As for the leftover remains, they had likely been dragged off by other carnivorous creatures. Just as Lu Ze had said, even the outer areas of the forest had become dangerous. One could only imagine how perilous the deeper mountain regions must be.
Qin Ming remained vigilant as he left the bloodstained scene. A short while later, he discovered several hoofprints in the snow and instantly perked up, following the tracks eagerly.
In the darkness, he spotted more than twenty dark silhouettes up ahead. Each one was large, and gathered, they exuded an intimidating pressure.
"Blade-antler deer!" Qin Ming's face lit up with joy.
These herds were once rare in this region. He readied his bow and aimed at a large male deer. These weren't gentle animals—adult males had six antlers, spread out from both sides and the front of the head. Each was flat, sharp, and resembled a steel blade. A charge from such a creature could leave gaping, fatal wounds.
Even some predators avoided head-on confrontations with them, preferring to strike from behind. If a person were to fall into the midst of such a herd, the outcome would be tragic.
Qin Ming drew his heavy bow into a full moon and released it with a sharp twang. The iron arrow flew like lightning, striking the buck in the lungs.
Blade-antler deer were famous for their fierceness and often challenged predators head-on. This one was no different. Rather than flee after being struck, it charged directly at Qin Ming.
Startled, the rest of the herd thundered after it, trampling snow and earth alike. The ground quaked under the pounding hooves.
Qin Ming remained calm. He drew another arrow, fired again, and struck it true. The force drove the arrow deep into the beast, making it stagger. He quickly slung his bow and climbed a thick tree, positioning himself several meters above the ground. In dense forests, it was difficult for him to aim from the trees due to obstructing branches.
The big buck barreled onward for a few dozen meters before finally collapsing with a thud into the snow. The startled herd came to a halt, then thundered away into the forest.
Qin Ming waited a moment. No other dangerous beasts appeared, so he jumped down, gripping his hunting fork as he approached.
The blade-antler deer's black-brown body was massive—at least seven hundred pounds—still robust even in the heart of winter.
Such a haul left Qin Ming thoroughly satisfied. But the forest was dangerous, so he couldn't linger. Dragging the deer, he immediately began his return along the path he came.
Now that he'd undergone rebirth, the benefits were obvious. He could haul such a heavy beast through snow at speed without feeling the slightest fatigue.
The forest was filled with many tree species, like larch and spruce, towering tens of meters into the night sky. The mountain wind picked up, blasting ice and snow against his face like needles.
Suddenly, amidst the howling wind, goosebumps rose across Qin Ming's skin, then two huge, furry claws landed heavily on his shoulders from behind. At the same time, he felt a blast of hot breath touch the nape of his neck, and he instantly realized a gaping maw was right behind him, about to snap at his spine.
Reacting instantly, he hunched his shoulders, dropped low, and rolled sideways into the snow. Even so, he was wounded. The claws that landed on him were as strong as iron hooks, tearing through his coat and injuring both shoulders.
The snow exploded as a terrifying black shadow leapt out of a hidden drift. A large, muscular beast lunged toward him.
Qin Ming moved with the speed of a serpent, twisting and sliding to barely escape. The savage creature lunged again, claws sharp enough to rip off an entire human face. Its open jaws gleamed with cold, vicious fangs.
Qin Ming had no time to get up, but he didn't panic. Calmly, he reached out and grabbed the creature's front legs, locking them in place.
Those terrifying claws hovered just inches from his face, unable to strike down.
Now, face-to-face, Qin Ming got a clear look at the beast. It had a massive donkey's head, wide jaws, a mane of black fur trailing down its neck, and the powerful body of a mountain wolf. It lunged for Qin Ming's throat.
The scene was horrifying. Its blood-colored maw spewed hot, rancid breath right into Qin Ming's face. Still, he remained composed. Gripping its front legs with all his might, he shoved its claws toward its mouth to keep the fangs at bay. At the same time, he curled his legs and tensed his body. Then—BANG—he kicked with explosive force, slamming his feet into its belly.
Qin Ming's strength during rebirth was extraordinary. The kick launched the beast, which weighed several hundred pounds, tumbling across the snow.
"A donkey-headed wolf!" he growled, eyes fixed on the monstrous form. Also called a "mountain mongrel," it had the head of a donkey and the body of a mountain wolf, but was far more dangerous. Normal specimens weighed at least one hundred and eighty pounds. This one had mutated as it was at least four hundred pounds.
An ordinary person would be dead on sight. Its limbs were long, allowing it to walk upright. Some elders had even witnessed mountain mongrels carrying prey like humans, striding away eerily on two feet.
This mutated beast was both vicious and cunning. As it stood up again, it immediately pinned Qin Ming's hunting fork into the snow.
Qin Ming blinked. The beast had some intelligence, and it understood it had to separate him from his weapon.
The donkey-headed wolf's eyes were fierce. Its mane bristled like a porcupine's quills. It suddenly reared up, growing even taller, and let out a savage roar, exuding overwhelming dominance.
But Qin Ming wasn't afraid. Drawing his short knife from behind his back, he stepped forward without hesitation. Right now, mid-rebirth, he believed that even unarmed, he could beat the beast to its death.
The donkey-headed wolf charged, bringing with it a foul wind that sent snow flying in all directions. It roared again, low and heavy, causing snow to fall from the nearby trees.