Night gradually receded, and dawn pierced the dense foliage, casting bands of dappled light through the forest. The temporary camp's fire had long since gone out, leaving only a few dark-red embers flickering faintly in the morning breeze.
The seven-Shiheng, Huohe, Xifaman, Nalan Ruoshui, Nalan Jingyu, and Kelin Xiaoman-packed their belongings, checked their weapons and magical items, and once again set out to clear out magical beasts.
This time, following the strategy they had agreed upon the night before, they left the four danger zones alone for now. Instead, they specifically targeted the weaker third- and fourth-level magical beasts on the outskirts of the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts, fighting while refining their teamwork and accumulating practical combat experience for the tougher battles ahead.
They took every step with extreme caution. Six pairs of watchful eyes constantly scanned the surrounding grass, tree shadows, and dark corners, afraid of disturbing magical beasts lurking in the darkness.
They had been moving for only a short while when heavy panting suddenly came from the bushes ahead.
"Roar!"
The next second, two Bloodthirsty War Boars covered in dark-brown bristles, with jutting tusks and savage auras, burst through the bushes and charged straight at them!
One was enormous and radiated a violent aura-a fifth-level male war boar. The other was slightly smaller, with a somewhat weaker aura-a fourth-level female. The two magical beasts fixed their scarlet eyes on the seven, clearly already treating them as prey.
"Here they come!"
Huohe gave a low shout, and his burly figure instantly darted forward. Holding a heavy iron sword, he met the fifth-level male war boar head-on. His blade whistled through the air, bearing the immense strength of an advanced fifth-level warrior as he brought it straight down toward the boar's head.
Shiheng instantly tightened his grip on his standard-issue longsword as well. Shifting his footing, he nimbly avoided the female war boar's brutal charge and squared off steadily against the fourth-level magical beast. His gaze was focused and his aura restrained; he had already entered a state of combat readiness.
On the other side, Xifaman stood firm, holding his spear across the front of the three mages. His eyes were hawklike as he watched the two boars' movements intently, ready to intercept immediately if either attempted a surprise attack on the mages.
The three mages also sprang into action.
Nalan Ruoshui gently raised her delicate hand. Wind elements surged around her, and pale-blue wind blades took shape in her palm. Immediately afterward, two pale-green speed-enhancing wind sigils settled onto Huohe and Shiheng respectively.
In an instant, Huohe's sword strikes grew even swifter and fiercer, while Shiheng's movements became more agile.
Nalan Jingyu gave a soft shout, clusters of crimson flame igniting in her palm as she hurled several fireballs precisely at the female war boar. As the flames exploded, they not only inflicted burns but also disrupted the boar's vision and movements, creating an excellent opening for Shiheng to attack.
The youngest, Kelin Xiaoman, focused and held her breath. Water elements flowed quietly around her, and her large eyes remained fixed on the battlefield, ready to cast water-element healing magic at any moment to treat injured companions promptly.
The forest instantly became a battlefield.
The dull thuds of heavy sword blows and tusk impacts, the crackle of exploding fireballs, the sharp whistle of wind blades slicing through the air, and the roars of magical beasts mingled together, shaking the mountain forest.
Each of the seven performed their role: the warriors led the attack, the mages provided support, and healing served as their safety net. Through actual combat, their coordination gradually became more intuitive, fluid, and seamless.
After only a brief, fierce battle, two piercing beast cries thundered out. The two Bloodthirsty War Boars could hold on no longer, and their massive bodies crashed heavily to the ground. Their breathing ceased completely, and the light slowly faded from their scarlet eyes.
The group quickly ceased their attacks and rested briefly. After collecting the magic cores, tusks, and other useful materials from the boars, they continued deeper into the dense forest, still following their established plan of seeking out third- and fourth-level magical beasts on the outskirts to hone their teamwork in actual combat.
Before they knew it, the seven had spent ten full days on the outskirts of the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts.
During those ten days, they spent almost every day in intense combat.
Facing dangerous beast attacks again and again, fighting different magical beasts to the death time after time, everyone was exhausted in both body and mind. They all bore varying numbers of wounds of different depths, and their nerves remained stretched to the limit.
But in return-
The seven's coordination had long since changed from its initial awkwardness and restraint into seamless teamwork.
The warriors charged, magic provided support, attacks kept the enemies suppressed, and healing served as a safety net. The entire sequence flowed smoothly, with almost no openings.
After countless brushes with death side by side, they had completely dropped their guard toward one another and placed their full trust in their companions, truly reaching the point where they could entrust their backs to each other without worry.
Seeing the resolve and trust in one another's eyes, everyone understood: the team had trained together enough.
That evening, the seven once again sat around the campfire.
After a brief, decisive discussion, they settled on their first challenging target then and there-
They would head to the Eastern Swamp and wipe out the seven Man Snakes!
Of the Man Snakes in that danger zone, three were fourth-level and four were fifth-level, putting their strength on par with the team's overall level.
They neither possessed the overwhelming strength of the sixth-level Black Bear nor had the vast numbers of the Tattooed Bees or the Wind Wolf pack that made them so difficult to handle. Even if the team proved unable to defeat them, their seamless coordination, the mages' support, and their means of escape would be enough to allow an orderly retreat.
It was undoubtedly the safest and most suitable first target for a challenging assault.
At first light the next day, the seven packed their belongings, confirmed their route, and set off together toward the Eastern Swamp.
What awaited them was the first truly deadly danger zone they would face since entering the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts.
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