Under the cloak of night, Zhang Liwei and Feng Hao trailed the meandering river, each step taking them further upstream, closer to the source of the village's plight. The moon, a sliver of silver in the sky, cast long, eerie shadows along the riverbank. Their journey was silent, save for the soft gurgling of the river and the occasional rustle of leaves in the gentle night breeze.

The footprints they followed were clear and fresh, imprinted deeply in the soft earth alongside the river. This evidence was a silent testament to the villagers' desperate quest for answers. Despite the lack of any human presence, the footprints kept the duo's hopes alive, assuring them that their efforts were not in vain.

As the night deepened, the darkness seemed to swallow the landscape, rendering their visibility nearly non-existent. Feng Hao, his voice tinged with caution, turned to Zhang Liwei. "Liwei," he said, "we should halt our advance until dawn. The presence of Demonic Qi is an ominous sign. It indicates that we might be dealing with Demonic Beasts capable of cultivation. Rushing forward in this darkness would be like walking blindfolded into a tiger's den."

Zhang Liwei, understanding the gravity of Feng Hao's words, nodded in agreement. "You're right, Feng Hao. As much as we want to rescue the villagers, recklessness could lead to a needless sacrifice of our lives."

They found a secluded spot near the river, sheltered by the overhanging branches of ancient pines. There, they sat cross-legged, their minds focused inward, beginning the process of replenishing their Qi.

Zhang Liwei's aura glowed faintly yellow, a warm light in the encompassing darkness, symbolic of his Earth Qi. In contrast, Feng Hao's aura was nearly invisible, its dark, almost black hue melding with the night, a reflection of his Water Qi. The two cultivators drew energy from their surroundings, channeling it into their Dantians, preparing their bodies and spirits for the challenges ahead.

As their cultivation session came to a close, their discussion turned to strategy. "This Demonic Beast we're facing, it must be of the water type," Feng Hao theorized. "Fighting water with water, especially if we're at a similar cultivation level, might lead to a prolonged battle of attrition."

He then suggested a tactical division of roles. "Zhang Liwei, in this battle, you should take the role of the spear, striking our foe with precision and force. I will focus on defense, ensuring that we remain unharmed."

Zhang Liwei agreed, his voice firm with resolve. "Understood, Feng Hao. But be careful. We cannot afford any missteps."

The first light of dawn began to creep over the horizon, casting a pale glow that slowly illuminated their surroundings. The world around them came back into focus, revealing the serene beauty of the riverbank in the early morning light. With renewed determination, they returned to the river's edge, continuing their journey upstream.

As they walked, the sun rose higher, bathing the landscape in a warm, golden light. The river, once a mere shadowy ribbon in the darkness, now sparkled with life, its waters flowing steadily towards an unknown destination. Zhang Liwei and Feng Hao moved with purpose, their senses alert for any sign of danger, ready to confront whatever lay ahead at the river's mysterious source.

Suddenly, Zhang Liwei's sharp eyes caught an anomaly. The footsteps they had been following abruptly ended. With a sharp intake of breath, he called out to Feng Hao, his voice laced with urgency. "Feng Hao! The footprints... they just stop here."

Feng Hao, instantly alert, scrutinized the ground. The abrupt end to the trail was indeed perplexing. His mind raced, analyzing the situation. A thought struck him, chilling in its implication. "Zhang Liwei, move away from the riverbank, now!" he exclaimed, his tone brooking no argument.

Just as they leapt away from the water's edge, a dark, ominous figure burst forth from the river with lightning speed. The two cultivators barely evaded the attack, feeling the rush of air and the spray of water as the creature lunged at them. Zhang Liwei's heart raced as he turned to face their assailant, his brow furrowing in concentration.

Before them stood a creature coated in mud, its form obscured. It was quadrupedal, with notably powerful hind legs. Two large bulges adorned what appeared to be its head. Then, suddenly, the bulges unfurled, revealing a pair of glowing yellow orbs, bisected by a menacing black line.

"A frog beast?" Zhang Liwei wondered aloud, his mind racing to identify their foe.

Feng Hao's eyes widened in recognition. "A Venomous Mud Toad!" he exclaimed. The beast shook its body, flinging mud in all directions, revealing its true form. It was a massive toad, the size of a grown person, its skin a sickly green, dotted with sharp, protruding spikes.

The Demonic Toad emitted a loud, trilling sound, a clear attempt to intimidate the young cultivators. Feng Hao's warning came swiftly. "Zhang Liwei, beware of its tongue and the venom on its spikes. And it can spit venom too!"

No sooner had he spoken than the toad's mouth gaped open, a flash of red shooting towards them at an astonishing speed.

"Cascading Barrier!" Feng Hao exclaimed, his hands tracing intricate patterns in the air.

A vortex of dark water materialized before them, spiraling rapidly. This whirling shield of aquatic energy intercepted the toad's tongue, spinning with such velocity that it seemed to create a barrier of liquid steel. The impact was tremendous, shattering the shield, but the tongue failed to reach its targets.

Feng Hao turned to Zhang Liwei, his voice firm. "Get ready to strike. I'll form another shield." His Qi surged, manifesting into a new barrier, as Zhang Liwei readied himself for the offensive.

The tension in the air was palpable, a dance of life and death about to unfold between the cultivators and the Demonic Beast. Zhang Liwei's hand curled into a fist, his Qi gathering, preparing to unleash the devastating power of the Mountaintop Strike.

Zhang Liwei, his focus razor-sharp, lunged forward, his fists moving in a rapid sequence of Boulder Bash Strikes aimed directly at the toad's glowing eyes. However, the Venomous Mud Toad, with surprising agility for its size, blocked his attacks using its forelegs. Undeterred, Zhang Liwei transitioned to his Cliff Crumble Fist technique, delivering punches of far greater strength onto the toad's foreleg. Each impact resonated with the force of a falling cliff, dealing significant damage to the creature.

The Demonic Toad, clearly agitated by Zhang Liwei's relentless assault, leapt backward, creating a distance between itself and the cultivators. Zhang Liwei watched cautiously, his body tense and ready for the next move.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

Suddenly, the toad tilted its head skyward, its throat bulging ominously. A foul stench permeated the air, a prelude to something far more sinister. As the toad brought its head down, its mouth opened wide, ejecting a stream of dark green, viscous liquid. It was the toad's venom attack, a deadly onslaught that could have catastrophic consequences upon contact.

Feng Hao's expression hardened as he channeled more Qi into his Cascading Barrier. The shield expanded, its size and thickness increasing dramatically. He was well aware of the peril they faced; even a single drop of the venom could result in severe affliction.

The venom collided with the shield, and an intense reaction ensued. A cacophony of cackling sounds filled the air, accompanied by a thick, repulsive stench that made both Zhang Liwei and Feng Hao feel nauseous and lightheaded.

After a tense standoff, both the venom and the shield dissipated, resulting in a stalemate. But the toad, undeterred, seemed poised to launch another venomous assault. Seizing the moment, Zhang Liwei closed the gap between them with swift determination. His fist, charged with an ever-increasing surge of Qi, was unleashed towards the stomach of the Demonic Toad. A yellow maelstrom of Qi, dense and potent, swirled around his arm, focusing with maximum intensity at his fist.

The Cliff Crumble Fist hit its target with a thunderous impact. A ripple spread from the point of contact, sending shockwaves through the toad's body. For a moment, the toad froze, its mouth agape in shock, then it began to regurgitate its stomach contents. Amidst the foul-smelling discharge, Zhang Liwei and Feng Hao glimpsed human bones, a grisly revelation that ignited a fierce anger within them.

The sight of the remains, remnants of the toad's unfortunate victims, filled Zhang Liwei and Feng Hao with a righteous fury. They stood side by side, their resolve hardened, ready to put an end to the menace of the Venomous Mud Toad once and for all. Their eyes, burning with the fire of vengeance, were fixed unflinchingly on the now vulnerable creature before them.

Zhang Liwei prepared to unleash another mighty Cliff Crumble Fist. His fury was palpable, each muscle tensed for the decisive strike. But Feng Hao, ever vigilant, noticed something amiss. The toad, though injured, was far from defeated. Its hind legs were coiling, gathering Demonic Qi for a counterattack.

"Liwei, be cautious!" Feng Hao shouted, his voice laced with urgency. In that moment, the battlefield became a crucible of tension. Zhang Liwei, channeling his Qi into his fist, and the Demonic Toad, concentrating its energy into its powerful hind legs, were both poised for a crucial clash.

Feng Hao, propelled by a sense of impending doom, glided swiftly towards Zhang Liwei. His instincts screamed that if he did not intervene, Zhang Liwei might find himself at a fatal disadvantage. As the toad launched itself in a massive leap, aiming for a devastating body slam, Feng Hao's decision was instantaneous. With a swift movement, he pushed Zhang Liwei out of harm's way, absorbing the full brunt of the impact himself.

The collision was thunderous. Feng Hao was sent flying, blood spilling from his mouth, a stark contrast to the tranquility of the surrounding landscape. Zhang Liwei, stunned by Feng Hao's selfless act, felt a surge of emotions. Why did Feng Hao choose to save him over himself? A fierce, unbridled anger ignited in Zhang Liwei's heart, an intensity he had never felt before.

With a roar of fury, Zhang Liwei charged towards the toad, which had landed back on the ground. As he closed in, the toad whipped its tongue towards him in a desperate attempt to defend itself. Zhang Liwei, with lightning-fast reflexes, sidestepped the assault, grabbing the tongue.

The toad, caught off guard and off balance, reacted reflexively, yanking its tongue back with a powerful pull. Zhang Liwei, caught in the sudden tug, found himself hurtling towards the monstrous maw.

"Perish, foul monstrosity!" Zhang Liwei's roar erupted from his chest, a primal scream fueled by righteous anger. His eyes, reflecting the flames of the setting sun, locked onto his target: the vulnerable gap between the toad's eye and jaw.

And then, the attack. With a movement honed to precision, Zhang Liwei unleashed the Cliff Crumble Fist. His fist, a blur of deadly force, slammed into the targeted point. Bone cracked like thunder, the right side of the toad's skull caving in under the blow. A geyser of blood and viscous fluids splattered, painting the landscape with macabre hues.

The monstrous form sprawled lifelessly on the bank, its hind legs giving a few spasmodic kicks before stillness settled over the scene. The wind, now whistling a mournful tune, seemed to echo the passing of the beast.

Panic and concern overtaking his anger, Zhang Liwei rushed to Feng Hao's side, calling his name with a mix of fear and desperation. "Feng Hao! Feng Hao!" he yelled, his voice trembling.

As he reached his fallen friend, he saw Feng Hao lying motionless, face down on the ground. Panic gripped him as he quickly moved to Feng Hao's side, gently flipping him onto his back. Feng Hao lay unconscious, a worrying streak of blood running from the corner of his mouth.

Frantically, Zhang Liwei shook Feng Hao, calling his name repeatedly in a voice choked with fear. After what felt like an eternity, Feng Hao's eyelids flickered, and he slowly regained consciousness.

A wave of relief washed over Zhang Liwei as he saw life returning to his friend's eyes. His voice, trembling with emotion and eyes brimming with tears, he implored, "Feng Hao, why did you take such a risk? Why did you protect me at your own peril?"

Feng Hao's gaze met his, a blend of pain and unwavering determination evident in his expression. "Liwei," he replied softly, "in moments like these, it's not about risk or reason. It's the sense of brotherhood that drives us, the instinct to shield those we care about."

Zhang Liwei absorbed these words, feeling a profound understanding of the sacrifices made in the name of deep bonds and brotherhood.

With gentle care, Zhang Liwei helped Feng Hao to sit up. Holding out a small, fragrant pill, he said, "Take this, Feng Hao. It's a Meridian Mend Pill from my master. It should help with your injuries."

Feng Hao took the pill, his gaze softening. "Thank you, Liwei," he murmured, swallowing the pill and closing his eyes to focus on circulating his Qi. A faint glow emanated from his body as he worked on healing his internal wounds.

Zhang Liwei watched in silence, then spoke, "Feng Hao, this... what we have, it's more than I ever realized. It's like the bond of family. I never thought I could find such a connection outside of my own village."

Feng Hao opened his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips, responded, "Liwei, in our journey as cultivators, we find brothers not born of blood but forged in the fires of shared trials and tribulations. Our bond, it's as sacred and profound as that of family."

The understanding and recognition of this newfound kinship brought a sense of warmth and depth to their friendship, enriching Zhang Liwei's perception of the bonds that tie people together.

Soon, Feng Hao's condition improved enough for him to move with less discomfort. Together, they gathered the remains of the villagers, an act of respect and duty. They rinsed the bones in the river to cleanse them of the toad's vile secretions, then wrapped them carefully in clean cloth. They knew they had to bring them back to the village for a proper burial, a solemn responsibility that they bore with heavy hearts.

Before they departed, Zhang Liwei turned his attention to the fallen Demonic Toad. "Feng Hao, shouldn't we make use of the toad? There might be valuable resources here."

Feng Hao, still regaining his strength, nodded. "You're right, Liwei. The venomous secretions on its skin are a treasure for those who practice Poison Arts. And the poison sac in its mouth is a component for some powerful concoctions."

Zhang Liwei, intrigued, asked, "Is there anything else we can use?"

"Yes," Feng Hao replied, pointing at the toad's tongue. "That tongue, tough as it is, can be repurposed into powerful artifacts. Let's gather these carefully."

Working together, they extracted the valuable materials from the toad, mindful of their potential. Once they had secured these resources, Zhang Liwei looked towards the unseen village, a solemn expression on his face. "We should head back now. The village needs to know what happened to their missing people."

Feng Hao nodded in agreement, a hint of sorrow in his eyes. "Yes, it's our duty to bring them this news, no matter how somber."

After carefully collecting these resources, the duo set off on their journey back to the village, prepared to deliver the somber news of the villagers' fate. The trek back thrummed with conflicted chords. Each echoing footstep resonated with grief for the fallen, yet pride for a mission complete pulsed through weary veins.