Yang Wei soared through the skies atop his dragon sword, traversing the vast Thousand Monsters Forest. His elegant robes billowed in the brisk breeze, causing his snow-white hair to ripple like waves. Squinting ahead, he smiled, "Oh, we're almost at the Red Lantern Village."
The Thousand Monsters Forest is one of those spots that really drives home just how many beasts there are in the Northern Continent. Beasts lurk around every corner, ranging from 3rd level Mortal to 6th level Spirit-Gathering Realm. Basically, it's risky for newbies but a goldmine for Core Formation cultivators hunting for beast cores to flourish their cultivation.
If there were 100 people in the forest, you'd have about 300 to 350 beasts eyeing each of them up for dinner.
That's how packed this place is with wildlife.
Wu Fengtian trudged through the Thousand Monsters Forest, burdened by a heavy bag of loads slung over his shoulders. The sack, much larger than him, scraped roughly against the ground, despite his formidable 5th level Mortal Realm strength.
"AHHHHHHHH!!"
He dashed frantically, with a pack of hungry, thirsty monsters hot on his heels, their red, shiny eyes fixated on him like prey.
"This isn't fair, Senior Brother!" he screamed.
His robes were in tatters, evidence of hours spent fleeing from the relentless pursuit. Gasping for breath, he pushed on, his legs weakening with each step.
"These monsters are too ruthless," he muttered.
His legs cried to rest, but he was determined to keep running.
How did I end up in this predicament?!
Yang Wei decided to punish Wu Fengtian for making him waste time in Tiancheng City. So, instead of using spirit horses, Yang Wei would fly across the Thousand Monsters Forest while Wu Fengtian had to trek through it on foot. Yang Wei framed it as a training opportunity to test Wu Fengtian's physical strength and stamina, but they both knew it was just Yang Wei's way of getting back at him.
To spice things up, Yang Wei emptied his storage pouch and packed all his items in a sack, including the heavy medicinal manuals he'd won from his bet with Huo Zirou.
Now, Wu Fengtian had to sprint through the forest, chased by bloodthirsty monsters, while lugging around a sack multiple times his size, while Yang Wei enjoyed the breeze above the monster-infested forest.
...
Meanwhile...
In another part of the forest, Mu Lingxi strolled casually with her hands clasped behind her back. "No monster would dare attack a Spirit Ascension cultivator," she muttered to herself. "But here I am, suppressing my spiritual pressure and playing hide and seek with these beasts just to avoid detection by Yang Wei and Wu Fengtian."
Her right hand was stained with purple blood.
It was as a result of all 10 monsters she'd killed in a single strike.
Oh, my dear little sister Xinqi... Please forgive your incompetent brother for being fashionably late due to a little mishap involving surplus blood loss, a few broken ribs, slightly fractured skull, dislocated arm and shoulder, pesky back wound, minor spinal fracture, and just a smidge of internal injuries.
He vomited more blood but kept grinning, flashing his bloodstained teeth as people looked at him somewhat scared.
Of course, once I take some pills, we'll be back in action for our playtime tonight. Plus, I've got a brand new game I cooked up just for us! I should be dead by now, but... the sweet thought of seeing your smiling face again is keeping me on my feet.
He laughed little by little, and villagers had already started bolting their doors.
Oh, sweet Xinqi~ Xinqi~ Xinqi~
...
After lugging those ridiculously heavy sacks on his busted shoulders, Wu Fengtian finally made it back to his humble abode. But what he walked into wasn't what he expected at all. There was his little sister, Wu Xinqi, all wrapped up like a mummy, playing Weiqi with Yang Wei. And his other sister, Wu Meixiang, sitting there with a plate of fish smothered in sauce.
Yang Wei made his move, scratching his chin. "Hmm, this game is frustrating," he muttered.
Wu Xinqi snickered. "You're losing again for the fifteenth time! Haha!" She made her own move, grinning triumphantly.
Meanwhile, Wu Meixiang held out the plate of fish, offering it to Yang Wei. "Here, Wei Gege, have some," she said, nudging it towards his mouth with her chopsticks.
"O-okay." Yang Wei took a bite and nodded approvingly. "Mmm, delicious," he commented. "Looks like you're not just a pretty face, but an elegant cook too."
Wu Meixiang blushed and looked away shyly. "Uh, thank you," she murmured.
Wu Xinqi frowned. "Hey, what about me, Big Brother Wei?" she protested.
Yang Wei chuckled and ruffled her hair. "How could I forget about my little angel?" he said affectionately.
Wu Xinqi snuggled closer to him, content.
Just then, Wu Yifei, their elegant mother with curves for days, and breasts large enough to be sacks of their own, sauntered in from the backyard with a plate of roasted meat and noodles. "Wei'er, care for some of this?" she asked, flashing a warm smile. "I made it for Feng, but I'm sure he won't mind if his Senior Brother ate it instead."
"I'll eat anything you whip up, Auntie." Yang Wei grinned back at her.
Wu Yifei giggled softly. "Well, I wouldn't mind feeding you too," she teased, winking.
Wu Meixiang frowned, interjecting. "Mother, enough! That's my job!"
Wu Yifei laughed. "Oops, got carried away there," she admitted sheepishly.
Meanwhile, Wu Fengtian stood there, frozen and pale, his expression turning sour. "What the... what's happening here?" he managed to choke out.