Chapter 14: Whispering Hollow Awaits, But So Do Old Grudges
The afternoon sun painted the skyline of Volaris City in gold, its light reflecting off glass towers and floating bridges. Faint clouds of mana dust drifted lazily in the air, giving the entire city a surreal glow.
Lei Feng walked calmly along the sidewalk, his gaze soaking in the view. The air wasn't just fresh—it felt alive. Every breath carried a subtle sweetness, like flowers after a summer rain.
It was the mana. It saturated the air here.
This city really is something else…
With a flick of his hand he retrieved his phone, a holographic interface appeared above its screen. He typed with practiced ease.
[Magic Beast Hunting Grounds for Beginners in Volaris City]
In seconds, search results hovered before him in clean glowing windows.
---
• Greenveil Grove
A peaceful forest filled with harmless beasts. Best for beginners focused on herb collection and mana attunement.
• Duskraven Outskirts
Rugged terrain at the edge of a wild zone. Mild threat level, but surprises aren't uncommon.
• Whispering Hollow
A shallow valley of rustling trees. Peaceful in appearance, but known for random ambushes from lower-tier beasts.
---
"Whispering Hollow…" Lei Feng muttered, tapping the third option. The name stirred something in him—familiar, serene, but not without mystery.
A new screen opened, displaying a glowing dossier.
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[Whispering Hollow – Wilderness Tier Classification]
A semi-natural hunting ground built on the edge of the Eastern Wildlands. Divided by color-coded tiers based on danger level and beast strength.
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Tier 0 – Safe Zones (Grey)
• No combat
• Preparation and rest areas
• Example: Observation decks, healing and transit stations
Tier 1 – Beginner Zones (Green)
• Beast Level: 1–10
• Mortality Rate: Low
• Resources: Basic herbs, beast scraps, minor cores
• Risk: Light ambushes
• Example: Silvergrass Fields, Hollow Bark Thickets
Tier 2 – Low-Risk Zones (Blue)
• Beast Level: 11–20
• Mortality Rate: Moderate
• Resources: Mid-grade herbs, beast cores
• Risk: Unstable mana, group attacks
• Example: Whispering Dunes, Frost Hollow Ridge
Tier 3 – Intermediate Zones (Purple)
• Beast Level: 21–30
• Mortality Rate: High
• Resources: Rare materials
• Risk: Sudden magical disturbances
• Example: Blazing Fang Hills
---
A pulsing 3D map hovered above the description, each zone glowing softly. As Lei Feng touched it, the image shifted and responded to his gestures.
This map works in real-time… insane.
He exited the tab and searched again.
[Distance from Volaris City to Whispering Hollow]
> Distance: 143 km
On foot: 1 day, 6 hours
Recommended transport: Skyrider | Mount | Local driver
Lei Feng blinked. "One hundred and forty-three kilometers?"
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck.
"I'd be dead before I even get there. Definitely not walking."
He opened the Volaris Transit App and tapped the highlighted hub closest to his location:
ArcExpress Transport – Nova Gate Station
"Alright," he muttered. "Let's get this over with."
---
He moved through winding streets, following the navigation. The deeper he went, the quieter things became. The crowds thinned. The air changed.
He stopped.
The route up ahead was long and curved. But something tugged at his memory.
There's a shortcut...
He blinked. Ling Chen had used it before. The memories whispered to him. A narrow alley. Hidden between two buildings. Unmarked on most maps.
He turned.
---
The alley was dark and quiet. Mana lines pulsed faintly across one wall. The other side was a crumbling complex, abandoned and silent.
Lei Feng's footsteps echoed softly.
Then—tap.
He froze. A footstep behind him. Measured. Intentional.
He didn't turn, to know who it was. His senses already told him.
Another step. Then two more.
A voice followed.
"You took your time."
Mocking. Sharp.
Three shadows stepped out from the dim light ahead.
Gao Wei. Ling Yun. Ling Hao.
Their faces were familiar. So was the hatred in their eyes.
Gao Wei cracked his knuckles. "Thought you could walk around like nothing happened?"
Ling Yun's fingers sparked with fire. "You humiliated us. It's payback time."
Ling Hao stood quiet, his eyes glowing faintly. The ground trembled beneath his feet.
Lei Feng didn't move. But inside, his senses flared.
System.
DING!
Status data popped into view.
---
> Gao Wei – Level 15 – Class: Berserker
Ling Yun – Level 15 – Class: Swordsman
Ling Hao – Level 15 – Class: Geomancer
---
All three. Level 15. Experienced. Dangerous.
He was Level 1.
His odds? Laughable.
Still, he didn't flinch.
"I've been busy," he said quietly. "I don't have time for your little tantrums."
Gao Wei's smile vanished. His jaw clenched.
Ling Yun stepped forward, fire flaring brighter.
Ling Hao tilted his head, that same eerie smile never fading.
They want me afraid, Lei Feng thought. They want to see me break.
He exhaled slowly.
But he didn't give them what they wanted.
He didn't run.
He didn't kneel.
He just stood there, unshaken.
If this is where I fall… I'll make sure someone falls with me.
A stillness settled over the alley—sharp, breathless. The tension hung like a drawn bowstring.
Then—
Clang!
A sharp metallic sound split the air as Ling Yun's blade flashed like silver lightning, aiming straight for Lei Feng's neck.
Lei Feng's pupils shrank. Instinct kicked in—he dove sideways just in time. The sword sliced past, close enough to leave a shimmer in the air where his head had been.
"Hahahaha!" Ling Yun laughed, voice laced with mockery. "Look at him go! Like a frog hopping on lava!"
A smirk crept across Ling Hao's face. He pressed a hand to the ground. The earth trembled, groaned—
BOOM!
With a thunderous rumble, jagged stone pillars erupted and twisted beneath Lei Feng's feet.
"Aaaargh!" Lei Feng cried out as the ground flung him sideways. His body crashed into the cold alley wall with a sickening crunch. Dust exploded. Blood sprayed.
Before he could gather himself, a hand seized his collar.
---
Gao Wei.
---
"Jejeje…" Gao Wei chuckled darkly, lifting Lei Feng like a ragdoll. His grin stretched wide, eyes glowing with vicious delight.
"Not so cocky now, are you? Hand it all over—and maybe we'll leave a few bones unbroken."
Lei Feng winced. His head throbbed. Limbs trembled.
Ling Yun strolled forward, hands in his pockets, sword gleaming with playful menace. The blade hummed faintly, like a predator sniffing blood.
Surrounded. No escape.
Damn it… I'm too weak…
His fists clenched—so tight his nails bit into flesh. Blood trickled, but he didn't care. The pain was nothing compared to the helplessness swelling in his chest.
Why… Why am I always the one under everyone's boot?
His breath came ragged. Thoughts churned like a storm.
---
"HEY!" Gao Wei barked. "You handing it over or do we rip it off you?!"
---
Lei Feng slowly lifted his eyes—cold, sharp, burning with hate. If a glare could kill, they'd be corpses.
He spat.
Straight into Gao Wei's face.
---
"I'm not giving you a damn thing," he growled. "Break my bones if you want. But you'll never break my will."
---
Silence.
A beat passed.
Then—rage.
Gao Wei wiped the spit from his face. His eyes twitched, veins bulging. Muscles coiled like ropes ready to snap.
"You little—!"
He roared, raising his massive fist—thick and heavy, a mountain poised to fall. The very air trembled, rippling from the force.
Lei Feng's breath caught.
His body refused to move. Muscles screamed, but there was nothing left to give.
No strength. No options.
Only the raw certainty of what came next.
The alley narrowed, the world closing in like a vice.
That fist, a meteor crashing down—fast, brutal, final.
If this hits me… I'll die.