Seeing Lin Xiao’s puzzled expression, Wu Yifeng replied, “Mist Forest City is named after the Mist Forest nearby, which is filled with barrier qi that prevents people from approaching. But recently, word has spread that there are Glazed Spirit Fruits in the Mist Forest, and the barrier qi is gradually dissipating. Many people are heading to Mist Forest City to gather.”
“Oh?” Lin Xiao was slightly surprised. The Glazed Spirit Fruit was a rare heavenly treasure. Consuming and refining it could boost one’s cultivation by a full level, with a success rate above ninety percent and no side effects.
It was no wonder people nearby were rushing over upon hearing the news. Advancing cultivation was a huge temptation for any martial artist.
Even a single level could take years for some to break through.
News of the Glazed Spirit Fruit would undoubtedly draw countless people.
“Good news,” Lin Xiao said, a slight smile forming, his interest in the Glazed Spirit Fruit piqued.
“There are too many spirit beasts around here, and beast tides are common. Besides waiting for the Mist Forest’s barrier qi to dissipate, Mist Forest City serves as a stronghold against beast tides. It’s much safer there than out here,” Wu Yifeng added.
Lin Xiao nodded, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.
He then travelled with the group.
If they encountered danger he could easily handle, he’d help them out.
Except for Song Dong.
The group flew cautiously at low altitude, likely wary after past encounters with spirit beasts.
Lin Xiao remained silent, keeping pace.
He learned that Wu Yifeng and Wu Xiaofei were siblings who had used a special method to end up near each other after entering the formation, reuniting through unique means.
Lin Xiao hadn’t considered this. Travelling with familiar companions would indeed be safer.
He wasn’t afraid of danger but was concerned, primarily for Hu Yue.
Hu Yue had reached the first level of Martial King and had stealth and escape techniques, so she likely wouldn’t face major issues.
Still, reuniting with her soon would be ideal.
But in the vast Mysterious Domain Battlefield, finding news of Hu Yue would depend on luck.
The journey was relatively safe, with no encounters with powerful spirit beasts. After travelling hundreds of miles, a massive early fourth-rank bear beast suddenly leapt out, blocking their path with a menacing glare. The group halted.
“A Three-Spot Giant Bear!” Wu Yifeng’s expression changed, gripping a blade tightly as he stared ahead cautiously.
“Three-Spot Giant Bears are tough and won’t easily let intruders in their territory go. Even if we flee, it’ll chase us, and it’s faster than any of us!” Zhang Fan said, his face grave.
“This Three-Spot Giant Bear is early fourth-rank. Individually, none of us can match it. If we escape, the slowest will likely die,” Wu Xiaofei said, her voice filled with worry, glancing at Lin Xiao.
In her eyes, Lin Xiao’s cultivation was the weakest.
Having Lin Xiao join them only to die here weighed heavily on her conscience.
Her gaze then turned to Song Dong, the strongest in the group.
“Hmph, this Three-Spot Giant Bear is strong, stronger than any of us individually. But if the four of us team up, even if we can’t kill it, we can scare it off!” Song Dong said, a cold glint in his eyes.
“Four?” Lin Xiao frowned. Was Song Dong ignoring him?
The other three looked uneasy. Though Lin Xiao’s cultivation was a level lower, he was still a Martial King with considerable strength. Excluding him now, when they needed all hands, seemed unwise.
But considering this might spare Lin Xiao from harm, Wu Yifeng nodded, saying, “Fair enough. Brother Lin Xiao’s cultivation is lower, so you stay back and observe. If things get dire, you can step in.”
“Alright,” Lin Xiao nodded indifferently, curious to see the group’s strength.
“What are you blabbering about? Get ready!” Song Dong snapped, his unmatched aura bursting forth as he gathered his second-level Martial King power.
The other three also channelled their strength to the limit. Seeing their provocation, the Three-Spot Giant Bear grew enraged.
“Go!” Song Dong shouted, and figures shot forward, dazzling blade and sword lights flashing.
To Lin Xiao’s surprise, after shouting, Song Dong turned and fled at top speed.
This wasn’t a fight—it was an escape, leaving the others to hold off the bear while he ran first.
Moments ago, he’d been arrogant, but now, facing danger, he fled faster than anyone, betraying the others to save himself.
Lin Xiao couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. A makeshift team like this was indeed unreliable.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of loud crashes echoed as the three were swatted back by the bear.
“Song Dong, that bastard!”
“Shameless scum!”
“Utterly despicable!”
The three couldn’t help but curse. He’d talked big about fighting, only to flee, and they’d trusted him as their leader.
“Now what? Without Song Dong, we don’t have the strength to fight this Three-Spot Giant Bear,” Wu Xiaofei said, her face full of worry.
Wu Yifeng and Zhang Fan exchanged glances, unsure what to do.
“I’ll handle it,” Lin Xiao’s voice rang out.
“Alright, let’s fight. I refuse to believe the four of us can’t drive it off!” Wu Yifeng said after a pause, his aura surging.
But then, they saw Lin Xiao charge towards the bear, a black iron rod in hand, clashing with the beast.
Boom!
A loud crash resounded as both man and beast were pushed back several metres, their colliding forces evenly matched.
“What?” Wu Yifeng froze, only now understanding Lin Xiao’s words. Lin Xiao meant to fight the bear alone, not join them in a group effort.
“He’s that strong, able to fight the Three-Spot Giant Bear alone without losing ground?”
Wu Xiaofei’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“We underestimated him!” Zhang Fan said, equally shocked. He’d been considering fleeing, but seeing this, he abandoned the idea.
Even the Three-Spot Giant Bear seemed surprised. This human’s strength was immense, able to withstand its attack.
“Boom!” “Boom!” “Boom!” …
Lin Xiao’s iron rod danced, clashing repeatedly with the bear, earth-shattering sounds echoing as trees collapsed.
In truth, Lin Xiao wasn’t using his full strength. The bear was just practice.
“Go!” Wu Yifeng shouted, charging at the bear.
Wu Xiaofei and Zhang Fan followed.
With Lin Xiao holding his own, they believed their addition would tip the scales.
And it did. With the three joining, they steadily suppressed the bear, injuring it. Finally, Lin Xiao’s rod killed it, leaving no chance for escape.
In that final strike, Lin Xiao had used his strongest vital energy, short of activating his phenomenon, and added spiritual power, ensuring the bear’s death.
Seeing the bear lifeless on the ground, Wu Yifeng and the others finally relaxed, breathing a sigh of relief.
“I didn’t expect Brother Lin Xiao to be so strong, stronger than all of us!” Wu Yifeng panted, full of admiration.
“This early fourth-rank spirit core is yours, Brother Lin Xiao. We won’t fight you for it!” Zhang Fan said, his face full of respect.
Lin Xiao didn’t protest, drawing his sword to extract the bear’s core.
“Hard to believe that Three-Spot Giant Bear was so weak, letting you four kill it!”
At that moment, Song Dong’s voice rang out as he reappeared in their sight.
