Chapter 71: Re-entering the Wilderness! Encountering Jiang Chu!

After reporting the situation to Teacher Yang Zhentian, Xu Jingming changed out of his battle suit, stained with dark red blood.

He walked into the bathroom carrying a new set of clothes he had bought earlier on the back street.

Although as a second-rank adept who had also cultivated the Thunder Unyielding Body, his body did not accumulate much dirt.

But after a month, his skin was still caked with blood and sweat, requiring a thorough wash.

Half an hour later, dressed in fresh clothes and feeling utterly refreshed, Xu Jingming stepped out of the bathroom.

He then sat on the sofa, pulled out his smartwatch, and opened the map.

Hum—

With a soft hum, the map of Source Water Wilderness Area projected before Xu Jingming.

The Source Water Wilderness Area was divided into two major zones: the urban ruins zone and the forest-mountain zone.

The urban ruins zone, where the monsters were of lower ranks and more adventurers explored, had most areas marked.

The forest-mountain zone was the opposite: monsters were of higher ranks, and map information was scarce.

“Most monsters in the forest-mountain zone are third-rank or higher, and fourth-rank monsters are not uncommon.”

“If I go there, the danger increases, but so does the efficiency of gaining ability points.”

Xu Jingming thought silently.

His current rank was second-rank upper tier.

Yet with the S-rank ability Purple Thunder Divine Lightning, master-level gunnery, and numerous high-proficiency combat techniques, his actual combat power hovered around third-rank upper tier.

Additionally, as an S-rank body cultivation technique,

the Thunder Unyielding Body’s third stage granted a unique ability: Thunder Extreme State—undoubtedly powerful.

When he first gained Thunder Extreme State, Xu Jingming tested it: his total strength nearly tripled or quadrupled!

It was almost as potent as Blood Surge Pills—with no side effects.

Moreover, his A-rank movement technique, Thunder Flash, had also reached high proficiency.

Under Thunder Extreme State, using Thunder Flash, even a peak fourth-rank monster couldn’t catch him.

“The highest-ranked monster in the entire Source Water Wilderness Area is only fifth-rank, and they’re extremely rare.”

“As long as I’m careful, the danger isn’t great.”

“Even if my luck is truly terrible and I encounter a fifth-rank monster, I can just swallow a Blood Surge Pill and escape.”

“If so, then tomorrow I’ll head straight to the forest-mountain zone...”

After deciding where to go tomorrow,

Xu Jingming leaned back against the sofa in a relaxed posture and activated the holographic projector in front of him to watch a video program.

He also casually opened a packet of snacks prepared in his room and ate them with relish.

After all, humans aren’t machines.

For a month in Ping’an County, Xu Jingming had spent every day battling monsters, his mind constantly tense.

Even while sleeping at night, he remained in a light slumber, ready to wake at any sound.

It was time to relax.

Thus, for the rest of today, Xu Jingming had no intention of training...

“Ugh, I haven’t felt this relaxed in ages.”

Six p.m.

Xu Jingming stretched on the sofa, then leapt up.

It wasn’t that he didn’t want to keep lying down—it was mealtime, and he needed to eat.

“Time to eat.”

Xu Jingming walked out of his room with a light step.

After devouring energy bars for over twenty straight days in the wilderness, he now looked forward to meals with great anticipation.

Over ten minutes later, in the cafeteria on the second floor of the supply base.

It was peak mealtime; the cafeteria was bustling.

Many adepts drank alcohol, boasting about their exploits in the wilderness.

On one table, the dozen dishes Xu Jingming had ordered were laid out, their aromas filling the air.

As he was enjoying his meal, four girls entered from the cafeteria entrance.

One of the girls, upon noticing Xu Jingming, brightened instantly.

She stepped forward with long strides, heading his way.

“Qian, where are you going?” Yao Muxi grabbed her from behind.

“To invite that guy to join our team!” Wang Qian said eagerly.

After finally encountering that guy from Magu City Adept University again, she wouldn’t let this chance slip.

“Don’t go—he won’t accept,” Yao Muxi shook her head.

“Why? We’re a second-rank mid-tier team.”

“For a first-rank upper-tier adept like him, it should still be attractive.”

“First-rank upper-tier? Look again,” Yao Muxi sighed.

“Isn’t he first-rank upper-tier?”

Wang Qian frowned, looked closer, and sensed his aura—it was stronger than hers!

“This... second-rank upper-tier? He leveled up that fast?”

Wang Qian was stunned, then overwhelmed by disappointment.

A second-rank upper-tier adept from Magu City Adept University—

He certainly wouldn’t join a team like theirs.

“Forget it. Let’s just hunt low-rank monsters...”

Wang Qian reluctantly withdrew her gaze.

Such a handsome guy... what a pity.

On the other side, Xu Jingming hadn’t noticed Wang Qian and the others.

After finishing dinner at the cafeteria and preparing nearly a month’s supply of fresh water and energy bars,

he returned to his room to resume his “Ge You lie.”

He hadn’t had a proper night’s sleep in the wilderness.

So that night, before nine p.m., Xu Jingming got into bed and fell asleep instantly.

This sweet sleep lasted until nine a.m. the next morning.

“Phew! Comfortable!”

Xu Jingming leapt from the bed, feeling better than ever.

After washing up, he donned a brand-new B-rank battle suit.

Slung the Dark Cloud Wind Spear across his back, he re-entered the wilderness.

His target this time: the deeper forest-mountain zone of the Source Water Wilderness Area...

The forest-mountain zone was about forty-eight kilometers from the wilderness entrance.

But Xu Jingming’s strength had vastly improved since his last entry.

He no longer needed to avoid areas in the urban ruins where monsters lurked.

Thus, he took only five hours, entering the forest-mountain zone by three p.m.

“Squeak-squeak-squeak—”

“Roar—”

“Squeak-squeak-squeak—”

“...”

Compared to the ruined steel jungles of the urban ruins, the forest-mountain zone was far more primitive.

The ground teemed with grass and shrubs; endless green trees stretched beyond sight.

And with summer in full swing, the cicadas’ chirps blended harmoniously with the savage roars of monsters.

“Crack—”

In the forest, Xu Jingming stepped on a dry branch.

His expression changed instantly; he dodged sideways.

At that moment, a pale green wind blade howled from the undergrowth, slicing past the spot where he had just stood.

Boom! Boom! Boom!...

The wind blade was razor-sharp; after severing three or four trees, it gradually faded into the air.

“Roar—”

Simultaneously, a monster with pale green fur and sharp eyes stepped out of the undergrowth.

The creature resembled a wolf but was much larger.

A faint pale green wind swirled around its body, causing its smooth, pale green fur to ripple gently.

“Third-rank monster, Wind Terror Wolf...”

Xu Jingming’s eyes lit up.

Once a monster reached third-rank, it no longer relied solely on physical strength.

It gained special abilities similar to an adept’s own powers.

The Wind Terror Wolf is a ferocious beast that lives in forests and wields wind-based abilities.

The wind blade just now was also one of its innate skills.

“Based on its aura, it seems to be at the mid-level of third rank—I wonder how many ability points I’ll gain after killing it.”

The S-class Purple Thunderbolt had already been summoned by Xu Jingming, blue-purple lightning swirling around his body.

Just as he gripped the Dark Cloud Wind Spear, preparing to hunt his first third-rank ferocious beast,

a rustling sound suddenly came from the side.

Accompanied by voices, a team emerged from the forest, appearing in Xu Jingming’s line of sight.

They were six fully armed individuals, each carrying weapons and gear.

One of them, besides carrying weapons, also bore a heavy camera slung over his shoulder.

Another, dressed in a black fitted combat suit, accentuated her slender figure.

The tall girl with silver-white hair reaching her waist was also highly conspicuous.

Xu Jingming recognized the girl’s identity immediately.

She was Jiang Chu, the online goddess who had appeared at the supply base a month ago.