Ye Bingxue's sword flashed out with incredible speed, even tearing through the air with a whistle.
However, this Red-eyed Steel-toothed Rabbit was very cunning. It darted sideways and dodged Ye Bingxue's strike.
Seeing that her first move had missed, Ye Bingxue swung several more times in succession, but the rabbit evaded every one of them.
She had even nearly been bitten by it.
Ye Bingxue immediately grew restless and impatient.
She felt utterly useless. She could not even kill such a tiny rabbit.
And Hua Qiang was watching from the side. Wouldn't he laugh himself to death over this afterward?
Diao Xiaobai covered its eyes with its paws at the side, unable to bear the sight.
It wailed inwardly, Why did Master throw me to such a useless sister?
How useless did someone have to be to get toyed around in circles by a rabbit?
Hua Qiang said nothing and merely watched calmly.
He did not want to interfere too much with Ye Bingxue's performance in battle.
This was Ye Bingxue's first time killing Mutant Beasts. It was perfectly normal for her to fumble, panic, or lose all sense of direction.
After all, she was still a girl, only seventeen this year. It was already quite good that she dared to kill Mutant Beasts alone. What more could anyone ask for?
Could they expect her to rush up and kill her opponent with a single sword strike? That would be a bit too far-fetched.
Ye Bingxue became somewhat flustered. The longsword in her hand sped up, but her attacks had no form or pattern.
What had originally been straightforward thrusts turned into wild swings in her hands. She even used the longsword like a club.
Amid her chaotic flurry of attacks, the Red-eyed Steel-toothed Rabbit failed to dodge in time and was smacked on the head by Ye Bingxue's sword.
Its brains burst apart from the blow, and it toppled to the ground.
Ye Bingxue stared blankly at the Red-eyed Steel-toothed Rabbit she had beaten to death.
It felt like a dream.
I killed this?
Shouldn't I have stabbed it to death with my sword, or sliced it apart? How did I end up beating it to death?
After coming back to her senses, she turned to glance at Hua Qiang, somewhat embarrassed.
Hua Qiang smiled faintly at her and gave her a thumbs-up.
"Little sister, not bad. It's your first time fighting Mutant Beasts, and this is already a very good result!"
"As expected of Hua Qiang's sister!"
Ye Bingxue stared hard into Hua Qiang's eyes, trying to detect even the slightest hint of something unusual.
However, there was nothing there but praise and admiration, without any other meaning whatsoever.
The muscles on her face gradually relaxed, the corners of her lips rose slightly, and a sweet smile bloomed across her cheeks.
Hua Qiang walked over, picked up the Red-Eyed Steeltooth Rabbit, then went to a ditch nearby. After tidying it up, he made a wooden rack and began roasting the meat.
It was nearly noon, and they were hungry as well.
Seeing the spoils of her first battle turn into a pile of fragrant roasted meat, Ye Bingxue felt a great sense of accomplishment, and her smile never faded.
After the two people and one mink had eaten their fill, Hua Qiang gave Ye Bingxue some tactical guidance and psychological reassurance.
This filled Ye Bingxue with confidence for the training ahead.
Next, Hua Qiang brought Ye Bingxue to a grassy field.
This was basically where the Red-Eyed Steeltooth Rabbits roamed.
Occasionally, mutated pheasants would appear as well.
They were all Level-One Low-Tier Mutant Beasts, perfect for Ye Bingxue to practice on.
With her previous first kill under her belt, Ye Bingxue no longer panicked when facing Red-eyed Steel-toothed Rabbits. She fought with increasing skill and gradually became more at ease.
Moreover, she could now use the battle skill she had learned, Autumn Wind Swordplay, with great proficiency.
What had once taken twenty or thirty minutes to kill a rabbit gradually became seven or eight minutes, then three or four.
Now, she could basically take down one every minute.
The accumulation of practical combat experience also made her fighting strength grow stronger.
Her exceptional Strength attribute was finally brought into play, and she could wield it very effectively.
"Brother, let's go fight other Mutant Beasts. I'm already sick of killing these rabbits."
"Hehe, sick of killing them? Then let me test you. How can you kill these rabbits quickly?"
"Of course, by finding their weaknesses!" Ye Bingxue answered without even thinking.
"Oh? Where do you think their weaknesses are?" Hua Qiang continued asking.
"The neck, the eyes, and the abdomen. Those are all their weak points. As long as the sword lands accurately, one strike can kill them!"
Hua Qiang gave her a thumbs-up and nodded repeatedly. "Not bad. Little sister has not only courage, but strategy as well!"
Next, the two people and one mink changed battlegrounds and arrived at an area where Turkeys roamed.
These Turkeys had already reached the Level-One Mid-Tier.
But with Ye Bingxue's current strength, she could completely contend with them.
Turkeys moved very quickly and were extremely nimble. Their beaks were sharp and their claws were keen, making them a major test for Ye Bingxue.
"Bingxue, when you fight the turkey later, you must raise your speed.
"Then observe carefully. Find its weakness as quickly as possible and kill it!"
Ye Bingxue nodded vigorously and slowly walked forward.
Flap flap flap...
A turkey about the same size as the previous Red-eyed Steel-toothed Rabbit flew out of the grass.
Its entire body was fiery red, interspersed with patches of black feathers.
Its beak was black and gleaming like steel. If it pecked someone even once, it would definitely leave a bloody hole in their body.
"Little sister, fight without worry. Your old brother will hold the line for you!"
"Alright!"
Hearing Hua Qiang's words, Ye Bingxue felt as though a surge of vital energy had been poured into her body. She was brimming with strength.
Her right hand gripped the sword hilt tightly as she charged toward the enormous turkey.
When the turkey saw someone charging at it with a weapon in hand, it immediately took offense.
This was a provocation!
A naked provocation, and one concealing evil intentions.
It immediately spread its wings, lifted two or three feet off the ground, and shot toward Ye Bingxue.
Ye Bingxue felt her scalp tingle. This chicken was charging fiercely and aggressively. She felt that if she confronted it head-on, she would definitely be injured.
Just as she was about to collide with the turkey, her body suddenly twisted sharply to the side.
She brushed past the turkey by the narrowest of margins.
In a flash of inspiration, Ye Bingxue slashed upward diagonally behind her with the longsword in her hand.
That strike actually caught the turkey's wing, cutting a wound into it and sending many feathers flying.
This improvised strike made Hua Qiang's eyes light up.
It seemed his little sister had quite a talent for combat.
If used well, this unexpected strike could produce miraculous results.
"Little sister, well done! Keep it up!"
Hua Qiang cheered Ye Bingxue on from the side.
Ye Bingxue grew even more fired up and clashed with the turkey.
Now, the more she fought, the smoother things became, and the more natural her sword felt in her hands.
After more than ten exchanges, the turkey fell unwillingly beneath Ye Bingxue's sword.
Clap clap clap!
"Great job!"
Hua Qiang could not stop himself from applauding and shouting his praise.
"Not bad, little sister. You're getting more and more formidable!"
"This turkey wasn't easy to kill, yet you dispatched it so quickly. Looks like your combat ability has risen another level."
"Hmph~ Of course. Who do you think I am?"
Ye Bingxue proudly boasted for a moment, then charged in another direction toward the Turkeys she had spotted earlier.
Very quickly, four or five Turkeys fell beneath her sword.
Hua Qiang placed all of Ye Bingxue's spoils into the Storage Bag, planning to bring them home to improve their meals and let his parents see the results their precious daughter had achieved.
Awooo—
A wolf's howl came from not far away.
Ye Bingxue's pretty face changed slightly, and she hurried back to Hua Qiang's side.
"Brother, there's a wolf!"
Hua Qiang nodded. "It should be a Clear Wind Wolf, a Level-One Mid-Tier Mutant Beast."
"Little sister, your fighting strength has now reached the mid-tier, and you've gained some combat experience. This Clear Wind Wolf is perfect for you to practice on."
Ye Bingxue had been a little afraid, but after hearing Hua Qiang say that, she immediately felt capable again.
"I'm going to kill a wolf!"
Diao Xiaobai chose that moment to jump out. "Sister Xue, don't worry. With Xiaobai here, I won't let you suffer even the slightest injury."
"Even if that wolf's teeth are about to bite your skin, Xiaobai can still keep Master safe and sound."
"Alright, Xiaobai. Then Sister Xue thanks you."
After hearing Diao Xiaobai's words, Ye Bingxue's heart finally settled completely into her stomach.
A hundred percent chance of not getting hurt—if she still would not fight a battle like this, then what battle would she fight?
Even if she could not defeat her opponent, she was not afraid with this super bodyguard by her side.
Ye Bingxue swung the longsword in her hand and declared grandly, "Kill!"
Before you continue