Xiao Yao's body. The swirling poisonous mist reacted instantly, spiraling inward, as if pulled by an invisible vortex. The air began to clear visibly, the oppressive feeling lifting little by little.
Even as the system diligently worked to clear the environment, Xiao Yao's gaze never left Xiao Yi Xian.
Her body twisted slightly in agony, low whimpers escaping her throat as tiny beads of sweat rolled down her forehead. Veins darkened by poison streaked across her delicate skin like cursed vines.
Xiao Yao's fists clenched tightly.
"Hang in there, Xiao Yi Xian..." he muttered under his breath, feeling helpless watching her suffer. "You're stronger than this. You have to be."
His anxious eyes reflected her pained figure as if it was burning itself into his soul.
The System's devouring continued steadily, clearing the room of the toxic air, but Xiao Yi Xian's internal struggle against her Woeful Poison Body's eruption was something he couldn't directly interfere with—something she had to endure on her own.