Exit in the Black Dragon Mountains

Li Wei moved swiftly through the dense forest at the base of the Black Dragon Mountains, his breathing heavy and his heart racing. The sun was beginning to set in the western sky, painting it with streaks of red and orange, casting long shadows that made the forest seem even more mysterious and dangerous. This forest was a favorite hunting ground for beast hunters, and every step Li Wei took had to be made with extreme caution.

The tall, tightly packed trees blocked most of the remaining sunlight, making the path ahead feel even more ominous. Dry leaves rustled under his feet, occasionally creating sharp sounds that echoed in the silence. His hand gripped tightly around the golden key he had just obtained, while his eyes constantly searched for clues as to where the secret gate he sought might be.

[System Window]

Gate Location Hint: "Head north, past three hills and two rivers. The hidden gate is located at the base of a steep cliff, behind a waterfall. Beware of the spirit guardians."

Li Wei nodded, recalling the instructions from the system window. He knew the path ahead would not be easy, especially with the spirit guardians said to protect the area. He didn't know what these guardians looked like, but he could imagine they wouldn't be easy to deal with.

After several hours of walking, Li Wei finally reached the first hill. Its slope was steep, and he was forced to climb slowly, clinging tightly to the rocky ground to avoid slipping. A cold wind blew, sending dust and dry leaves flying through the air. When he reached the top, Li Wei took a deep breath and looked to the west. In the distance, he could see the first river he had to cross, its waters rushing fiercely with a thunderous roar.

He quickly resumed his journey, carefully descending the hill. However, halfway down, he heard the sound of heavy footsteps from behind the trees. The steps were getting closer and closer. Li Wei quickly turned and hid behind some bushes.

"Who's there?" he thought.

Tension coursed through his body. He peeked out slightly, trying to see who or what was approaching. Then he saw it a large, thick-furred creature with sharp horns and glowing red eyes. A mid-level monster, a Horned Gorilla. Li Wei held his breath. This monster was known for its incredible physical strength and aggressive temperament.

Li Wei realized that facing it head-on would be suicide. He had to avoid it at all costs. Slowly, he retreated deeper into the bushes, trying to move away without making a sound. Unfortunately, a branch snapped under his foot, producing a loud "crack."

"GRRR!"

The Horned Gorilla growled, its eyes immediately locking onto Li Wei's position. In one swift motion, the monster charged at him, swinging its massive arm in his direction.

"Arghh!" Li Wei yelled and leaped to the side, narrowly dodging the attack.

The monster's fist slammed into the ground, causing the earth around it to shake. Li Wei quickly got to his feet, realizing that his only chance of survival was to run.

He sprinted downhill as fast as he could, not daring to look back. The Horned Gorilla chased after him with surprising speed, smashing through trees that blocked its path. Li Wei felt adrenaline pumping through his body, his breath hot and heavy.

"If this keeps up, I'll run out of energy," he thought.

His mind raced, searching for a way to escape. Then, he spotted a small cliff ahead with several large rocks at the top. Suddenly, Li Wei decided to lure the Horned Gorilla there.

Li Wei ran toward the cliff and climbed it with agility, even though his strength was nearly drained. The monster continued to chase, furious at losing its prey. When Li Wei reached the top of the cliff, he quickly found some large rocks he could push. Using the last of his energy, he began pushing one of the rocks perched at the edge of the cliff.

"C'mon… Move…!" he grunted as he pushed with all his might.

The rock slowly shifted, and just as the Horned Gorilla was directly below, it fell with a thunderous crash.

"BOOM!"

The large rock struck the monster squarely on the head, sending it crashing to the ground. Although badly injured, the beast seemed to try getting back up but appeared disoriented. Li Wei wasted no time; he quickly descended the cliff and ran as far as he could, leaving the half-conscious monster behind.

After running a great distance, Li Wei stopped to catch his breath. His body trembled with exhaustion, and his breathing was ragged. But he knew he couldn't rest for too long here. With legs still shaking, he continued his journey toward the first river.

When he reached the riverbank, the sun had already dipped below the mountains. Li Wei decided to rest for a while under a large tree near the water, washing his face in the cold, rushing river.

"Cough… cough…" Li Wei coughed from the exhaustion, then sat down against the tree, checking his body for injuries.

There were a few scratches and bruises on his arms, but he was lucky not to have sustained any serious injuries. He took a deep breath, trying to steady his breathing.

[System Window]

Side Quest: "Collect Healing Leaves from Erba Plants to Treat Your Minor Wounds."

Hint: Erba Plants usually grow along riverbanks and have bright green leaves with yellow stripes.

Li Wei nodded and began searching for the plant the system mentioned. After a few minutes, he found it not far from where he was sitting. Its leaves were exactly as described bright green with yellow stripes. He picked a few leaves, chewed them slowly, then applied them to his wounds.

A cooling sensation immediately spread from his injuries, easing the pain.

"Ahh... much better," he muttered. After resting for a few more minutes, he felt better and ready to continue his journey.

Li Wei crossed the river carefully, making sure not to be swept away by the strong current. Afterward, he moved on to the second hill. The further he traveled, the darker the sky became, and a thick fog began to blanket the surrounding area, limiting his visibility. Yet he pressed on, remembering the system's instructions about the hidden gate behind the waterfall.

After crossing the second river and climbing the third hill, Li Wei finally arrived at the base of a steep cliff, where a powerful waterfall cascaded down. The sound of the water crashing against the rocks created a deafening roar that echoed throughout the area. With what little strength he had left, he followed the cliffside, searching for any signs of the hidden gate.

Then, he saw it an unusual indentation behind the waterfall. His heartbeat quickened as he approached. When he reached the edge of the waterfall, he saw it: behind the rushing water, a large stone door with ancient symbols carved into it. This was the gate he had been searching for!

With the golden key in hand, Li Wei approached the door. Suddenly, a thunderous sound echoed around him. Emerging from the mist surrounding the waterfall were three large, glowing figures, each wielding swords that seemed to be made of pure light.

The spirit guardians.

"This is going to be tough," Li Wei muttered. But he had no choice. If he wanted to get out of here and return to the real world, he had to fight.