Lu Chen's cultivation surged wildly, his aura expanding like a storm.
Peak Fifth-Level... Low Sixth-Level... Mid Sixth-Level...
And finally—it stopped at Low Seventh-Level.
Ding! [Chen Fan has lost 4,000 Luck Points.] [Host has gained 40,000 System Points.]
Lu Chen's lips curled into a satisfied smile. "Low Seventh-Level... with my Chaos Body and this Saint-Level Golden Spear, I can battle even Peak Seventh-Level experts."
But outside the ancient cave, his team was struggling. Yun Li, Yun Mu, and Chu Su stared at their bracelet displays, faces tense.
"We're in 12th place... only 1,500 points," Yun Mu murmured, frustration clear in her voice.
"But Chen Fan's team is first!" Yun Li added, clenching her fists. "5,500 points already?"
In the distance, Chen Fan's team celebrated their lead, unaware that something was about to change.
Chen Fan suddenly clutched his chest, his face pale, a sharp pain twisting in his heart.
"Chen Fan! What's wrong?" Chu Ming asked, rushing to his side.
But the pain vanished as quickly as it came. Chen Fan shook his head, forcing a smile. "It's nothing. Probably just exhaustion."
Yet deep inside, a sense of loss gnawed at him, like something precious had been stolen.
Back with Lu Chen's team, frustration only grew.
"We can't keep up… every time we try for stronger beasts, we barely escape," Chu Su said, her arm still bleeding from a fresh wound.
Suddenly, a low growl echoed through the forest. A massive shadow burst from the trees—a Sixth-Level Beast, a Shadow Fang Wolf, its crimson eyes locked onto them.
"Careful!" Yun Li shouted, but it was too late.
The beast lunged, claws flashing. Chu Su screamed as the sharp claws slashed across her side, sending her tumbling. Blood splattered onto the leaves.
"Chu Su!" Yun Mu's eyes widened in horror.
The two maids stood protectively over the fallen Chu Su, swords drawn. But the wolf was too fast, circling them, snapping its jaws with murderous intent.
"We can't keep this up!" Yun Li panted, her hands trembling.
The wolf lunged again, its maw gaping to devour them—
A flash of silver cut through the air.
"Wind Blade!"
A crescent of razor-sharp wind slashed through the beast, cleaving it cleanly in two. Blood sprayed, and the wolf's body collapsed to the ground, lifeless.
Breathing heavily, Yun Li and Yun Mu looked up.
A figure stepped forward through the drifting blood mist, his sword shimmering with a faint green light.
"Are you three alright?" the man asked, his voice calm but firm.