Chapter Seven: In the Heart of the Mountains

The Boar King's Insight Bone Chain was a rough, dark red necklace made of bones, each bearing blood-red markings that seemed to pulse with a life of their own.

Standing beside the wild boar’s grave, Chen Qi wrapped the bone chain around his hand, carefully admiring the crimson patterns as he mused aloud to himself: “These are the very markings that appeared on the Boar King’s body when it sent me flying. Could it be that this is the so-called Blood Surge?”

The more he examined the bone chain, the more delighted Chen Qi became. Among blue-grade equipment, this chain was undoubtedly among the best, offering not just one, but two active skills—one of which was the insight skill he desperately needed.

Chen Qi continued to revel in his thoughts: “As for the blessing, all my efforts were worth it. It seems even beasts have a sense of gratitude.”

“And perhaps this piece is even more valuable than some purple-grade equipment!”

With the new bone chain around his neck, Chen Qi once again felt a surge of power well up from within. No matter how many times he experienced it, this sensation of growing stronger was sweeter than the finest wine.

He opened his personal status panel.

Personal Information:
Selected: 2FD957. (Each chosen one bears a unique number.)
Name: Chen Qi (Chosen One)
Rank: First Tier (You have survived one world.)
Health: 100% (This attribute cannot be quantified; it changes according to injuries.)
Mana: 90 (Intelligence * 10)
Strength: 13 (Soul Sanctuary +3, Ring +2, Gauntlets +1)
Agility: 15 (Soul Sanctuary +3, Ring +1, Necklace +1)
Constitution: 16 (Soul Sanctuary +3, Gauntlets +2, Necklace +1)
Intelligence: 9 (Soul Sanctuary +3)
Charisma: 8 (Soul Sanctuary +3)
Soul Strength: 104
...

Looking at his steadily growing stats, a wave of excitement surged in Chen Qi’s heart.

Unable to resist, he pulled a chunk of fresh, bloody boar meat from his storage space and bit into it fiercely.

A pungent, metallic taste filled his mouth, and Chen Qi chewed the raw, bloody meat with grim determination, intent on commemorating his first true battle.

“Urgh! Ugh—”

As his initial surge of bravado faded, the taste became increasingly overwhelming, and he finally couldn’t help but spit it out.

Chen Qi gave a wry smile, already regretting his own rashness.

Seeing that there was still plenty of daylight left, Chen Qi decided not to return just yet and instead sat down to eat the rations he’d brought with him.

All around, the forest was lush and verdant, the ground carpeted with fallen leaves, except for the fresh pit torn open by his battle with the Boar King.

He quickly restored his strength, and while eating, kept a watchful eye on his surroundings. Thanks to his pursuit of the first wild boar, he realized he’d already ventured deep into the mountains.

...

Rustle, rustle...

Chen Qi tried to walk quietly through the piles of grass and leaves, but still inevitably made noise.

He frowned at this—among the chirring insects, such sounds were sure to give away his position.

Fortunately, he hadn’t encountered any fierce beasts so far.

Ssss...

Before he could finish his thought, a faint sound came from above, and without hesitation, he darted aside.

A small, blue-green snake on a nearby tree spat venom at him, the toxic spray striking exactly where his eyes had been only a moment earlier.

Chen Qi would not tolerate that; he rushed forward and sliced the little snake into three pieces.

Yet, seeing the snake dead brought him no satisfaction. If he’d been a moment slower, his eyes might have been struck—and in these deep mountains, a wounded eye could mean a death sentence.

He exhaled deeply and decided to turn back. Lingering here was dangerous; he could always return to explore further another day.

Just then, the sharp cry of an eagle echoed across the sky.

Chen Qi instantly recalled the purple eagle with lightning-clad talons he’d seen when choosing this world, and dropped flat to the ground in fright.

He caught a glimpse of a purple shadow streaking across the sky. At the same time, the sensing jade at his waist turned pitch-black—a sign of mortal danger.

He stayed hidden in the underbrush for two more minutes before slowly rising and opening the Bestiary.

The entry read:

Violet Thunder Eagle: Grade Five Savage Beast. Savage temperament, speed like lightning, talons carry thunder, capable of shattering gold and stone. Only inner sect disciples and above can contend with it. Materials from its body can be exchanged for 200 contribution points; capturing it alive earns 800 contribution points from the sect!

“That’s a foe only inner sect disciples can handle. Luckily, it didn’t notice me.”

Chen Qi gasped for breath, his emotions mixed—relieved to have escaped notice, yet frustrated by his own weakness.

The appearance of the Violet Thunder Eagle only strengthened his resolve to leave the mountains. He quickened his pace, running back the way he had come.

...

With every stride over the leaf-strewn, broken forest floor, surrounded by trees thick as men’s waists, Chen Qi kept up a steady jog.

Suddenly, he stopped, frowning. The scenery all around was unfamiliar. With his nine points of Intelligence, he’d made note of several landmarks in passing, but now he saw none of them.

The insect chorus continued, but Chen Qi felt only irritation.

It was clear—he was lost.

If asked what he needed most now, there was no doubt: a map. He had been careless, far less prepared than he’d imagined.

After a brief consideration, Chen Qi decided to head for higher ground. To the northeast lay a small hilltop—perhaps he could spot the Cloud Sea Sect from there.

Whoosh!

Chen Qi dropped into a crouch as a chunk of broken stone whizzed past above his head.

Seeing the sensing jade at his waist turn red, he realized he’d encountered a Grade Seven savage beast.

The beast did not show itself, but continued hurling stones his way.

Clang! Chen Qi deflected a particularly tricky stone and lunged in the direction it had come from.

He soon spotted a black-and-white-furred gibbon, its arms massively developed, muscles bulging explosively, its blood-red eyes brimming with ferocity.

Chen Qi was already seething with pent-up frustration—first from being scared by the Violet Thunder Eagle, then from realizing he was lost—and now he’d found a perfect outlet.

Without hesitation, he charged at the gibbon the instant he saw it.

The gibbon lowered the stone it was about to throw and swung its right fist at Chen Qi.

With a thunderous crash, Chen Qi was sent flying.

“So strong,” he couldn’t help but exclaim. He hadn’t expected to be knocked back with a single blow.

Suddenly he remembered his new scouting skill. He immediately activated it on the gibbon; the bone chain around his neck glowed red.

Information flashed before his eyes:

Name: Iron-armed Berserk Ape
Health: 100%
Mana: 50
Strength: 18
Agility: 14
Constitution: 10
Intelligence: 6
Charisma: 4

Notes: This creature’s hand and arm bones are incredibly hard, impervious to blades or arrows. Fond of throwing objects.

Skill 1: Basic Throw (Passive Lv.2): Can throw any object it can lift at an enemy, dealing 1.4 times its Strength as damage.

Skill 2: Charged Strike (Active Lv.1): After charging for 1–3 seconds, delivers a punch that deals 2.2–3.5 times its Strength as damage. (Costs 10 Mana.)

Skill 3: Berserk (Passive Lv.1): When health drops below 40%, Strength +4, Agility +4 for one minute. After the duration, enters a weakened state: all stats –3.