... Long long ago, there was a black-haired man who roamed across the Origin World, researching about the various beasts by taming them. Many stories sprawled across the world about him. He was widely known as the ’Silent Wanderer’ of the Origin World. Rumors tell that within his quiet, elegant eyes lies an abyss so deep like it held every detail of the world and gazed upon the twilight of the world.

Some people say ’Silent Wanderer’ is a Heavenly God descending on mortal realm.

Some people say ’Silent Wanderer’ is a Ruthless Demon because of his morals, behavior, and perspective of viewing the world. No evidence is provided, but the ’Silent Wanderer Tales’ says that he was a multiple-beast cultivator.

"Humph ~" The black-haired man sighed, smearing the smooth surface of a Boar beast in front of him. "You ate enough food, still your stomach was growling dear?"

The boar beast in front of him, standing seven feet tall and weighing nearly 145kg let out a wet grunt that whipped the black-haired man’s hair like an ocean wave. The black-haired man was the Silent Wanderer.

"Hahaha... Stop it, dear," the Silent Wanderer giggled, smearing his messy hair. "Come on!"

The black-haired man commanded, flicking his wrist once. Instantly, the boar beast wrapped, converting into a ring of his right hand’s index finger. He started his long-lasting walk into a forest — Forest of Fireflies, famous for epic type beasts and also a chance to encounter legendary beasts.

Silent Wanderer darted his eyes in every direction, not missing a single detail of the vast, shining forest. The evening sun cast its final, lingering glow across the forest before hiding into the darkness. Suddenly, the Silent Wanderer’s ear grasped a hum of water flow from distant right. He walked toward the pleasant hum of the water. It was a waterfall, with an elegant, mesmerizing flow, where shimmering fireflies lingered around the vast canopies of trees beside the riverbank. He stepped slowly into the river, tucking his robes up to his waist. Along with the gentle breeze, the lingering hem of his robes whipped softly against his legs. His body was the pinnacle of muscular perfection, forged in the fires of countless brutal battles.

His right hand bore a pleasant ring carved in the likeness of a roaring boar beast, His right wrist was girdled by a crimson bracelet that mimicked a blood-red serpent, encircled to bite its own tail. Across his left wrist stretched an abyssal panther tattoo, symbolizing a dark panther beast. His mighty chest growled with a rumbling white tiger tattoo, capturing the ferocity of an ice white tiger beast, while his imposing back was dominated by a divine flame dragon tattoo, representing the dragon beast — one of the pinnacle of the world beasts. Finally, his left hand adorned a single, mysterious ring like a riddle whose true power and origin remained entirely unknown to the world.

That man washed his arms and face elegantly in the pristine river, gazing up to witness a beautiful waterfall bathing in the elegant, white moonlight. The cool water washed away the grime of his journey, but it could not erase the invisible loath of his history. As the droplets fell from his chin, the tattoos on his skin seemed to ripple under the moonlight, almost as if the beasts within them were bathing. He stood up, the night wind lashing his hair, his eyes locked onto the flowing water as he prepared for the next destiny awaited for him.

And after an hour, the Silent Wanderer started his stroll toward the forest. His mighty body has various beasts belonging to the Common – Divine Rank. His gaze fixed onto the straight path, sensing the nearby aura of the night-engaled forest. Then, he suddenly sensed a hostile presence. Immediately, a dark, shimmering blood crescent tore through the air, rushing toward him from the right.

"Huh.. Pathetic try!" The Silent Wanderer whispered, effortlessly dodging the blood crescent. He didn’t even tilt his head toward the attack. "Come out, demonic path bastard!"

He called out the attacker, sensing that the attacker had strayed out from the righteous path, falling into the demonic path. The lingering mist around the bushes in the right parted, revealing a muscular, red-haired man whose eyes shimmered like a living vampire’s. A massive bone serpent swirled through the air around him, dark, viscous blood drooling and rippling across its jagged bones.

Whoosh! Bang! Shreik!

The demonic cultivator lunged forward, launching a barrage of ferocious, bone-shattering strikes. But, every single attack missed before reaching the Silent Wanderer. The Silent Wanderer merely watched him with relaxed, silent eyes, unbothered by the attacks of a mere insect.

"This type of arrogance and brainlessness is useless in this cruel world!" The Silent Wanderer murmured, a faint sneer crawling on his face. "DRAGON!" he commanded instantly.

BOOM!

A divine, elegant beast rumbled out from the void, tearing the Silent Wanderer’s own robes to shreds as it appeared from the tattoo. Before the red-haired demonic cultivator could even raise a defense, the dragon unleashed a blaze of raging fire, burning him to a crisp. The demonic man roared and spasmed in pure agony, a scent of scorched meat wavered throughout the air. The dragon did not stop there; it snapped its jaws and devoured the man’s upper half in a single bite. The blood and intestinal organs splashed from the burning lower half before the corpse finally collapsed into a lifeless scrap.

"Hehehe... This pathetic man actually thought he could kill me," the Silent Wanderer laughed, throwing his head back. "You dead scoundrel. You are only dead because you didn’t know the world’s cruelty and how to survive. Remember this: If the person is strong, devour him before he becomes a threat. If the person is weak, bully him and devour him whole—along with his pride and arrogance."

The Silent Wanderer overlooked the corpse and began his journey like he just crushed a mere insect in his way.

****

"The next battle." Luo Zhen’s voice boomed, echoing throughout the arena. His gaze darted across the competitors. "Gu Shiyan v/s Chen Yu Ming!"

Thud! Thud!

The synchronized footsteps of two disciples echoed across the battle stage. Gu Shiyan walked toward the center calmly. His dark robes fluttered gently behind him while a faint green beast essence lingered around his body. His expression remained emotionless from the beginning.

Opposite him, Chen Yu Ming stepped forward confidently. She is not like Chen Ming, Chen Yu Ming possessed a far calmer posture. But, after witnessing the previous battles, especially Xiao Yanrui’s brutality, a trail of nervousness still appeared within her eyes.

"Please guide me, Gu Shiyan," Chen Yu Ming cupped her fists politely.

Gu Shiyan glanced at her, and then looked away. As if she wasn’t worthy of his attention. The simple action immediately annoyed several members of the Chen Clan sitting in the audience, along Chen Ming’s parents.

"What arrogance."

"He hasn’t even won yet."

Meanwhile, Gu Shiyan lazily rubbed his neck.

"Begin!" Luo Zhen announced, stepping aside from the stage. The moment Luo Zhen’s voice descended, Chen Yu Ming moved first. Her silver-white beast essence surged from her body. The phantom outline of a Water-Wolf manifested behind her.

WHOOSH!

She rushed forward immediately, letting out a low grunt. A sharp claw swirled with beast essence slashed toward Gu Shiyan’s shoulder. But he dodged the attack effortlessly by merely tilting his body. His movements were deliberate, but they are precise. The claw brushed past his robes, not even touching the fabric.

"Huh?" Chen Yu Ming frowned, her eyes widening slightly.

Before she could react, Gu Shiyan yawned, mocking Chen Yu Ming’s pride. The crowd instantly fell silent, and Chen Ming quivered in anger.

"What the hell is this guy doing?"

"Too slow." Gu Shiyan elucidated, stretching his arms sluggishly. "Pathetic girl.."

His voice was barely a whisper, but it clearly reached Chen Yu Ming. Along with his voice, an eerie silence consumed the air of the arena. The young woman gritted her teeth. Immediately, she attacked again.

"Water Wolf Claw!" Chen Yu Ming bellowed, rushing forward. Three claw strikes erupted simultaneously. One from left, one from right, and one from center. Each attack targeted a vital area in Gu Shiyan’s body.

Whoosh!

Again, Gu Shiyan casually stepped backward. Then sideways, and then backward again. Every movement appeared effortless, the attacks continuously missed. The crowd became quieter, witnessing the precision in Gu Shiyan’s movements.

The scene strangely resembled the tale they had heard many times. About the ’Silent Wanderer.’ The spectators subconsciously remembered the ancient story.

Gu Shiyan’s expression, his movements, the lazy attitude — everything felt eerily similar to the legend.

"Come on." Gu Shiyan smirked slightly in a mockery way. "At least try hard before you lose bitch!"

"You bastard! Stop acting superior!" Chen Yu Ming ranted, her face turning red with anger. Her pale white beast essence whirled around her. The Water-Wolf phantom let out a frenzy howl. She launched herself forward once more. This time, her attacks became far more aggressive. Five attacks from all sides descended continuously, using her beast essence faintly. But, every single one missed. The audience watched in petrified silence.

"Gu Shiyan wasn’t fighting. He was playing."

"No! He was bullying her."

"Your footwork is terrible." Gu Shiyan scoffed, moving aside.

Whoosh!

The kick missed from Chen Yu Ming missed.

"You expose your shoulders before attacking."

Whoosh!

The punch brushed past Gu Shiyan.

"Your wolf is smarter than you." Following Gu Shiyan’s voice, the spectators erupted into laughter except Chen Clan.

Chen Yu Ming was pissed off from humiliation. "You bastard!"

BOOM!

She launched her strongest attack, consuming her beast essence wholly. The wolf phantom expanded behind her, before fading away.

"Water Wolf Fang!" Chen Yu Ming unleashed, the attack roaring toward Gu Shiyan.

For the first time, Gu Shiyan stopped moving. The spectators thought: he was going to fight now!

But Gu Shiyan simply laughed. "A puppy pretending to be a wolf? Annoying! Hahaha... Hehehe..."

The words struck harder than any attack. Chen Yu Ming’s face darkened in humiliation. The Water Wolf Fang arrived instantly onto Gu Shiyan’s exposed chest.

BOOM!

A crimson serpent appeared behind Gu Shiyan, its pale green beast essence rushing out and swirling around his body. The Fire-Serpent phantom opened its jaws, the pressure instantly swallowed the Water Wolf attack in a single gnaw. The difference between the two beasts became apparent immediately. Gu Shiyan was Spirit Beast Realm cultivator, far stronger than Chen Yu Ming — a Baby Beast Realm cultivator.

Her attack vanished into thin air. Chen Yu Ming’s eyes widened. For the first time, fear appeared, consuming her strength and pride.

Gu Shiyan took a sluggish step forward, and Lin Yuan narrowed his eyes frenziedly. ’Interesting. But he is dangerous’

Gu Shiyan raised his hand lazily, concentrating his green beast essence, and the Fire-Serpent behind him hissed. Then, his palm tore through the air in front of him. "Serpent Fang!"

BOOM!

A crimson beam of fire exploded from his hand. The attack covered the distance instantly. Chen Yu Ming desperately attempted to defend. The next moment, the attack struck against her abdomen. The impact lifted her body from the ground, blasting her backward. Thick blood sprayed from her mouth, her eyes frowning in disdain. Her Water-Wolf phantom shattered instantly. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

THUD!

She brutally crashed onto the stone wall out of the battle stage.

"ARGHHH" Chen Yu Ming groaned, her voice rumbled across the arena. Chen Yu Ming attempted to rise, her arms trembled and her legs refused to move. Then, she fell onto the ground frantically.

"You—"

Lin Yuan grabbed the hand of angry Chen Ming instantly.

"It’s a battle, don’t mock her by going in between just because she lost." Lin Yuan muttered, letting out a heavy grunt.

"He defeated her?"

"It was one-shot!"

"He only used a single attack to devour her power."

"He was magnificent and fiery."

The collective gasps of the spectators crawled out across the arena. Some felt shocked in disdain, and others felt uncomfortable. Because the battle wasn’t close from the beginning. Gu Shiyan could have ended it immediately. Instead, he spent the battle humiliating his opponent, and once he got bored from the battle he finally attacked.

On the competitor stand, Lin Yuan quietly watched Gu Shiyan. The Fire-Serpent holder turned around calmly, his face carried the heavy, boring expression. Almost like the Silent Wanderer from the story. Luo Zhen climbed onto the battle stage, his gaze briefly lingering on Gu Shiyan before shifting toward Chen Yu Ming.

After confirming her condition, he raised his hand.

"The match concluded, and the winner was..." Luo Zhen’s voice echoed throughout the academy. "Gu Shiyan!"

The arena erupted into applause, but many spectators continued staring at the departing figure of Gu Shiyan. Because for a brief moment, they had truly witnessed the shadow of the Silent Wanderer. A man who viewed opponents not as enemies, but as mere insects under his feet.