The Wilderness Zone

With physical skills at the greater mastery stage of the minute control realm, as the explosive use of hidden force grew more practiced, maximum strength would gradually rise from 1.5 times base strength to twice base strength.

An explosive burst of twice one's base strength was the limit of greater mastery of minute physical control.

Likewise, after saber technique reached the minute control realm, it could still improve slowly.

For the two basic saber techniques Fang Yu practiced, the Thousand Mountains Saber Technique and the Flowing Light Saber Technique, the ultimate secret techniques could only be unleashed after he reached the minute control realm and continued to improve.

Once a secret technique was mastered and unleashed,

It placed an enormous strain on the body, but its power was equally astonishing, often allowing its user to fight vicious beasts and even martial artists several life levels above them.

Only then could it be called a "minute control secret technique."

"The stronger I am, the safer I'll be in the wilderness zone." After the killing in the safe zone, Fang Yu's state of mind had changed considerably.

The mysterious Primordial Star.

The unpredictable wilderness. There were no laws like those on Blue Star here, and no order to speak of. Only the saber in his hand was a partner he could truly trust.

I have to master both minute control secret techniques as soon as possible, Fang Yu thought.

After reaching the minute control realm in saber technique,

As long as he kept practicing, day after day, mastering the minute control secret techniques would come naturally... but it would still take time.

The star aspect, Fang Yu thought.

Although the message coming from the slumbering star aspect hadn't changed in the slightest, Fang Yu had an inexplicable feeling that a deeper connection had formed between him and it.

My original guess was right.

As my life level rises further, I'm getting closer and closer to its first-stage awakening. Fang Yu could already sense it. Very close.

Most likely, once my life level reaches around 22, or 23 at most, it should awaken.

At six in the morning on August 20, all five members of the Crimson Flame Squad had put on their gear and gathered downstairs. The huge pack on Xia Yao's back was especially eye-catching.

"It's not so bad."

"The total weight is only 500 kilograms. Most of it's because your weapons and combat suits are pretty heavy, and Qin Yang's arrows are heavy too, but it's still within what I can handle," Xia Yao said with a grin.

Fang Yu marveled inwardly.

In ancient warfare, provisions had to be sent ahead of the troops. A single combat soldier often needed three to five support soldiers, while cavalrymen had two or even three horses apiece... His own squad was only going hunting near Starry Sky Base for three or four days, yet they needed so much extra equipment.

Still, only by doing this could the squad be safer.

"Mm," Bai Chen said. "Da Xiong, once we're in the wilderness zone, if the spoils get too heavy, you'll have to carry some of the load."

"Understood." Xiong Meng nodded.

The squad's duties were clearly divided.

Xia Yao was in the support position. When necessary, Xiong Meng, the shield, would take on part of the load, while Bai Chen, Fang Yu, and Qin Yang, the three main damage dealers, needed to conserve as much energy as possible.

After passing the inspection, they first took a free large aircraft to the edge of the safe zone.

Then,

The five entered the wilderness zone, where mountains rose and fell.

"The last time I entered the wilderness zone, it was still the extremely dark season. The light is much better now," Bai Chen said with a smile. "Fang Yu, the base regularly clears out the vicious beasts in the safe zone. It even deliberately changes the terrain, leveling some of the tall mountains, so it all looks fairly open, with nothing but hills... But the wilderness zone has deep mountains and vast marshes."

"Many vicious beasts are good at camouflage. You might not notice them even at close range, so you must stay alert," Bai Chen said.

"Understood, Captain." Fang Yu nodded.

This was all knowledge gained through experience.

From their conversations over the past few days, he had also learned that Bai Chen had entered the wilderness zone twice, while everyone else in the squad had been in once. Among students, they were all considered experienced.

"Our destination this time is still Great Spirit Mountain. It's less than twenty kilometers from the safe zone, so the return trip will be convenient," Bai Chen said. "The vicious beasts in that area are generally no higher than level 25, making it a good place for us to continue getting used to working together."

"Besides, there are plenty of heavenly treasures around Great Spirit Mountain."

Everyone nodded.

Fang Yu listened as well.

During the month-long combat training period, a normal martial artist squad would usually make about five round trips to the base rather than stay in the wilderness zone for an extended period... So, according to Bai Chen's plan, the squad would prioritize safety on the first two trips. After all, even Bai Chen hadn't engaged in intense life-and-death combat for a long time.

On the later trips, they would venture farther from the base to hunt stronger vicious beasts.

Bai Chen's plan could be said to be very thorough.

"This way." Bai Chen walked at the front of the squad, Fang Yu brought up the rear, and Xia Yao stood in the middle, directing everyone.

"Although we aren't allowed to bring technological items, the base publishes maps of the wilderness zone."

"The communication star rings also show our approximate position and our straight-line distance from the base... Xia Yao has memorized the entire map within three hundred kilometers of the base," Bai Chen explained. "With the star rings to help, she won't lead us the wrong way."

Fang Yu marveled inwardly.

A well-coordinated squad really was much safer than going alone.

The group stopped.

"There's a lone vicious beast, a Leaping Flying Bear, a little over a hundred meters ahead. Judging by its size and fur, it should be around level 22," Xia Yao said softly. "Captain, Fang Yu, move to either side, one left and one right, and block its escape routes. I'll give you directions based on the distances between your star rings. Be careful, and don't let it spot you."

The communication star rings of members of the same martial artist squad could contact one another.

But they had no audio or video recording functions.

"All right."

Fang Yu and Bai Chen immediately moved silently toward opposite sides of the Leaping Flying Bear like a pair of wildcats. Before long, they crouched in wait along its most likely escape routes.

Everything was ready.

Meanwhile, Xiong Meng kept a wary eye on their surroundings.

"Qin Yang, you're up," Xia Yao whispered.

"Mm." Qin Yang nodded. Under cover of the grass, he turned slightly sideways and slowly raised his heavy bow, which stood over a meter tall, then nocked an arrow and drew the string.

He aimed!

Xia Yao and Xiong Meng both held their breath. For a moment, the silence was frightening. Xiong Meng remained alert, watching in every direction; he was responsible for protecting the archer.

Whoosh!

An arrow shot out! The heavy metal shaft let out a piercing whistle as it tore through the air, reaching a terrifying speed almost instantly.

It pierced the air.

The arrow crossed more than a hundred meters.

On a branch, the Leaping Flying Bear, nearly as tall as a person, was lying leisurely against the trunk. It had just heard the sound in the air and instinctively opened its eyes to look around.

"Pfft!"

The metal arrow had already pierced its chest in an instant. Its chest seemed to burst open, sending blood spraying everywhere. The tremendous impact carried by the arrow even swept it off the trunk and sent it crashing to the ground.

"Aang!"

The Leaping Flying Bear wailed softly, staggering. The arrow had nearly passed through its body, which was covered in tough fur, and blood gushed wildly from the wound. Its eyes were full of terror, and its survival instinct sent it fleeing madly in one direction.

Bursting forth with all its strength,

Even while injured, it still darted twenty or thirty meters in a single second.

Suddenly,

"Swish!"

A long black spear thrust out from behind a large tree, terrifyingly fast. Almost instantly, its tip slashed toward the Leaping Flying Bear's neck. Terrified and gravely wounded, the beast had no time to react, and a huge gash was cut into its neck.

Blood poured out!

"Thud!"

The Leaping Flying Bear's momentum carried its body several meters farther before it crashed heavily to the ground. It twitched and struggled a few more times, then could no longer move.

"It's dead. I've received the points notification!"

"Quickly cut off its hide, then come back. Leaping Flying Bears don't live in groups, but they usually have mates." Xia Yao's voice rang in the ears of several squad members at once. "Fang Yu, move closer to the captain. Xiong Meng, go meet them. Qin Yang, keep watch."

Whoosh!

Bai Chen had killed the Leaping Flying Bear with one spear strike in his concealed ambush. At Xia Yao's reminder, he set his spear on the ground beside him with almost no hesitation.

He drew the knife from his leg and quickly began cutting off the Leaping Flying Bear's hide.

But only a few seconds later,

"Roar!"

"Roar!" Several urgent, furious roars rang out in succession through the mountain forest. A flying bear was charging toward them, pounding across the ground.

It was astonishingly fast.

"Captain, look out!"

"Judging by how fast it's moving, this Leaping Flying Bear should be a level 24 vicious beast! Level 24!" Xia Yao said urgently. "Retreat immediately! Retreat!"