Lucas was now at the peak of a sixth-rank warrior, and he had been away from home for several years. He planned to return home after breaking through to become a seventh rank warrior, because advancing from the sixth rank to the seventh would bring a qualitative change.
The seventh rank was a hurdle of some significance for both warriors and mages before they reached Saint rank. It was only somewhat easier than the breakthrough ninth-rank warriors and mages faced when advancing to Saint rank.
But Lucas also knew that a great many cultivators were stuck at this hurdle, so he wanted to clear this minor barrier before returning to his tribe to build up his battle qi and spiritual power.
Today, after Lucas and the little bear Anton had eaten lunch, Anton said to Lucas hesitantly, "Boss, I want some honey."
Lucas's face darkened at the request. Although two years had passed since that incident, he still found it embarrassing whenever he thought about it. He said to Anton, "Your mother schemed against me back then just to get honey. And now you want honey too, you little punk!"
The little bear began acting up, just like a six- or seven-year-old child, refusing to listen to anything Lucas said. Looking at the little bear behaving like a naughty child, Lucas seethed inwardly. Other people contracted a companion or a servant. What sin did I commit?
Why did I lose my mind back then? Just because the little bear looked cute, I actually wanted to lure this bear away. With all the danger I took back then, just how much water had gotten into my brain?
Looking at Anton, Lucas also wanted to know just what kind of honey could tempt even a level nine magical beast so badly. He said, "It's not impossible for you to have honey. That depends on whether you'll listen to me."
Hearing Lucas agree, the little bear hurriedly nodded. Lucas asked, "Have you found where the honey is?"
Over the past few days, while Lucas cultivated, Anton had already scouted out the spot. The little bear showed Lucas the way, and once they reached the vicinity of this third-level magical beast's nest, Lucas formed a plan. He did not have the sort of defense Anton's mother possessed, which allowed her to steal honey while enduring the attacks, so he took Anton upwind.
As Anton watched in utter confusion, Lucas gathered a great deal of firewood. He lit it, using the half-damp wood to produce plenty of smoke, then fanned the smoke toward the swarm's nest!
Before long, Lucas saw the third-level bee magical beasts begin leaving their nest in large numbers under the assault of the smoke. After waiting a moment, he gave Anton, who had already begun drooling, a kick and said, "Go on."
Anton was clearly still young. Seeing the swarm leave, the little bear ran over happily while Lucas watched closely. Just as Anton reached the hive, the bees hiding deep inside suddenly began attacking the intruder.
Seeing Anton try to run back toward him, Lucas immediately sent a mental message: "Run that way. There's a pool over there. Hide in it, and you'll definitely shake them off."
Suspecting nothing, Anton ran straight toward the pool. Only after Lucas saw the little bear lead away the last of the swarm did he act. He quickly approached the hive, cut off some honeycomb, and left.
At the same time, he sent a mental message to Anton, who was running toward the pool: "I've got the honey. Come here after you shake them off."
Lucas reached a relatively safe spot and waited a little while before Anton arrived beside him. Seeing Lucas boiling honey in his iron helmet, the little bear glanced to one side. Sure enough, the boss had left a large piece of honeycomb there.
Anton eagerly hurried over and began eating, thanking the boss for being clever even while eating.
The little bear quickly finished that share and wanted Lucas's portion too.
Lucas immediately slapped away the outstretched bear paw, then took out some meat he had dried earlier. He dipped it in the heated honey and ate it. It really was delicious. The little bear said to him, "Boss, I want to eat it like that too. Can we go get some more?"
"Go get some meat. I'm in a good mood today. We're having roast meat!"
Hearing that the boss was going to make a favorite dish, roast meat, Anton hurried off eagerly. Lucas gathered some edible wild vegetables as well. A little while later, Anton returned with a fourth-rank magical beast, a Bloodthirsty War Boar. Lucas skinned it beside the stream and washed it clean, then set it over the fire to roast. Once fat began rendering from the meat, he brushed on a layer of honey, then brushed on more a little later.
The aroma soon spread. Once the meat was cooked, Lucas kept a leg for himself and left everything else to Anton!
After they finished eating, night fell. Since Lucas was close to advancing his battle qi to the seventh rank, he cultivated his battle qi while Anton kept watch over their surroundings.
By the next morning, although Lucas had not broken straight through to the seventh rank, he had still gained something. He had now accumulated almost enough battle qi. All that remained was to find an opportunity!
Lucas also understood that this sort of breakthrough might only happen under the pressure of a life-and-death battle. Alternatively, once his physical strength reached the sixth rank, it could naturally carry him through to the seventh rank.
That day, while passing through a mountain range with the little bear, Lucas discovered a waterfall. He could tell that the terrain to the east was clearly higher than the land he had come from. A waterfall with a drop of more than eight hundred meters thundered down from above. Lucas knew that the force of this natural waterfall offered him an opportunity to temper his body and bring it to the sixth rank, and he was delighted.
Lucas set down his luggage and planted his spear beside the pool, intending to jump into the water and wash. He planned to approach the foot of the waterfall first and test just how powerful its impact was, but he discovered a cave behind it.
After swimming ashore, Lucas found some dry firewood. Shielding it, he passed through a gap in the waterfall and went behind it, with Anton following him inside. Once Lucas lit a torch, he discovered that it was a tall, spacious cave.
Lucas sensed wind coming from inside and decided to go in and have a look. After he and Anton had walked for a while, they discovered light filtering down from the sky overhead. It seemed that this cave had been carved out by water flowing from above in the past. But after walking a little farther, Lucas found that wind was still coming from deeper inside. He decided to explore farther, and sure enough, upon entering, he discovered a vast, lofty space.
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