The small Creek Vige was surrounded by the forest on all sides, which went on forever. The woond floor was always gloomy because old trees with thick canopies and gnarled, twisted trunks blocked out most of the moonlight. The smell of rotting leaves and the subtle, metallic tang of blood permeated the damp, heavy air.


    The rustling of invisible creatures added to the eerie mood of the forest, and vines hung from the branches like serpents, undting gently in the breeze. Any first-timer would get goosebumps from thebination of bloodlust and the stink of death that filled the space.


    A figure moved quickly through the darkness, weaving in and out of thick trees and making very little sound as it rolled through the undergrowth. Yan Jin was the one. Since he was five years old, he had been hunting in the forest. He began by setting up improvised bear traps to catch fire rabbits, which are little but dangerous pests.


    He progressed torger, more formidable targets as his might increased.


    He had a low blood purification level poison tree snake as his objective for the evening. Living in trees, Poison Tree Snakes were a species of mid-grade lineage that could traverse from tree to tree stretching its bodies like vines. When they gripped a limb, their skin tone, which resembled wood, helped them blend in.


    It was hard to break through their skin using traditional ways since it was as thick as tree bark. They could also shoot a horrifying vapor that was deadly out of their mouths, making direct touch nearly impossible. Their threat level put them in the high-grade threat category even if their bloodline was mid-grade.


    This Poison Tree Snake was discovered by Yan Jin a month ago while searching for fresh hunting spots. It was almost invisible against the tree''s bark as it twisted around a tall branch. Its tongue shed out sometimes, smelling the air, and its eyes, a sickening yellow, shone brightly in the darkness.


    Yan Jin had observed it from a distance, taking note of its behaviors and its movements among the trees. Since then, he had been methodically organizing his quest because he knew that a direct encounter would be too risky.


    The snake was a terrifying sight, with a long, sinuous body and tough, bark-like scales that made it very difficult to spot. Its two enormous, unblinking eyes seemed to pierce the darkness, and its broad, t headplemented these features. It looked even more ominous with a series of spines protruding down its spine.


    Its body curved gently as it stretched from one branch to the next, moving with a fluid grace.


    Yan Jin had studied the patterns of the snake and crafted unique arrows with a twirling-mmableposition in order to prepare for this hunt, which took weeks toplete. He was aware that carrying out his well-thought-out n would be challenging and risky, and that failing to do so would mean his death.


    His blind eyes, strengthened by the force of his spirit, searched the forest for any indication of his prey as he walked soundlessly through them. He felt the energy of the serpent, a thread of malice that pulsed against the vitality of the forest.


    He stopped 500 meters away on a tall tree, breathing silently and under control. He grabbed an arrow, choosing one with a sharp tip that would explode on impact. He nocked the arrow to his bow and waited for the ideal opportunity, using his enhanced senses to survey the surroundings.


    The hunters were in apetition where the first to move would be the prey. Yan Jin and the Poison Tree Snake stood absolutely still and faced each other in silence for thirty tense minutes. The surrounding forest appeared to be holding its breath. The peace was broken when a fire rabbit ventured into the clearing.


    The snake struck as if on cue, its body shooting with lightning speed to the forest floor, seizing the rabbit and skipping quickly to the closest limb for cover.


    Yan Jin shot out an explosive arrow with lightning speed. The first explosion struck the limb the snake was aiming for, sending it flying back to the ground, and a whistling sound resounded in the shadows. Step one: sessfully removing the beast from its natural habitat.


    Yan Jin drew out five more arrows without pausing, and shot them one after the other, setting up a ring of fire around the dazed snake.


    The creature''s thick, bark-like skin was illuminated with a flickering light as the mes increased. The serpent iled wildly, attempting to identify its assant, but Yan Jin had already moved into a new spot. He fired a barrage of arrows at them from all angles. Every shot was urate, not powerful enough to kill but powerful enough to pierce the tough skin of the snake.


    The snake, enraged and in agony, replied by spitting a cloud of toxic gas and destroying everything it came into contact with with its poisonous breath. The arrows continued to fly in volleys. Yan Jin fired again and again until atst he delivered a deadly shot right into the left eye of the snake. With a horrifying howl, the snake''s body erupted in pain.


    It made onest, desperate jump to break free of the toxic cloud and face its tormentor head-on. Step two: sessfully enrage the beast.


    Yan Jin did not waver, his concentration unwavering. He was ready for thest part of his wellid out hunt when the angry snake sprang for him.


    With all of his might, Yan Jin circted his bloodline, tensing his muscles as a surge of energy passed through him. Arge metal spear that had been buried weeks before drifted out and gave a loud stomp on the ground. It spun through the air andnded in his left hand. He did a backflip and leaped as high as he could without thinking twice.


    He docked the spear to his bow with a single smooth move, his left hand pulling the string as far as it had ever been pulled, and his right leg stabilizing the belly of the bow.


    The image of the enormous crossbow aimed at the very jaws of death momentarily froze. Yan Jin unleashed the entire force of the arrow-spear at fake speed as the snake lunged forward, its fangs bared for a terminal blow. With the full force of his bloodline behind it, the release sent a resounding shockwave hurtling straight into the beast''s gaping mouth and destroying everything in its path.


    It had a disastrous effect. The spear''s impactpletely destroyed the snake''s internal organs and sent a shockwave into the surrounding woond. Yan Jin did not get out of the explosion unharmed. His right arm was severely broken as he wasunched 200 meters into the forest, falling through the trees andnding hard on the woond floor.


    Yan Jin let out a loud chuckle and dragged his broken corpse in the direction of his target. He was ovee with happiness at the sessful hunt, overwhelming the intense pain from his wounds. It was quite the aplishment to defeat a beast of blood purification level. The Poison Tree Snakey vanquished, its enormous body shredded and rendered lifeless.


    Yan Jin, unable to sit up straight, summoned the healing energy of his nine-neonate hydra ancestry. His injuries gradually started to mend thanks to the hydra''s amazing ability to stitch his shattered bones and torn muscles back together. He felt a cool rush of vitality as he regenerated from the beast''s blood and body.


    Yan Jin got to work quickly, moving with efficiency in spite of his lingering agony. He removed the snake''s rough skin, galldder, eyeballs, and a portion of its meat, which were the most important portions. Everyponent served a purpose, be it alchemical, culinary, or crafting. Securing his booty, he quickly fled the scene, knowing that the chaos would soon draw in more animals.


    The smell of death and blood started to dissipate as he moved through the eerie, dark forest and was reced by the crisp, clean air of the suburbs. His mind shifted to the future, to the struggles and conflicts that awaited. His strength had been demonstrated by the night, but it had also made clear the terrible price of sess.