Victor didn't answer. Instead, he pivoted on his heel and struck with his sword.
Shadow Crescent Strike!
A crescent-shaped arc of shadowy energy erupted from his blade, slicing clean through the first boar's side. It howled in pain as its body got sent flying while one of its tusks was cleanly cut in two.
A large gash appeared on its body as it collapsed and blood gushed out.
The two remaining boars hesitated but quickly regained their aggression. They attacked together with their tusks clearly aimed at Victor as they rushed him from opposite sides.
Victor grinned. "Alright, let's see if I can handle two at once."
He waited until the last second before activating Shifting Winds Arts and using his wind dash.
His speed surged as his body moved like a leaf caught in the wind. He ducked under one boar's swipe and leapt over the second with his body spinning twice in mid-air before landing behind them.
"Too slow," Victor taunted.
One of the boars turned on him as its eyes glowed red with rage. It lunged again, aiming its tusks for Victor's chest.
Victor flipped his sword and made a strong martial stance with his feet separated...
Qi danced around his blade as he thrust forward.
The tip of his blade pierced cleanly through the boar's skull, causing it to come to a complete halt as blood spurted out like a fountain.
The final boar hesitated, realizing it was outmatched. It let out a panicked grunt and bolted for the forest.
"Oh no, you don't," Victor muttered.
He slashed his sword through the air—"Shadow Crescent Strike."
The crescent dark arc raced through the air and struck the boar from behind, cutting deep into its rear.
It collapsed instantly, causing the farm to fall silent.
Victor exhaled and took a proper stance as the system notification appeared while he sheathed his sword.
---
System Notification:
Mission Completed!
You have successfully eradicated the spirit beasts.
Reward: +10 Stat Points | +5% Mastery in Phantom Mirage Step | +5% Mastery In Shadow Crescent Strike
---
Victor smirked. "Damn, I'm good."
Madam Zhou's expression shifted from awe to gratitude as she approached. "I... I don't know how to thank you! That was incredible!"
Victor dusted off his robes and smiled."No need for thanks, Madam Zhou. But if you ever need a cultivator again, you know where to find me."
Another notification appeared in Victor's line of sight, signaling that his real objective had been completed.
---
System Notification:
Objective Completed: Test Lingyun's Martial Sword Techniques in real combat situations!
Additional Rewards Earned:
+2 Stat Points to all stats
+5% Mastery in Shadow Crescent Strike
Bloodline Unlocking Progress +7%
---
He quickly pulled up his status window, scrolling to the section that displayed his hidden Void Emperor Bloodline.
Bloodline Unlocking Progress: 32%
Victor's eyes widened. "Wait, this is actually moving up?"
Up until now, the Void Emperor Bloodline had been nothing more than an unreadable placeholder in his stats. But now, it was growing—unlocking bit by bit the more he fought and trained.
He clenched his fists, feeling motivated; "Alright, let's keep this going."
Madam Zhou was still thanking him profusely, but Victor waved her off, telling her it was no big deal before making his way back toward town.
He felt on top of the world. His first mission was a success.
And what better way to celebrate than a drink at Chen Wen's father's inn?
---
Victor strode through the lively streets of Lingyun Town.
The feeling of victory made his steps lighter. The inn wasn't far from here, and he was already imagining himself drinking in victory while rubbing his new accomplishment in Chen Wen's face.
However, just as he was passing through the bustling market district, he noticed something strange.
People were whispering. Pointing. At him.
Victor's brows furrowed. "Huh?"
He slowed his pace, glancing around. Shopkeepers exchanged wary glances. Passersby muttered under their breath before quickly turning away.
Then, a young boy tugged at his mother's sleeve. "Mom, isn't that the boy the Qin family is looking for?"
Victor's stomach dropped.
The Qin family?
His gaze darted across the street, catching the sight of a group of cultivators dressed in crimson robes—the unmistakable insignia of the Qin family was embroidered on their sleeves.
One of them locked eyes with him.
"That's him!" the disciple shouted while pointing directly at Victor.
Victor felt every hair on his body stand on end.
Oh, shit.
Before he could even react, more crimson-robed figures emerged from the crowd, rushing toward him.
---
System Notification:
Warning: High-level cultivators detected!
Enemies Identified:
Qin Family Disciples (Qi Refining Realm Stage 5-7)
Elder Qin Han (Core Formation Realm – Early Stage)
---
Victor didn't need a second warning.
"Welp— that escalated quickly," he muttered with a nervous chuckle before spinning on his heel and running for his life.
The marketplace erupted into chaos as the Qin family disciples gave chase, knocking over carts and scattering civilians in their pursuit.
Victor gritted his teeth as his Phantom Mirage Step activated on instinct, creating faint afterimages that made it harder for the pursuers to track him.
"GET HIM!" one of them roared.
Victor weaved through the crowd, jumping over crates, ducking through alleyways, and using every ounce of speed he had.
The Qin family disciples rapidly closed the gap with their qi enhanced speed.
"Catch him alive!" Qin Han's voice thundered. "I want to break every bone in his body myself!"
Victor glanced back and cursed under his breath. "These guys are fast!"
Activating his Phantom Mirage Step again, Victor left behind an afterimage, momentarily confusing his pursuers before darting down a narrow alleyway.
"Where'd he go?!"
"He's using some sort of movement technique—don't let him escape!"
Victor kept running as his heart pounded in his chest. "This is bad. Real bad."
He made a sharp turn into another alley, but the overwhelming pressure of Qin Han's cultivation level pressed down on him like a mountain.
"I need a plan," Victor muttered while scanning his surroundings desperately. He spotted a rooftop and, with a deep breath, channeled his qi to leap onto it with surprising ease.
As he landed on the roof, he took a moment to catch his breath. "Alright, Fang Chen, think… how do you get out of this one?"