Chapter 27

The truck's front had only four seats; Lu Jing was unquestionably assigned to the cargo area.

He was about to enter Huāngshén Cónglín, and he still felt a little excited.

The truck suddenly accelerated, its wheels kicking up mud and sand, rolling up large swaths of dry leaves along the way and leaving a trail of tire marks on the mountain road.

Swish!

The truck passed through the city gate and officially entered Huāngshén Cónglín.

……

"Alright, just park the truck here; the road ahead must be traveled on foot—driving the truck in would easily get it stuck."

Wu Li led the team members down from the truck, staring at Lu Jing beside him and said: "You must watch the truck well—if the truck is there, you stay; if the truck is gone, there's no need for you to stay either. Got it?"

After saying that, Wu Li still felt uneasy and added: "Special powder has been scattered on this truck; under normal circumstances it won't attract demon beasts, but I'm worried someone might come and drive it away."

"If anyone approaches, just report our hunting team's name."

For the hunting team, the truck is their most important tool.

Without the truck, nothing they hunt can be transported out.

Wu Li obviously didn't trust Lu Jing much, worrying that Lu Jing would drag the team down.

He was afraid that after they painstakingly completed the mission, the truck would be gone.

By then, exceeding the contract deadline would mean not only not getting paid, but also having to pay a hefty penalty.

"If you don't trust me, why not let someone else watch the truck and bring me along on the hunt? Just remember to split the mission reward with me when the time comes."

Lu Jing sneered.

"Wu Li is really a pain; he can't wait for these people to leave."

"It's not that I don't trust you; it's just that you lack experience, so I'm reminding you: take only what your strength warrants—this is a world of the strong eating the weak, understand?"

Wu Li spoke bluntly, sneering: "So as for the reward, how much you get depends on my mood."

After saying that, he led the people deeper into Huāngshén Cónglín.

Lu Jing remained calm; what Wu Li said was quite true—this world respects the strong, so improving one's own strength is most important.

These five days were enough for him to hone his combat ability.

When they return after completing the mission, Lu Jing will give them a big surprise.

It's only natural that the mission reward goes entirely to the strong.

"Let's begin—killing demon beasts also yields Colorless Crystal Blocks, though I don't know how much."

Lu Jing hid in a thicket, faintly hearing the rustling swallowing sounds from ahead.

Parting the thicket, he saw a giant bear covered in red fur feeding; the flesh in its mouth was a bloody mess, more than half eaten, making it impossible to tell what species it was.

It's called a giant bear because its size is as big as a car; at that moment it was eating with gusto, completely unaware of Lu Jing behind it.

"This must be the Blackfire Bear."

Nowadays students, besides practicing martial arts, also study various demon beast information; this common demon beast Lu Jing could recognize at a glance.

"The Blackfire Bear is a Second‑Rank Demon Beast, stronger than a Second‑Realm Martial Artist, skilled in using claws and jaws and fierce pounces, and can even spit fire from a distance..."

Lu Jing recalled the information about the Blackfire Bear in his mind.

"First, don't use the Thousand‑Blade Demon Sword; test my pure physical strength."

"Today, I'll test you with my fist!"

As he spoke, Lu Jing released all his Blood Qi, shooting straight up like a vertical red beacon.

The next moment, he darted out of the thicket in a lunge.

Lu Jing's undisguised Blood Qi plume instantly alerted the Blackfire Bear.

Two scarlet eyes locked onto Lu Jing, his face smeared with fresh blood from his meal, making him look extremely ferocious.

The Blackfire Bear, disturbed while eating, kicked off the ground and lunged at Lu Jing.

Aooo~

Facing the giant bear lunging with its bloody maw wide open, Lu Jing's expression remained unchanged; he spread his legs, slightly bent his knees, one hand formed a palm held upright before him, the other clenched into a fist pressed against his side.

A pure Fist Intent rose from Lu Jing's body!

Although his physique was slightly slight, it gave an impression of being unshakable.

Like the rising sun, like a divine being hoisting a cauldron!

Bang!

The bear's paw collided with his fist; although Lu Jing appeared to be crushed by size, he didn't budge an inch under the Blackfire Bear's massive paw.

Only the wind stirred by the man and bear swirled wildly, lifting the surrounding fallen leaves.

When the dust settled, Lu Jing's well‑defined, proportioned, athletic physique was revealed in the morning light, shining brightly.

"Your strength as a human‑bear is not bad; without using my full power, you can barely match me, but..."

Lu Jing felt the Blackfire Bear's recent force and gave his assessment.

What Lu Jing didn't know was that, although the Blackfire Bear is a Second‑Rank Demon Beast, its strength alone is enough to contend with a Third‑Rank Demon Beast.

Bears are naturally mighty; with their size advantage, even a Third‑Realm Martial Artist usually has to avoid their edge.

Ho~

Whether the Blackfire Bear understood Lu Jing's words or not, it let out an angry roar at him.

Blood Qi mixed with a fishy stench came blowing toward him.

The next moment, the Blackfire Bear raised its paw and swung again at Lu Jing.

This time the force was even more terrifying, directly creating a sonic boom in the air that made the surrounding leaves rustle.

"Good, bring it on!"

Lu Jing still met it with one hand, forcibly blocking the bear's paw a foot above his head, leaving no room to advance.

Then he clenched his other fist!

Under the boost of burning power, this punch carried immense force, as if tearing apart a piece of earth, blasting through a space.

Boom!

This punch straight smashed toward the Black Fire Bear's leg!

It wasn't that he didn't want to strike a vital point, but at his height of 1.85 meters, he could only reach the opponent's thigh.

The Black Fire Bear roared loudly, feeling the punch's power; just as it tried to block, it was sent flying backward by the punch's vast, boundless force.

Bang!

The Black Fire Bear's huge body slammed straight into the large tree behind it.

The thick tree, several people's arms around, was snapped at the waist and instantly turned to powder.

The sky‑obscuring dust rose again!

By then, Lu Jing's figure had already disappeared.

I've already tested my strength; no need to keep playing—while he's sick, take his life!

Lu Jing turned into a stream of light and stepped onto the Black Fire Bear's body.

The next moment, a pair of iron fists swung out alternately, like a deity drumming.

Rain‑like fists pounded the Black Fire Bear, yet it could still move.

This surprised Lu Jing a bit—it was his first fight against a demon beast, and he hadn't expected it to be so durable.

It's over!

Lu Jing spoke softly, like a whisper between friends.

Then, amid the Black Fire Bear's terrified gaze, the Thousand‑Blade Demon Sword at his waist was drawn.

Clang!

The demon sword hummed softly, its blade flashing with a mysterious purple light.

The muscles in his right hand bulged, tugging at the Black Fire Bear's nerves, accompanied by a frightening hum.

Pfft!