Even the perpetually arrogant Zhao Gang’s Flying Saber slowed by half a beat, his face a mask of disbelief. "Is that Formless Cloud Hand? What the hell, that’s more like the Vajra Palm!"
He’d always thought Chu Bai’s Cloud Hand was just for defense and Force Discharge. Who could have imagined the damn thing had such brutal killing power?
Crushing a Demon Beast of the same level with his bare hands? Just how terrifying must his total Magical Power and control be?
"Don’t just stand there! There are two more!"
As if he’d done something trivial, Chu Bai casually flicked the bloodstains from his Cloud Hand, then, with a backhand motion, fired another Spirit Water Needle, pinning the second, terrified Burrow Rat to the ground.
Everyone else finally snapped out of it, unleashing a barrage of attacks that instantly overwhelmed the last Elite Rat.
The battle was over.
The ground was a mess, and the thick stench of blood filled the air.
Wang Qingli put away her giant shield and took a long, hard look at Chu Bai. The scrutiny in her eyes had completely given way to approval, and even a hint of respect.
"I originally thought your Magic Techniques were merely precise, but I never expected your Magical Power to be so immense and domineering."
She nodded. "That Cloud Hand technique just now was very strong."
Chu Bai gave a humble smile. "You flatter me, Senior Sister. In the heat of the moment, I just used a little too much force."
’A little too much force?’
Zhao Gang and Zhang Shan exchanged a look, both seeing the same message in the other’s eyes: ’Yeah, right.’ ’If he’d used any *more* force, would he have crushed a person to a pulp?’
After this battle, the team’s atmosphere became much more harmonious. The teammates, who had initially been somewhat worried about Chu Bai, this "first-year freshman," had now completely set their minds at ease.
How was he dead weight? He was clearly a powerhouse in disguise!
As the team pushed deeper into the T-shaped Mine Pit, the surrounding air grew increasingly foul.
A nauseating, earthy smell intertwined with thick Demon Qi, forming a pale gray mist that was visible to the naked eye.
Being inside it, they could even feel a faint stinging sensation on their skin—it was stray Evil Qi eroding their Protective Spiritual Light.
"Everyone, be careful. The Burrow Rats around here are starting to get stronger."
Wang Qingli walked at the very front, her voice steady. The Turtle Shell Shield in her hands constantly emanated a faint, earthy-yellow glow.
Just moments ago, they had encountered an elite Burrow Rat that was a full size larger, its fur having a metallic sheen. Although it eventually fell to their combined assault, its defense was so strong that even Zhao Gang’s Flying Saber, sharp enough to pierce gold and split stone, was nearly deflected, leaving only a white scratch.
Chu Bai walked at the rear of the group, his gaze as sharp as a hawk’s.
Throughout the journey, although he never unleashed his full power, every move he made was perfectly timed.
He would either use a precise Spirit Water Needle to interrupt a Burrow Rat’s spellcasting motion or use his Formless Cloud Hand to slap away any stragglers that tried to ambush Lin Xiaoyun from the shadows.
This kind of stable, unobtrusively effective performance completely put the still-somewhat-apprehensive Zhao Gang and others at ease.
Unconsciously, they had already begun to see this first-year freshman as an indispensable core combatant. They even started to consciously position themselves around Chu Bai during fights to provide support.
The group found a relatively dry cavern to rest in for half a day, taking turns on watch until the following morning.
"Let’s tally the spoils."
Wang Qingli took out a record book.
"In one day, we killed thirteen Qi Cultivation First Layer Burrow Rats and seven second-layer Elite Rats." Zhang Shan rubbed his hands together excitedly. "According to the Daoist School’s bounty prices, that comes out to a full two hundred and seventy Daoist Merit points! Split five ways, we each get over fifty points!"
"Over fifty points..."
Chu Bai calculated inwardly. ’This is just from one day! If we keep this up for ten days or half a month, couldn’t I live in the Spirit Pavilion until the end of time?’
’It’s true what they say: crime pays handsomely, while honest work gets you nothing but a shallow grave. This Demon Hunting is the fastest way to get rich.’
Although the haul was plentiful, it had clearly whetted the appetites of the group; they would not be satisfied with just this.
Zhang Shan had just advanced to the Qi Cultivation Third Layer and was in desperate need of Daoist Merit to exchange for resources and solidify his foundation. Wang Qingli was in the same boat, preparing for the Immortal Official Examination. And as for Chu Bai... his Five Elements Dao Foundation was a bottomless pit that no amount of Daoist Merit could ever fill.
"We press on."
Wang Qingli closed the record book and made her decision. "But let me be clear: if the Demon-Seeking Mirror detects a situation that is too dangerous, like a massive rat tide, we must retreat immediately. No getting bogged down in a fight."
"Agreed," everyone responded in unison.
They set off once more.
About an hour later, the terrain suddenly opened up.
"There’s a large cavern ahead. It’s also a nexus for Spiritual Qi in this area."
Wang Qingli stopped and pointed toward a massive opening ahead, her expression grave. "The concentration of Demon Qi there is nearly triple what it is in the outer areas. It’s likely a gathering point for a large rat colony, or possibly even their nest. We should first..."
Before her voice faded, a hearty, thunderous laugh suddenly echoed from the other side of the cavern.
"Hahaha! Junior Sister Qingli, I didn’t expect you all to have your eyes on this prime spot too! Looks like we had the same idea!"
Startled, the group instantly adopted defensive stances and looked toward the source of the voice.
From the shadows on the other side of the cavern, an equally well-equipped five-person team slowly emerged.
Their leader was a burly young man carrying a massive, jet-black Giant Sword on his back.
Among Cultivators at the Qi Cultivation Stage, most used Talismans or Magic; it was rare to see one wielding a heavy weapon. Although the Giant Sword was still sheathed, the heavy Spiritual Pressure it emitted indicated that it was undoubtedly a high-grade Dharma Artifact.

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