Wilderness Zone

When physical skill reached the Great Accomplishment of Entering the Minute, and as one grew increasingly proficient in channeling bursts of Dark Force, one's peak strength would gradually climb from 1.5 times the base force to 2 times. An explosive burst of twice one's base strength was the absolute limit for the Great Accomplishment of Entering the Minute of the body. Similarly, after achieving saber Entering the Minute, one's saber skill could still advance slowly. For instance, the two basic saber manuals Fang Yu practiced—the Thousand Mountains Saber and the Flowing Light Saber—possessed ultimate secret techniques that could only be unleashed after achieving saber Entering the Minute and continuing to make steady progress. Once such a secret technique was mastered and unleashed, the physical toll on the body was immense, but its might was astonishing, often enabling the user to bridge the gap of several Life Levels to clash with dire beasts or even other martial artists. Only then was it worthy of being called an Entering the Minute secret technique. "In the Wilderness Zone, the stronger I am, the safer I'll be." Having experienced real slaughter in the Safe Zone, Fang Yu's state of mind had undergone a profound shift. The mysterious Primordial Star. In this unpredictable wilderness, there were no laws from the Blue Star, nor was there any order to speak of; only the battle saber in his hand was his most trustworthy companion. "I must master both Entering the Minute secret techniques as quickly as possible," Fang Yu thought to himself. After achieving saber Entering the Minute, so long as he continued to practice day after day, mastering the secret techniques would eventually come naturally... but it still required time. "My star phase," Fang Yu thought. Although the impulses transmitted from his dormant star phase had not changed in the slightest, Fang Yu sensed an unseen, deeper bond forming between himself and that slumbering star phase. "My initial conjecture was right. "As my Life Level climbs further, its first-stage awakening is drawing closer and closer." Fang Yu already felt an instinctive awareness: "It's very close now. "Most likely, once my Life Level reaches Level 22—Level 23 at most—it should awaken." ... On August 20, at six in the morning, all five members of the Scarlet Flame Squad had donned their gear and gathered downstairs, with the massive backpack on Xia Yao's back being especially exaggerated. "It's fine," Xia Yao said with a grin. "The total weight is only five hundred kilograms. It's mostly because your weapons and battle suits are heavy, plus Qin Yang's arrows are heavy too, but it's well within what I can handle." Fang Yu felt a quiet sense of amazement. In ancient warfare, provisions and fodder always had to move before the troops; a single combat soldier often required three to five support personnel, and a cavalryman often brought two or even three horses... Even for their squad, embarking on a mere three- or four-day hunt near the space base, they required this much extra equipment. Still, only this way could the squad ensure greater safety. "Yeah," Bai Chen said. "Big Xiong, once we reach the wilderness, if our spoils are too heavy, you'll have to shoulder some extra load." "Understood," Xiong Meng nodded. The squad's division of labor was clear. Xia Yao filled the support position. When necessary, Xiong Meng, the shieldbearer, would shoulder some of the burden, while Bai Chen, Fang Yu, and Qin Yang—the three primary attackers—had to conserve their stamina as much as possible. ... After clearing the checkpoints, they boarded a free large transport aircraft and arrived at the perimeter of the Safe Zone. Afterward, the party of five ventured into the rolling mountains of the Wilderness Zone. "The last time I came into the Wilderness Zone, it was pitch dark, but the lighting is much better now," Bai Chen said with a smile. "Fang Yu, the base periodically clears out dire beasts in the Safe Zone and even deliberately reshapes the terrain, leveling some of the taller mountains. That's why it's relatively open, consisting mostly of rolling hills... But the Wilderness Zone is full of deep mountains and vast swamps. "Many dire beasts excel at camouflage. You might not even notice them at close range, so you must stay alert at all times." "Understood, Captain," Fang Yu nodded. This was the fruit of experience. From their conversations over the past few days, he had also learned that Bai Chen had entered the Wilderness Zone twice, while the others in the squad had each entered once. Among students, they were already considered quite experienced. "Our objective this time is still Mount Daling. It's less than twenty kilometers from the Safe Zone, making the return trip convenient," Bai Chen said. "The dire beasts in that area generally don't exceed Level 25, which makes it ideal for us to continue honing our teamwork. "What's more, the Mount Daling area has plenty of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures." Everyone nodded in agreement. Fang Yu listened carefully. During the one-month practical combat period, a typical martial artist squad made around five round trips to the base rather than staying out in the Wilderness Zone indefinitely... Therefore, according to Bai Chen's plan, their first two outings would prioritize safety. After all, even Bai Chen had not engaged in high-intensity, life-and-death combat for quite a while. On subsequent trips, they would push farther from the base to hunt stronger dire beasts. It was fair to say Bai Chen's plan was comprehensive. "This way." Bai Chen led at the very front of the formation, Fang Yu brought up the rear, and Xia Yao walked in the middle, directing the squad's heading. "Although tech items aren't permitted, the base publishes maps of the Wilderness Zone. "Our communication star rings also display our approximate coordinates and the straight-line distance back to the base... Xia Yao has memorized the entire map within a three-hundred-kilometer radius of the base," Bai Chen explained. "Combined with the star ring, she won't lead us astray." Fang Yu felt a quiet sense of admiration. A well-coordinated squad was indeed far safer than operating alone. ... The group came to a halt. "A little over a hundred meters ahead is a solitary dire beast, a Leaping Flying Bear. Judging by its size and coat, it should be around Level 22," Xia Yao whispered. "Captain, Fang Yu, fan out to the left and right to cut off its escape routes. I'll use the distance readings between our star rings to guide you." Within the same martial artist squad, communication star rings could connect to one another, though they lacked audio or video recording capabilities. "Alright." Fang Yu and Bai Chen moved silently like two civets toward either flank of the Leaping Flying Bear, swiftly taking up positions along the routes it was most likely to flee. Everything was ready. Xiong Meng remained vigilant, scanning the surroundings. "Qin Yang, your turn," Xia Yao whispered. "Mm." Qin Yang nodded. Sheltered by the tall grass, he turned slightly sideways, slowly raised the heavy bow standing over a meter tall, and nocked an arrow. Aim! Xia Yao and Xiong Meng both held their breath. For a moment, the silence was terrifying. Xiong Meng kept a vigilant watch in every direction, responsible for protecting the archer's safety. Swoosh! An arrow shot out! The heavy metal shaft tore through the air with a piercing shriek, accelerating to a frightening speed almost instantaneously. Piercing the atmosphere, the arrow crossed the hundred-odd meters. Up on a branch, the Leaping Flying Bear—nearly as tall as an adult human—was still sprawled lazily across the tree trunk. Having just heard the sound cutting through the air, it instinctively opened its eyes to glance around. Thwack! The metal arrow pierced clean through its chest in an instant. Its chest seemed to rupture as a geyser of blood sprayed out. The tremendous impact carried by the arrow swept it right off the tree trunk, sending it crashing heavily to the ground. "Rooaargh—" The Leaping Flying Bear let out a low wail. Staggering, its tough hide and flesh torn open by the arrow, blood gushed violently from the wound. Its eyes filled with terror, and pure survival instinct drove it to bolt frantically in one direction. Unleashing all its power, even while heavily injured, it covered twenty to thirty meters in a single second. Suddenly— Whoosh! A black spear thrust out fiercely from behind a massive tree. Terrifyingly swift, the spear tip slashed across the Leaping Flying Bear's throat almost instantaneously. Trapped between terror and severe injury, the beast had no time to react as a gaping wound was carved into its neck. Blood spurted like a fountain! Thud! Carried forward by immense momentum, the Leaping Flying Bear tumbled several meters before crashing heavily to the ground. After a few convulsive twitches, it moved no more. "It's dead! I've already received the points notification! "Quickly harvest its pelt and pull back! Leaping Flying Bears aren't pack animals, but they usually mate in pairs," Xia Yao's voice immediately rang in the squad members' ears. "Fang Yu, move close to the Captain. Xiong Meng, go provide backup. Qin Yang, keep watch." Whoosh! Having killed the Leaping Flying Bear with a single thrust from ambush, Bai Chen hesitated not a second upon Xia Yao's reminder, plunging his battle saber into the ground beside him, drawing a small knife from his leg, and quickly setting about skinning the Leaping Flying Bear. Yet barely a few seconds later— "Roarrr—" "Roar!" Several furious, urgent roars echoed across the forested mountains as another flying bear came pounding over the earth, charging frantically toward them. Its speed was startlingly fast. "Captain, watch out! "Judging by its movement speed, this Leaping Flying Bear should be a Level 24 dire beast! Level 24!" Xia Yao shouted urgently. "Retreat immediately! Retreat!"