Huang Lu's walk to the Northern forests took almost the entire day, but right before he entered the woods-

[Heavenly Qi gathered has increased to 588! You are now in the middle stages of the 1st realm! You are drawing the attention of the heavenly immortals!] The notification came with a powerup, as his muscular body seemed even more healthy. He didn't even know it was possible for muscles to look so large, strong and tough. It was felt in every part of him, even his little brother was bigger and stronger.

It made peeing weird, because he was looking at this strange thing he did not recognise.

But oh well. The pigs! He was here for some Goldenmane Pigs! Bao auntie was alright with a 1st realm goldenmane pig, so it wasn't necessary for him to risk it with the bigger pigs. Maybe some day in the future.

As he approached the edges of the forest, he saw a faded sign.

[Morningfog Forests, Property of the Imperium. Warning : Qi Beasts within. Entry for mortals highly discouraged.]

"Ah." All he was gonna hunt was some pigs. It'll be fine.

Hours later...

"Where the fuck are these pigs?"

He ate his first pork bun in hunger as he stalked the forests. The pigs were nowhere to be seen. The afternoon sun gave way to the moon, and mist enveloped the forests.

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"I should go and return tomorrow-"

And he heard the rustling leaves. He turned, and a large pig with red eyes stared at him in the face. It had two large tusks that seemed silverish. It snorted and charged. Wait, was that a goldenmane on its head? Or is it silver?

"...fuck."

He was too slow. The pig rammed his butt and shoved. He flew through the air and smashed into a tree. Thank god for his new powers that it didn't kill him.

The pig snorted and charged. He was still in a daze, so all he managed to do was grab hold of the tusks and tried to wrestle with the pig. It was stronger than him!

"FUCK!" He screamed as the pig pushed him back. The pig pushed, and in three huffs his back was against a tree. The pig snorted, and attempted to headbutt. Huang Lu realised he couldn't win so he decided to let go at the last minute and the pig smashed into the tree. It was dazed from the impact.

Huang Lu punched it at the side, and the pig winced in pain.

"Ah!"

The pig wasn't very smart. He looked around and found a large boulder. He positioned himself right in front of it. The pig charged.

He stepped aside. The pig smashed into the boulder, and it collapsed. It's not dead, but drowsy. "Why didn't I bring a knife." He wasn't very smart either. "Or rope."

He took a large rock, and smashed the head right between the eyes. The pig whimpered just a little and then was dead.

He had killed a pig. But sadly, he wasn't sure whether this was a goldenmane pig. Oh well, he'll just have to bring it back to town for their identification. Every part of it looked silverish.

"Oh it's a goldenmane pig alright." Bao auntie smiled as her butcher stood next to her. "See how the mane is golden in sunlight?"

"But it's silver at night. It's only gold when it reflects sunlight."

"So, it's golden." Huang Lu was already exhausted carrying the large pig on his back. It's so heavy that it felt like his back was going to break. So, rather than argue, he decided then that people are idiots, he should ask better questions. The butcher took the pig, and the bao auntie gave him a pork bun.

Exhausted and hungry, the food absolutely tasted heavenly.