C8 Sunset Mountain!

The Sunset Mountain range was a landscape of rolling hills that stretched endlessly into the horizon. It was a place teeming with Demonic Beasts and Vicious Birds, making it a land fraught with peril. Yet, it was also home to countless Heavenly and Earthly Treasures. Despite the risk of becoming prey to the savage beasts, many martial artists were drawn to the area, eager to explore its depths. However, very few emerged unscathed from its treacherous embrace.

This was the training ground Chen Wuji had selected for Lin Chen.

"Review this list. You need to have it memorized before you enter," Chen Wuji instructed.

Lin Chen took the list and studied it closely.

"Blue Spiritual Flower, Nether Orchid Grass, Nine-Tuned Vine, Rainbow Mushroom... Master, why have you given me this list of spiritual medicines?"

Chen Wuji's expression was stern as he replied with a cold snort, "Why? It's for your medicinal baths to accelerate your cultivation. Even though your Divine Martial Bloodline is fully awakened and your progress is rapid, you're only a month away from the Clan Competition. Currently, you're at Body Tempering Level 5; you must find ways to quicken your pace."

Lin Chen nodded, taking the list to heart.

"Master, you always look out for me. Rest assured, once I'm inside Sunset Mountain, I'll do everything I can to find these spiritual medicines."

Chen Wuji scoffed, delivering a blunt reality check, "Focus on staying alive first. Survival is your priority; only then should you seek out the spiritual medicines."

Lin Chen's expression tensed, realizing his master was commenting on his limited strength.

He was now standing at the entrance to Sunset Mountain, where people constantly came and went. Nearly eighty percent of them were stronger than him, and even those of similar strength to Lin Chen entered in groups, not alone.

"Kid, you're barely out of the cradle, and you think you can enter Sunset Mountain to hunt for treasures? Hahaha, that's hilarious," a burly middle-aged man jeered as he stopped to look at the slender Lin Chen, laughing unabashedly.

His companions joined in, doubling over with laughter upon assessing Lin Chen's youthful appearance and modest strength.

Lin Chen cast a cold glance at the man and continued on his way without acknowledging them.

These individuals were clearly seasoned hunters, accustomed to the mountains. The aura of death clung to them, hinting at hands likely stained with the blood of Demonic Beasts... or perhaps humans.

"Once you're in the mountains, do your best to steer clear of others. Don't trust anyone too easily. The world is treacherous, and people's intentions can be inscrutable. Without their masks, many are no different from wild beasts," Chen Wuji solemnly advised Lin Chen from within the jade pendant.

Lin Chen nodded, "Don't worry, Master. I've got it."

"Hehe, the kid actually went in. What a foolhardy youngster," chuckled the middle-aged man, shaking his head as he watched Lin Chen disappear into the Sunset Mountain.

"Why bother with him, Boss? These days, there are plenty of people who value money over their lives," a burly man beside him scoffed, his face twisting into a lewd grin. "Boss, we struck it rich this time. Those girls had so many treasures on them. Too bad we didn't keep any alive; the boys would've had a real good time."

The middle-aged man's face darkened at those words, and he shot the man a severe glare, his voice harsh with anger. "How many times must I tell you? Don't bring up that matter! If you want to die, leave me out of it. Those women were clearly not ordinary; their deaths will be investigated. Keep your mouths shut in the coming days! If anyone talks out of turn, they'll have me to answer to."

...

Upon entering the mountain range, the light noticeably dimmed.

The dense canopy made sunlight scarce, and one could easily commit heinous acts behind the cover of a face cloth. Bah! What a terrible thought.

Aware of his own limited strength, Lin Chen didn't venture too deep. Three miles in, he stopped and began to search the area.

"Huh? Purple Brilliance Bamboo?"

Lin Chen's eyes gleamed. Ten meters ahead, a purple bamboo stood proudly on a moss-covered rock, as thick as a thumb and with leaves of the same violet hue.

Chen Wuji's list of medicinal ingredients included the Purple Brilliance Bamboo, a highly valuable herb that grew a new segment every three years. The specimen before Lin Chen stood as tall as a man and was at least fifty years old, making it quite valuable. If taken to the market, it could fetch at least ten yuan stones, and there would certainly be buyers.

"I can't believe my luck, stumbling upon such a treasure right after arriving."

Lin Chen licked his lips, ready to move forward, when he suddenly felt a breeze behind his head and a chill on his scalp. Instinctively, Lin Chen ducked and rolled on the ground, scrambling to his feet in a disheveled state.

Crack!

After these maneuvers, Lin Chen heard a sharp snap and turned to see a pine tree, as thick as a bowl, broken in half where he had just been standing, with wood chips scattered in the air.

"Hiss—"

A large green snake, its body a vibrant emerald, was coiled around the tree, hissing at Lin Chen with its purple eyes shining menacingly. Transparent venom dripped from its sharp fangs.

"A Green Spirit Snake?"

Lin Chen gasped. This was a real Demonic Beast, with the power of a peak Level 1 when fully grown. For every additional foot it grew, its power increased by a level. The massive Green Spirit Snake before him was likely a Level 2 Demonic Beast, comparable to a Human Cultivator at the Genuine Cultivator Stage. It could dispatch Lin Chen with less effort than it would take to crush an ant.

Was this the end for him? Despair crept into Lin Chen's heart.

"Don't panic. The Green Spirit Snake has just laid eggs, significantly reducing its strength. Right now, it's extremely weak and can only exert the power of a Level 1 Demonic Beast. If you're careful and avoid its venomous bite, you can definitely handle it," Chen Wuji advised urgently.

Lin Chen's eyes sparkled with renewed determination, and his Battle Will surged. He rose to his feet and stared down the Green Spirit Snake without a trace of fear.

"So, your strength has plummeted? Haha, then I have nothing to fear. Come at me!"

Lin Chen beckoned to the creature with a challenging smirk on his face.

Hiss—

A black shadow struck like lightning. The Green Spirit Snake's slender tail whipped through the air toward Lin Chen with the force of an iron flail.

Lin Chen was on high alert. He had just witnessed this beast snap a tree in half with a mere flick of its tail, a testament to its formidable strength.

"Charge!"

He bellowed, instantly dropping into a horse stance and throwing a powerful punch.

The sound of impact thundered as the snake's tail met Lin Chen's fist, the collision akin to a needle meeting a blade of wheat, with both massive forces clashing midair.

Lin Chen staggered back five steps, his fist throbbing with a numb pain, turning his arm a deep shade of purple.

The Green Spirit Snake, too, was worse for wear. Its tail was sent flying by Lin Chen's punch, eliciting a series of agitated hisses, indicating it was in considerable pain.

"What a brute, such incredible strength!" Lin Chen exclaimed, massaging his shoulder. He had unleashed "Charge," multiplying his strength fivefold, amounting to at least five thousand kilograms of force. The fact that it ended in a stalemate was a clear indication of the Green Spirit Snake's immense power.

"Don't let your guard down; it hasn't unleashed its full strength yet," Chen Wuji cautioned him timely.

​