Swallowed Star: Inverse Heaven Comprehension, Join the Chat Group

Several hundred li north of Jiangnan Base City, a military district garrison.

Fully armed martial artists, over twenty in total, stepped off the train one after another, naturally splitting into four squads.

"Jiang Li, Luo Feng, when we martial artists go out to hunt monsters and need to resupply along the way, we always enter a military garrison."

Chen Gu pointed at the tall tower ahead and explained, "Across the entire Hanxia Kingdom, and even the whole world, every military district sets aside a special area as a resupply base for martial artists, a place for us to rest."

"And that lighthouse—it symbolizes lighting the way home for us martial artists!"

Jiang Li nodded.

He recalled some places from his past life that had similar lighthouses, meant to light the way home for soldiers.

"Fire Hammer Squad, you'll be staying at E3. Rest up."

An officer at the resupply base handed Gao Feng a key, smiled, and patted his shoulder. "Old Gao, if you get your hands on any good haul this time, feel free to sell it to our Underground Alliance. I'll give you the best price, guaranteed."

Not everyone at the resupply base was military; many came from the two major martial arts halls, the Underground Alliance, and some big family factions.

They provided services while also buying rare materials from martial artists.

"Deal!"

Gao Feng laughed heartily. "Hurry up and arrange our dinner. Make it good—don't let my two brothers down!"

After settling the food issue, Chen Gu called out to Jiang Li and Luo Feng, "You two, rest up if you need to. We're heading out tonight, so you'd better be fully alert!"

"Heading out tonight?"

Luo Feng was a bit surprised.

"Because the weather's too hot."

Jiang Li glanced at the sunset spilling across the wilderness and explained to Luo Feng, "Traveling during the day burns more energy."

"I see!"

Luo Feng suddenly understood, then spotted a familiar figure at the resupply base. "Is that Zhang Zehu?"

(Chapter End)

Chapter 20: An Unprovokable Existence, Jiang Li's Strength

At this moment, Zhang Zehu had bandages wrapped around him, faint traces of blood still visible on them. He was clearly nursing some serious injuries while recuperating at the resupply base.

Zhang Zehu also spotted Luo Feng and the others, his face twisting with resentment. "Him?"

"The Fire Hammer Squad?"

The one-eyed middle-aged man beside Zhang Zehu spoke up. "Tiger, is that the Luo Feng who cost you 80 million?"

"Luo Feng's nothing! Just a minor warrior!"

Zhang Zehu's gaze landed on Jiang Li. "That guy in white is the real problem! I heard he's someone valued by a War-God-level expert! If it weren't for him, would I have paid that 80 million?!"

Just thinking about how even the guild hall master had pressured him made Zhang Zehu's anger boil over.

"Forget it, don't dwell on it too much. Some people are just destined to be beyond our reach."

The one-eyed man patted his shoulder. "You focus on recovering. We'll set out again in three days, take down that old beast, and we'll have all the money we need!"

Evening.

Fully armed, the seven members of Fire Hammer Squad left the resupply base and officially entered the wilderness.

"Owooo!"

"Aoo!"

After traveling about five kilometers along a ruined highway, the roars of monsters grew denser. Jiang Li and the others could even see many monsters darting through abandoned service areas.

"Hm? Luo Feng, there's an F-grade Sawtooth Dog ahead. It's yours!"

As they neared the service area, squad leader Gao Feng spotted a monster inside a derelict building and ordered, "This is your first battle in the wilderness."

"Luo Feng, don't let your guard down!"

Chen Gu warned solemnly. "These monsters are way more vicious than the ones raised in the military district."

"Got it!"

Luo Feng nodded firmly.

Though they were in the same squad, the fastest way for a martial artist to earn recognition from others was to show their strength.

"Good luck."

Jiang Li even gave Luo Feng a rare word of encouragement.

Then the group watched Luo Feng head off.

"Captain, isn't it too much to make Luo Feng take on an F-grade Sawtooth Dog for his first fight?"

After seeing Luo Feng lock blades with the Sawtooth Dog, Chen Gu couldn't help asking. "After all, it's his first time in the wilderness!"

"So what if it's his first time? You don't want him to be dead weight, do you?!"

Wei Tie said gruffly. "Luo Feng's physical stats aren't weaker than an F-grade monster's. He might take a beating, but he should be able to handle it!"

"Physical fitness is important, but combat experience is just as important!"

Wei Qing looked at Jiang Li and said seriously, "Chen Gu says your physique meets the standard of an intermediate Warrior General. Do you dare challenge a Warrior General-level monster alone?"

"You mean that boar to the east?"

Jiang Li understood what they meant. After all, when fighting on the edge of life and death, no one wanted to carry a burden.

"An E-rank Ironhide Boar?"

Hearing Jiang Li's words, Gao Feng finally noticed that on the other side of the highway, in a rice paddy, a giant boar covered in pitch-black iron armor was charging toward them.

"Hah!!!"

At that moment, the Ironhide Boar let out a roar, suddenly accelerated, and kicked up a cloud of dust as it charged straight at Jiang Li and the others.

"Scatter!"

Gao Feng was startled and said quickly, "Although this Ironhide Boar is only an E-rank beast general, its iron hide is as hard as steel. Even ordinary thermal weapons can't pierce its skin!"

"Boom!"

The Ironhide Boar slammed into them, and everyone scattered to dodge. It crashed straight into a small slope beside the highway, collapsing half the hillside.

That impact alone carried at least a dozen tons of force.

"This thing is too strong. Jiang Li might not be able to handle it alone!"

Chen Gu leaped seven or eight meters away, pulled out his M81, and prepared to open fire.

"I'll try first!"

This was Jiang Li's first time facing such a monster. He couldn't guarantee he'd have no problem.

'Swish!'

'Clang!'

As his words fell, Jiang Li gripped his blade and leaped, turning into a streak of white light in midair as he struck the Ironhide Boar's nearly two-zhang-long body. Sparks flew everywhere.

"Roar! Roar!"

After taking the hit, the Ironhide Boar recoiled, then kicked off with its hind legs and charged at Jiang Li like a tank.

"Jiang Li, watch out!"

Gao Feng shouted. Beasts at the general level were far from stupid.

As he spoke, everyone saw Jiang Li's body shift slightly to the side, perfectly dodging the Ironhide Boar's charge.

"That footwork?!"

The Wei brothers' pupils contracted. Gao Feng, who had been about to rush in and help, also paused. "He can dodge the Ironhide Boar's charge with such precision?!"

"Is that Subtle-level Body Technique?"

Zhang Ke exclaimed in admiration. "With that footwork, Jiang Li is basically unbeatable!"

Although the Ironhide Boar had thick skin and tough flesh, it lacked speed. Against Subtle-level Body Technique, it could hardly land a hit on Jiang Li.

"Hmm, but his strength seems a bit lacking. Killing the Ironhide Boar will be difficult!"

Gao Feng was also a Warrior General, and one who specialized in power. He saw at a glance that Jiang Li's attacks were fast enough, but the explosive force behind them was insufficient!

"Captain, I don't think so!"

Chen Gu suddenly remembered what Wu Tong had mentioned earlier. "Jiang Li should have mastered an attack secret technique."

Just then.

Jiang Li landed on the ground. He watched the Ironhide Boar charge at him again and tightened his grip on the Bloodshadow Warblade.

"Pure strength can only wound its hide. To kill it in one blow, I need to multiply my attack power several times over!"

Jiang Li's eyes sharpened.

His blood and qi surged within him, and faint arcs of electricity began to flicker around the hand gripping his blade.

"What is that?"

The other members of the Fire Hammer Squad saw this and were stunned.

Then they watched as Jiang Li faced the charging Ironhide Boar and stomped hard. The ground cracked open with a boom, and at the same time, his surroundings were engulfed in a terrifying radiance of lightning.

From the hilt of his blade, several long, twisting arcs of electricity spread outward.

"Is that?!"

Gao Feng had sharp eyes. He had once seen someone use the same move. "Ninefold Thunder Blade?"

Annihilation and Ninefold Thunder Blade—the two ultimate secret manuals of the world.

Naturally, many people trained in them, but few ever succeeded.

"Boom!"