Chapter 4: Reaping the Benefits as the Fisherman

“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, for killing a wild rabbit. You have gained 15 experience points and 10 silver coins.”
“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, for obtaining a low-grade spiritual herb: Blazing Fire Grass.”
“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, for leveling up. You are now Level 3 (Third Stage Martial Apprentice)!”
...
Wu Tian had plunged into the Misty Forest for two days, raising his level from a First Stage Warrior to a Third Stage Warrior. Upon reaching the third stage, the experience gained from slaying low-level wild monsters diminished greatly, prompting him to venture deeper into the Misty Forest. Nonetheless, he had collected a fair number of spiritual herbs. Thanks to his auxiliary skill, Alchemy, he could refine basic low-grade spiritual pills.

It was well known that alchemists were rare professions in the Mad Martial Empire and across the entire Divine Dragon Continent, especially high-level alchemists, who were exceedingly scarce. As a result, pills were extremely valuable. Wu Tian's mastery of alchemy provided him with an additional avenue for wealth.

Of course, his primary focus now was leveling up. Wu Tian pressed further into the depths of the Misty Forest, slaying every wild monster he encountered along the way—after all, every kill yielded experience, and one would be foolish not to take advantage.

However, after journeying deeper for half a day, the atmosphere around him changed. There were virtually no wild monsters in sight. The dense foliage blocked out the sun, and a chilling wind swept through the trees, accompanied by occasional deep, guttural roars.

“I’ve likely entered the territory of the beast monsters. Only in their domain are wild monsters absent,” Wu Tian thought, immediately raising his vigilance to the maximum.

Suddenly, with a swift whoosh, a cold sensation brushed his back. He spun around instantly, swinging the iron blade he’d just acquired.

Clang! A crisp sound rang out—a Level 2 beast monster, a Gale Wolf, had sunk its sharp teeth into Wu Tian’s blade.

“Damn it! Seriously? A Level 2 beast monster right off the bat? Only a Level 5 Martial Apprentice could handle this!” Wu Tian stared at the blood-red eyes of the Gale Wolf, speechless.

“Roar!” The Gale Wolf clamped down on Wu Tian’s blade, its four razor-sharp claws desperately tearing at him.

Wu Tian had no choice but to retreat. Suddenly, with a loud thud, he stumbled and fell, dropping his blade. The Gale Wolf pinned him down, its gaping maw lunging for his throat.

“You bastard, don’t think I’m easy prey! Invincible Kill! Die!” Wu Tian, seething with rage, activated his kill skill, unleashing a surge of overwhelming power.

Boom! The Gale Wolf was sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground. Blood spewed from its jaws as it convulsed briefly before dying.

Clang!

“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, for killing a Level 2 beast monster: Gale Wolf. You have gained 8,000 experience points, 500 silver coins, and a Gale Wolf Armor (Mystic grade).”

“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, for leveling up. You are now Level 4 (Fourth Stage Martial Apprentice).”
“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, for leveling up. You are now Level 5 (Fifth Stage Martial Apprentice).”
“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, for leveling up. You are now Level 6 (Sixth Stage Martial Apprentice).”

As the Gale Wolf died, a series of prompts echoed in Wu Tian’s mind.

“Ha! The experience from beast monsters is incredible—one kill and I’m up to Level 6 Martial Apprentice! And I’ve obtained a mystic-grade defensive equipment: Gale Wolf Armor. Mystic grade... tsk tsk. To think, equipment grades range from lowest to highest: Yellow, Mystic, Earth, Heaven, Divine, Super Divine, and Heaven-defying. This Gale Wolf Armor is Mystic grade—already quite impressive!”

Now Wu Tian was a Level 6 Martial Apprentice, equipped with mystic-grade defensive gear. Even a Level 3 beast monster was no match for him, and with the kill skill, Level 4 beast monsters would pose little threat. However, the kill skill had a cooldown of half an hour, so he intended to reserve it for emergencies in the Misty Forest.

Despite his progress, Wu Tian was not satisfied and continued his journey deeper into the forest. Leveling up felt much like playing a game, something Wu Tian enjoyed immensely. In the past, he could play for three days and nights without rest, and now it was no different.

“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, for killing a Level 1 Wild Boar Beast. You have gained 300 experience points and 200 silver coins.”
“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, for killing a Level 1 Blazing Fire Tiger. You have gained 600 experience points, 300 silver coins, and a tiger pelt.”
...

Three more days and nights passed. Wu Tian hunted low-level beast monsters in the surrounding area, sweeping through all Level 1 and Level 2 beasts. His level rose to Level 8 Martial Apprentice. He made sure not to waste his kill skill, using it every half hour to increase proficiency and obtain rare loot.

By now, Wu Tian was no longer content with Level 1 and 2 beast monsters. Once the kill skill’s cooldown was up, he pressed further into the depths.

Unbeknownst to him, he found himself at the foot of a mountain, where a refreshing fragrance wafted delicately to his nose.

Wu Tian’s spirit surged with excitement, murmuring, “This scent... could it be the legendary Primordial Spirit Fruit?!”

The Primordial Spirit Fruit was said to be born purely of heaven and earth’s spiritual energy. The richer the spiritual force in a place, the more likely such fruit would appear, though its location was never fixed. Each appearance heralded a priceless treasure. Most importantly, the fruit was infused with abundant spiritual energy, capable of greatly enhancing cultivation. However, once the fruit bloomed, it would last only half an hour before dissolving into spiritual energy if not harvested.

It was common for high-level beast monsters to guard the fruit before its formation. Whoever could hold out until the end would claim it.

Sure enough, after Wu Tian walked forward for a bit, he saw a massive cave at the mountain’s base. Around the cave lay the decaying corpses of beast monsters, and many more waited at a distance near the entrance.

“My goodness! So many beast monsters, and all high-level ones at that. It’s clear I can’t get close!” Wu Tian could only watch from afar, given his low level.

“Should I leave, or wait here to reap the rewards as a fisherman?” Wu Tian weighed his options. Leaving felt unsatisfying, but waiting for an opportunity was risky.

Ultimately, temptation overcame reason, and Wu Tian decided to wait for a chance to snatch the prize.

“Roar!” A massive bellow erupted from the cave, and three beast monsters were flung out, soaring dozens of yards through the air before crashing down near Wu Tian.

“A Level 5 beast monster: Sawtooth Tiger. A Level 6 beast monster: Rampaging Bull. A Level 6 beast monster: Bloodthirsty Rat. All three failed in their attempt. What kind of terrifying beast is guarding that cave?” Wu Tian stared at the three dying monsters, stunned.

But his shock quickly turned to delight. They were on the verge of death, their health bars empty. Even if left alone, they’d soon perish. Rather than let them die in vain, he might as well finish them off himself.

With that, Wu Tian charged forward with his blade. The three monsters tried to resist, but lacked even the strength to stand.

Slash! Wu Tian unhesitatingly delivered several blows to their vital spots.

Clang!

“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, for killing a Level 5 beast monster: Sawtooth Tiger. You have gained 20,000 experience points and 2,000 silver coins.”
“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, for killing a Level 6 Rampaging Bull. You have gained 50,000 experience points and 5,000 silver coins.”
“Congratulations...”

Clang!

“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, for leveling up. You are now Level 9 (Ninth Stage Martial Apprentice)!”
“Congratulations, player Wu Tian, for leveling up. You are now Level 11 (First Stage Martial Warrior)!”