C24 Fighting the Devil Beast(1)

The other teens cast peculiar glances at Han Feng. His father was known for his gentleness, a stark contrast to their own fathers, who were invariably stern.

They couldn't imagine badgering their serious fathers for stories, as Han Feng might have done with his.

Their mothers were somewhat more approachable, but Renzhong City was a recent construction, only a few decades old. Its brief history meant that most of their mothers were ordinary folks with limited worldly experience, hardly the type to impart much wisdom.

It took someone with Han Tiancheng's patience and gentle nature to do that.

The teens were torn between envy and relief.

Instructor Lin spoke with gravity, "Han Feng has touched on the right idea, but his explanation was too broad. Allow me to elaborate."

"You don't have to carve a mark just on trees. Anywhere will do, depending on what interests you."

"Such marks help you determine if you're lost, going in circles, or even pinpoint your current location."

"They're particularly useful when you're being pursued, helping you maintain your bearings in the chaos."

"The forest is full of similar-looking spots. Without distinctive marks, you might confuse two entirely different places for one."

Han Lin interjected, "But couldn't these marks also easily give away your position to your pursuers?"

Instructor Lin gave Han Lin an approving nod, "Exactly. That's why you must be discreet with your markings, choosing symbols that aren't easily decipherable by others. An arrow, for instance, would be far too conspicuous."

"Some sects have unique symbols and locations they use to communicate with each other during joint training exercises."

"These are things you'll need to figure out over time. But for now, let's put that aside and keep moving."

As they continued their trek, Instructor Lin shared a wealth of knowledge.

Some of it was familiar to the youths, but much was new to them.

They absorbed a great deal on this journey.

Even Han Yongxing and his companions contributed some insights.

Before long, the group reached the inner outskirts of the Jade Peak Mountain Range.

In this area, Level 1 Devil Beasts were a rare sight; most were Level 2.

"Han Lieh, the Golden Armored Pangolin is yours to handle."

Ahead of the group, a Pangolin Devil Beast eyed them with caution.

Instructor Lin and the others had concealed their auras, so the Golden Armored Pangolin could only sense the presence of Han Lin and the rest. Their auras weren't strong, and although the pangolin remained vigilant, it didn't flee.

"Me?" Han Lieh pointed at himself, incredulous.

Instructor Lin confirmed with a nod, "Yes, you."

"This Golden Armored Pangolin has only recently evolved into a Level 2 Devil Beast. Its cultivation foundation is weaker than yours. You've perfected your Basic Long Fists and Basic Leg Techniques, and your Claw Condensation Technique is approaching the Small Completion Stage. If you can bring your full strength to bear, you should be able to defeat the pangolin within three moves."

"Taking more than three moves will show you still need more training."

Han Lieh gulped and steeled himself, stepping forward. The Golden Armored Pangolin, upon seeing Han Lieh, bared its sharp teeth in a menacing grin, a white gleam flashing across them.

From a distance, the Golden Armored Pangolin seemed unremarkable, but up close, Han Lieh was terrified to see it stood half a person tall – a towering presence. He shuddered from head to toe.

Sensing Han Lieh's fear, the pangolin's grin widened, and it readied to attack.

Yet, Han Lieh could only stare dumbfounded at the creature.

Unable to restrain itself, the Golden Armored Pangolin lunged, aiming to devour Han Lieh.

With a frightened yelp, Han Lieh rolled away just in time to evade the beast's assault.

The Golden Armored Pangolin was not pleased; its prey had escaped.

Fueled by irritation, its roars grew even more thunderous.

Meanwhile, Han Lin called out in concern, "Instructor!"

Instructor Lin, his expression stern, gestured decisively, "No intervention. If we can't handle this much, the future will only hold greater challenges."

"Han Lin, you must remember that the trial you're about to enter is far from safe."

"The City Lord is merely an envoy of the Emperor of the Great Jin Nation, sent to keep an eye on our families."

"Furthermore, only when a city is established by the nation's appointees does it gain official recognition. Should any force destroy such a city, they'll face the nation's relentless pursuit."

"Conversely, a city without the nation's endorsement, if destroyed, will not be avenged by anyone."

"However, the City Lord will not intervene in the internal squabbles among our families."

"Currently, the families within Renzhong City are in a phase of growth. Periodically, some families surge in power while others plummet in status."

"To bolster our family's strength, we must enhance our members' cultivation foundation and, simultaneously, suppress other families."

"The most effective strategy is to take out the other families' prodigies."

"In a month's trial, it's highly likely you'll face the targeted wrath of these rival geniuses. Without sufficient strength and unwavering conviction, you'll be in peril."

The gravity of the situation was not lost on Han Lin and the others—could the trial be lethal?

Han Feng, however, remained composed. The recent training tumult had clued him in, fueling his urgency to fortify his power.

Meanwhile, Han Lieh was in a dire state, pursued relentlessly by the Golden-armored Pangolin, his clothes in tatters, his body marred by wounds.

Had his cultivation foundation not been superior to that of his pursuer, he might have already met his end.

Instructor Lin's voice cut through the air with a sharp rebuke, "Han Lieh, muster your spirit and fight back! Do you still consider yourself a Han family elite, or have you become nothing but refuse?"

"Are you so timid that you shy away from a newly advanced Level 2 Devil Beast? What good are you?"

"Have you honed your Internal Strength all this time just to dodge and cower?"

Instructor Lin's barrage of criticism left Han Lieh reeling.

Was he truly worthless?

A gush of blood erupted from Han Lieh's mouth as he was flung by the pangolin's tail.

Struggling to his feet, a fierce rage blazed within Han Lieh's chest.

Before his arrival, he'd taken great pride in being an elite member of the Han family. Yet now, he found himself being labeled as worthless!

It was just a Level 2 Devil Beast, after all. What was there to fear?

The gaze of the Golden-armored Pangolin, once mocking, turned icy. It grew vigilant once more, its cold stare fixed on the prey before it. To the pangolin, this odd bipedal meal was suddenly emanating a palpable aura of danger.