C4 Demon Beast Mountain Range

After a lengthy and reasoned debate, Zhang Sen came to terms with the fact that his son couldn't live under his protection forever. He finally consented to Zhang Yu's request to embark on a training journey to the Demon Beast Mountain Range. Moreover, he meticulously recounted his own survival experiences in the range three times over, not resting until he was certain Zhang Yu had committed every detail to memory. Zhang Yu knew these insights were crucial for his survival in the treacherous mountains, so he took great care to remember them.

"Always keep in mind that the greatest danger in the Demon Beast Mountain Range isn't the Demon Beasts themselves, but other humans. It's easy to spot a ferocious beast, but people are another story. Human intentions are hidden, and those venturing into the mountains are often driven by self-interest. With enough at stake, even allies can turn on each other. So, always be on your guard against people," Zhang Sen advised Zhang Yu with a grave seriousness.

"I understand. Don't worry, Father, I'll be cautious," Zhang Yu replied. Initially, he was taken aback by his father's warning to be wary of other humans, but after hearing the rationale, it all clicked. Indeed, if brothers could betray each other over wealth and power, how much more in a perilous place like the Demon Beast Mountain Range, where the worst of human nature could reveal itself?

"And remember this: safety is your top priority, training comes second. Never overreach, and make sure you return unharmed. To others, I'll say I've confined you to your room for your own protection. I'm confident that when you return, you'll astonish everyone. Now go, and stay safe," Zhang Sen reiterated, giving his son a final wave of approval to depart.

"I shall take my leave then. I'll set out for the Demon Beast Mountain Range tonight," Zhang Yu informed his father.

"Shadow, once Yu leaves, trail him discreetly and make sure he doesn't notice you. With your skills as a peak Martial Master, I trust you can keep him out of harm's way. He may be prudent, but he still lacks the experience of outdoor survival. Your presence gives me peace of mind," Zhang Sen instructed the chief of the covert guards, once Zhang Yu had exited the room.

"Understood, Master. Rest assured, I will guarantee the Young Master's safe return," Shadow responded, then glided out the door. With Shadow on the task, Zhang Sen put his worries aside and returned to his unfinished affairs.

As dawn approached, Zhang Yu finished packing his luggage for the journey ahead.

"Xinger, I might be away for quite some time," Zhang Yu told his personal maid, Qing Xinger. "Make sure you remember everything I've told you. I'll be expecting you to recall it all when I return."

"Yes, Young Master, I've committed it to memory. Please take care of yourself while you're away," Qing Xinger replied, her eyes brimming with tears.

"There, there. I will be back before you know it. Just wait for me at home," he reassured her, tenderly patting her cheek. With that, Zhang Yu slipped away into the night, setting off for the Demon Beast Mountain Range.

The Demon Beast Mountain Range was a venerable forest, home to centuries-old trees and a myriad of plant species. It was a haven for Demon Beasts and a playground for Cultivators of all stripes. Whether it was the Demon Crystals gleaned from slain beasts, the spirit medicines grown from the essence of heaven and earth, or the precious ores for weapon forging, the range offered riches aplenty for those who could carry them out alive. And for the exceptionally fortunate, stumbling upon an ancient cave or treasure could catapult one to unimaginable heights.

A mere hour's journey from Yishui Town, the Demon Beast Mountain Range drew many Cultivators daily. They came to sell their spoils, seek respite from the relentless battles, or simply to rest. Zhang Yu gazed at the foreboding expanse of the range, its peaks like the gaping maw of a colossal beast, then cast a final glance back at Yishui Town before stepping resolutely into the wilderness.

As the first light of dawn painted the sky, Zhang Yu trod deeper into the Demon Beast Mountain Range, the crunch of age-old leaves underfoot. The range spanned thousands of miles, with the caliber of Demon Beasts escalating the further one ventured. Ranging from levels one to five, with one being the lowest and five the highest, the hierarchy of beasts was clear. Beyond level five were the fabled Lord Level Demon Beasts, creatures nearing human form and intelligence. And as for the even more formidable General and Emperor Level Demon Beasts, they remained shrouded in mystery to Zhang Yu.

Navigating the Demon Beast Mountain Range was a challenge, with its thick forests and underbrush, not to mention the lurking Demon Beasts. After four hours, Zhang Yu was still on the periphery of the range. By now, the sun had risen, casting a patchwork of white light through the dense canopy onto the forest floor.

Suddenly, a deafening roar pierced the air, giving Zhang Yu quite the scare.

"Humph, it's just a pathetic Saber-toothed Tiger. And here I was, all worked up for nothing." To Zhang Yu, who was akin to a Qi Refining Cultivator, a wild beast like this was an ideal opponent.

"You'll serve as my sparring partner, a balm for my wounded spirit," he declared, charging at the Saber-toothed Tiger.

Sensing the human threat, the tiger bared its lethal fangs and lunged at Zhang Yu. He watched the beast close in, then his right leg whipped out like a tornado, lashing viciously at the tiger's flank.

The tiger yowled in pain, rolling on the ground before scrambling to its feet and attacking again. Zhang Yu sidestepped with agility, delivering a swift kick to its head. The tiger's ferocity intensified after the successive blows, and it snapped its jaws at Zhang Yu in a blind rage.

Seizing the moment, Zhang Yu grabbed the tiger by the neck, mounted it, and pinned it to the ground. The beast's struggles were futile against his hold. Zhang Yu's fist hovered above the tiger's snout, and with a series of heavy blows, blood began to pour from its nose, ears, and mouth. By the sixth punch, it was clear the tiger would not survive. Zhang Yu held back his final blow as the tiger convulsed a few more times and then lay still, lifeless.

Dusting off his hands, Zhang Yu surveyed the Saber-toothed Tiger's carcass. "No worries about today's meal, and this fellow should taste pretty good," he mused to himself.

Armed with his trusty short knife, Zhang Yu swiftly severed a hind leg from the Saber-toothed Tiger. He then gathered some dry wood, sparked a fire, and began barbecuing the meat right there on the spot.

As the tiger meat turned a succulent golden brown and began to sizzle, Zhang Yu reached into his bag and generously seasoned it with salt.

"Hmm, it smells enticing," he mused, eyeing the nearly done meat. With a slice of his knife, he cut a piece and tasted it. "My cooking may not be top-notch, but there's something about wild game that's just different from farm-raised livestock. The flavor's quite good, and when you're out in the wild, anything that fills the belly is a treasure." He savored his culinary creation, offering himself a bit of self-praise.

Continuing his feast on the delicious tiger meat, Zhang Yu didn't stop there. He carved another thigh from the beast and set it over the flames to roast. Once done, he wrapped it in some aromatic leaves he had picked from the forest, tucking it into his bag for later. "This will be perfect for tonight's meal."

Satiated, Zhang Yu resumed his journey, venturing deeper into the Demon Beast Mountain Range.

A hundred miles in, his expression grew solemn. This was where Demon Beasts roamed in abundance. Though they were mostly first and second level—considered low-level threats—they posed a significant danger to him. Zhang Yu slowed his pace, his senses heightened, vigilantly scanning his surroundings.

Suddenly, he felt a tremor underfoot, accompanied by distant roars. Stealthily, he moved toward the commotion.

"Ah, a Barbarian Armor Giant Lizard locked in battle with a Spike Porcupine," he observed through a break in the foliage, watching the two Demon Beasts clash with ferocity. His keen sense of aura allowed him to determine that both were second-level adversaries, either of which could send him fleeing in a solo fight.

"However, this fight is bound to end with one dead and the other gravely wounded. While I'm no match for a fully capable second-level Demon Beast, I can certainly handle one that's injured or at death's door." Zhang Yu assessed the situation, strategizing his next move. A determined glint in his eye, he thought, "Today, I'll play the opportunist and reap the rewards of their battle!"

Roughly half an hour later, with a resounding thud, the Spike Porcupine collapsed to the ground, defeated. The Barbarian Armor Giant Lizard had emerged victorious, leveraging its superior defense. The victory was hard-won; the lizard's once-thick armor lay in tatters, its body riddled with wounds. Yet, victory was victory. Laboriously dragging its battered form, the lizard approached the porcupine's carcass, opened its maw, bloodied and gaping, and bit down on the body, ready to savor its hard-fought meal.

"Now is the moment!" Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Yu clutched his sword and thrust it viciously toward the eyes of the Barbarian Armor Giant Lizard. He was aware that the eyes were the creature's Achilles' heel, and despite his own grave injuries, he was determined to give it his all.

With a sickening squelch, Zhang Yu's short sword plunged deep into the lizard's eye socket, provoking an immediate and violent thrashing. As Zhang Yu prepared to withdraw his blade and target the lizard's other eye, he was brutally struck by the creature's tail.

"Ah!" Zhang Yu cried out in agony, feeling as if his bones were on the verge of shattering. This was the might of an injured Barbarian Armor Giant Lizard; had it been at full strength, it might have cost Zhang Yu his life.

Bearing the pain, Zhang Yu pushed himself to his feet, wiping away the trickle of blood at his mouth, and took stock of the situation. The lizard's condition was deteriorating; if he could just keep up the fight, victory was assured. However, in the Demon Beast Forest, lingering in one spot after causing such an uproar was forbidden, as the scent of blood would draw other demon beasts. Time was ticking, and to be safe, he needed to finish this quickly and leave without delay.

"Damn it, I'll risk another hit from this brute if I must, but it's going down!" Resolved, Zhang Yu charged at the Barbarian Armor Giant Lizard once more. With his nimble movements giving him an edge, he maintained the upper hand, yet he still couldn't inflict a decisive blow.

After feigning another vulnerability, Zhang Yu finally seized the right moment and thrust his weapon into the remaining eye socket of the Barbarian Armor Giant Lizard. With a forceful stab, he pierced straight through its brain, delivering a fatal blow. Yet, in its death throes, the Barbarian Armor Giant Lizard managed to land a heavy hit on Zhang Yu, leaving him severely wounded.

"Thank goodness, I've emerged victorious," Zhang Yu muttered, gazing at the defeated creature. Ignoring his own injuries, he swiftly extracted two Demon Crystals from the carcasses of the Demon Beasts and hastened away from the scene.