BTTH : From Humble Beginnings to Dou Di

Just as Lin Feng had left, a group of burly men in matching uniforms appeared at the scene.

They glanced around cautiously before spotting a large pool of blood on the ground.

Immediately, they surrounded the spot where the Blizzard Demon Ape had died.

One of them, who seemed to be the leader, crouched down, wiped some blood with his fingers, and sniffed it.

Then, rubbing it between his fingers, he said to another man, "This is the blood of a magical beast. Someone just fought a magical beast here. Send a signal to the Young Master and the two captains."

After giving the order, he turned to the others and said, "You guys follow me and search the area. If that kid really is here, we must capture him fast and take him to the captain. Once more people arrive, we won't even get a share of the rewards."

"Captain, that kid even defeated the Young Master, who has a Black-Class Dou Technique. Except for you, a Six-Star Dou Zhe, the rest of us are only Three- and Four-Star Dou Zhe. Isn't this too risky?"

One of the mercenaries, eyes flashing with fear, hesitated. He had personally witnessed Mu Li's hands twisted into a gruesome mess and couldn't help but feel uneasy.

The others also grew hesitant upon hearing this, murmuring, "Yeah, Captain, shouldn't we wait for reinforcements first?"

Hearing their reluctance, the captain frowned. He was still short a few thousand gold coins to buy a high-tier Huang-rank cultivation method.

Seeing their hesitation, he sneered coldly. "I'm fine with waiting. I have enough money. But you guys… you're still practicing Low-Grade Yellow-Class techniques, right?"

The group nodded in unison, not understanding his point.

The captain smiled faintly and continued, "I was planning to share the reward if we captured that kid. With the gold and your savings, you'd have enough to upgrade your cultivation methods or Dou Techniques."

Pausing for a moment, he added, "That way, not only would your strength increase rapidly, but your descendants would also have access to better cultivation techniques when they reach the Dou Zhe level. They'd be ahead of the competition from the start."

Noticing their breathing quicken, the captain sighed dramatically. "But if you're unwilling to take the risk, I won't force you. Let's just regroup with the others."

"Wait, Captain, don't be like that! Heh, we were just joking earlier. We're all in!"

Seeing that the captain was about to leave, the mercenaries, tempted by the prospect of better techniques, hurriedly stopped him and changed their minds.

"Sigh, since you insist, I'll take you along." The captain nodded as if reluctantly agreeing.

"Heh, thanks for looking out for us, Captain." The men grinned obsequiously.

Satisfied, the captain assigned their search areas, and they scattered to begin the hunt.

Watching them leave, a cold smirk crossed his face.

"Idiots. Did you really think I'd share the reward? I just need you to wear that kid down first. In the end, everything will be mine. Heh…"

With a quiet chuckle, he turned and slipped into the forest.

Meanwhile, Lin Feng had hurried back to the waterfall at the mountain ravine. After a few jumps and climbs, he reached a sunlit cliff face.

Sitting cross-legged, he tended to his injuries before rummaging through his storage ring.

After a while, he sighed in frustration.

There were no prescriptions for treating the cold energy in his body.

Feeling the icy energy spreading inside him, he resorted to the most primitive method—circulating Dou Qi to expel it.

Exhaling a cold breath, he activated Scarlet Flame Art at full power. His Dou Qi surged from his cyclone, slamming against the icy source in his abdomen, forcing it to burn energy to resist the attack.

For the next few days, aside from eating and drinking the bare minimum, Lin Feng focused entirely on expelling the cold energy.

By the morning of the fifth day, as warmth returned to his body, he finally let out a breath of relief.

"The damn cold energy is finally gone."

Suddenly, Lin Feng's eyes snapped open, sharp as an eagle's, as he turned toward the direction where he had slain the Blizzard Demon Ape.

Several figures were searching the area.

His pupils contracted slightly.

Dressed in matching outfits, they were clearly not here for a casual stroll.

With a few swift jumps, Lin Feng vanished into the forest, silently approaching the intruders.

"The Wolf Head Mercenary Group… they just don't give up."

Perched on a thick branch, he let out a soft sneer. Through the dense foliage, he observed the group. On the left side of their uniforms, a howling wolf emblem was particularly eye-catching.

After some time, Lin Feng confirmed that besides a few Three- and Four-Star Dou Zhe mercenaries, the only significant threat was the Six-Star Dou Zhe leading them.

His eyes narrowed.

If he didn't eliminate the leader first, the man might escape while he dealt with the others.

Once the leader was down, the rest would be easy prey.

Stealthily approaching, Lin Feng positioned himself behind the Six-Star Dou Zhe.

Then—

His right foot tensed before he suddenly kicked off the ground, propelling himself forward like a spring-loaded arrow.

"Scarlet Flame Palm!"

The captain barely had time to react. He spun around, his eyes widening in terror as he saw Lin Feng rushing toward him, barely ten meters away.

"Lin—"

Boom!

Before he could finish, a surge of fierce crimson Dou Qi smashed into him, sending him flying several meters before he crashed heavily into a massive tree trunk.

In his final moments, only two thoughts filled his mind:

I was tricked… he's no Two-Star Dou Zhe!

And why… why was I so greedy?

"Captain! Damn it, run!"

The loud impact alerted the rest of the mercenaries. Just as they were about to rush forward, they saw their captain crash against a tree beside them.

Without hesitation, they turned and sprinted toward the outer regions of the Magic Beast Mountain Range.

"Run? Did you ask for my permission?"

Lin Feng sneered, then charged after them.

Moments later, Lin Feng stepped over two lifeless bodies, approaching the last surviving mercenary.

Grabbing him by the collar, he spoke in a chilling tone.

"Tell me. Who's leading the Wolf Head Mercenary Group this time? How many of you entered the Magic Beast Mountain Range?"

His gaze flickered toward the corpses nearby.

The mercenary swallowed hard, fear gripping his heart.

"I-it's our Young Master and Third Captain. They each brought a team… around twenty people per squad."

"Forty in total, huh…"

Lin Feng murmured under his breath.

After a brief pause, he continued, "Where are they now?"