Chapter 29: Hunting the Wild Beasts
Mu Feng and Mu Kuang followed a rugged mountain path into the depths of An Nan Ridge. Initially, the trail was well-trodden, flanked by thick shrubs. But as they ventured deeper, the terrain became more overgrown, with towering ancient pine trees dominating the landscape.
The air was damp and cool, carrying a faint earthy aroma. Occasionally, small animals like rabbits or wild boars darted across their path, but no sign of the more formidable savage beasts, let alone ferocious beasts, appeared.
"Brother Feng, we've been walking for nearly half an hour and haven't found anything noteworthy," Mu Kuang grumbled, his tone tinged with impatience. Swinging his hefty military knife, he hacked through the obstructing undergrowth with ease.
The blade was a well-forged weapon of solid craftsmanship but lacked the mystical properties of Yuan Tools. Yuan Tools, created by skilled forgers and engraved with Yuan Patterns, could amplify a user's energy and even possess unique abilities. Such treasures were highly coveted, divided into low, middle, and high grades, with the rarer Spiritual Tools above them. For now, both Mu Feng and Mu Kuang made do with their mundane but reliable steel blades.
"Be patient," Mu Feng replied calmly, slicing through the brush with his own knife. "We're still in the outer periphery of the ridge, an area frequented by herbalists and hunters. Most of the larger beasts here have likely already been culled."
Suddenly, Mu Feng stopped, raising a hand to signal silence. "Wait. Do you hear that?"
Mu Kuang fell silent, straining his ears. Faint rustling noises drifted from the forest ahead.
"I'll climb up and take a look," Mu Feng whispered, sheathing his blade and deftly scaling a nearby pine tree. He moved with the agility of a monkey, ascending over ten meters in seconds.
From his vantage point, Mu Feng's sharp eyes caught sight of a massive wild boar about 20 meters away. The creature, a Great Strength Boar, was ramming its tusks into a sturdy tree, shaking down large, ripe apples that it greedily devoured.
The beast's dark brown fur bristled like steel needles, its curved tusks resembling lethal daggers. Standing over two meters long, it was a formidable presence—one Mu Feng immediately recognized.
"An eighth-level savage beast," Mu Feng muttered with a smile before descending quietly.
"What did you see, Brother Feng?" Mu Kuang asked eagerly.
"A Great Strength Boar," Mu Feng replied. "Nothing we can't handle. Let's approach carefully."
The two crouched low, advancing toward the boar under the cover of shrubs. The beast continued munching on fallen apples, oblivious to their presence—until Mu Feng and Mu Kuang closed the gap to less than eight meters. Suddenly, the boar sniffed the air, detecting their scent. With a snort, it swung its head toward them, its eyes glinting with ferocity.
"It's noticed us. Attack!" Mu Feng commanded.
Both sprang into action. Mu Kuang led the charge, his blade gleaming as he swung it toward the boar's head. But instead of retreating, the beast charged straight at him with incredible speed.
Boom!
The boar's bulk slammed into Mu Kuang's midsection, sending him flying backward. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he crashed into the underbrush, landing with a painful groan.
Meanwhile, Mu Feng seized the opportunity to strike, his blade slicing into the beast's back. The weapon bit deep, leaving a gory wound that caused the boar to bellow in pain and whirl around to face him, its red eyes blazing with rage.
"Kuang, are you okay?" Mu Feng asked, keeping his eyes locked on the boar.
"I'm fine!" Mu Kuang coughed, staggering to his feet. "Damn thing caught me off guard."
"Don't underestimate savage beasts," Mu Feng admonished, his tone firm. "They survive in a world far harsher than ours. Every one of them is a seasoned fighter."
The wounded boar let out a guttural roar, its rage fueled by the pain in its back. Lowering its head, it charged at Mu Feng, its deadly tusks gleaming.
Mu Feng waited until the last moment, then sidestepped with practiced ease. The boar skidded past, failing to land a hit. Enraged, it turned and charged again, but Mu Feng dodged once more. Each miss left the creature more disoriented, its frustration mounting.
Watching from the safety of a nearby tree, Mu Kuang couldn't help but chuckle. "Brother Feng, you're toying with it!"
"Let it wear itself out," Mu Feng replied. "It'll make things easier."
On the beast's third charge, Mu Feng leapt high into the air, raising his blade. As the boar passed beneath him, he drove the weapon straight down.
Squelch!
The blade pierced through the boar's thick neck, severing vital arteries. Blood gushed out in torrents as the beast thrashed and squealed, its powerful legs digging furrows into the earth. Moments later, its movements slowed, and it collapsed in a lifeless heap.
"Well done, Brother Feng!" Mu Kuang called out, jumping down from his perch. "But these things don't seem all that challenging."
"Not challenging?" Mu Feng raised an eyebrow. "You were just thrown halfway across the forest. Your problem is your lack of proper footwork. I'll have to help you train your agility."
"Fair enough," Mu Kuang admitted sheepishly. "I haven't mastered the Wind-Swift Step yet. You've already reached the major achievement level, while I'm still struggling with the basics."
Mu Feng chuckled. "Don't worry. Practice makes perfect. Now, watch closely—I'm about to show you the true purpose of this hunt."
Kneeling beside the boar's carcass, Mu Feng placed both hands on its body. A faint ripple of Yuan Qi emanated from his palms and sank into the beast's flesh. Almost immediately, its blood began to bubble and churn.
"What are you doing?" Mu Kuang asked, curious.
Mu Feng didn't respond. Wisps of crimson vapor emerged from the boar's body, flowing into Mu Feng. The energy coursed through his veins, nourishing the fractured seventh Yuan Meridian within him.
As the process continued, the boar's once-powerful form shriveled, its flesh drying out until it resembled a hollowed husk.
"Brother Feng... what in the world was that?" Mu Kuang's jaw dropped in shock.
Opening his eyes, Mu Feng exhaled a plume of white mist. "This is the essence of the technique I taught you."
Mu Kuang stumbled backward, his face pale. "That's... monstrous!"