Chapter 91: Shonejaw Ravagers

Jiang Feng stood atop a high plateau, overlooking the massive expanse of land that stretched endlessly before him. The crisp air carried a faint trace of energy, and instinctively, his body began to employ Infernal Breathing. It had become a reflex—each inhale drawing in the dense spiritual energy around him, converting it into heated, infernal spiritual energy that coursed through his meridians in steady circulation.

"My God, this is amazing!" he exclaimed, marveling at the intensity of the transformation. The dense energy was swiftly refined, igniting his blood with exhilaration. His body felt as though it were soaking in a rejuvenating hot spring for the very first time. The sensation was almost intoxicating. The more he used Infernal Breathing, the more voraciously his body devoured the surrounding energy. The process quickened, his body becoming like a bottomless vessel yearning to be filled.

"At present, I have no allies here" Jiang Feng muttered, his voice carrying a firm resolve. "It's just me. I must prioritize safety and progression. Right now, my Essence Lake spans 6,350 meters, but by my estimation, it'll take at least a year—possibly two, or even more—to reach the third stage."

Jiang Feng clenched his fists as he assessed his situation. With his Skyforge Flame, mastery over the Concept of Darkness, Eternal Blood, and the Aetherion Dragon at his disposal, he knew his potential was immense. Yet, the resources required to fuel that potential could easily drain an entire city's worth of wealth.

"The one-year clock starts now" he declared, determination lighting his gaze. "Time to head out."

Taking a deep breath, Jiang Feng began his descent from the plateau. The Obsidian Waterfall Realm was known for its unpredictable terrain and ever-changing landscape. Each time it opened, it would transport participants to a completely new area, rendering maps and navigation tools useless.

It took him an entire day to reach the midsection of the mountain. The spiritual energy density here—ten times the norm—left his body feeling anything but fatigued. If anything, it was strengthening him with each passing moment. As he moved, he came across a peculiar sight—a cave carved roughly into the side of the mountain.

Surrounding the entrance were tall trees and jagged rocks, but what truly caught his attention was a lone tree bearing clusters of vibrant red fruits. The tree seemed to glow faintly, its fruits exuding an enticing aroma. However, Jiang Feng's instincts screamed caution.

"Hmm. I can sense danger" he muttered, narrowing his eyes at the scene. The setup was too perfect—too inviting.

'Well, let's get to it, then' Jiang Feng thought as he opened his hand. The Celestial Dagger materialized instantly, gliding through the air to land firmly in his grasp. Its blade hummed faintly, absorbing the ambient spiritual energy and causing the space around it to ripple.

"Recover" Jiang Feng whispered, his mind intuitively understanding the dagger's subtle message. Unlike the Aetherion Dragon or the Codex, the Celestial Dagger didn't communicate in words, but its intent was clear nonetheless.

Moving with caution, Jiang Feng approached the tree, his footsteps soundless. Once he was within range, he pressed himself against the trunk, peeking into the dark cave. The interior was pitch-black—its depths shrouded in shadow—but to his surprise, his enhanced senses granted him a faint clarity or maybe it was the concept of darkness at work, he wasn't sure which it was, but now was the time to find out.

"I don't sense anything alive inside" he thought, though he remained wary.

Steeling his nerves, he climbed the tree with practiced ease, his movements swift and efficient. The fruits hung high, their vibrant red hue glowing faintly. He plucked one of the fruits and examined it closely.

The fruit was the size of a fist, its skin smooth and polished like glass. Thin veins of golden light pulsed faintly beneath its surface, as if it contained a core of molten energy. Jiang Feng brought it closer to his nose, inhaling deeply. The aroma was rich and intoxicating, carrying a sweetness that hinted at immense vitality.

Not one to take unnecessary risks, Jiang Feng carefully inspected the fruit using his senses. 'The energy within was pure and abundant, with no trace of poison or harmful substances.'

"This must have been absorbing spiritual energy for centuries" Jiang Feng murmured, marveling at the sheer density of power within the fruit. Satisfied, he bit into it cautiously.

The moment the flesh of the fruit touched his tongue, a surge of warmth exploded within him. The taste was divine—a perfect blend of sweetness and tang, followed by a cooling aftertaste that left him refreshed.

As he swallowed, a wave of energy coursed through his body, spreading to every fiber of his being. His Essence Lake trembled, expanding by an astonishing twenty meters in an instant. Jiang Feng's eyes widened in shock. For a single fruit to achieve such an effect was unheard of, especially given the enormous energy his body required to progress.

"This is incredible" he whispered, gripping the remaining fruit tightly. "If one of these can do this to me, I can't imagine what it would do for someone else!."

Examining the fruit again, he decided on an appropriate name. "I'll call it the Crimson Vein Fruit" he declared, inspired by the glowing golden veins that coursed beneath its surface.

Pocketing a few more of the fruits in how spatial ring, Jiang Feng's gaze turned toward the cave. "If the tree alone is this extraordinary, what treasures might lie inside?"

Steeling himself once more, Jiang Feng descended from the tree and approached the cave, his grip on the Celestial Dagger tightening. Whatever awaited him within, he was ready to face it head-on.

It was then that he heard the howls of wolves, a sound that sent chills down his spine. These howls were deeper, more menacing, and far more powerful than the Direwolves at the Eastern Wall. Jiang Feng spun around swiftly, his hand instinctively tightening around his dagger. Emerging from the underbrush, their forms illuminated by the faint light of the Obsidian Waterfall Realm, were twelve wolf-like creatures.

Jiang Feng's eyes widened in disbelief. His luck had truly run out. The beasts stalking toward him were Stonejaw Ravagers—monsters infamous for their savage nature. Their rugged, rock-like scales gleamed faintly, their bodies a perfect camouflage for the jagged terrain. Each step they took was purposeful, their glowing amber eyes locked onto him with predatory intent.

"These guys... of all the things to run into here!" Jiang Feng muttered, his voice low but edged with tension.

Stonejaw Ravagers were renowned for their brutal strength and unwavering tenacity. Hunters spoke of their devastating jaws, capable of crushing through stone and reinforced armor with ease, he never thought he would find these creature in a place like this. Their pack tactics were the stuff of nightmares; tightly coordinated and relentless, they could overwhelm even seasoned warriors. To make matters worse, their rocky hides provided formidable natural armor, making them difficult to wound.

Jiang Feng tightened his grip on his dagger even more, its blade sharpened as the runic lines glowed, his mind racing. No one survives a pack like this unless they're lucky—or smart.

"Just my damn bad luck" he hissed under his breath before pivoting and sprinting up the mountain. The moment his boots hit the slope, the Ravagers howled in unison and bolted after him. The pounding of their clawed paws against stone reverberated like thunder, growing louder with every second.

Jiang Feng pushed himself hard, leaping over uneven ground and dodging jagged outcroppings. The incline was steep, but he knew the beasts would have no trouble navigating it. I can't outrun them for long, he thought grimly. His instincts screamed at him to fight, but against twelve of them? He clenched his teeth.

The first Ravager lunged at his back, its jagged jaws snapping shut inches from his leg. Jiang Feng spun, the dagger in his hands sweeping in a deadly arc. The silver steel blade met the beast's exposed throat, slicing through with a burst of blood. The creature let out a gurgling snarl before collapsing, but its packmates surged forward, undeterred. 'It's very sharp' Jiang Feng's eyes shined.

The second Ravager came from the side, its claws swiping for Jiang Feng's chest. He ducked low, narrowly avoiding the strike, and countered with a precise thrust of the Celestial Dagger. The blade shimmered faintly in the dim light, its runic lines glowing faintly as it pierced the beast's underbelly. The dagger tore through the creature's rocky hide as if guided by some unseen force, finding a vulnerable gap between the scales. The Ravager let out a strangled snarl, collapsing in a heap.

Two down, but the rest of the pack was already closing in. Jiang Feng gritted his teeth, clutching the dagger tightly. "They're testing me—wearing me down" he muttered through clenched teeth, sweat dripping down his brow, it took a lot out of him even though it seemed easy, these beast were enhance by shocking spiritual energy of the Waterfall Realm.

If it wasn't for the sharpness of the Celestial Dagger, Jiang Feng would have no way to even fight these Stonejaw Ravagers and would have to run for his life.

-