By the time the clock struck eight, only seven Bronze-rank hunters had arrived on time. Seeing this, Huang Wuguang didn't bother waiting any longer.
Seven people—no more, no less—was just the right number.
"Alright, we're not waiting anymore. Let's move out. The missing ones rewards will be split according to contribution."
With that, Huang Wuguang led the group out of Sunmoon City, dangling a vague promise before the team.
Among those present, aside from the three Silver-rank veterans, the rest were just first-realm Star Warriors. There was no way they could contribute more than the trio leading them.
The group swiftly registered at the city gate and exited without a hitch.
Beyond Sunmoon City lay an expansive, dense forest teeming with Star Beasts.
Most of them were first or second-realm, with only a few reaching the third realm—and none beyond that.
The forest was particularly known for its wolf-type Star Beasts, among which the group target—the Iron Fang Wolves—was one.
As the name implied, Iron Fang Wolves had steel-like fangs. Even metal was part of their diet. Their fangs were often used as materials to forge first- and second-realm star weapons.
These wolves were typically first-realm beasts, with very few evolving to the second realm. They weren't particularly strong or threatening—only their teeth posed any real danger.
Only when they reached the second realm would they awaken a special superpower called Tooth Blade. Even then, they were still considered low-realm beasts, much like Star Warriors who awakened F-rank superpower—forever stuck in mediocrity, unable to ascend further.
Clearly, this wasn't Huang Wuguang first time on such a mission.
He navigated the team through the forest with ease, leading them toward areas where Iron Fang Wolves were frequently spotted.
After traveling for nearly half a day, the ten-man group arrived at the outer edge of the wolves territory.
"Stick close and don't fall behind," Huang Wuguang warned from the front. "Iron Fangs are active around here. There are several large dens nearby"
Liu Kong scouted ahead, while Zhang Yirong stayed in the middle of the formation to also watch the rear. The rest were clearly seasoned hunters, well aware of the unspoken rules and unlikely to make rookie mistakes.
Soon, Huang Wuguang led them to a patch of tall grass where they took cover. A short while later, Liu Kong returned from his scouting mission.
"There's a medium-sized den up ahead. Around sixty Iron Fang Wolves. No other beasts nearby—we can make a move."
"Got it," Huang Wuguang nodded. He pulled out five identical, earth-yellow crystals the size of fists from his backpack.
Strange runes were carved into their surfaces.
He handed the stones to Liu Kong, who took them silently and left—clearly to set up for the coming ambush.
Watching closely, Gu Zhen silently closed his left eye.
"You two, set up over there. You three, flank to the left. And you…"
"Remember—don't move or expose yourselves until I make the first move."
Under Huang Wuguang orders, Gu Zhen and a middle-aged uncle took position in a patch of underbrush.
"You're pretty young to be out here hunting, kid."
"Need resoures to grow so need to take risk"
Gu Zhen gave a simple reply—enough to lower the man guard and get closer. When the moment came, it would be one strike—clean and quiet.
"My son's fifteen. Next year, he'll awaken his superpower. I hope he doesn't end up like me with an F-rank…" the man sighed. "A D-rank—no, even an E-rank—would satisfy me. Why do D-rank superpowers have a shot at advancing, but F and E-ranks don't? It's so unfair to us F and E-rank star warriors…"
The man was talkative, his eyes full of hope when mentioning his son, but he stayed vigilant, keeping watch on the Iron Fang Wolf den.
"They're coming!" he suddenly whispered, his expression turning serious as he focused on the den.
Lured by Liu Kong, the Iron Fang Wolves surged out of the den in a frenzy, drawn straight into the trap they'd prepared.
Gu Zhen tightened his grip on the alloy dagger in his hand.
"Don't be too nervous, kid. I saw it—it's an earth-type star formation. Captain Huang planning to lure the wolves into its attack range before striking. We just need to…" The man, mistaking Gu Zhen tension, spoke softly to calm him, eyes fixed on the wolf pack.
"I know. But… what is inside that den?" Gu Zhen asked softly, pointing toward the opening.
"Hmm, not sure. Could be some crafting materials or—"
The man instinctively turned to look, activating his farsight superpower to peer inside, but the tunnel was too dark to see clearly.
That's when he felt a chill at his throat.
He reached up instinctively, only to feel the warm rush of blood pouring from a gaping wound.
He tried to cry out, but no sound came. Staring at Gu Zhen, his eyes were filled with disbelief and confusion.
What met his gaze was Gu Zhen calm, abyss-like expression—and the gleaming blade of his alloy dagger.
To ensure the kill, Gu Zhen struck several more times, only stopping once he was certain the man was dead.
The man was probably a good person—but Gu Zhen wasn't.
He needed to sabotage Huang Wuguang star formation.
Killing him was a simple, effective choice—eliminating future threats.
As for guilt? Gu Zhen, felt none.
After looting the man bag, Gu Zhen found only basic supplies—water, food, and a worn family photo of a smiling family of four.
"How boring"
He tossed the pack aside and reopened his left eye, revealing an empty socket.
A glossy eyeball flew through the air and slid perfectly into the socket.
This was his use of his Split superpower.
He had detached part of his body and sent it ahead, controlling it within a limited range. The farther it traveled, the more star power it consumed.
Even that short use had already drained a quarter of his star power.
But it was worth it—he'd seen exactly where Liu Kong buried those yellow crystals.
Securing his gear, Gu Zhen moved quickly, navigating based on what he saw through the floating eye.
He found the crystals easily—only a dozen meters from where he and the uncle had been hiding.
From his new vantage point, Gu Zhen looked back toward the ambush site, where Huang Wuguang was already bracing for the incoming pack of Iron Fang Wolves.