Steel Bear

By then, Shen Fei had reached the level-seven zone.

Here, Shen Fei slowed down.

Roar-

The moment he slowed down, a giant spider spotted him.

It was the largest spider Shen Fei had ever seen, standing a full two meters tall.

Its densely packed eyes fixed on Shen Fei, its prey, and it spat white silk from its mouth, trying to trap him.

Shen Fei did not dodge. A mere Mortal Entry Stage Seven Fierce Beast was not enough to make him dodge.

Shen Fei formed hand seals, gathering spiritual power in his throat. "Fire Release: Great Fire Dragon Technique!"

In an instant, a fire dragon spewed from Shen Fei's mouth. It surged toward the white silk to devour it.

In a flash, the fire dragon devoured the giant spider's silk, then rushed toward the spider.

At the sight, the spider was startled and immediately tried to dodge.

Unfortunately, it was too late. The fire dragon reached it in an instant, striking its body with a massive explosion.

Boom-

A scream rang out.

Not a trace of the spider remained!

[Madara Uchiha Fusion Rate +0.01%]

Huh? Only 0.01%?

Was it because that was too easy?

That made sense. Shen Fei was now invincible among those at his stage. A mere Mortal Entry Stage Seven opponent could only be killed instantly before him, offering none of the thrill of battle.

So it was normal for his fusion rate to increase so little.

"Looks like I still need to go to the Level Eight Area."

Shen Fei used the Body Flicker Technique again, heading toward the Level Eight Area.

Meanwhile, in the Level Eight Area.

A Regulators squad was discussing something here.

Its captain was Liu Long, and the other two members were Li Yun and Zhao Qing.

Liu Long was the strongest, at Mortal Entry Stage Eight, level nine.

The other two were both at Mortal Entry Stage Eight, level five.

The Transcendent Administration Bureau had only three squads in the Level Eight Area.

Liu Long's squad, Nangong Wenqing's squad, and Long Tian's squad.

Long Tian's and Nangong Wenqing's squads had already left. Headquarters had ordered them to clear out the Fierce Beasts in the lower-level zones, so they had gone to carry out that mission.

Now only Liu Long's squad remained here to guard the Level Eight Area.

But the Level Eight Area was vast, and its interior was dangerous, so they stayed only on the outskirts.

"Captain, are you really not going to consider a spirit mushroom that big?" Li Yun asked.

While patrolling earlier, they had ventured a little deeper and spotted a huge spirit mushroom. Chakra surged over it, its medicinal fragrance filled the air, and a precious radiance shone from it.

One glance was enough to tell that it was no ordinary specimen.

It might be a great help with cultivation!

But a Steel Bear guarded the spirit mushroom. It was called a Steel Bear because it was silver, with fur as hard as steel and extremely high defense.

Liu Long shook his head. "It's too dangerous. I checked with the spiritual power goggles. That Steel Bear is at Mortal Entry Stage Eight, level eight. Although its level is lower than mine, its actual combat strength is far greater. It could take on all three of us without a problem."

"We can't take such a huge risk for a single spirit mushroom."

Beside him, Zhao Qing quickly urged, "Captain, we can split up! You draw it away, and the two of us pick the spirit mushroom. After all, while the Steel Bear has incredible defense and attack power, it moves very slowly. It can't catch you at all. Once we get the mushroom, we'll retreat right away, and there won't be a thing it can do!"

Li Yun agreed. "Exactly! Zhao Qing is right. The Steel Bear is powerful, but we don't have to fight it head-on! Besides, with a natural treasure like that right in front of us, we'd be letting ourselves down if we didn't take it! And we have the ability to get it!"

Liu Long frowned, a little tempted. He had originally considered it himself, but had suppressed the idea because he had to put his squad's safety first. He could not make the whole squad take risks for his own desires.

"Captain! Just say yes!" Li Yun said.

"Captain, it'll be fine!" Zhao Qing said.

Hearing both his teammates say this, Liu Long could only agree.

"All right. Since you both say so, I agree. But you have to be quick. Once you get the spirit mushroom, retreat to the outskirts immediately!" Liu Long cautioned.

He would be fine. His level was high, the Steel Bear could not catch him, and he was well able to protect himself.

"Understood!"

"Understood!"

The three headed deeper inside again.

Five hours later.

They reached the Steel Bear's territory.

In a lush patch of forest, a Steel Bear sat on a rock.

Beside it stood a spirit mushroom as tall as a person, its precious radiance shining and chakra churning over it. One glance showed that it was no ordinary specimen.

Liu Long and the other two hid behind a massive tree.

"Damn, if I ate that, I might go up several levels."

"That Steel Bear doesn't deserve a spirit mushroom that big."

"All right, enough talking. Make sure you move fast when the time comes, in case anything unexpected happens!"

Liu Long cautioned them once again.

Then he charged straight out.

He shouted at the Steel Bear, "You worthless Steel Bear! Come over to your Grandpa Liu and see how I slap you to death! Hahaha!"

A glimmer of humanlike awareness flashed through the Steel Bear's eyes.

Here they come. The prey has taken the bait!

Not bad today. A few more prey have come. Tsk, tsk, tsk, I really am a genius. Choosing not to eat this spirit mushroom right away was truly a stroke of genius. I know the difference between eating my fill once and eating my fill every day. As long as this spirit mushroom is here, it'll keep attracting prey, and then I can catch them. Hahaha, meat every day. How nice... These prey think they're so clever. Do they think I don't know they're hiding behind that big tree? It's all part of your Grandpa Bear's plan, hahaha... The Steel Bear thought to itself, considering its clever approach truly brilliant.

It raised its head and roared at the sky.

Then it stood and chased after Liu Long.

Seeing the Steel Bear coming after him, Liu Long immediately ran toward the outskirts.

He did not use his esper ability. Otherwise, the Steel Bear would not even have been able to see his retreating figure!

Zhao Qing and Li Yun waited behind the big tree until the Steel Bear was far away, then immediately dashed out!

They headed for the spirit mushroom.

Just as they thought they were about to succeed!

Something unexpected happened!

The ground churned, and an enormous earthen wall rose up, surrounding them completely. Then the entire patch of ground sank, and the surface became still again.

After chasing for an hour, the Steel Bear looked at Liu Long ahead and stopped pursuing him.

Now it was going back to eat.

Liu Long also thought his two teammates had succeeded, so he paid no heed to the Steel Bear heading back.

After all, who could have known this Steel Bear was so devious?

It did not match that endearingly honest appearance at all!

This time, Liu Long's squad had come to grief!

Liu Long waited on the outskirts for a long time, but his two teammates never arrived.

"Damn it, did something happen to them?" Liu Long began to worry.

Just then, he noticed movement behind him.

He turned and saw a man wearing the Red Battle Armor.