Chapter 51: The Path to Self-Strengthening

Chapter 51: The Path to Self-Strengthening

"Choke him! Choke him! You're gonna lose if you fight like this! You're killing me here!"

"Hey upstairs, stop giving orders! Does the Hawk-Headed Demon even have hands? Why don't you suggest a sliding uppercut while you're at it?"

"Peck at his neck! From my observations, that's its weak spot! Hitting it there scores critical hits!"

...

Under the live chat viewers’ frantic guidance, Lu Xing and the Mirage Butterfly rolled across the ground in a tangle of flailing limbs.

This was Lu Xing’s third attempt to defeat the Mirage Butterfly.

After witnessing other players flee immediately upon encountering it, the Mirage Butterfly had initially regarded Lu Xing with fear. But now, spotting him, its terror transformed into arrogant condescension, its raised head practically shouting, “I’m strong!”

Lu Xing seethed.

The Mirage Butterfly’s attitude toward him contrasted starkly with how it treated others—it clearly viewed him as a weakling ripe for bullying.

Determined to erase his humiliation, Lu Xing took the initiative to attack.

But the outcome remained unchanged.

He quickly realized the chatroom viewers were all braggarts. Before the fight, they’d boasted about offering combat guidance, claiming to have mastered ancient martial arts, grappling techniques, and gene warrior combat styles. Yet none of these strategies worked against the Hawk-Headed Demon Form.

Faced with the Mirage Butterfly’s relentless bullying, his resistance proved feeble.

He couldn’t even land a meaningful blow. What was supposed to be a battle felt more like passive beatdowns.

Soon, Lu Xing lay exhausted, sprawled on the ground, unable to fight further.

The Mirage Butterfly lifted its foot, pressing Lu Xing’s head halfway into the dirt. Spreading its wings, it loomed over him with a mocking gaze, as if declaring, “You’re weak!”

“Don’t get too cocky, you stupid bird,” Lu Xing muttered weakly. “I’ll skin you someday. What’s the big deal about picking on a scenery-loving player like me? Why not go prove yourself at the Ancient Battlefield instead?”

Pain exploded across his skull as the Mirage Butterfly, though unable to comprehend his words, sensed the mockery in his tone. It battered his head repeatedly with its wings, stars bursting in his vision.

Yet compared to the physical pain, the humiliation burned deeper. Lu Xing silently vowed to slaughter this cowardly, bullying fool.

The Mirage Butterfly’s final blow struck, and darkness swallowed the screen.

One hour and thirty minutes later.

Lu Xing returned to Stormwhisper Pond, this time wielding a Battle Blade purchased with 70 Sacrificial Power points. Since his bare hands couldn’t win, he’d switch to weapons and fight in human form.

The Mirage Butterfly’s eyes flickered with confusion at his return, seemingly unable to grasp the concept of resurrection. But its excitement soon overtook its puzzlement, greeting him with enthusiastic wingbeats.

Devoid of the Hawk-Headed Demon’s buffs, this round left Lu Xing battered so badly he vomited up the food he’d eaten earlier.

His bruised face and rolling body drew winces from the live chat audience, who silently mourned his plight. Still, they cheered him on:

“Explorer, your combat skills improved this time! Don’t fear failure—you’ll win next time for sure!”

“That slash nearly hit the Mirage Butterfly! The Mirage Butterfly just had better luck. What a shame!”

“Keep fighting, Explorer! Failure only makes you stronger. Believe you’ll win!”

...

Amid the chat’s encouragement, the Mirage Butterfly seized Lu Xing and soared skyward, delivering a brutal free-fall ending to this challenge.

Repeated defeats left Lu Xing utterly demoralized.

He realized he could never defeat the Mirage Butterfly without investing significant Sacrificial Power to boost his Body Forge Rank and Stellar Vein level, gaining multiple monster form buffs.

After respawning, he ignored the chat’s pleas to return to Stormwhisper Pond.

Though the rewards were tempting, the physical and psychological torment proved unbearable.

He’d never craved money, and his real life posed no financial struggles.

But this wasn’t surrender.

His humiliation still festered. He simply needed to level up his Hawk-Headed Demon Form first before challenging the Mirage Butterfly again—no point in walking into guaranteed beatings.

Though higher levels might make the Mirage Butterfly flee instead, Lu Xing saw flight as equivalent to surrender. He’d still consider himself victorious.

Summoning the chat interface, he searched for a monster-hunting party, embarking on his path to self-strengthening.

Two days later.

After 48 straight hours of grinding, Lu Xing raised his Hawk-Headed Demon Form to level 11.

Compared to level 7, its wings grew fuller, a glowing crimson feather sprouting on its forehead. Its aura transformed entirely, exuding formidable power.

With his stats boosted, Lu Xing regained his courage to face the Mirage Butterfly.

He reopened his long-dormant live stream, changing the title to “Rematch with the Stupid Bird” before setting off toward Stormwhisper Pond.

His relaunch quickly drew a massive audience.

Many viewers lamented, expecting the challenge to collapse again—the cowardly butterfly would surely flee on sight.

Eventually, Lu Xing reached Stormwhisper Pond, facing the familiar bush on the opposite shore. Its inhabitant’s emerald-green eyes locked onto him.

Spotting the Mirage Butterfly still present, Lu Xing grinned, taunting it with a wave.

His body twisted, shifting into the Hawk-Headed Demon Form.

The Mirage Butterfly leaped from the bushes, not fleeing but arrogantly lifting its head to meet him.

Lu Xing’s grin vanished instantly.

He noticed the Mirage Butterfly’s transformation—it now bore even more vibrant plumage.

Activating his Analyze ability, he uncovered the truth:

Zephyrwing Qidi
Hunting Level: 13
Guide Compendium: A 4th-Generation Primordial Monster mastering Windweaving, possessing basic intelligence. It can control wind elements for flight, combat, or dramatically increased movement speed.
Personality: Bully the weak, fear the strong; lethargic by nature.

Hunting Level 13?!

“Guide, why did the Mirage Butterfly’s hunting level increase?”

The Guide floating beside Lu Xing replied lazily:

“These are Primordial Monsters—somehow, they can grow stronger through specific methods. I suspect this one’s power-up relates to its personality—bullying you earned it the Monster World’s rule-based power boost.”

“As for why it became level 13, I’m not sure. Theoretically, 4th-Generation Primordials have far greater growth potential than 1st-Generation ones. Faster power gains make sense.”

“What now?”

“Fight like a warrior, or cower like a coward while it plays with you until delivering the killing blow. Then I’ll drag your corpse back to the nest.”

Watching the Mirage Butterfly charge forward with arrogant, flapping wings, Lu Xing saw the same smugness in its eyes.

The live chat erupted in mixed laughter and exasperation.

A viewer’s comment quickly gained top support:

“I thought the stream title meant you finally found a surefire strategy. Turns out it’s just another round of watching you get wrecked. Guess you’re addicted to the beatings!”

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end