Chapter 21: Falling into Darkness

As he leveled up to six, Gu Feng noticed that the experience gained from killing an ordinary bandit had dropped from five to four. Clearly, as his strength grew, the experience awarded by common bandits would continue to decrease. Thus, Gu Feng lost interest in these average bandits; he yearned for foes of greater power.

"Die!"

The cold word escaped Gu Feng's lips, and in an instant, he moved like the wind, rushing toward the bandit. Sensing Gu Feng’s aura, the bandit was struck with terror. "Who are you?" he cried out, realizing he was no match for the young man before him, and turned to flee.

But his speed was nothing compared to Gu Feng’s.

"No—!"

Feeling Gu Feng closing in, the bandit screamed in panic and despair. His roar was so loud that bandits on the neighboring peaks heard it. All around, bandits busy with their tasks stopped and looked toward Gu Feng’s mountain, wondering what was happening.

"Run!"

On the peak, many bandits watched as their second-in-command was slain, and fled in all directions, terrified.

A crimson line split open from the bandit's forehead, blood spurting out. Gu Feng dodged aside, escaping the spray.

"Who dares kill on my mountain?"

The furious voice rang out, full of vigor, yet Gu Feng paid it no mind. A third-level warrior was only slightly stronger than a second-level one; to Gu Feng, now at the sixth level, such foes could be dispatched with a single stroke. In truth, he felt no desire to even kill them. The second-level warrior, the bandit’s second-in-command, had only given him twenty experience points—far too few.

Gu Feng’s gaze turned toward a towering peak in the distance, shrouded in mist like an immortal realm. Through the system, he sensed countless powerful warriors on that mountain, and even presences surpassing warriors.

He did not fear those mighty beings; he longed to slay them, to gain the abundant experience needed to level up. Unbeknownst to him, his hunger for power was slowly turning him into something monstrous.

If Gu Feng could not break free from this path, it would become extremely dangerous.

Thanks to the system concealing his aura and killing intent, Gu Feng appeared to everyone as an ordinary person. The chief bandit, accompanied by a dozen warriors, rushed over and surrounded Gu Feng and Gu Yan.

Seeing Gu Yan, whose beauty seemed almost celestial, the bandits’ eyes gleamed with lust. The chief was ecstatic, convinced that fate had delivered him a wife for his fortress. Noticing his men’s ravenous expressions, he barked, "What are you looking at? She’s your sister-in-law! Anyone who dares glance at her again, I’ll gouge out his eyes!"

The other bandits immediately quieted. Though dissatisfied, no one dared protest, turning their heads away to avoid suspicion. Yet, they could not help themselves, stealing glances at Gu Yan’s incomparable beauty. Though young, her perfectly developed figure and adorable, alluring face made her irresistible.

"Boy, you killed my brother. I’ll give you a chance: let go of my woman and kill yourself, and I’ll leave your body whole."

He could not fathom how this frail, unremarkable youth had slain his brother, but he did not believe the boy could be his match. A third-level warrior, no matter how talented, could not reach Gu Feng’s age, so he dismissed him entirely.

Gu Feng’s eyes turned cold. He raised his short sword, its gleam reflecting into the chief’s eyes, blinding him for an instant.

In that fleeting moment, Gu Feng struck.

The chief’s expression changed dramatically. He felt as if a monstrous beast was bearing down on him and instinctively slashed at the danger.

Sparks flew. The chief was sent flying by Gu Feng’s sword, crashing into a tree as thick as a bowl.

With a crack, the tree snapped under the immense force.

Blood sprayed from the chief’s mouth; one hand clutched his heaving chest, the other stabbed his broadsword into the ground for support.

Though not killed in a single stroke, he was grievously wounded.

Staring at Gu Feng, the chief’s face was filled with shock.

A flare shot skyward, exploding and drawing the attention of every bandit on the nearby peaks.

The bandit leaders on the surrounding mountains immediately commanded, "Brothers, let’s go to the First Gate and see who dares invade the Thousand Peaks Domain and force Du Feng to call for help!"

With such orders, over a thousand bandits from more than ten peaks converged on the First Gate.

Gu Feng sensed the gathering bandits and, far from being afraid, his face lit up with excitement.

"Kill! If I wipe them all out, I should be able to level up several times!"

The other bandits at the First Gate, though frightened by Gu Feng’s prowess, still gathered around their injured chief, shielding him.

Seeing his men form a protective barrier, the chief who had sent the distress signal finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Gu Yan clung to Gu Feng’s back, feeling increasingly uneasy, and urged, "Brother, let’s leave! Let’s get out of the Thousand Peaks Domain."

Gu Feng was taken aback, but quickly reassured her, "Don’t be afraid, little sister. As long as I’m here, nothing will happen."

To Gu Feng, these bandits were merely stepping stones for his growth—how could he let them slip away?

Soon, the entire mountain was surrounded; the First Gate was completely occupied.

Gu Feng was encircled layer upon layer. Unless he could fly or burrow, escape was impossible.

More than ten bandit leaders saw Gu Feng and Gu Yan surrounded and were instantly captivated by Gu Yan’s beauty, their hearts stirred with desire.

Each resolved to make this stunning woman their fortress bride.

Countless bandits whispered among themselves, willing even to lose ten years of life for a chance to be with her.

As for Gu Feng, he was once again ignored by the bandits.

One leader, named Jin Hua, spoke arrogantly to Gu Feng, "Boy, bring the beauty on your back over to me, and I’ll make you a squad captain. Think about it—you’ll command dozens of bandit brothers. Isn’t that exciting?"

Another leader, Wang Tian, saw through Jin Hua’s intentions and said, "Boy, bring her to me, and I’ll make you my second-in-command. Imagine it: one step below me, above thousands! That’s much more prestigious than a squad captain."

Jin Hua’s expression changed, furious as he shouted, "Wang Tian, are you looking for trouble? Want to spar with me? Believe me, I’ll cut you down!"

Wang Tian was not intimidated, stepping forward. "Hmph! I’m not afraid of you."