Early the next morning, on the outskirts of Winteredge City.

Rows of Sinan Family members stood motionless in identical white uniforms. Ahead of them was the guard squad in silvery-gray uniforms, with Sinan Yuan in blue-gray at their forefront. At the very front stood three figures: Sinan Ying in dark gray combat gear, Elder Hong wrapped in a light black robe, and a bespectacled woman in a dark gray suit.

Observing the color gradient—ordinary members in white, higher-ups in near-black—I wondered if uniform colors deepened with rank in the Sinan Family. Just then, the white-uniformed squad captains began stepping forward one by one.

"Report! First squad is ready and can begin the mission at any time!"

"Report! Second squad..."

Reports proceeded methodically. Sinan Yuan nodded in satisfaction. "Let me reiterate each squad’s task. Guard Squad One, including myself, will accompany the Second Young Miss, Elder Hong, and Ms. Sinan Ying. Together with Guard Squads Two and Three, we’ll search the core area. Squads One to Three will provide external support. Squads Four to Six will search along the river. Squads Seven and Eight..."

By the way, I was assigned to Guard Squad Two under Rui Feng. Though we’d enter the core of Winteredge Mountains, we wouldn’t be with Sinan Ying’s group. Our squad had sixteen members, including me. Rui Feng was captain due to his wilderness expertise, and the others were no pushovers. Thanks to Sinan Ying’s plea, I was temporarily recruited. In novels I’d read, squad members would scorn the outsider protagonist, pick fights, get effortlessly beaten, then pledge loyalty and hand over captaincy. But these guards were highly professional—no dissatisfaction, no deliberate trouble. Still, it made sense; this was the demeanor of a major power. Those novel big shots who pick fights constantly were the abnormal ones.

"So, this is our final deployment. But don’t let your guard down. See it through to the end and complete the mission flawlessly!"

"Yes!!!"

Winteredge Mountains, in northern Heavens Origin Kingdom, was one of the smaller ranges. Covered in tall evergreens, its main peak rose to 2,310 meters with sparse vegetation. The outer areas had few demon beasts but abundant timber, minerals, and medicinal herbs. These resources greatly aided Winteredge City’s construction, and forestry and mining remain its economic pillars today. But the inner mountains were another world—teeming with demon beasts, rugged terrain, and perpetual snow. An ordinary person wouldn’t survive a day there.

Under Rui Feng’s command, our second squad crossed the outer area in a single day. By evening, we reached the boundary between outer and inner zones. We marched rapidly, using spirit stones to recover stamina when needed. I, however, spent the journey absorbing ambient spiritual energy to improve my efficiency. It was tough, but I did make some progress.

Before us flowed a wide, fast-moving river. In the dim evening light, its contents were indistinct.

"This is Bloodtooth River," a pleasant female voice came from behind. "Named for the Bloodtooth fish within, it marks the boundary between the outer and inner zones of Winteredge Mountains."

The speaker was a woman around twenty, with delicate features and an agile build—Rui Xin, Rui Feng’s younger sister. Though only a year or two older than me, she seemed mature and reliable. She’d been the first to approach me; Rui Feng must have told her about me, sparking her interest. We’d chatted amiably all the way.

"Bloodtooth fish? What’s that?"

"Hmm, hard to describe. Better to see it firsthand."

She walked to a spot ten meters from the river, placed a hand on the ground, and seemed to sense something. Suddenly, her eyes sharpened. She let out a low shout, and an invisible wave pulsed from her palm into the river.

Sound waves! Rui Xin’s Anomaly Power emitted them—useful for disrupting enemies, communication, even echolocation.

The river surface erupted in splashes. By the light of portable spirit stone lamps, I saw a monstrous fish leap out—half an arm’s length, with crimson eyes and a grotesque mouth like Earth’s deep-sea fish, filled with blood-red fangs. Just looking at it sent chills down my spine.

"That’s it. A few Bloodtooth fish are easy to handle, but in schools, even high-tier demon beasts get devoured to the bone. We actually owe them thanks."

"Thanks? Aren’t you afraid of being eaten?"

"Because of them, this river is a natural barrier. Fierce demon beasts won’t dare cross unless they’re suicidal. That’s why the outer mountains are safe."

"But I heard two people were killed by a Boneplate Lion last time…"

"Except for those with thick shells or who can fly."

"You two over there, stop joking around! Get over here!" Rui Feng’s voice called from nearby.

Rui Xin and I quickly stopped chatting and gathered around him.

"Now, task assignments. I’ll supervise. Li Cha, Mo Xiaohong, Zhang Tianluo—set up tents. Rui Xin, Liu Ye…"

"We’ll handle dinner extras!" Rui Xin cut in immediately, her large eyes glaring fiercely at him.

"…Fine. Go catch something. Dry rations are too monotonous anyway." The usually stern Rui Feng yielded to his sister’s intensity. Could he be a sis-con?

Blood condensed into threads, weaving a net. I controlled it sinking into the river, sensing the feedback.

…Here it comes!

Something touched the net. I tightened it instantly. The net balled up, rising from the water with five large fish caught inside—perfect ingredients after a day’s march.

Rui Xin watched with interest, cheering occasionally. Her cheers made me a little proud. Just as I prepared to show off more, she stepped forward. "You’re good, but watch this."

She stomped her foot. A powerful sound wave spread across the river, resonating strangely with the water. The surface boiled. Fish leaped out; many landed on shore, flapping with glazed eyes. At least eight, including two Bloodtooth fish. She shot me a smug look, showing off.

My competitive spirit flared. This time, I changed tactics. Instead of a net, I released hundreds of blood threads into the river. They swam like water monsters, converging and dispersing. Upon touching fish, they pierced their bodies and dragged them ashore. Simple and brutal, but fast. Rui Xin wasn’t outdone. Sound waves hit the water, making it churn. Fish flew up, landing ashore. Her speed matched mine!

We kept catching more and more, until…

"You two really have energy…" Rui Feng, on inspection duty, stared dumbfounded at the fish mountain. "Not bad! Finally, a proper feast!" Li Cha, a tall, dark-skinned man with Rui Feng, was excited. "Boss Yuan keeps us too strict. We can only enjoy life during missions."

"Hey! Fire’s ready over here! Bring whatever you want grilled!" a shout came from the tents. Rui Feng shook his head and helped us carry the fish.

Dinner was skewers of grilled fish. Thick fish, as big as thighs, roasted crispy and golden. Sprinkled with simple seasonings, eaten with dry rations—it was heavenly. Rui Xin had brought wine, but Rui Feng’s strong objections prevented us from drinking. A minor flaw.

After eating, everyone cleaned up. Surprisingly, nearly half the fish remained. Rui Feng worried the smell would attract demon beasts that crossed Bloodtooth River. He assigned Rui Xin and me to dispose of the leftovers.

Disposal meant burial. Rui Xin used sound waves to find soft soil. I shaped blood into a drill, digging a large pit. We threw the fish in together.

"Such a waste. I wanted you to try our local wine—brewed from rice and herbs, amazing taste," Rui Xin said regretfully.

"It’s fine. I’m used to my hometown’s wine. Not sure if I’d like this."

"What’s wine like in your hometown?"

"It’s called the Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster."

"What’s that!?"

"Kidding. Actually, there’s beer, wine, baijiu—many kinds."

"Names I’ve never heard…" She pondered. She was probably probing my origins indirectly. No matter. While she thought, I secretly slipped my hand into the soil, touching the buried fish.

Absorb!

A surge of vital energy flowed from my fingers through my body. I felt invigorated—so good to be full of life! I also sensed my physique strengthening slightly from absorbing essence. But I dared not use this skill openly. First, the dried fish corpses might remind the Sinan Family of the Boneplate Lion. Second, it was creepy—consuming life, like a third-rate game villain’s power.