Chapter Nine: The Cave

Chen Qi quickly reached the small hilltop, surrounded on all sides by mountains, making it impossible to discern which direction led to the Sea of Clouds Sect.

“Damn it!”

He swung his blade at an ancient tree nearby, carving a deep gash into its aged trunk. Still feeling unsatisfied, he kicked the trunk hard. The old tree shuddered, shedding a flurry of leaves.

Letting out a long breath, Chen Qi could only resign himself to reality.

By now, it was nearly noon. After enduring two brutal battles, Chen Qi felt utterly drained in both body and spirit. He leaned against the battered tree to rest.

A cool breeze drifted over from the distant mountains but did little to ease his exhaustion. Chen Qi didn’t even want to move—he just wanted to lean there forever.

But even this small comfort was denied him.

The tree, wounded by his blade and battered by his kick, finally collapsed, falling directly onto the unsuspecting Chen Qi.

He struggled out from under the trunk, discovering his life value had dropped by thirteen percent, and a dull ache spread from where the weight had crushed him.

He sat for a while longer on the fallen tree, waiting for his health to recover before setting off again. Before leaving, he stomped on the trunk, shattering it into pieces.

“Hmm… The Sea of Clouds Sect should be to the south, I think,” Chen Qi mused.

He used the setting sun to determine the southern direction and set out.

He swore to himself that, if he survived this, he would learn to properly navigate.

Taking advantage of a downward slope, Chen Qi quickly charged to the foot of the mountain.

In the distance, he could see two peaks. One was much like the one he’d just crossed, but the other was entirely crimson.

Fixating on the red mountain, he saw that the trees on its slopes bore unnaturally red leaves. When the wind blew, the scarlet foliage shimmered like a mass of burning flames.

Chen Qi vaguely recalled something from the bestiary, so he opened it:

Scarlet Flame Mountain, located southwest of the Sea of Clouds Sect, is crimson throughout and unbearably hot. The fierce beasts here crave fire, and within the mountain is a treasure—Scarlet Flame Vermillion Fruit—which can be exchanged with the sect for five hundred contribution points.

He continued flipping through the bestiary, examining the local monsters. The most powerful was a fourth-grade beast—a scarlet python.

Fortunately, the bestiary noted that most of the beasts on Scarlet Flame Mountain were seventh or eighth grade, and the python had only ever been spotted at a single deep pool.

Moreover, there was a final note: The Grand Elder of the Sea of Clouds Sect, Master Yun San, had already slain this beast, using its sinews to craft a treasured bow.

Chen Qi looked toward Scarlet Flame Mountain, which lay to his northeast—a direct route back to the sect.

Having made up his mind, he hurried toward the mountain.

The moment he entered, a wave of oppressing heat hit him, as if clouds had suddenly parted to reveal a blazing sun.

Fortunately, with a constitution score of sixteen, Chen Qi was tough and sturdy, unbothered by the heat.

After fifteen minutes, however, he sensed something was off. According to the bestiary, Scarlet Flame Mountain teemed with fierce beasts, yet he had not seen any sign of one.

This suited him fine. He purposefully stuck to densely vegetated paths, hoping to slip quickly through the mountain.

As he sped between the trees, sharp leaves slashed at him, leaving many cuts in his yellow-black disciple’s uniform, revealing the nano-combat suit beneath.

He glanced ruefully at his tattered clothes, but didn’t slow down.

Suddenly, he halted. Not far ahead was a large cave, radiating an even more intense heat.

Chen Qi crept closer, feeling waves of hot air pushing against him.

“Could there be some rare treasure inside?” he wondered.

Circling the entrance, he slipped quietly in.

As soon as he entered, the temperature rose by at least ten degrees Celsius. Even with his constitution, Chen Qi felt a faint discomfort.

From deep in the cave came a rhythmic sound, but he was too far to make it out.

Steeling himself, Chen Qi advanced, careful not to make a sound.

He soon reached the cave’s depths, where, to his astonishment, a massive bear lay fast asleep.

The bear’s limbs were thick, its body towering, and its fur was a pale red throughout. Its hair rose and fell with each snore, shimmering like a flicker of fire.

What unsettled Chen Qi most was the dense aura of blood that circled the bear’s body, as well as a faint ring of flame.

Seeing that the bear’s aura was even denser than the Boar King’s, Chen Qi had no intention of clashing with it—even though the sensing jade at his waist only glowed red, indicating this beast was seventh grade.

Noticing the drool trickling from the bear’s mouth as it slept, Chen Qi suddenly realized the source of the heat in the cave.

Near the bear’s snout was a crystalline, flame-wreathed plant bearing two fruits. The fruits released a fragrance many times more intense than tropical nectar, radiating heat like miniature suns.

The bear slept contentedly beside the fruits.

The scent was so strong it masked the bear’s usual musk, filling the cave with a pleasant aroma—apart from the overwhelming heat.

The two fruits dangling above tempted Chen Qi, making him swallow involuntarily.

Notably, the plant originally had three branches, but only two fruits remained—the third must have already been eaten by the bear.

Life was indeed better for bears than for men!

Casting an envious glance at the bear, Chen Qi crept out of the cave.

With the main quest still pending, Chen Qi considered himself a wise man and would not risk his life fighting an unknown and powerful foe.

He didn’t even dare activate his detection skill, for fear of waking the bear and triggering a deadly confrontation.

Once outside, Chen Qi memorized the surrounding terrain and features as best he could—he would return for sure!

Imitating a certain wolf’s catchphrase, he muttered,

“Damn bear, I’ll be back for you.”

But, afraid of waking the bear, his voice was feeble—more consolation than threat.

Frustrated, he suppressed the urge to look back and forced himself to leave.

Suddenly remembering something, Chen Qi opened the fierce beast bestiary.

After searching for a while, he found an entry for a bear:

Scarlet Flame Bear, a seventh-grade fierce beast, primarily inhabiting Scarlet Flame Mountain. Immensely strong, with thick hide and flesh, utterly fearless. Although classified as a seventh-grade beast, it is not recommended for outer sect disciples to face one alone. Its tendons and gallbladder can be exchanged for thirty contribution points; a complete hide can fetch another thirty!

“You must be joking! That oppressive aura is only seventh grade?” Chen Qi complained to the bestiary, recalling the flame-like halo around the bear.

He slapped his forehead, remembering the Boar King’s blood aura, and had a sudden revelation.

“Could that bear also be an elite monster?”

Chen Qi touched the Boar King’s Insight Bone Necklace at his throat. The rich rewards of defeating an elite monster rekindled his urge to take the risk.

“No matter what, before I leave this world, I’ll go all out at least once!”

With this resolve burning in him, Chen Qi kicked a pale red stone by the roadside, sending it flying.