Moonlight bathed the rolling hills, washing them in a silver sheen. The dappled shadows of trees danced in the forest.
In the silent woods, only Kou Zhong's breathing and the subtle hum of spiritual energy flowing through his body could be heard...
Early the next morning, Fu Jun Ao summoned the two to the wooden hut for a meeting.
She looked at them, and Xu Zi Ling didn't seem to have changed much.
But Kou Zhong, on the other hand, had undergone a significant transformation after cultivating.
His bold demeanor seemed more restrained, as if his previous outward sharpness had been tempered. Now, Kou Zhong gave off an air of natural ease, yet with a sword hidden in its sheath.
His entire being seemed elevated, his once skinny frame now full and powerful.
Fu Jun Ao stroked her long sword and said calmly,
"Follow me, stay close!"
The three of them traversed the valley, soon arriving at the mouth of a cave.
Fu Jun Ao stopped and pointed at the pitch-black cave, her voice cold,
"Your opponent is inside. As long as you're not killed by it, you'll pass the trial."
"Then, I will teach you some skills!"
Kou Zhong, upon hearing this, recalled that Fu Jun Ao possessed the "Nine Profound Scripture" and the "Yi Sword Technique!"
If he could learn these two skills, he might trigger another Inheritance Reward!
After speaking, Fu Jun Ao moved to the side, quietly observing the two.
Under the warm sunlight, Xu Zi Ling's figure stood resolute at the entrance of the cave.
Taking a deep breath, his eyes blazing, he said softly to Kou Zhong behind him,
"Zhong Shao, I'll go first!"
Before the words left his lips, he was already launched like an arrow, leaping into the deep cave.
The cave was pitch dark. Xu Zi Ling challenged, "Come out, come out! Fight me!"
His voice echoed through the cave, but there was no response.
Confused, Xu Zi Ling scratched his head and turned to Fu Jun Ao, who stood outside, asking, "Fu Miss, did we get the wrong place? There doesn't seem to be anything..."
"Roar!!"
Before he finished his words, a thunderous roar echoed from the cave!
The sound, like thunder, made Xu Zi Ling's ears ache!
He quickly covered his ears and took a few steps back!
He stared into the cave, his eyes heavy.
A massive, dark figure slowly emerged!
It was a gigantic brown bear!
Its body was like a towering mountain, its paws enormous, its sharp claws flashing coldly!
The bear's eyes gleamed with a menacing red light in the darkness!
It stared at Xu Zi Ling, letting out a earth-shattering roar!
The sound was like an earthquake, shaking the soul!
"This, this..."
Xu Zi Ling stood there dumbfounded, a wave of unspeakable fear washing over him!
Fu Jun Ao, seeing Xu Zi Ling's shock, frowned slightly.
She turned to Kou Zhong, who stood a distance away, arms crossed and calm, feeling puzzled.
Her brother was in danger, yet Kou Zhong remained so composed?
Kou Zhong, however, looked relaxed. He watched the gigantic brown bear, secretly admiring it.
This thing is two stories tall! Truly worthy of a high martial world beast!
Then he looked at the bear's massive paw.
He even had the time to imagine the taste of that paw.
Suddenly, he yelled, "Ling Shao, be careful!"
Kou Zhong's warning snapped Xu Zi Ling back to his senses!
"Thump! Thump!"
Facing the charging bear, he leaped to the side!
He dodged the bear's attack.
Then, his internal energy erupted like a volcano.
A fist, imbued with fiery red energy, slammed towards the bear.
Xu Zi Ling's strike carried such high heat that the surrounding temperature increased slightly!
"Bang!"
With a loud sound, Xu Zi Ling's fist hit like a blow against iron!
The bear roared in pain, the fur on its back instantly turning charred black!
But waiting for Xu Zi Ling was an even fiercer counterattack!
The bear's eyes flashed menacingly!
Its paw swung back forcefully, Xu Zi Ling was caught off guard!
He was hit by the immense force and sent flying!
He landed heavily on the ground, feeling his blood rushing, blood oozing from the corner of his mouth!
"Roar!"
The bear stood tall, its paws pounding its chest, letting out a deafening roar!
It charged at Xu Zi Ling again!
"I have to get up..."
Xu Zi Ling looked at the charging bear, trying to push himself up, but his arms were numb.
Just then, a figure, like a ghost, appeared at the bear's side!
With a faint shadow, a fist carrying the power of an elephant slammed into the bear's side.
"Bang!"
A deafening roar echoed, the wind from the punch blew down the leaves around them!
The bear was sent flying from the blow!
"Crack!"
A bone-cracking sound reverberated through the forest.
The bear howled in agony, rising even more ferociously!
Like a giant, it roared at Kou Zhong, then charged with overwhelming force.
Xu Zi Ling watched in fear, calling out, "Zhong Shao, dodge!"
But Kou Zhong simply sneered, assuming a stance, "Good!"
He moved with lightning speed, grabbing the bear's arms.
Kou Zhong's hands were taut with bulging veins!
His muscles were sharply defined, as if clad in armor!
With a powerful pull, the bear could not break free no matter how hard it struggled!
The bear roared in anger, opening its bloody maw to bite Kou Zhong!
But Kou Zhong simply smirked.
He slammed a headbutt into the bear's head, stunning it!
"Crack!"
Then, Kou Zhong grabbed the bear's shoulder blades, shouting, "Split!"
His hands pulled forcefully in opposite directions!
With the bear's mournful cries and the shocked gazes of Fu Jun Ao and Xu Zi Ling!
"Rip..."
A ripping sound rang out, the bear was actually torn in half by Kou Zhong's bare hands!
Blood spurted out like a fountain, splattering on the two. Xu Zi Ling sat dumbfounded,
Allowing the blood to shower him!
He looked at Kou Zhong, who was holding half the bear's carcass in one hand.
Covered in blood, his face filled with boundless ambition!
The aura of dominance was awe-inspiring!
His heart raced, as if it wanted to leap from his chest!
He watched Kou Zhong, bathed in blood, fighting bravely.
For a moment, he couldn't speak!
The sheer power, the fearless demeanor, made Xu Zi Ling feel his own insignificance!
He never imagined that Kou Zhong could tear a bear apart with his bare hands!
The impact of this scene was simply terrifying!
Fu Jun Ao was also shocked. She came from a prestigious family and had seen much of the world!
But she had never witnessed such a battle scene!
It made her think of a powerful and valiant king of the Central Plains -
The Overlord of Western Chu!
She looked at Kou Zhong, a complex emotion flickering in her eyes: surprise, admiration.
There was even a hint of envy that she couldn't hide!
This boldness and confidence, it was too dazzling!
Maybe!
This little beggar could truly overthrow Emperor Yang Guang, the tyrant?
"Zhong Shao..."
Xu Zi Ling finally spoke, his voice filled with awe,
"You... you are truly amazing!"
Kou Zhong turned, looking at Xu Zi Ling and Fu Jun Ao, a smile on his face.
He patted Xu Zi Ling on the shoulder, then turned to Fu Jun Ao, saying,
"Fu Miss, we completed the trial, shouldn't we talk about the reward?"