NOVEL WEB CHAPTER 141
Lu Ming possessed a paradoxical aura. His imposing physique exuded an air of intimidation, yet in a world brimming with the supernatural, physical stature wasn't the sole measure of strength. After all, a mountain of muscle alone wouldn't guarantee invincibility. Nevertheless, those who dared to cross Lu Ming often underestimated him, their initial contempt quickly morphing into terror upon witnessing his devastating counterattacks.
This transformation from disdain to dread was a silent process, as if the realization of Lu Ming's monstrous power required a moment of mental digestion. The Six-legged Wolf Bears, despite being wild beasts of limited intellect, were not exempt from this phenomenon. The sight of their companions being obliterated by Lu Ming's single punch brought many of them to a screeching halt.
Over a dozen Wolf Bears froze, their eyes fixed on Lu Ming in stunned silence. As Lu Ming turned his gaze upon them, a chorus of whimpering filled the air. The remaining creatures reacted in a frenzy of fear. Some fled with tails tucked between their legs, while others collapsed, their legs trembling uncontrollably. A few even resorted to rolling on the ground, exposing their vulnerable underbellies and offering pathetic displays of appeasement.
"You think acting cute will save you?" Lu Ming's voice boomed, devoid of any sympathy. With a series of powerful blows, he transformed the remaining Wolf Bears into a stockpile of dried meat, their desperate attempts at survival proving futile against his overwhelming strength.
Inside the car, their journey towards the ancient city ruins continued. The lack of a clear direction or destination hampered their progress, but the slow pace was anticipated. Their search remained fruitless for another half hour, until a distant beastly roar caught Lu Ming's attention.
The low, guttural sound was a blend of wolf and bear, a chilling testament to the presence of a Six-legged Wolf Bear. However, this roar held a power and intensity that dwarfed those of the creatures they had encountered before.
"Stop!" Lu Ming commanded.
The car's engine sputtered to a halt, and the idle chatter of the women ceased. A tense silence enveloped them as Lu Ming strained to listen. Beneath the beast's roar, he could just make out the faint cries of humans engaged in battle.
Lu Ming's brow furrowed. Something was amiss.
"Let's go over there and take a look," Lu Ming declared, his curiosity piqued by the distant sounds of conflict.
Meanwhile, twenty minutes earlier...
The ruins of an ancient city, now a makeshift sanctuary for the displaced people of Nanxiang, buzzed with activity. Huo Sheng, having recently arrived in the Black Mist Zone, had joined Bai Tianyu and the others in their new home. He surveyed the surroundings with a thoughtful expression.
"It's not too bad," Huo Sheng commented after a brief tour of the small settlement. Bai Tianyu and his team had been working tirelessly to establish this new gathering place, a testament to their resilience in the face of adversity. The ruins had been transformed into a livable space, thanks in part to the efforts of earth-element Awakened individuals who had constructed walls, houses, and basic amenities.
While the settlement was far from luxurious, it provided the necessities for survival. The nearby river ensured a steady supply of water, alleviating a significant concern. However, food remained a pressing issue.
"We haven't found any edible crops to grow yet," Bai Tianyu explained. "Our rations consist mainly of meat from the wild creatures and some foraged wild fruits."
He paused, then continued, "Most of the meat comes from Six-legged Wolf Bears. It's strange, but the variety of creatures around here is quite limited. The Wolf Bears are the most abundant, followed by Black Birds, and then some giant insects that aren't suitable for human consumption."
Huo Sheng's expression grew somber as Bai Tianyu detailed the limited variety of local wildlife. Both the Six-legged Wolf Bear and the Black Bird were omnivorous scavengers, capable of consuming a wide range of food sources, including those unsuitable for humans. The lack of biodiversity hinted at a potential danger lurking beneath the surface.
"I wonder if we're unlucky or lucky," Huo Sheng mused, a wry smile playing on his lips.
"What do you mean?" Bai Tianyu asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"In any given ecosystem," Huo Sheng explained, "the diversity of creatures is a rough indicator of the level of danger. The scarcity of species here suggests that this area is likely the territory of a dominant creature, most likely the Six-legged Wolf Bears. Their overwhelming presence has established them as the apex predators, making us the intruders."
"In other words," he continued, "the people of Nanxiang have inadvertently entered into a direct competition with the local Wolf Bear population."
The struggle for territory and resources, for survival itself, had begun. It was a fundamental conflict with no easy resolution.
"The unfortunate part is that as soon as we entered the Black Mist Zone, we found ourselves with an enemy of unknown scale," Huo Sheng sighed. "But there's a silver lining. The Six-legged Wolf Bear, while dangerous, is considered the least threatening of the exotic beasts in the Black Mist Zone. Our enemy, at least, is not the strongest one out there."
As they discussed their predicament, a sudden tremor shook the ground beneath their feet, interrupting their conversation and adding a new layer of uncertainty to their already precarious situation.
Before Huo Sheng and Bai Tianyu could fully process the tremor, a panicked shout echoed from the city wall. The cry came from an Awakened guard whose superpower, "Sonic Waves," amplified his voice to thunderous levels.
"Colonel Bai! Professor Huo! Six-legged Wolf Bear! It's the Six-legged Wolf Bear!!" His voice boomed across the settlement, a clear note of terror underscoring his words.
Though the guard seemed young and inexperienced, Bai Tianyu knew that ordinary Wolf Bears wouldn't elicit such fear. The ancient city ruins had weathered numerous attacks, mainly from these creatures, and the guards were accustomed to such threats.
The intensity of the ground's trembling, however, spoke volumes. Bai Tianyu, joined by Huo Sheng, rushed to the top of the city wall, their hearts pounding in their chests. As Bai Tianyu peered into the distance, a cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
It wasn't the sight of Level 4 or Level 5 Wolf Bears that terrified him. His Blood Boiling superpower could temporarily elevate his physical strength to Level 7, rendering such creatures relatively harmless. A single level advantage meant dominance, and two levels meant utter obliteration, regardless of numbers.
Even a massive horde of exotic beasts wouldn't pose a significant threat to Bai Tianyu, as long as they were comprised of Level 4 or 5 Six-legged Wolf Bears. He was confident in his ability to decimate them, much like Lu Ming had dealt with the zombie wave.
However, this time was different. A colossal figure emerged from the approaching horde, a mountain of muscle and fur that dwarfed the rest. The Wolf Bear ancestor, radiating an aura of primal ferocity, commanded the Beast Dynasty from the frontlines. Bai Tianyu's heart plummeted as he assessed the situation.
"Level 7 exotic beast..." he murmured, his voice barely a whisper.
"No, it's even stronger than Level 7... It's Level 8!!"
Bai Tianyu's instincts were sharp. The Wolf Bear ancestor had reached Level 7 upon reaching adulthood, but subsequent events and encounters had propelled it to even greater heights. This ancient beast possessed the power of a Level 8 exotic beast, a force capable of dominating an entire region like Bear Mountain.
The Wolf Bear ancestor, with its superior eyesight, easily discerned the fear in Bai Tianyu's eyes. A triumphant realization dawned upon the creature: these Tribulation Transceivers were afraid. It was stronger than them!
With a thunderous roar that shook the very foundations of the earth, the Wolf Bear ancestor issued a command that sent a wave of excitement through the beast horde.
"Dinner is served!"