The night in Black Wolf Mountain grew darker as Fan Lin continued deeper into the wilderness.
Cold mist drifted between the trees while distant beast roars echoed across the mountains. The deeper he went, the more ancient and untouched the forest looked.
Fan Lin walked calmly along a rocky path, the Iron Hunting Bow resting across his back while the rusty sword hung at his waist.
Inside his mind, the glowing system map pulsed repeatedly.
SYSTEM MAP
Ancient Ruins Detected
Distance: 7.2 km
Treasure Probability: Very High
Possible Rewards:
• Ancient Martial Arts
• Spirit Weapons
• Rare Pills
• Spiritual Herbs
Danger Level: Unknown
Fan Lin's eyes shone with anticipation.
"Ancient ruins always mean powerful treasures."
But he also knew something else.
Where there were treasures…
There were also deadly dangers.
Still, with his current Body Tempering Level 7, he felt confident enough to explore.
He continued traveling through the forest for nearly an hour.
The terrain gradually changed.
Tall cliffs surrounded the area, and strange ancient stone pillars began appearing between the trees.
Fan Lin slowed his steps.
"These stones…"
They looked unnatural.
Each pillar was covered with faded carvings and mysterious symbols.
Some were broken.
Others leaned sideways as if they had stood there for centuries.
The system map suddenly flashed brighter.
Treasure Location: Nearby
Distance: 120 meters
Fan Lin moved quietly between the ruins.
Soon the trees opened into a wide clearing.
At the center stood a massive stone gate half-buried in vines and moss.
The gate was carved with ancient patterns of dragons and swords.
Above it were two faded characters:
Wind Spirit Ruins
Fan Lin whistled softly.
"Looks like I've found something big."
But just as he stepped closer—
CLANG!
The sound of metal clashing echoed nearby.
Fan Lin's eyes narrowed.
Someone else was here.
He quickly climbed onto a broken pillar and observed the clearing from above.
Below him, three men surrounded a young woman.
The men wore dark robes with a snake emblem on their chests.
Bandits.
Or perhaps rogue cultivators.
Their cultivation levels were not weak either.
The system panel appeared automatically.
Rogue Cultivator #1
Level: Body Tempering Level 6
Rogue Cultivator #2
Level: Body Tempering Level 6
Rogue Cultivator Leader
Level: Body Tempering Level 8
Fan Lin raised an eyebrow.
"Body Tempering Level 8…"
Then his gaze shifted to the woman they were surrounding.
She stood calmly in the middle of the clearing.
Her long black hair flowed like silk down her back.
She wore a light blue martial robe that fluttered gently in the wind.
Her face was breathtakingly beautiful.
Cold.
Elegant.
Like an ice fairy from legends.
But what surprised Fan Lin most—
Was her strength.
The system panel displayed her information.
Unknown Female Cultivator
Level: Body Tempering Level 9
Danger Level: High
Fan Lin almost laughed.
"These idiots picked the wrong person to rob."
The rogue cultivator leader sneered.
"Miss, hand over the treasure map you found."
"Otherwise…"
His eyes became greedy as he looked at her body.
"…you'll regret it."
The woman's expression remained calm.
Her voice was cold and clear.
"You three should leave."
Her tone was gentle.
But the threat behind it was obvious.
The bandits laughed.
"Hahaha!"
"You think we're afraid of you?"
The leader drew his sword.
"Brothers, capture her!"
The two men rushed forward immediately.
But the woman did not move.
She simply raised her hand slightly.
Then—
A flash of silver light appeared.
CLANG!
CLANG!
Both bandits' swords shattered instantly.
Before they could react—
SLASH!
Two streaks of light passed through the air.
The bandits froze.
A second later—
Blood sprayed.
Both men collapsed to the ground.
Dead.
Fan Lin blinked.
"That was fast."
The bandit leader's face turned pale.
"You… you're actually this strong?!"
The woman looked at him coldly.
"You should have left."
The bandit leader panicked and turned to run.
But he had barely taken three steps when—
WHOOSH!
The woman's sword flashed again.
The leader's body split open.
He fell to the ground lifeless.
Silence returned to the ruins.
Fan Lin sighed softly.
"Well… there goes my chance for free experience."
He jumped down from the pillar.
CRUNCH.
His landing made a small sound.
The woman instantly turned her gaze toward him.
Her sword appeared in her hand like lightning.
Her eyes were cold.
"Who's there?"
Fan Lin raised both hands casually.
"Relax."
"I'm just a traveler."
The woman studied him carefully.
Her eyes were sharp like a blade.
"You've been watching for a while."
Fan Lin scratched his head.
"Professional habit."
"I'm a hunter."
She lowered her sword slightly but did not relax completely.
"Your cultivation is only Level 7."
"Yet you dare enter these ruins alone?"
Fan Lin smiled.
"Fortune favors the brave."
The woman looked at him for a moment longer.
Then she finally put away her sword.
"My name is Lin Yueqing."
Fan Lin raised an eyebrow.
"Fan Lin."
Lin Yueqing glanced toward the ancient gate behind them.
"The Wind Spirit Ruins open only once every few decades."
"Inside are many treasures… but also deadly traps."
Fan Lin grinned.
"Sounds fun."
She studied him again.
"You are not afraid?"
Fan Lin shrugged.
"If I die, I die."
"But if I succeed…"
His eyes sparkled.
"…the rewards will be huge."
Lin Yueqing's cold expression softened slightly.
For the first time—
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"You're interesting."
Fan Lin rubbed his chin.
"Most girls say that after they get to know me."
Lin Yueqing rolled her eyes.
"You talk too much."
But there was no anger in her voice.
She looked back at the massive stone gate.
"The ruins will open soon."
"Are you coming with me?"
Fan Lin grinned widely.
"Of course."
Treasure.
Adventure.
And a beautiful companion.
Tonight was turning out better than expected.
The ancient gate rumbled slightly as dust fell from its surface.
The entrance to the Wind Spirit Ruins was about to open.
And neither of them knew…
What dangers waited inside.