Lu Chen and his team stepped into the shadowed depths of the Deep Spirit Forest. Towering trees twisted skyward, their thick leaves blocking out most of the sunlight, leaving the forest floor in a dim, eerie light. The distant roars of beasts echoed, a constant reminder of the danger lurking around.
"Stay close," Lu Chen instructed, his voice calm but commanding. His sharp eyes scanned the surroundings, his senses heightened. Yun Li and Yun Mu, his loyal maids, flanked him on either side, while Chu Su followed closely, her expression a mix of excitement and nervousness.
Suddenly, a rustling came from the nearby bushes. Instantly, Lu Chen's hand tightened around the hilt of his seventh-level sword. But before he could draw, Yun Li stepped forward, her body flashing with a burst of energy as she swung her sword.
A large, wolf-like beast leapt out, its fangs bared, but Yun Li's blade struck with precision. The beast collapsed instantly, a faint blue light emerging from its body and floating into the bracelet on her wrist.
[Ding! Team Lu Chen - 10 points earned.]
Yun Li turned and smiled proudly. "Young master, it's just a second-level beast."
"Well done," Lu Chen nodded, his expression calm but a hint of approval in his eyes. "But stay vigilant. These are just the outskirts of the forest. The real danger lies deeper."
As they ventured further, the shadows grew thicker, the roars of beasts louder. They encountered several more low-level beasts—wolves, serpent-like creatures, and a pack of fire-tailed foxes—all of which were swiftly defeated by Lu Chen and his team.
Their points steadily rose:
[Ding! Team Lu Chen - 50 points.] [Ding! Team Lu Chen - 100 points.] [Ding! Team Lu Chen - 250 points.]
But Lu Chen's focus remained sharp. "These are all just low-level creatures. Our goal is the higher ones."
Chu Su's heart raced with excitement, but a sliver of fear lurked beneath. She admired Lu Chen's composure and strength. Even here, in the face of danger, he remained calm, calculating.
"Look, a clearing ahead," Yun Mu whispered, pointing. They approached cautiously and found a crystal-clear pond surrounded by silver ferns. But above it loomed a shadow—a massive, four-armed ape, its red eyes glowing with malice.
"Fourth-level beast," Lu Chen muttered. A grin spread across his face. "Finally, something worthwhile."
The ape roared, pounding its chest, shaking the trees with its thunderous cry. Chu Su instinctively stepped back, but Lu Chen raised his sword.
"Yun Li, Yun Mu—flank it. Chu Su, support with ranged attacks."
"Yes, young master!" the three girls responded.
Yun Li and Yun Mu dashed forward, their blades dancing as they slashed at the ape's legs, drawing its fury. Chu Su chanted softly, a burst of fire launching from her palm and striking the ape's shoulder.
But the beast's thick hide shrugged off the flames. With a roar, it swung its massive arms, one of which smashed into a tree, shattering it.
But Lu Chen was a blur of motion. He leapt into the air, his sword gleaming with a sharp, icy blue light.
"Severing Wind Slash!" he cried, his blade slicing downward.
A sharp gust of wind followed, tearing into the ape's arm. Blood sprayed, and the beast howled in agony.
The battle was fierce but brief. Under Lu Chen's command, his team fought with precision. Yun Li and Yun Mu's speed kept the ape distracted, while Chu Su's flames weakened it. And Lu Chen's strikes were decisive.
Finally, with a final piercing thrust to its chest, the ape collapsed, its red eyes fading.
[Ding! Team Lu Chen - 350 points.]
Yun Li and Yun Mu cheered, but Chu Su's eyes shone with admiration, fixed on Lu Chen. "Young Master, you're incredible!"
But Lu Chen's expression remained calm. "This is only the beginning. Deeper in the forest lie the real threats… and the real rewards."
Unknown to them, in another part of the forest, Chen Fan's team was also making progress. Chen Fan's Dragon Body physique made him a fierce fighter, and with his team's coordination, they were rapidly gaining points.
But even as they hunted, Chen Fan's thoughts lingered on Lu Chen. His fists tightened. "I won't lose to you, Lu Chen… not here, not ever."