The massive shadow gradually took shape, revealing not the primordial beast Teng Yu had imagined, but a towering black bear. Its razor-sharp tusks glinted menacingly, and its eyes burned with ferocity. Teng Yu could even see his own tiny reflection in those savage pupils. The beast let out an earth-shaking roar that reverberated through the forest, the sound crashing into Teng Yu's eardrums like thunder. His head throbbed as if struck by a hammer.
At the critical moment, Teng Yu activated his spatial ability. His body vanished instantly, leaving only an empty patch of tree bark where he'd stood. Inside his pocket dimension, he wiped cold sweat from his forehead. The droplets trickled down his cheeks, sending shivers down his spine. "Too close… This world is full of dangers," he thought, his hands trembling slightly. Though his spatial power was extraordinary, it wasn't yet strong enough. "I need to grow stronger-fast."
Escaping death had made one thing clear: his dagger might work against petty bullies like Wang Mazi, but against the monstrous threats of this world, it was as useless as scratching an itch. He needed a proper weapon.
Blacksmith Li's Shop
Teng Yu's eyes landed on a longsword forged from refined steel. Its blade gleamed like frost under winter moonlight, and its hilt, etched with intricate patterns, promised both weight and power.
"How much for this sword?" Teng Yu asked.
"Not for sale!" A gruff voice cut through the air.
Teng Yu turned to see Liu San-the thug he'd humiliated days prior-leaning against the doorway with a gang of lackeys. Liu San sneered, his voice dripping with mockery. "Well, well! If it isn't our 'hero' Teng Yu! Think you can afford weapons now? Look at yourself-you're poorer than a rat!"
Blacksmith Li cowered behind Liu San, silent and fearful. Teng Yu's jaw tightened. This was deliberate provocation.
"I'm here to buy, not to beg," Teng Yu said coldly, forcing down his anger.
"My turf, my rules!" Liu San stepped closer, boots clomping like war drums. "Get lost before I-*"
Before he could finish, Teng Yu spun on his heel and strode out. Liu San's gang erupted into jeers, but Teng Yu ignored them. Without a weapon, survival would only get harder.
The Hunt for Opportunity
Wandering the muddy streets, Teng Yu's ears caught a commotion. A crowd had gathered around Zhao the Hunter, who held a peculiar creature-a small, snow-white animal with luminous fur and curious, starry eyes.
"What's this? Where'd you find it?" Teng Yu asked.
Zhao eyed him warily. "The mountains."
Teng Yu pressed, feigning innocence. "Just curious. No harm meant."
Zhao relaxed slightly. "It's drawn to rare herbs. Sells for a pretty coin… but those herbs only grow deep in the forest."
Teng Yu's pulse quickened. This was the opportunity he needed.
Before he could inquire further, heavy footsteps interrupted. Captain Zhang of the town's adventurer squad swaggered into view, armor gleaming. His lips curled into a sneer.
"Look who's still breathing! 'Escape Artist' Teng Yu! What's next-collecting stray cats?" His men guffawed.
Teng Yu met his gaze. "Just passing through. Enjoying the show."
Captain Zhang barked a laugh. "You? A show? You're not even a Spirit Initiate! Know your place, trash!"
Teng Yu's smile turned razor-sharp. "If brute force is all you have, let's test wisdom instead." He pointed to an ancient stone slab on the town notice board, carved with cryptic runes-a puzzle no one had solved for decades.
Captain Zhang scoffed. "You? Solve that? I've cracked tougher riddles before breakfast!"
The Riddle of the Ancients
Ignoring the captain's taunts, Teng Yu studied the symbols. They writhed like serpents and soared like phoenixes, their patterns hinting at a deeper logic. Murmurs spread through the crowd as minutes ticked by.
Suddenly, Teng Yu's eyes lit up. "Rearrange them by the town's layout," he declared, tracing invisible lines in the air.
The slab shuddered. With a grinding groan, it slid aside to reveal a hidden compartment-a lacquered box glowing with arcane light.
The crowd exploded into gasps. Captain Zhang's face flushed beet-red. "Impossible! You-you cheated!"
Teng Yu smirked. "Knowledge beats arrogance, Captain."
A Deal with the Elder
Turning to Zhao, Teng Yu lowered his voice. "That creature's no ordinary animal. You've found something special in the forest, haven't you?"
Zhao hesitated, then nodded. "Rare herbs. But the forest… it's forbidden without Elder Sun's permission."
Elder Sun, the town's revered sage, materialized as if summoned. "Brave, but reckless," he chided, stroking his beard. "To enter the forest, you must retrieve Moonlit Sagegrass-a herb that blooms only under the full moon."
Teng Yu's heart sank. The next full moon was days away. But as he glanced at Elder Sun's herb pouch, a glint of silvery leaves caught his eye.
"Elder," he said slyly, "isn't that Sagegrass right there?"
The elder stiffened. Teng Yu pressed on. "Testing me? You wanted me to spot the variant among common weeds, didn't you?"
Trapped by his own game, Elder Sun reluctantly handed over a pass. "The forest is perilous. Tread carefully."
Into the Wilds
The forest swallowed Teng Yu whole. Sunlight pierced the canopy in fractured beams, illuminating twisted roots and glowing fungi. Strange cries echoed-birdsong, insect hums, and guttural growls that set his nerves on edge.
He'd barely taken ten steps when a creeping vine snapped at his ankle. He leaped back just in time. "Damn plants with murderous intent!"
Deeper in, footprints the size of dinner plates marred the soil. Not boars. Something worse.
A low growl rumbled ahead. Teng Yu ducked behind a tree as a colossal shadow emerged-a beast whose footsteps shook the earth. Its stench of rot and blood filled the air.
Adrenaline surged. This was true adventure.
But as the creature's form loomed closer, Teng Yu's breath hitched.
A monstrous black bear, tusks like scimitars, eyes blazing with primal hunger.
"Well… shit."