The quiet whisper of the mountain wind brushed against Xiao Feng's battered body as he lay beneath a rocky overhang, the echoes of battle still faintly lingering in the air. His robes were tattered, his internal injuries sharp and persistent—constant reminders of the fierce battle against the Stormsky Raptor.
With a tired breath, he opened his system interface. The damage was extensive; cracked ribs, torn muscles, internal bleeding. He couldn't afford to let these wounds linger.
> "I need to recover. No more fighting for now."
Without hesitation, he browsed through the healing section of the system shop and selected a Low 5th Tier Healing Pill. The price tag read 175,000 Energy Points—a hefty sum, but well worth it. With a mental command, the pill appeared in his hand.
It radiated a soft green glow, warm and soothing. He swallowed it, and almost instantly, a comfortable warmth surged through his body. His wounds began to knit themselves together, bruises faded, and his breathing eased. Within minutes, his strength had mostly returned.
> "I've been in the mountains for over a year. I've fought countless battles, survived impossible odds, and now…"
Xiao Feng stood, stretching his healed limbs. His eyes looked toward the horizon, far beyond the mountain range.
> "It's time to see more of this world."
He opened the system again, this time heading to the Artifact section. If he were to step into civilization, especially the Jia Ma Sacred City—the capital of the Jia Ma Empire—he couldn't afford to expose his true strength. An eight-year-old Da Dou Shi was unheard of. Suspicion or worse—greed—would surely follow.
After some scrolling, he found what he was looking for:
"Veil of the Hidden Wind – 7th Tier Artifact Earring"
Effect: Conceals the user's cultivation level. Only a Dou Zun or higher can possibly see through it.
Cost: 1,250,000 Energy Points
> "Expensive… but necessary."
He confirmed the purchase. A sleek silver earring appeared in his hand, shaped like a wisp of wind and carved with ancient runes. He placed it on his right ear, and immediately felt a veil settle over his Dou Qi presence.
Using the interface, he adjusted the aura projection to match that of a 4-Star Dou Zhi Qi—completely ordinary and unremarkable.
> "Perfect. Now I can move freely without drawing attention."
Standing at the edge of the cliff, he gazed down at the vast wilderness before him. The Magic Beast Mountain Range had forged his strength through blood and hardship. But now, a new chapter was beginning.
> "Let's see what the Jia Ma Sacred City has to offer."
With a sharp flick of his wings, Xiao Feng took to the skies, wind trailing behind him like a ghost. He flew low, staying hidden among the trees and valleys, avoiding any high-rank beasts along the way.
There was no longer a rush for battle. He had achieved more than most adults twice his age.