Outside the village, everything was shrouded in darkness, and the scenery was difficult to make out. At this time, few people ventured out. "Uncle Yang?" Qin Ming noticed a stocky man not far from the village.
Yang Yongqing was surprised: "Little Qin, it's not even dusk yet, how come you're out so early?"
"I thought I'd try my luck in the wild, see if I can find any mountain beasts that froze to death," Qin Ming replied.
Yang Yongqing laughed, "We're on the same wavelength. I just made a circle around the mountain, but unfortunately, I found nothing."
Qin Ming was taken aback. This middle-aged man with a full beard had already returned from the outside. That was pretty early.
"Uncle Yang, you can't be looking for some rare, spiritually gifted prey, can you?" He knew that Yang Yongqing was very skilled—one of the few new lifers from Shuangshu Village.
They had barely exchanged a few words when they noticed a shadow moving in the distance.
"Mountain patroller," Yang Yongqing whispered.
In an era without sunlight, the wilderness was especially dangerous. Strong individuals had to patrol the mountains as a precaution.
A man wearing leather armor appeared, tall, carrying a bow and arrow on his back, a spear in hand, his long hair flowing. The man exuded an air of wild strength.
"Brother Shao," Yang Yongqing greeted him.
Shao Chengfeng nodded. He was around forty, with sharp eyes. He stopped in front of them and said, "You're out with someone so young? Could he be that eccentric fellow?"
"That eccentric guy is from the neighboring village..." Yang Yongqing explained.
"You guys in Shuangshu Village aren't doing well. It's been decades since you had any new lifers in the prime age group," Shao Chengfeng said bluntly.
Yang Yongqing didn't find this surprising. There were few in this region who awakened their lifers at the age of fifteen or sixteen, and talent couldn't be forced.
He spoke, "I didn't expect that eccentric fellow to be so remarkable. I heard he's been supplementing his body's deficiencies recently and his physical condition has improved a lot."
Shao Chengfeng nodded. "Indeed, he's not simple. I just don't know if he can match the top contenders in that bright city far away."
"That's tough. Every place nurtures its own talents," Yang Yongqing said with some emotion. He had seen the prosperity of the city and knew the brilliance that came from advanced power books.
"Indeed," Shao Chengfeng agreed, adding, "I've heard that two incredible youths have emerged there. They've surpassed the new lifers of the prime age group, a male and a female, and they've amazed the entire region."
"Truly a land of talent," Yang Yongqing could only envy, not resent, because those people were far away from them, and the two places had no comparison.
Qin Ming listened attentively the entire time, not interrupting.
After a brief stop, Shao Chengfeng disappeared into the night.
No one knew what kind of beings resided deep in the pitch-black mountains, what dangerous species existed, or how many danger-filled tribes required mountain patrollers to monitor the outer regions and issue warnings.
Qin Ming spoke, "Mountain patrollers must be formidable people. Do they go into the mountains every day?"
"Some are very responsible," Yang Yongqing answered.
Qin Ming froze. Does this mean some people are irresponsible? He hadn't expected this bearded, burly man to answer so indirectly.
"The situation in the mountains is quite unusual, far too dangerous. I reckon it won't be long before a 'mountain sweep operation' is launched, and there'll likely be noble youths involved. Little Qin, it's time to work hard and try to awaken in the prime age group." Yang Yongqing patted his shoulder. "If you're lucky enough to catch the eye of one of the noble ladies, you might change your fate."
After they parted ways, Yang Yongqing returned to the village.
Qin Ming processed the information and made his way into the wilderness.
He moved quickly through the snow, which reached up to his chest, almost gliding like he was riding the waves. Snowflakes splashed to either side of the road.
By now, the night wasn't as dark, the shallow dusk having arrived. The mountains and forests were now hazy.
Qin Ming stood outside the mountain, alert, as no one knew what dangers lurked in the obscured areas.
His stomach growled with a soft rumble. His body sent out hunger signals. Earlier, when he ran into acquaintances, he had forced himself to resist, but now, he couldn't hold it back.
His stomach churned as he looked at the dark forest. He tightened his grip on his hunting fork and dashed into the woods.
He passed the territory of the mutated squirrels, climbed over a small hill, and ventured further than last time.
Once deeper in the forest, he found plenty of traces: broken animal bones, large hoofprints. The thick snow didn't make it hard to travel; many creatures had already created small trails.
Suddenly, a wailing sound reached his ears, resembling the cry of a woman. It was unusual in this desolate forest.
Qin Ming immediately picked up speed, heading toward the source of the sound. He soon arrived at the location.
In the dark forest, a pair of green eyes glowed, with shadows flickering. There were at least a dozen creatures.
Those unfamiliar with the truth might have been startled by the crying sound, but for someone used to the wilderness, this could be an opportunity.
Qin Ming charged forward with his hunting fork, and a flurry of wing beats rang out. The dozen creatures swiftly took off into the night sky, scattering in all directions.
They were carnivorous night birds, two feet long, preferring to live in groups. Their cries sounded like soft weeping, and they hunted small animals, occasionally attacking humans.
Qin Ming quickly closed the distance, silently cursing his luck. On the ground, there were only a pile of bloody bones and a few chunks of blood-stained animal hide. A roe deer had been completely devoured.
After failing to snatch the prey from the birds, he turned and left, wary of being attacked by the carnivorous night birds.
He entered a clearing in the forest. The trees were sparse, and there were bloodstains all around. Large beast paw prints, bigger than a soup bowl, were visible, indicating that large predators had been feeding here.
As for the remains, they were likely taken by other carnivorous creatures.
Just as Lu Ze had said, even the outer regions of the mountains had become dangerous. One could only imagine what the deeper areas held.
Qin Ming remained cautious, leaving the bloody scene behind.
Moments later, he found several hoofprints in the snow and immediately focused, following them.
In the dark, over twenty black shadows stood ahead. They were large, and their presence was imposing as they gathered together.
"Antlered deer!" Qin Ming's face lit up with joy.
In the past, deer herds were rare in this area.
He took out his bow and aimed at a large stag.
These were not docile deer. Adult males had six antlers, arranged on both sides of their heads and in front, flat and sharp like six steel knives. A collision with them would certainly result in fatal wounds.
Even some large predators avoided charging them head-on and instead attacked from behind. If a person fell into a herd of these deer, the outcome would be disastrous.
Qin Ming drew the bow into a full arc. With a sharp "whoosh," the iron arrow flew like lightning, striking the stag's lung.
The antlered deer were always aggressive and would fight any predator. The stag, after being shot, didn't flee. Instead, it charged straight at Qin Ming.
The deer herd, startled, followed it and began running after it. Snow sprayed into the air, hooves pounding loudly, and the whole forest seemed to shake.
Qin Ming remained calm. He drew his bow again, and the iron arrow struck its mark with great force, burying itself deep into the stag, causing the beast to stagger.
He stowed his bow and nimbly climbed up a thick tree, taking cover a few meters above the ground.
Once in the dense forest, it was difficult to aim at his prey due to the obstructing branches.
The stag stumbled and finally collapsed onto the snow with a loud thud.
The herd, still frightened, stopped, and with a rumble, they fled into the distance.
Qin Ming waited for a moment. When no more dangerous mountain beasts appeared, he jumped down from the tree, grabbed his hunting fork, and went to check.
The dark-brown antlered deer was very robust, weighing about 700 pounds. It hadn't slimmed down even in winter.
He was very pleased with the catch.
The forest was dangerous, and it was not a place to linger. He dragged the antlered deer and headed back the way he came.
He appreciated the benefits of his recent awakening. With increased strength, he could pull such a heavy catch through the snow with ease, without feeling tired.
The wild forest was full of tree species, like larch and spruce, towering tens of meters high, reaching into the night sky.
The wilderness is filled with a variety of tree species, such as larch and spruce, towering tens of meters high, reaching into the night sky.
The mountain wind grows stronger, kicking up snowflakes that sting his face. In the howling cold wind, Qin Ming feels goosebumps rise, and suddenly, a pair of large, furry claws are placed on his shoulder from behind.
At the same time, he feels a wave of heat behind him, brushing against the hairs on his neck. He realizes that it must be a massive maw, drawing near, intending to bite off his neck.
In an instant, he shrinks his shoulders and crouches down, rolling into the snow beside him.
Even so, he still draws blood. The claws gripping his shoulder are powerful, like sharp iron hooks, tearing through his cotton jacket and injuring his shoulders.
The snow bursts apart as a terrifying black shadow emerges from the snowdrift, tall and strong. It leaps forward, pouncing on him.
Qin Ming reacts quickly, moving like a snake on the ground, narrowly escaping.
The vicious black shadow lunges again, its sharp claws capable of ripping off a person's entire face, accompanied by a massive mouth filled with gleaming fangs.
Qin Ming doesn't have time to rise but remains calm, extending his hands to grab the front limbs, locking them in place.
The claws are dangerously close to his face, almost touching, but they can't press down.
Facing the creature directly, Qin Ming finally sees what it looks like.
It has a large donkey head, a wide mouth, a long black mane on its neck, and the body of a mountain wolf—fierce and powerful, it lunges for Qin Ming's throat.
The scene is extremely dangerous, and the hot breath from the bloodthirsty mouth sprays onto Qin Ming's face, reeking of a strong fishy odor.
He remains unflustered, holding tightly onto its front limbs, using its own claws to block its teeth.
At the same time, he curls his body, bends his legs to build strength, then suddenly kicks out, landing a heavy blow to its abdomen.
Qin Ming, in the midst of his rebirth, is surprisingly strong. One kick sends the several-hundred-kilogram beast tumbling across the ground, rolling.
"Donkey-head wolf!" He stares at the black beast ahead.
It's also called the mountain hybrid, with a donkey's head and a mountain wolf's body. However, it's far stronger than a mountain wolf. A normal one weighs at least 180 kilograms, and this one has clearly mutated, weighing about 400 kilograms.
An ordinary person would be doomed to die if they encountered it!
Its limbs are long, capable of walking upright. Some old locals have even reported seeing it carrying prey while walking.
This mutated creature is both fierce and quick. As it rises, it presses a nearby hunting fork into the snow.
Qin Ming is stunned. It even shows some intelligence, knowing how to separate him from his weapon.
The donkey-head wolf's eyes are filled with malice, its thick mane standing on end. It suddenly stands upright, much taller, roaring and exuding a powerful aura.
Qin Ming is undeterred. He draws a short knife from behind, ready to confront it. He is undergoing a transformation and believes he could defeat it even barehanded.
The donkey-head wolf moves, a stench of blood following in its wake. It emits a low growl, shaking the snow from the tree branches.
Qin Ming's short knife clashes with its massive claws, producing a sharp, resonating sound.
The donkey-head wolf stands tall, eyes bloodshot, attempting to grapple and tear him apart.
Qin Ming reacts like lightning, the blade flashing as it slashes through its mouth, drawing blood. The creature's fangs are severed.
He quickly follows up, his right leg sweeping like an iron whip, hitting it with a resounding crack. It lets out a piercing, anguished cry.
Qin Ming charges, pressing the 400-kilogram beast into the snow, relentlessly hammering it with his fists.
With a crack, the donkey-head wolf's neck snaps, twisting unnaturally as it lies still.
This mutated beast, with its sleek black fur, is highly valuable and has been preserved relatively well.
Had anyone been watching, they would have been shocked. The ferocious mutated donkey-head wolf was actually killed by Qin Ming with his fists.
Soon, Qin Ming discovers a broken iron arrowhead on the creature.
He confirms that this is likely the mutated creature that attacked him on the road when he raided the red squirrel nest.
At the time, he was too far to see clearly, but he had shot it.
Qin Ming touches his shoulder. The wound isn't deep, and the bleeding quickly stops. The situation was indeed close—had he reacted just a moment slower, not only would his shoulders have been torn, but his neck would have been bitten off as well.
He is exhausted, his stomach growling like a drum, ravenous. He longs to roast a deer leg and feast.
However, starting a fire in the night would be like a beacon in the fog, exposing him to all the creatures in the forest, making it too dangerous.
Qin Ming looks at the donkey-head wolf's body and the nearby antlered deer, then at the low mountain ahead. Climbing the mountain with two large beasts would be troublesome.
He decides to "lighten his load."
The donkey-head wolf and the antlered deer are both freshly dead, their bodies still warm. After Qin Ming slices open their hides with his short knife, blood begins to pour out, staining the snow.
Though he appears to be a handsome youth, his survival skills in the wild are exceptional because he has always survived on his own.
He works swiftly, cleaning the two animals' entrails with efficiency, and buries them in the snow to mask the scent of blood.
"Hope there aren't any dangerous creatures nearby," Qin Ming thinks. It should be fine, as this is the outer area of the mountain forest.
However, just as he reaches the middle of the mountain, he hears a massive noise in the distance.
This isn't a typical sound, startling many birds in the forest to take flight, while various mountain beasts flee quickly.
"Has the scent of blood attracted a giant beast?" Qin Ming furrows his brows, gazing at the dense forest ahead.
The noise grows louder, accompanied by roars. The snow on the ground churns as tree branches crack and snap.
Soon, he sees a colossal creature, like an armored vehicle, large and muscular, rampaging through everything in its path.
It is injured, blood staining its body. This seems to be a defeated giant beast, fleeing into this area, not specifically coming after Qin Ming.
He inhales sharply. This is a wild boar, a terrifyingly large one, at least 1500 kilograms.
To put it in perspective, a 600-kilogram wild boar can be a king among its kind. This one far exceeds its peers, its body covered in steel-like bristles, with tusks longer than an adult's forearm, making it look incredibly fierce.
Qin Ming wonders to himself—if even the mighty wild boar king was defeated, what kind of creature is hunting it?
He had initially thought the beast would pass through the base of the mountain and leave, but instead, it sniffs the air and begins charging up the slope.
The wound has made it extremely sensitive, and the scent of blood in the forest triggers it.
Qin Ming realizes the trouble is far greater. Not only is this giant beast incredibly dangerous, but the mysterious creature hunting it might be following close behind.
He faintly hears movements from the dense forest in the distance.
The wind gradually weakens, slowly dying down.
The boar king, as massive as a small mountain, crashes through, trampling the snow and obliterating everything in its path. The sound of breaking branches and fallen trees echoes throughout.
Qin Ming's expression shifts as he climbs up a massive tree, one that would require several people to embrace. From his elevated position, he prepares to shoot the boar's eyes, heart, and other vital points with arrows.
The enormous boar king nears, its coarse black fur standing upright. As it lifts its head, its face becomes clearly visible. To his shock, it has a layer of black scales on its face, gleaming with a cold metallic sheen, making it appear even more vicious and fierce.
Qin Ming frowns, realizing he's now the target of this intimidating wild boar king. He sets an iron arrow on his bowstring, aiming down.
Suddenly, something feels wrong. The forest has fallen silent in an instant. All the birds and predators that had been flying moments ago are now gone. The mountain beasts that were fleeing have disappeared as well. The vast forest is eerily quiet, an unnatural stillness.
At the same time, he notices a light rising from the distant mountain peak. At first, it is soft and dim, but it quickly grows bright, climbing higher into the sky.
In this moment, the usually temperamental boar king becomes completely still, not daring to make a sound. It retreats silently, moving cautiously as if it were a cat, avoiding breaking any branches. It hides in a dense, dark area of the forest, burying itself under the snow.
During the Eternal Night era, the sky was meant to be empty, always dark.
But now, the light in the night sky grows brighter and brighter, like a bright moon hanging in the air.
Qin Ming is deeply shaken because he knows that the source of the light is actually a bug.