The campfire inside the cave gradually settled, its dancing light illuminating Hillman's seated figure. He sat cross-legged with his palms against the ground, pushing his intermediate earth affinity talent to its fullest. The surrounding earth energy gathered like streams, flowing through his meridians into his dantian.
[Ding! Host's Battle Qi recovery speed increased by 15%. Current Battle Qi: 98/100. Approaching peak condition.] [Host's control over Earth Power has been detected to be growing increasingly proficient. Recommended: attempt to construct an Earth Shield. Increased proficiency will reduce Battle Qi consumption.]
As the system's notification faded, Hillman willed it, instantly drawing thirty points of Battle Qi from his body. Pale ocher energy gathered before him, forming a translucent shield. Rocklike patterns flowed across its surface, exuding a heavy, steady aura.
[Earth Shield (basic) successfully constructed. Current durability: 100/100. Capable of blocking one full-power strike from a Level Eight Magical Beast.]
Hillman raised a hand and lightly touched the shield. It felt cold and hard, and a sense of stability connected to the earth arose within him. He tried channeling Battle Qi into it. The shield's glow grew richer, and its durability rose as well.
Just then, a dull tremor suddenly came through the ground outside the cave. Unlike the Rock Armor Giant Rhino's violent movements, this tremor carried a heavy, oppressive presence. It approached from afar, not quickly, yet it made his heart tighten.
[Ding! High-risk warning! A solitary Level Nine Magical Beast-the Berserk Bear-has been detected approaching!] [Berserk Bear: an earth-element Level Nine Magical Beast with tremendous strength, thick hide, and tough flesh. Its paws can shatter stone. Weaknesses: soft flesh of the throat, abdominal pressure points.] [Warning! The Berserk Bear is currently foraging and is extremely aggressive. Host is advised to reinforce the cave entrance's defenses immediately!]
Hillman's gaze sharpened, and he sprang to his feet. He walked to the cave entrance and looked out through the gaps in the vines. A giant bear over thirty feet tall was slowly approaching. The Berserk Bear was covered in brown-black fur, with knotted muscles beneath it. Its paws were the size of millstones, its claws gleamed coldly, and the ground sank slightly with every step it took.
Clearly, the scent of the Rock Armor Giant Rhino's blood had attracted this foraging bear.
Hillman chose not to hide. His combat experience had grown richer after killing the Rock Armor Giant Rhino, and now that he had mastered the Earth Shield, this was the perfect opportunity to hone himself.
He drew a deep breath and stepped out of the cave, circulating his Battle Qi to its limit. A pale ocher glow enveloped his entire body.
When the Berserk Bear saw Hillman, a vicious gleam flashed through its bell-sized eyes, and it let out a deafening roar. It suddenly accelerated, its enormous body charging like a battering ram. Its paw whistled through the air as it slammed down toward Hillman's head.
"Bring it on!"
Hillman gave a low shout. At his will, the Earth Shield instantly appeared before him.
Boom!
The bear's paw slammed into the Earth Shield with a deafening crash. Tremendous force surged through the shield, driving Hillman's legs deep into the soil. Weblike cracks spread across the ground beneath his feet.
[Ding! Earth Shield has sustained a full-power strike from a Level Nine Magical Beast. Remaining durability: 35/100!] [Berserk Bear's strength detected: 12.5. Host's strength: 8.2. Recommended: use Earth Power to disperse the force!]
Hillman followed the advice, channeling his Battle Qi into the ground and using the earth's solidity to cushion the force of the bear's paw. He could clearly feel the Berserk Bear's strength passing through the shield into the earth, where it was dissipated layer by layer. The pressure on him immediately eased considerably.
The Berserk Bear's strike had failed to land, and instead, the shield's recoil had left its palm aching. It roared angrily and swung its paw down again. This time, faint ocher Battle Qi wreathed its paw, making the blow even more powerful than before.
Hillman dared not take it head-on. Shifting his feet, he slipped past the bear's paw like a phantom. The Fine Iron Longsword in his hand, wrapped in Battle Qi, thrust toward the Berserk Bear's throat.
Clang!
The longsword struck the bear's throat, but only a metallic clang rang out. It had not even pierced the skin. This bear's defenses were actually even stronger than the Rock Armor Giant Rhino's.
[Ding! An earth-element Battle Qi barrier has been detected covering the Berserk Bear's body, increasing defense by 30%! Host is advised to use Earth Power to break through its defenses!]
An idea stirred in Hillman's mind. He pressed his left hand to the ground and pushed his intermediate earth affinity talent to its fullest. He could "see" the earth's network beneath the Berserk Bear's feet. With a thought, several Earth Spikes erupted from the ground, stabbing toward the bear's limbs.
Caught off guard, the Berserk Bear was struck in the hind legs by the Earth Spikes and let out a pained roar. Its movements slowed for an instant, and the Battle Qi barrier covering its body fluctuated as well.
Now!
A sharp gleam flashed in Hillman's eyes as the Battle Qi around his longsword surged. Combining Whirling Slash with Earth Power, he spun at high speed, thrusting his sword toward the Berserk Bear's abdomen with the might to rend the earth.
Shlk!
This time, the longsword pierced the bear's abdomen without resistance. It was the weakest point in its defenses.
The Berserk Bear let out a piercing scream, its massive body struggling violently. It shook itself fiercely, trying to fling Hillman away.
Hillman held the sword hilt in a death grip, pouring Battle Qi madly into the bear's body and ravaging its internal organs. At the same time, he pressed his left hand to the ground again. Several thick earthen vines burst from the soil and tightly bound the bear's limbs.
[Ding! Berserk Bear's vitality is rapidly declining. Currently remaining: 15%!] [Increased fusion between Host's Battle Qi and Earth Power detected. Whirling Slash skill evolving... Evolution successful! New skill: Earthshaking Whirling Slash!] [Earthshaking Whirling Slash: a Whirling Slash infused with Earth Power. Power increased by 50%. Has a chance to trigger a stun effect. Battle Qi cost: 40 points.]
Delight stirred in Hillman's heart, and he activated the new skill without hesitation. Gripping the sword hilt, he spun again, churning the longsword inside the bear's abdomen while stirring Earth Power into tremors. The Berserk Bear's body suddenly shuddered, its eyes rolled back, and it fell into a brief stun.
Seizing the opportunity, Hillman pulled out his longsword and leaped up, gathering all his remaining Battle Qi at its tip before driving it toward the spot between the bear's brows.
Shlk!
The longsword sank between its brows. The Berserk Bear's body abruptly stiffened, then crashed to the ground, throwing dust into the air.
[Ding! Congratulations to Host for slaying a Level Nine Magical Beast-the Berserk Bear!] [Gained 12,000 experience points. Battle Qi permanently increased by 8 points!] [Loot acquired: Berserk Bear Magic Core (Level Nine, earth element), Bear Hide (top-grade defensive material), Earth's Heart (rare earth-element treasure)!] [Host has been detected to have slain two Level Nine Magical Beasts. Accumulated Battle Qi has reached the critical threshold. Attempt to break through the barrier?]
Hillman leaned on his longsword, panting heavily, every muscle in his body trembling. He could clearly feel his Battle Qi churning like boiling magma. The ninth-level peak barrier that had obstructed him for so long was now showing faint signs of loosening.
He raised his head and looked into the depths of the cave, a flicker of resolve passing through his eyes.
"Break through!"
Before you continue