The ink in his vision began to diffuse.
Under Shen Qing's gaze, it transformed into line after line of text.
[Skill: Bow Technique (Skillfully)]
[Progress: 11/200 points]
[Status: Unable to Improve]
[Note: "As heaven's movement is ever vigorous, so must a gentleman ceaselessly strive!" Continuous practice can lead to a breakthrough in skill progress.]
...
[Skill: Hunting (Skillfully)]
[Progress: 103/100 points]
[Status: Can be Improved]
[Note: The art of hunting is broad and profound, encompassing Tracking, Tracking, Concealment, trap, Bait, slaughtering, and other small skills, continuous practice can lead to a breakthrough.]
Lately, Shen Qing had been hunting frequently, and his hunting skills had shown significant growth. Unknowingly, he had already met the conditions for a breakthrough.
Without any hesitation, Shen Qing immediately said, "Breakthrough!"
A familiar sensation suddenly struck him.
A torrent of hunting techniques mercilessly flooded into his mind, surging like tumultuous waves.
His head felt as if it had been struck by a blunt object, becoming faintly swollen.
Pit, lasso trap, capture net, Quench Poison, Tracking, Concealment...
Key points in hunting flickered through his mind like a swift horse glimpsing the flowers.
Such complex information caused him to feel dizzy, and it took several deep breaths before he recovered.
Once he steadied his mind, Shen Qing subconsciously glanced at the inked text within his vision.
[Skill: Hunting (Small Success)]
[Progress: 3/200 points]
[Status: Unable to Improve]
[Note: Continue practicing for a comprehensive breakthrough. There is a certain probability that some of the hunting techniques will transform.]
Shen Qing looked at the note and felt somewhat surprised.
To think, the experiences now in his mind, without a knowledgeable old master to teach them, would be impossible for most people to know.
With such abilities, he could now go much farther in the mountains.
He hadn't expected the hunting skills to continue to evolve.
With this development, even if the heavens didn't provide him with sustenance, he feared he could empty the mountain clean.
Shen Qing's spirits were greatly lifted.
He lowered his head to look at the footprints below, and his expression became much more composed.
After carefully mulling it over for a while, several methods of tracking appeared in his mind.
He didn't delay any further and confidently followed the footprints.
Whether it was due to the breakthrough, Shen Qing noticed several subtle changes in his body just as he set off.
Though he was moving quickly through the snow, not a sound could be heard, and his figure was extraordinarily nimble.
Additionally, he could hear every movement around him clearly, becoming more alert and observant.
Hunting techniques with Small Success indeed had some tricks up their sleeve.
Hard work pays off.
After a round of tracking and concealing, Shen Qing spotted a dark shadow in the forest from afar.
It was a robust roe deer, its brown fur shimmering with an attractive sheen.
Shen Qing was overjoyed.
Wild roe deer, which lived among the sparse forests on the small hills, not only had delicious, nutritious meat but also fetched a high price in the county town.
Their fur was also a material for high-end leather goods.
A unscathed wild roe deer could sell for as much as 1,200 wen.
Even if there were injuries, diminishing the value of the fur, it could still fetch over 800 coins at least.
For hunters like them, who made a living in the mountains, it was unquestionably valuable goods.
Shen Qing did not dare to be careless.
He knew that animals living in the wild were extremely vigilant, and any negligence at this moment could startle the roe deer, causing it to escape.
Shen Qing steadied his mind, held his breath, and silently approached.
The stag was intently lowering its head to forage, oblivious to the impending danger.
Without alarming the roe deer, Shen Qing narrowed the distance between them to within a hundred steps, entering the effective killing range of his bow and arrow.
Shen Qing sniffed the air, stretched out his hand to gauge the wind direction, then slowly drew the bow from behind his back, lightly resting a feathered arrow on it, and noiselessly pulled the bowstring taut.
His gaze, breath, and heartbeat became one, and when the right moment came, he suddenly released his hold.
Whoosh!
The bowstring vibrated.
Like a shooting star, the arrow cut through the sky, heading straight for the deer.
After firing one arrow, Shen Qing didn't hesitate to quickly swipe his quiver, hooked out another arrow with his little finger, notched it on the bow, and shot another arrow in quick succession.
After firing two arrows, Shen Qing sprinted forward.
While running, he continued to notch arrows onto the bowstring.
The deer seemed to sense something, but it was clearly too late for it to react.
The arrow traveled an incredible distance in a blink of an eye.
Under Shen Qing's watchful eye, it pierced through the deer's body with unerring accuracy.
The powerful follow-through made the animal's body stagger and fall to the ground.
The instinct to survive compelled it to scramble up regardless of everything.
But it didn't even have time to get up.
Whoosh, whoosh.
The subsequent arrows followed closely, piercing through its chest and thigh.
Bright red, warm blood splattered everywhere.
The deer that had just stood up was pinned to the ground by the arrows.
It stared at its limbs, struggling to stand, but it was already at the end of its strength.
A hundred steps' distance could be covered in just a dozen or so breaths at a full sprint.
Shen Qing had already caught up; he excitedly pulled a dagger from his waist and skillfully thrust it into the roe deer's neck, beginning the slaughter.
"Puchi!"
The deer's sturdy skin was sliced open, the dark red flesh turned inside out, revealing a hole.
Hot blood surged from the hole, splashing all over Shen Qing.
Seeing the hot blood spray out, Shen Qing hurriedly grabbed his arrow quiver, dumped out the arrows, and collected the roe deer blood.
Roe deer blood could be eaten or sold to apothecaries in town for some money.
For a lowly hunter like him, not a drop could be wasted.
Realizing it was trapped, the roe deer struggled more fiercely.
But how could Shen Qing, having already seized his prey, let it do as it wished?
Shen Qing pinned the inexperienced deer down with his full body weight until it ceased all movement.
After a while, Shen Qing released his aching arms, unable to suppress the joy on his face.
Such a large roe deer was hard to catch even for experienced hunters in the village.
He didn't expect his luck today, having caught one.
Although the pelt was damaged and the price was reduced, he was still content with the catch.
Shen Qing estimated in his heart that as long as he continued to hunt like this, it wouldn't be long before his days would visibly improve.
Eventually, once he had saved enough money, he could even move to town with his older sister.
Leaving behind this place of petty village conflicts.
Just as Shen Qing was processing the roe deer, in high spirits, two figures emerged from the nearby forest.
"Brother, look, it's Shen Qing."
Chen An had sharp eyes and recognized him at a glance.
They had just been following tracks in the vicinity, not expecting it to be Shen Qing.
Chen Tai remarked in surprise, "It's actually a roe deer; this kid really hit the jackpot."
At this moment, Chen An, looking at Shen Qing ahead, fell silent without responding.
After a while, he suddenly said in a cold tone, "Second brother, I heard his sister is indecisive, and big brother has not been able to persuade her, it's this kid who's been blocking. Do you think if he were to die in the mountains, his sister might agree to big brother's suggestion?"