Ch 7: The Hunt Begins!

For a moment, Feng Chen just stared at the notification, letting the words sink in slowly. Then, a slow grin spread across his face, an almost mischievous glint in his eyes.

"Hunt 100 beasts, huh?" he muttered, a dark chuckle escaping his lips.

"Now THIS is going to be fun."

He could feel the anticipation bubbling up inside him, the thrill of the hunt calling to him. It was time to put all that training to the test, to see just how powerful he had become. The forest, which had been his training ground for so long, now seemed to transform before his very eyes. Every rustle of the leaves, every distant cry of an animal, every shadow beneath the trees seemed to be taunting him, daring him to come and prove his strength.

Cracking his knuckles, Feng Chen tilted his neck to the side, the joints popping in a satisfying manner.

"I've been cooped up here for too long anyway. Time to stretch these muscles and see what they can really do."

He could already imagine the excitement of tracking down beasts, feeling the rush of adrenaline as he faced them head-on. The thought of those battles... of testing his techniques against real opponents... made his heart race. This wasn't just about hunting beasts; it was about proving to himself that all his hard work had paid off, that he was no longer the weak, helpless boy who had been cast aside.

The forest suddenly seemed full of possibilities, each shadow concealing a potential target. Feng Chen's heart raced at the thought of the challenge ahead, the adrenaline already beginning to course through his veins.

As he took a step forward, a small part of him paused to consider the reality of what he was about to do.

"Hunting 100 beasts… that's no small task," he mused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"I've trained hard, but this… this is the real deal. If I mess up, it could mean more than just a few bruises."

But the hesitation quickly melted away as another thought pushed itself to the forefront.

"But then again," he continued, a smirk forming on his lips,

"if I succeed, it'll prove that I'm more than just the system's puppet. This is my chance to show that I'm the one in control."

The challenge wasn't just about power... it was about independence. Feng Chen wanted to prove that while the system had given him the tools, it was his own will, determination, and skill that would carry him through.

With one last glance at the system screen, Feng Chen deactivated the notifications, entering his self-discovered Do Not Disturb Mode once again. The world around him seemed to sharpen, every sound and movement catching his attention. The forest, so familiar to him, now felt like a battleground waiting to be conquered.

He took a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill his lungs, and then he was off, sprinting into the forest with a speed that surprised even him. The wind whipped past his face as he moved, each stride powerful and sure. His muscles, now honed through countless hours of training, carried him effortlessly through the underbrush.

As he moved deeper into the forest, the sounds of nature surrounded him... the rustling of leaves, the distant calls of birds, the whisper of the wind through the trees. But Feng Chen's focus was razor-sharp. He was attuned to every shift in the environment, every sign of movement that could indicate the presence of a beast.

He wasn't sure what kind of creatures he would encounter, but that only added to the excitement. Would they be ferocious predators, testing his reflexes and strength? Or perhaps cunning creatures that required strategy and precision to defeat? The possibilities were endless, and Feng Chen was ready for all of them.

"Let's see what you've got for me, forest," Feng Chen said, his voice low and eager. He could almost taste the excitement, the danger, and the promise of more rewards waiting at the end of the mission.

"Time to hunt."

He leaped over a fallen log, landing softly on the other side before continuing his rapid pace. His senses were heightened, every instinct telling him that the first encounter was close. The thrill of the hunt, the anticipation of battle, fueled his movements, making him feel more alive than ever.

"100 beasts…" Feng Chen whispered to himself as he slowed down, scanning the dense forest for any signs of life.

"I wonder if they know what's coming for them."

Just then, he caught a glimpse of movement to his left... a flash of fur darting between the trees. Without hesitation, Feng Chen changed direction, his eyes narrowing as he locked onto his target. His heart pounded in his chest, not from fear but from excitement. The chase had begun.

His feet barely touched the ground as he pursued the creature, moving with a grace and speed that would have been impossible just weeks ago. The gap between them closed rapidly, and Feng Chen could see the creature more clearly now... a large, wolf-like beast with glowing red eyes and fangs bared in a snarl.

A thrill shot through him. This was what he had trained for.

The beast turned to face him, its lips pulled back in a menacing growl. Feng Chen slowed his approach, his eyes locked on the creature as he prepared for the fight. He could feel the energy pulsing through his veins, the power of his techniques ready to be unleashed.

"Let's see how strong I really am," he muttered, a confident smirk spreading across his face.

The beast lunged, and Feng Chen responded in kind, his body moving on instinct. The Heavenly Thunder Palm surged with energy, and as his palm connected with the beast, a crack of thunder echoed through the forest. The force of the strike sent the beast flying back, crashing into a tree with a resounding thud.

Feng Chen stood still for a moment, breathing heavily as he assessed the aftermath. The beast lay motionless at the base of the tree, the light fading from its eyes.

He had won.

A rush of exhilaration filled him, and Feng Chen couldn't help but laugh.

"One down, ninety-nine to go!"

But even as he celebrated his first victory, he knew the real challenge was just beginning. This was only the start of the hunt, and each battle would push him further, test his limits, and force him to grow even stronger.

With a satisfied grin, Feng Chen approached the beast and gathered its core, feeling a sense of accomplishment as he added it to his inventory. The forest, once again, was quiet around him, but he knew it wouldn't stay that way for long.

"Alright, forest," he said, cracking his knuckles once more,

"who's next?"

He continued deeper into the woods, his senses alert for the next challenge. The thrill of the hunt, the promise of more battles, and the chance to prove himself drove him forward, his determination unwavering.

The mission to hunt 100 beasts was more than just a task... it was a journey of growth, a test of everything he had learned, and a step closer to becoming the cultivator he knew he could be. Feng Chen was ready for whatever the forest had in store for him, and he wasn't going to stop until he had conquered it all.