The presence was suffocating, heavier than the air in the cave, making Wei Long's chest feel like a stone had lodged itself inside.
He kept himself perfectly still, not even daring to blink as the sound of footsteps and sniffing became more pronounced.
His enhanced senses screamed at him, sharpening to the point of discomfort, every crunch of leaves and shift of weight outside amplifying in his mind like a crashing cymbal.
Then, a shape materialized at the cave entrance.
A large nose, its damp surface glistening under the faint moonlight, peeked in.
Wei Long's claws instinctively tightened into the earth beneath him, carving grooves as his reptilian mind screamed to strike—or run.
Ding!
The system's notification materialized in the corner of his vision.
Mortal Beast Level 11: Fury Wolf.
Wei Long's stomach lurched at the sight.
The creature's rank far exceeded his ability to fight or escape unscathed.
The wolf's nose twitched, sniffing methodically, pulling in the mix of smells lingering from the bait pile and fresh kills.
Its breath was hot and sharp, like stale iron, filling the narrow cave with its scent.
Stay hidden.
Stay small.
Wei Long mentally chanted, his camouflage blending him seamlessly into the earthy wall of the cave.
Suddenly, a high-pitched whistle pierced the tension, sharp and commanding.
Wei Long's ears rang, every nerve in his body tightening as he processed the new threat: a human voice.
"What is it, boy?" the voice asked, calm yet authoritative, echoing faintly in the quiet forest.
The Fury Wolf growled low in its throat, a deep rumble that felt more like a tremor through the ground than sound.
"You smell something strange?" the voice continued, tone sharp with curiosity. "What is it this time? Spit it out."
Wei Long listened intently, frozen in place as the man's words played out.
The wolf growled again, louder, pacing slightly outside the cave's entrance.
"Huh," the man said, drawing the word out thoughtfully. "A strange mix of scents all in one place? Rodent, scavenger bird, spore beast... Did some poor creature leave a feast behind, or did you stumble onto a battleground?"
The wolf gave a single, sharp woof in reply.
"Well, nothing above the eighth stage in this area so far. If it's still here, it's likely the weakest kind of Mortal Beast. Definitely not a threat for new disciples to tame tomorrow."
Disciples? Wei Long's reptilian eyes narrowed slightly. A training ground?
The Fury Wolf sniffed once more, its nose dipping closer into the entrance.
Wei Long didn't breathe. His body screamed to act, but his instincts won out. Against something this strong—he had no chance.
"Well, we're not here for tiny pests," the man said, his voice softening but losing none of its authority.
"Still, double-check the surrounding area. I'll be damned if we let one of the higher-stage creatures wander near the disciples' route. You know the drill: anything above the eighth stage needs to be dealt with swiftly and cleanly. Kill it twice over if you have to."
The wolf barked once in acknowledgment before its massive frame turned, its tail brushing lightly against the edge of the cave entrance.
For one agonizing second, Wei Long thought it might glance back—but it didn't.
Outside, Wei Long's sharp ears picked up the wolf prowling through the area.
Every crunch of the forest floor, every faint sniff echoed in his mind. He felt trapped, vulnerable—things he hadn't felt since waking up in this strange world.
"Find anything?" the man called after a while.
The Fury Wolf woofed in reply.
The man chuckled faintly. "A Weasel Devil at the eighth stage? Hah, poor thing never stood a chance against you, huh? Tell me, did it struggle? Or did you dispatch it before it even realized what hit it?"
The wolf barked, deeper this time, and Wei Long could almost hear the smugness in the man's reply.
"Efficient as ever," the man said, his tone dripping with approval. "And nothing higher than that, right? No pesky beast in its twelfth stage lurking about? I don't want any surprises tomorrow."
The wolf let out a softer bark this time, followed by a low rumble.
"Good boy. Always thorough, aren't you? Make sure you do one last sweep before we leave."
Wei Long's chest ached from holding his breath, his claws itching to move, but he forced himself to stay hidden.
The Fury Wolf's steps circled closer again, the rhythm slow, deliberate, each footfall landing with unnerving precision.
It sniffed around the forest floor outside the cave before letting out a short bark once more.
The man whistled again, a single sharp note. "Come back, then. That area's cleared. We're done here. Let's leave this sanctuary alone for now. The new disciples will appreciate the peace—and you deserve a break."
Wei Long heard the rustle of movement fade into the distance, the weight of their presence lifting at last.
He exhaled slowly, his body trembling with relief as he sank into the shadows of the cave wall.
Sanctuary?
Disciples?
Tamed beasts?
Wei Long's mind swirled as he tried to piece them together.
He barely noticed the silence that followed.
It wasn't comforting.
The dread lingered, an invisible weight that coiled around him. Even as he began to relax, his stomach felt heavy. "I really am in a cultivation world."
Wei Long crouched at the back of the cave. "Yes, this shouldn't just be any forest. It's a sect sanctuary."
His cold, reptilian eyes narrowed as he mulled over the implications of the man's words. New disciples would come here to tame beasts. This must mean the sect specialized in beast cultivation. "It didn't matter, though. What mattered was the opportunity it provided me."
He stretched his limbs, the cold, smooth scales flexing over lean, taut muscle. His mind was sharp with purpose now. I would stay weak if I don't do something. Not in a place like this. He wouldn't risk sleep tonight, not when there were no threats above the eighth stage Mortal Beast left in the area. I need strength.
Wei Long crept to the edge of the cave, peering out into the dim, moonlit sanctuary. His Bio-engineered Mortal Camouflage activated, shrouding his small dinosaur-like frame in shadowy hues that blended seamlessly with the terrain.
The night was silent, and the only thing he could hear were small winds through the trees and their leaves.
Using his Predatory Senses, he caught faint signs of life ahead. The subtle rustling of grass, the occasional snap of twigs. To him, they weren't random sounds—they were directions. Each noise painted a clear picture of his prey's position.
Good. He slunk forward, silent as a ghost.
The first target came into view: a small rodent-like creature, its fur bristling and eyes darting nervously.
Mortal Beast Level 4: Bristle Spore Rat.
Wei Long's heart thrump. This prey was weaker, but it would suffice. He circled wide, positioning himself downwind.
The Bristle Spore Rat twitched its whiskers, oblivious to his presence as his Mortal Camouflage worked flawlessly. With a sudden burst of speed, Wei Long pounced, his claws pinning the creature in an instant.
The rat squealed, struggling briefly before his Toxic Scales released a faint pulse of venom, paralyzing it.
Wei Long then sank his teeth into the soft fur of its neck, the rich taste of iron filling his mouth as its life force faded. He devoured the creature quickly, not sparing a moment to savor it.
Ding!
Satisfaction: 62.3% / 100%
Hydration: 55.6% / 100%
Wei Long licked his maw clean. He didn't stop to celebrate. There were more prey waiting.
He moved deeper into the forest, he was like a streak of shadow gliding through the underbrush. His reptilian eyes caught movement near a stream.
A round, plump creature waddled close to the water's edge.
Mortal Beast Level 4: Puddle Wriggler.
The amphibian's slick, oily body shimmered in the moonlight as it flicked its long tongue into the water, unaware of Wei Long's lurking presence.
Without hesitation, Wei Long closed the gap, his scales dampening the sound of his approach. He lunged, snapping the creature cleanly between his jaws. It barely had time to struggle before its limp form slid down his throat.
Ding!
Satisfaction: 63.8% / 100%
Hydration: 63.2% / 100%
Wei Long's confidence skyrocketed.
Two kills down. He stalked farther into the forest.
The next target stood on high alert, its ears flicking at every sound.
Mortal Beast Level 4: Leaf-Trotter Hare.
Wei Long grinned inwardly. This one wouldn't be as easy—it had sharp instincts and speed. He crouched lower, timing his approach with precision. When the hare's ears twitched toward a nearby rustle, he struck.
The hare bolted immediately, but Wei Long's Predatory Senses anticipated its movements.
His claws raked the ground as he gave chase, using the terrain to cut it off. In a final, calculated leap, he landed directly on the hare, his weight pinning it as his jaws clamped down.
Ding!
Satisfaction: 65.7% / 100%
Hydration: 70% / 100%
Wei Long let out a satisfied hiss as he finished the hare.
Suddenly, a system would add something.
Ding!
The host must keep Satisfaction above 65% and Hydration above 70% for three hours to reach Level six Mortal Beast.
Wei Long was surprised, I see. Just a little more huh…
Soon, he retreated to a nearby thicket.
For three hours, Wei Long knew he must maintain this state, keeping his Satisfaction at 65% and Hydration at 70%. If he could do so, the system would push him to the next stage: Level Six Mortal Beast.