Dressed in the attire of an affluent young master, adorned with a waist blade, Luli swiftly drew the attention of two bandits.
"In these times, there are still those unafraid of death."
"Look at this tender and fair-skinned youth; if only it were a lady! This delicate complexion surpasses those hags on the mountain by far!"
"Come, let's rob him and take him up the mountain. The boss might fancy him!"
Luli's heightened senses captured every word of the bandits hidden in the grass, even from a considerable distance.
"Damn, they want to compare me with a lady and take me up the mountain for the boss's pleasure!"
A surge of anger flared within Luli!
Before the two bandits could initiate their plan, Luli dashed into the grass. With a swift motion, he struck down one bandit, the head rolling before the body hit the ground. The severed neck prevented the blood from spraying, but a swift kick sent the headless corpse flying.
"Congratulations to the host for successfully killing a bandit from the Fei Hu Gang. Ferocity Points +1."
The second bandit, now holding a drawn knife, felt a chilling sensation at his neck.
"Take me into the mountains!"
Luli didn't waste words. The knife at the bandit's throat silenced him, and even notorious criminals, usually fearless in robbery and murder, were now showing signs of fear.
"Young master, spare me! I have an eighty-year-old mother and..."
"Shut up!"
Luli swiftly executed another strike, slicing off a finger. The bandit screamed in agony.
"Take me into the mountains!"
The bandit, now pale and terrified, obediently led Luli towards the mountain.
Soon, they reached a crude mountain stronghold, the notorious Fei Hu Gang.
Luli had gathered information beforehand—Fei Hu Gang's most formidable member was a bandit named Han Tianhu.
Seeing a brother and a young master, the guard at the gate assumed a hostage situation and prepared to welcome them. However, in an instant, Luli swung his blade, and the guard's head rolled off. The system's pleasant voice sounded in Luli's mind.
Entering the stronghold, Luli continued his swift strikes, decapitating two more guards who had no time to raise the alarm.
As the news of an intruder spread within the stronghold, a group of bandits rushed towards Luli.
"Stop! Everyone stop! Let's talk!"
It was Han Tianhu, realizing he couldn't match Luli's strength.
"I have never seen the young master before. Why did you come to our Fei Hu Gang?"
"Take a guess."
Luli replied nonchalantly, continuing his relentless strikes. The bandits, usually ruthless, were now helpless before Luli's ferocity.
One bandit couldn't restrain himself, charging at Luli with a spear. Luli countered, effortlessly disarming the bandit and delivering a fatal blow. Another bandit approached from behind, only to find Luli's blade already at his throat.
"Tell me who you are!"
"You guess."
Han Tianhu fell, his neck pierced by Luli's slender blade.
"Congratulations to the host for killing the leader of the Fei Hu Gang. Ferocity Points +2!"
"Two? What's going on?"
Luli was puzzled, but the system clarified.
"Host, killing a higher-level martial artist rewards more Ferocity Points. As Han Tianhu was at the first level of Meridian Opening Realm, you gained an extra point."
Luli sighed in relief, realizing he wouldn't be stuck with minimal points for every kill.
Inspecting the aftermath, Luli saw his Ferocity Points had skyrocketed from seven to fifty-three. Today, he had exterminated forty-five bandits, with Han Tianhu contributing two points to his Ferocity.
Luli walked amidst the bandit corpses, contemplating the significance of each point earned in this ruthless journey.