The moment Xiao Tuheng stepped into camp, the low murmur of voices died. His teammates were already geared up, standing at the forest's edge.
"There you are," Bao Liang said, his usual grin nowhere in sight. "You were supposed to be back 30 minutes ago. What happened?"
'Ah. Right. That.'
"I spotted a spirit beast," Xiao replied, trying not to sound too sheepish. "Handled it alone though. It was just in the 5th Layer of Qi Gathering."
'Better not mention the fruit. Not like I have it anymore anyway.'
Feng Mei looked even more serious than usual. "A spirit beast that close? There could be more nearby."
Bao nodded. "We'll need to be careful during night watch." Then he gave Xiao a smile. "Still, nice work. First beast kill, huh? Did you get the core?"
Xiao blinked. "I... forgot to check."
'Not like it had one,' he reasoned. 'It stored all its Qi in that fruit. It probably used that fruit as its core instead of forming two, and it started withering after the branch with the fruit broke.'
They chatted a bit longer, the tension easing, then eventually drifted off to sleep under the dimming sky.
By the time they reached Shadowleaf Grove the next day, the sun was climbing lazily through thin clouds. The ride had been uneventful, much to Xiao Tuheng's relief.
They dismounted near the treeline.
"What about the coachman?" He asked, watching the old man settle by a rock, looking thoroughly unimpressed with the forest.
"He'll stay for a day or two. If we don't return, he leaves," Bao said simply.
"What if some beast attacks him?" he asked, a little concerned.
Feng Mei shrugged. "Then he dies."
He blinked. 'Blunt as ever.'
"She's not wrong," Bao said, smirking. "But if you're that worried, feel free to stay behind and guard him."
"I'll pass," Tuheng muttered.
'Just a mortal, huh? Not worth worrying about to cultivators like them, unless it's a whole town of them or something. They wouldn't hurt him without a reason, not like Li Feng, but if he vanished under a wolf's jaw, they'd probably just sigh and keep walking.'
He was about to ask something else, but Feng Mei raised a hand.
"We're close. Quiet now."
Xiao Tuheng fell silent, scanning the trees as they crept forward. The air felt heavier here, maybe just a placebo, but it made him uneasy. Moments later, they spotted the wolves' den nestled in a clearing, shadowed by ancient, gnarled trees.
"You two wait here. I'll scout ahead," Feng Mei whispered, and then she was gone.
Tuheng blinked. 'She's fast. Was that a technique or is a two-layer difference really that big?'
She returned quickly, her expression grim. "Fourteen wolves, and the Alpha is at the 8th Layer."
"What?" Tuheng's voice cracked before he could stop it. "Why the hell was this posted under 6th Stage missions?"
Bao frowned. "If a 6th Layer team took this, they'd be torn to shreds."
"So we're bailing, right?" Xiao said hopefully.
Bao chuckled. "Relax. Mei and I will handle the Alpha and the main pack. You just focus on those three near the back, two 4th Layers and one in the 6th. Black fur. Watch that one."
"Got it."
"Now," Feng Mei said, and the three of them surged forward.
Tuheng's heart pounded as he closed in on the trio. He activated his Stone Skin Technique, his body shimmering faintly like polished granite.
Three pairs of glowing eyes met his.
He grinned.
'Alright. First real fight.'
The nearest wolf lunged, 4th Layer, judging by the speed of the leap.
Tuheng sidestepped and brought his elbow down with a solid crack. The wolf hit the ground hard and didn't get back up.
The second circled, smarter, patient.
Then it darted from behind, jaws wide.
Too slow.
Tuheng pivoted sharply and caught it mid-air, slamming a boot into its ribs. It collided with a tree and crumpled.
He exhaled, pulse racing, and then a low growl shivered through the clearing.
The black one.
Tuheng spun as the beast lunged. Its claws raked across his arm, drawing blood despite his reinforced skin.
He hissed. 'Without Stone Skin, that would've shredded me.'
'Stay calm.'
It came again, fangs bared. He met it, fist-first. The blow knocked it back, but it didn't fall. Snarling, it slashed at his ribs, and pain bloomed hot along his side.
Gritting his teeth, Tuheng grabbed its foreleg and drove his knee into its jaw, once, twice. It struggled, but he held on.
Then, with a shout, he focused his Qi into one final punch.
Bone cracked. The wolf dropped.
Panting, blood streaking his arm and side, Tuheng stared down at the body.
A smile broke across his face.
'My first real fight... and my first real win.'
'Feels damn good.'