Forest No. 017

"Brat! You've really made quite a name for yourself these past few days! Even Uncle Xie heard about it at home!"

The nearly two-meter-tall man laughed heartily as he heavily slapped Cao Bing on the shoulder.

The pain made Cao Bing grimace and bare his teeth!

"Hahaha! Good! You didn't embarrass Uncle Xie!"

"You've got the nerve to say that? With your little bit of skill, if you don't train harder, it won't be long before Little Cao surpasses you!"

Song Shengnan rolled her eyes beside him and curled her lips.

"How could it be that fast? No matter what, I'm still a Beginner General!" Xie Hongxin argued stubbornly.

"Hasn't Little Cao killed quite a few Junior Beast General Level monsters these past few days?"

Song Shengnan continued to tear him down.

"How can that be the same!"

Xie Hongxin's tone immediately weakened at Song Shengnan's words, but he was still unconvinced and muttered quietly.

But after Song Shengnan fiercely glared at him, he immediately backed down and hurriedly shut his mouth.

Cao Bing secretly laughed to himself. They still don't know that I'm already a Beginner General! And after yesterday's test, my strength has improved by far more than just a little!

Meanwhile, Captain Yan Ying watched Cao Bing with a satisfied look.

After the team members chatted for a few more moments, she finally took back control of the conversation.

"Everyone except Cao Bing is familiar with Forest No. 017, so I won't go into detail."

"This operation will focus on searching for the opportunity within Forest No. 017. If we fail to find it, we'll turn to hunting monsters!"

Everyone nodded as they listened to Yan Ying.

After all, the opportunity in Forest No. 017 was unknown, but the monsters living within it were very real.

With so many Beast General Level monsters, there was more than enough for everyone to make a fortune!

Of course, strength was the most important thing. A team without sufficient strength entering Forest No. 017 would be no different from courting death!

"Next, let's go over the intelligence we have."

"The mutation began in the due west of Forest No. 017. Therefore, during the initial stage, we need to proceed directly west."

"Second, there are currently thirty-two relatively strong teams entering the forest alongside us. Five teams have Martial Artists at the War General Peak, and two teams have Mental Masters. The remaining teams are all composed entirely of Warrior General level members, so their strength cannot be underestimated."

Yan Ying then explained the circumstances of several teams to everyone, mainly for Cao Bing's benefit.

If an intense battle broke out, knowing both themselves and their enemies would allow them to respond calmly.

Early the next morning

Every member of the Divine Arrow Squad rose early. After breakfast and packing their gear, they left Supply Base No. 8 together and headed for Forest No. 017.

Although the weather was still scorching hot, no one dared enter the forest at night.

The forest was different from a town. Its terrain was complex and its trees dense, making it extremely advantageous for monsters to lie in ambush. At night, obstructed vision would greatly increase the squad's danger.

The moment Cao Bing and the others entered Forest No. 017, they sensed the difference.

Trees and vines tangled together in a chaotic maze. Xie Hongxin and Song Shengnan, who led the way, had to use blades and axes to clear a path before they could advance normally.

Cao Bing and Guan Yong were better off. As speed-type fighters, they leaped directly onto the towering trees and moved along the branches, gathering intelligence for the team below.

"Uncle Guan, there seems to be movement ahead. It's a group of Long-Armed Woolly Monkeys!"

Before long, Cao Bing spotted a disturbance directly ahead!

Long-Armed Woolly Monkeys were a common monster in Forest No. 017, ranging from Beginner Beast Soldier to Advanced Beast General.

Moreover, thanks to their physical advantages, they were extremely fast in the jungle and very troublesome to deal with!

"I see them! There are quite a few—at least forty or fifty!" Guan Yong said with narrowed eyes.

"Well, that's a good start. We've only just arrived and we've already run into monsters!" Xie Hongxin grinned from below.

"Prepare for battle. A Long-Armed Woolly Monkey group this large definitely has Beast Generals among them!" Yan Ying said, nocking an arrow onto the string of her alloy bow.

"The situation in Forest No. 017 may be even more complicated than we expected. The woods are much denser than they were a few months ago!"

"Understood, Captain!"

The Divine Arrow Squad had barely exchanged a few words when the Long-Armed Woolly Monkey group closed in from afar!

Long-Armed Woolly Monkeys were generally around 1.4 to 1.5 meters tall, but their arms were slender and long. Fully extended, they could reach three meters!

Their fur was ash-black, and their limbs were tipped with sharp claws. Normally, they ate plants and fruit, but if given the chance, they certainly would not mind adding a meat dish to their meal!

"Those monkeys are fast!" As the Long-Armed Woolly Monkey group rapidly approached, Cao Bing's pupils suddenly contracted.

The Long-Armed Woolly Monkey charging at the very front was clearly different from the rest!

Not only was it more than twice as large as the other monkeys, its fur was not ash-black but gleaming white.

"Advanced Beast General! Little Cao, be careful!" The instant the white Long-Armed Woolly Monkey drew close, Guan Yong identified its strength from its aura and charged forward first!

Guan Yong moved like a ghost. With several light taps of his feet, he shot more than ten meters ahead.

He was like a cheetah that had locked onto its prey!

But although Guan Yong was fast, the white-furred monkey was no slower. With a few swings through the trees, it instantly appeared before Guan Yong!

One narrow claw shot toward Guan Yong's chest like a spear from an uncanny angle!

"Uncle Guan, watch out!"

Cao Bing's heart tightened. He had practiced movement techniques with Qin Yu some time ago. Though they were both incredibly fast, Cao Bing could still see everything clearly.

He could not help but worry inwardly!

"This beast..." At the same time, Guan Yong's eyes flickered as he faced the woolly monkey head-on.

But Guan Yong was indeed an experienced Martial Artist. The instant the Long-Armed Woolly Monkey attacked, his body had already reacted.

There was barely any visible movement, yet the monkey's lightning-fast claw struck nothing but air!

Guan Yong's body almost brushed past the white Long-Armed Woolly Monkey's long claw, while the Phantom Longblade in his hand swept out like a white ripple.

Pfft!

Blood sprayed out. Before the Long-Armed Woolly Monkey even had a chance to react, the arm it had attacked with was severed!

"I thought you'd be troublesome. Turns out you're a fraud!"

With another backhanded slash, Guan Yong cut the throat of the white Long-Armed Woolly Monkey as it howled in pain!

Guan Yong disdainfully glanced at the dead monkey before charging into the fray again!

Seeing Guan Yong easily deal with the white-furred monkey, Cao Bing also let out a sigh of relief.

"These monkeys are actually mostly Advanced Beast Soldiers or stronger!"

Cao Bing's gaze gradually sharpened.

"Good. I've never fought so many Advanced monsters at once before. I'll use this chance to test myself and gain some experience fighting in a forest."

With that thought, Cao Bing abruptly accelerated, his fighting spirit surging!

Once Cao Bing and Guan Yong charged into the monkey group, blood splashed everywhere and severed limbs flew through the air!

In just a moment, the monkey group had lost nearly ten members!

At the same time, Yan Ying and Zheng Ke's long-range support arrived. In less than two minutes, they slaughtered the entire monkey group!

The other squad members did not even get a chance to make a move.