Chapter Eight: Desert Rattlesnake—Unleashing the Venomous Tongue!

The first option was to remain in the novice village, leveling up slowly by killing monsters. However, this method promised only gradual progress.

The second option was to change maps—venturing into areas where the monsters were stronger, and leveling up by defeating them. The advantage here was clear: rapid advancement. Yet the downside was equally obvious—one’s life was constantly at risk.

Yang Feng had already reached the edge of the novice village. Most monsters here were level six or seven. As for level eight and higher, he had yet to encounter any.

He led twenty Crow Warriors, relentlessly hunting down these monsters. Unfortunately, the creatures here were too weak, offering meager experience points. The loot they dropped was little more than scrap—rusty weapons and battered armor. Such was the nature of monsters in the novice village; many were artificially bred, meant to temper the high school graduates fresh from their studies. For safety, the monsters’ attack power remained low. The highest-level monster in the novice village was level eight.

Upon reaching level eight, Yang Feng knew he should leave. Staying any longer would serve no purpose. After gaining experience here, he could venture into the wild to hunt, ensuring he wouldn’t lack for battle experience.

After slaying countless monsters, a white light flashed across Yang Feng’s body. He had finally reached level eight!

“My leveling speed has slowed,” he mused. “It seems after reaching level eight, it’s no longer suitable to stay in the novice village. If I want to apply to one of the top three universities in the country, I have to reach level nine. No wonder so few students make it into those universities each year!”

Yang Feng thought it over. To apply to Qingbei University, he’d need to reach at least level ten. Achieving level ten in the novice village would take at least half a month. If he wanted to level up quickly, he’d have to go to Qingshan Town. Only there could he reach level ten in the shortest possible time.

As it stood, Yang Feng’s leveling speed was already impressive. But as he hunted more efficiently, the monsters became scarce. Now, in an hour, he might find only a handful. With no other choice, he sent all his summoned Crow Warriors out to seek monsters.

He stepped out of the marsh, and before him lay a vast desert. Yang Feng knew this was the boundary of the novice village.

“I’ve been hunting monsters in the novice village for almost twenty-two hours! To reach the village’s edge within twenty-four hours, I’m probably the only one!”

Twenty-two hours had passed since the hunt began. Most people were still at level five or six. A small number—more skilled—might be level seven. But few, if any, had reached level eight as quickly as Yang Feng. Even Ye Mengyan, renowned for her speed, could not match him. Yang Feng was confident that his leveling rate was the fastest among everyone.

He strode toward the desert. Most monsters here were level eight, with a few rare level nine creatures. He’d use these to hone his skills. Tomorrow, he planned to head to Qingshan Town for further training.

The Crow Warriors scouted ahead, searching for monsters.

“Why isn’t there a single monster?” Yang Feng wondered.

After entering the desert, he saw no sign of any creatures. While he puzzled over this, suddenly—a rattlesnake burst from the yellow sand, lunging to bite him.

Fortunately, Yang Feng reacted swiftly, dodging aside. Had he been bitten, he would have been poisoned, if not killed outright.

He focused, finally seeing the monster clearly.

[Rattlesnake]
[Level: 8]
[Description: A venomous serpent unique to the desert, usually dormant]

Because the rattlesnake hid beneath the sand, the Crow Warriors hadn’t detected it earlier. Only when Yang Feng approached did it launch its attack. Fortunately, his quick reflexes saved him from harm.

The rattlesnake stared at Yang Feng, its red tongue flickering menacingly.

“It seems the monsters in this desert are even more dangerous than those before,” he thought. “No wonder the novice village has a casualty rate of nearly ten percent every year.”

The distribution of monsters in the novice village followed a pattern—the farther from the center, the higher their level and attack power.

The rattlesnake’s main attack was its bite, injecting venom into its victim. The poison was extremely potent.

Once poisoned, it was hard to recover. Without prompt treatment, one could easily die from the venom.

Caw!

A piercing screech echoed. Twenty Crow Warriors flew back, alertly watching the rattlesnake.

“Attack!” Yang Feng commanded without hesitation.

Instantly, the Crow Warriors launched their assault. The rattlesnake moved swiftly, biting one of them. That Crow Warrior let out a mournful cry before succumbing to the poison.

The others grew wary. Thankfully, the rattlesnake couldn’t fly, so the Crow Warriors exploited their aerial advantage, attacking from above. Soon, they struck at the rattlesnake with sharp beaks and talons.

“Strange… after so many attacks, the rattlesnake is still alive!” Yang Feng was astonished.

Previously, level six and seven monsters had no resistance against the Crow Warriors. But this level eight rattlesnake endured their attacks.

“If that’s the case, let me show you what I can do!”

“Skill: Venomous Tongue—attack!”

Yang Feng quickly activated his Venomous Tongue skill. He opened his mouth wide and bit at the rattlesnake. Instantly, potent venom entered the snake’s body. The rattlesnake convulsed violently, then collapsed motionless.

This was poison fighting poison!

The Venomous Tongue skill, besides its deadly taunts, also dealt venom damage. The poison it released was even more potent than the rattlesnake’s own.

[Defeated level eight rattlesnake, experience +100]

Slaying a level eight rattlesnake earned Yang Feng 100 experience points—dozens more than other monsters. Clearly, higher-level monsters yielded greater rewards, but the danger increased in equal measure.