Reincarnated With The Designer Martial Soul

While they were slowly walking into the forest cautiously, the Hunting Elder began sharing his knowledge about hunting in a low voice. His tone was calm yet authoritative, commanding the attention of everyone present.

"The Shadowfang Forest is divided into two regions," he explained. "The external region, where we are now, harbors demon beasts at most up to the mid-stage of Qi Refining. The core region, however, is home to far more dangerous creatures—late-stage Qi Refining beasts and even Foundation Establishment-level ones. These higher-tier beasts are not only rare but also intelligent. They know how to hide, track, and ambush their prey."

He paused, letting the gravity of his words sink in before continuing.

"Now, let me teach you some basic principles of hunting. First, tracking patterns: Demon beasts leave behind subtle signs of their presence—broken branches, claw marks on trees, or faint trails of disturbed leaves. Learn to read these clues carefully; they can mean the difference between finding your target and walking into a trap."

As an example, he pointed toward a nearby tree with deep gouges carved into its bark. "See this? A beast sharpening its claws. Likely a low-tier predator, perhaps a wolf-class demon. Notice the direction of the scratches—they indicate movement toward water sources. Always follow such leads cautiously."

Next, he moved on to defensive strategies. "When facing a demon beast, remember that brute force isn't always the answer. Use your surroundings to your advantage. For instance, if you're dealing with a large creature like a boar-class beast, lure it into narrow spaces where it cannot maneuver easily. Then strike at its weak points—eyes, throat, or joints."

Finally, he touched upon offensive tactics. "Timing is everything. Strike when the beast exposes a vulnerability, such as during a charge or leap. Patience will save your life more often than recklessness."

Such detailed teaching made Lin Feng question himself. Was I wrong to doubt him? While he was pondering this, squeaking noises echoed from the right, causing everyone to tense up instantly.

Looking in that direction, the bushes shook violently, and nervous murmurs rippled through the group.

The youngsters immediately drew their weapons, their eyes locked warily on the source of the sound. Even Lin Feng gripped his sword tightly, ready for whatever might emerge. Only the veteran hunters and the elder remained composed, their expressions betraying no fear.

"Lin Feng," the elder barked suddenly, pointing toward the rustling bushes. "You go check it out. We'll cover you!"

"This…" Lin Feng hesitated for a moment, suspicion flickering across his face. Was this another ploy to test—or sabotage—him? But he couldn't afford to appear cowardly so soon. Nodding reluctantly, he stepped forward, raising his sword as he approached the bushes.

With a swift slash, he cut through the foliage.

Swish!

To his surprise—and relief—a dark deer burst out, staring at him with wide, frightened eyes. It let out a startled cry and bolted away, disappearing into the underbrush almost instantly.

Lin Feng froze for a second, his heart racing. That had been his first encounter with a demon beast, albeit a harmless one.

Whoosh! Whoosh!!

Before anyone could react, arrows tore through the air, striking the fleeing deer with deadly precision.

Bang!

The deer stumbled, crashing to the ground with a pained whimper. Blood pooled beneath it as it struggled briefly before going still.

"Hmph! How can you call yourself a cultivator when you get scared by a wild deer?" Li Wei mocked, lowering his bow with a smug grin.

Turning back, Lin Feng couldn't help but feel impressed despite himself. Li Wei's aim had been flawless, each arrow hitting vital spots. Clearly, this was a skill honed over years of practice—the mark of someone truly deserving to be called the son of the Hunting Elder.

"He's quite talented in this area," Lin Feng thought, glancing at his own weapon. "Whereas I don't even know how to use any weapons properly. I have to learn them soon."

But instead of feeling disheartened, Lin Feng simply accepted it as part of his journey. Every second in this world was a learning phase for him. He chose not to respond to Li Wei's taunt, standing silently as he awaited further instructions.

Li Wei, noticing Lin Feng's silence, curved his lips into a satisfied smirk. It seemed he had found yet another shortcoming to exploit.

"I will now teach you youngsters how to dissect a corpse and identify the important parts of a demon beast's body," the Hunting Elder announced, stepping forward.

Kneeling beside the dead deer, he pulled out a sharp dagger and began methodically cutting into its flesh. As he worked, he explained the significance of various organs and materials.

"The heart and liver of a demon beast contain concentrated spiritual energy, which can be used to craft potions or enhance cultivation. The bones and scales are valuable for forging weapons or armor. Even the blood has uses—it can serve as bait or be refined into ink for talismans."

While he spoke, the veteran hunters maintained a vigilant perimeter, forming a protective circle around the group. Danger lurked everywhere in the forest, and complacency could prove fatal.

After extracting the valuable parts, the elder handed the pouch containing them to Li Wei. "Since you killed it, these belong to you. Remember, every successful hunt strengthens our village's resources."

For the remaining useless parts of the carcass, he offered additional advice.

"This fresh blood and flesh can attract more demon beasts, as they are highly sensitive to smells. After killing a beast, it's best to leave the area quickly unless you plan to use the remains as bait. Hide a safe distance away and wait for other predators to investigate. This is the principle of hunting."

Standing up, the elder issued his next order. "It won't be fruitful if we stick together, especially in the external region. We'll divide into three groups and move in opposite directions. Take some parts of this deer and use them to attract beasts. We'll meet back here at sunset."

Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat. Dividing into smaller groups felt risky, especially given the circumstances. Was the elder planning something?

"Yes, Elder," the hunting squad replied, nodding obediently. They quickly split off, taking five of the youngsters with them. Now, only the Hunting Elder, Li Wei, Mei Ling, and Lin Feng remained.

It seemed like this old man had already planned this from the start. Lin Feng muttered under his breath, a hint of anxiety creeping into his thoughts.

Noticing his expression, the Hunting Elder chuckled darkly. "Kiddo, why are you scared? If I wanted to hurt you, I could have done so already, and nobody would say anything. I'm not that petty."

He patted Lin Feng's shoulder reassuringly—but then his grip tightened abruptly, applying painful pressure.

"However, I would like to see you suffer," the elder whispered menacingly. "Come, follow me. We're going deeper. There's a reason why I'm babysitting you all. You're all at the Qi Refining stage, unlike those chumps. Especially you, Lin Feng…"

His gaze bore into Lin Feng's, sending shivers down his spine.

"Damn! This guy knows I've reached the middle stage of Qi Refining," Lin Feng cursed inwardly.

The Hunting Elder paused momentarily, reaching into his sleeve to retrieve a worn, folded map. He glanced at it briefly, his sharp eyes scanning the markings before tucking it away again with practiced ease. Without another word, he gestured for the group to follow him, his strides purposeful and confident.

They moved deeper into the forest, weaving through dense underbrush and uneven terrain until they reached a clearing surrounded by jagged rocks and towering trees. At the far end of the clearing stood the mouth of a cave, partially obscured by overgrown vines and moss. The air carried a faint musky scent—earthy and metallic, like dried blood—and faint claw marks marred the stone walls near the entrance. It was clear this place was frequented by predators.

"This is an ideal spot for wolf-class demons," the elder murmured, his voice low but commanding. "Their dens are often located in caves like this one. They're territorial and quick to defend their territory—or claim fresh prey." A sinister smirk played on his lips as he turned to Lin Feng. "Let's see how well you handle yourself against them."

Without waiting for a response, the elder knelt down and tossed chunks of the deer's flesh onto the ground in front of the cave. The meat landed with soft thuds, leaving behind trails of dark red blood that soaked into the earth. The smell was pungent, almost overwhelming—a deliberate lure for any nearby beasts.

"Now, we wait," the elder said, retreating into the shadows of the surrounding foliage. Li Wei and Mei Ling followed suit, disappearing silently into hiding spots among the rocks and trees. Lin Feng hesitated, glancing around nervously. He could feel the weight of their expectations—and the elder's unspoken challenge—pressing down on him.

Minutes passed in tense silence. The forest seemed eerily still, save for the occasional rustle of leaves or distant bird call. Then, slowly, a movement emerged from the darkness of the cave. Two pairs of glowing yellow eyes appeared at the entrance, followed by sleek, muscular forms stepping cautiously into the light. Wolf-class demon beasts, their fur matted with dirt and streaked with scars, prowled forward, sniffing the air cautiously. Their ears twitched, alert for danger, but the promise of fresh meat drew them closer.

Lin Feng held his breath and crouched low behind a cluster of boulders. His fingers tightened around the hilt of his sword as he watched the wolves circle the bait, their movements fluid and predatory. One of them lowered its head to investigate the meat, while the other remained vigilant, scanning the area for threats.

Suddenly, the Hunting Elder's hand shot up from his hiding spot, signaling the attack. Before Lin Feng could fully process what was happening, the elder himself slipped away entirely, vanishing into the forest without a sound. Panic surged through Lin Feng as he realized they were now on their own—left to face the wolves without guidance or backup.