The Reason

The abandoned Bell and Drum Tower building in the county city.

The Rose Squad had just arrived on the rooftop when they heard violent tremors from the city center, followed by earth-shaking roars.

"It's the High-level Beast General Black Scale Blood Python. A powerful fighter is battling it!"

Shen Hong's expression turned unusually grave as she gazed toward the city center. The Black Scale Blood Python was the dominant monster of this county city. Even elite squads of High-level Generals would not dare provoke it lightly.

The other squad members grew tense as well.

A battle between a powerful fighter and a monster could easily affect other warriors.

"Zhang Yi." Shen Hong looked over.

Understanding her meaning, Zhang Yi quickly raised his sniper rifle and peered through the high-magnification scope at the broadcasting building in the distance.

But soon, he lowered the rifle and cried out, "It's over!"

"What's over?" Shen Hong asked in confusion.

"The Black Scale Blood Python is dead!" Zhang Yi took a deep breath, his tone full of disbelief.

Zheng Ru and the others froze.

"How is that possible? That was the Black Scale Blood Python. Even if a War God took action, it shouldn't have ended this quickly, right?" Li Min could not help saying.

Cao Yingchun said slowly, "From the moment we heard the commotion to the end, the entire battle lasted less than a few dozen seconds. Could it have been a powerful War God?"

Shen Hong nodded. "That's possible. I once saw a senior War God battle a Black Scale Blood Python. Whether in reaction speed or attack speed, it was nearly comparable to a Low-level Lord. That senior War God spent more than ten minutes before finally wearing it down using the environment!"

"This Black Scale Blood Python in County City No. 0172 had occupied the area for years. No War God had ever dealt with it, mainly because it held favorable terrain and was extremely difficult to kill. Today, it finally died!"

Zhang Yi recovered from his shock and agreed wholeheartedly. "Captain, it must have been killed by a War God. Now that the Black Scale Blood Python is dead, we won't have to be so on edge in this county city!"

"Don't let your guard down." Shen Hong frowned. "Stay here and don't hunt for now. I'll go confirm the situation."

"Be careful, Captain."

"Be careful, Captain."

Zhou Ying'er and the other members spoke in turn.

Whoosh.

With her broad saber on her back, Shen Hong jumped straight down from the high-rise.

A moment later.

She returned to the rooftop.

"Captain, how is it?" Zhang Yi asked.

A smile appeared on Shen Hong's face. "The Black Scale Blood Python is indeed dead."

Zhang Yi, Zheng Ru, and the other members immediately cheered. "Great!"

Other than the Black Scale Blood Python, County City No. 0172 only had several dozen Mid-level Beast Generals. With their squad's strength, they would basically face no danger as long as they did not encounter a monster horde.

In other words, their squad could hunt freely in this county city.

Shen Hong clapped her hands. "All right. Get plenty of rest tonight and take turns keeping watch. Zhang Yi, you go first. Tomorrow morning, we officially start making money!"

The next day.

After returning to the villa in Mingyue Residential Area and washing up, Zhou Hao saw Wang Rong standing by the entrance, repeatedly looking toward the main gate.

"Mom, my sister only left yesterday. Even if she comes back, it'll be at least ten days or half a month, maybe even longer." Zhou Hao walked over to the sofa and comforted her. "And don't worry. The Rose Squad isn't weak, and Sister Shen is looking after her. Nothing will happen."

Wang Rong came back to her senses and sighed. "But that's the Wilderness Zone... I didn't feel much yesterday, but when I woke up today, my heart started racing."

Zhou Hao pulled Wang Rong onto the sofa and continued kneading her shoulders. "Relax. If you're really worried, Mom, just give my sister a call."

Wang Rong shook her head. "What call? The Wilderness Zone is so dangerous. We can't disturb Ying'er. And you're not allowed to call either."

"Got it!" Zhou Hao shook his head. "Mom, I'm hungry."

"I'll go make you something to eat." Wang Rong's worried thoughts immediately faded quite a bit after her son interrupted them.

After breakfast.

Zhou Hao did not use Zhou Tian Starry Sky Concealment and swaggered directly into the Limitless Gym.

The warriors at the entrance did not stop him. Instead, one of them smiled and said, "Xiao Hao, you're here so early. Didn't see you yesterday."

"I was seeing my sister off yesterday." Zhou Hao entered the Training Hall as he spoke.

Quite a few warriors training inside could not help wanting to come over and give Zhou Hao a pinch when they saw him.

Zhou Hao slipped away nimbly. Once he reached the Sixth Floor, he began checking in.

"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for successfully checking in on the Sixth Floor of the Limitless Gym. You have obtained the Advanced Guidance Technique!"

"Ding! Congratulations, Host... You have obtained Mental Power Talent +1!"

"Ding! Congratulations, Host... You have obtained Warrior Talent +1!"

The same old three-in-a-row.

Zhou Hao did not even blink. He had more or less figured out the system's habits. Only the first check-in at a location had a chance of yielding something good; the second check-in was basically always the same.

As for the Advanced Guidance Technique.

He already had a whole pile of them, all guidance techniques that came bundled with secret arts like Nine Heavens Thunder Blade and Annihilation.

But these things could only continuously strengthen him when paired with a secret art.

Yet the system only gave him guidance techniques and never any secret arts, which greatly annoyed Zhou Hao.

"Forget it. I'll improve my Warrior Talent first, then check in elsewhere." After giving it serious thought, Zhou Hao decided he would continue checking in at the Training Hall. His Mental Power potential was extremely strong. As long as his physical fitness improved quickly, his overall strength would rise rapidly as well.

Secret arts could enhance Combat Power.

But they were somewhat useless to the current Zhou Hao. After all, he was a Mental Power Master. Controlling throwing knives was much safer than fighting at close range.

After checking in, Zhou Hao was just about to leave the Sixth Floor of the Training Hall when his ears twitched slightly, and he stopped. A voice came from nearby.

"Manager Zhu, long time no see."

"So it's Instructor Wu. Aren't you at the Kyoto Training Camp? What brings you here?"

"Oh, it's like this. I mainly came to ask about Zhou Ying'er."

It was precisely because he heard Zhou Ying'er's name that Zhou Hao stopped.

He listened carefully.

"Speaking of Zhou Ying'er, Instructor Wu, I'd like to ask first: why did she suddenly return from the training camp?" Manager Zhu's voice was full of confusion.

He had personally sent Zhou Ying'er to the training camp and had placed great hopes on her.

Instructor Wu sighed. "Manager Zhu, although Zhou Ying'er's talent is decent, there are many geniuses at the training camp. Compared to them, she seems rather ordinary... Actually, she originally had a chance to remain at the training camp, and a financial group was willing to invest in her. But her personality is too stubborn. She refused to bow her head."

Manager Zhu frowned. "Then why have you come this time, Instructor Wu?"

Instructor Wu pondered for a moment. "The financial group still wants to try for her. They're willing to give Zhou Ying'er another chance. I came for two reasons: first, to ask about her training these past few days; second, to have you persuade her."

"I understand. Zhou Ying'er is currently in the Wilderness Zone. When she returns, I'll speak to her."

"All right. Then I'll have to trouble you, Manager Zhu."

Only after the voices fell silent did Zhou Hao leave the Training Hall.

But his little face had darkened.

So his sister had been forced to leave the training camp because she refused to bow her head.

But did she refuse to bow to the financial group, or to someone within the financial group? The implications were completely different.

Yet either way, it pointed to one thing.

Someone had bullied his sister.