NOVEL WEB CHAPTER 144
Only when the lifeless form of the Wolf Bear Ancestor lay sprawled at his feet did Lu Ming fully grasp the terrifying power of the Perfect Explosive Fist. The pinnacle of mastery, it encompassed perfection in every aspect, a force capable of overwhelming even opponents of equal strength.
Lu Ming shook his head, a wry smile on his lips. He hadn't even exerted his full power, and the beast had already succumbed to a single blow. He had anticipated a challenging battle, but the seemingly formidable Wolf Bear Ancestor proved to be unexpectedly fragile.
"Well, less fighting means less danger," he mused. "That's a good thing, I suppose."
As Lu Ming's gaze swept across the battlefield, he saw the remaining Six-legged Wolf Bears scattering in panic, their leader's demise triggering their instinct for self-preservation. The people of Nanxiang, however, had no intention of letting their potential food source escape so easily.
A relentless pursuit and hunt ensued, the chaos only subsiding as darkness fell upon the land. Lu Ming followed Huo Sheng into the heart of the ancient city ruins, now a sanctuary for the survivors.
"This place is no longer called the Ruins of the Ancient City," Huo Sheng explained as they walked. "It's now known as the Nanxiang Gathering Place."
This would be the new home for all future generations of Nanxiang. Huo Sheng led Lu Ming to a particular building, and upon reaching it, Lu Ming couldn't help but raise his eyebrows and smile.
A replica of Lu Ming's former home stood before him, meticulously reconstructed in the heart of the ancient city ruins. Huo Sheng, observing Lu Ming's reaction, smiled and said, "This house is prepared for you. What do you think?"
Lu Ming circled the building, a sense of warmth spreading through him. "You guys put in quite a bit of effort," he acknowledged, appreciating the gesture.
Indeed, Huo Sheng had spared no expense in recreating Lu Ming's home, a testament to his desire to make Lu Ming feel welcomed and valued in their new community. However, due to the uncertainty surrounding the exact layout of Lu Ming's original house, Huo Sheng had to rely on guesswork, a task that proved more challenging than anticipated.
With a welcoming gesture, Huo Sheng invited Lu Ming inside. Lu Ming paused for a moment before pushing open the door and stepping into the familiar yet different space.
The overall dimensions of the house mirrored his former abode, but the details differed significantly. The master bedroom's bed was positioned differently, the basement entrance had been relocated from the bedroom to the living room, and the second floor, originally an open space, was now divided into three separate rooms.
In essence, while the house evoked a sense of nostalgia, it was undeniably a new dwelling, a fresh start in a changed world.
The house, while a faithful recreation of the exterior, lacked the intimate familiarity Lu Ming had cherished in his original home. The joy of seeing a familiar facade was tempered by the realization that it was merely a shell, a hollow imitation. Still, considering that no one had ever stepped foot inside his real home, Lu Ming couldn't fault them for their efforts.
After exploring the interior, the sense of belonging he had hoped for remained elusive. With a sigh, Lu Ming acknowledged that his old life was irretrievably lost.
Emerging from the house, he found Huo Sheng patiently waiting outside. "Are you satisfied with the interior?" Huo Sheng inquired, his voice laced with a hint of nervousness. "If there's anything you'd like to change, just say the word. I'll make sure it's done."
Lu Ming, not one for excessive demands or meticulousness, simply nodded. "It's alright," he replied. It wasn't perfect, but Lu Ming didn't expect perfection from others. He reserved such high standards for himself.
Huo Sheng could sense Lu Ming's underlying dissatisfaction but didn't press the issue. After a brief silence, he gestured towards the side. "Over there is your training ground and outdoor canteen. You won't have to worry about food or water; just let Chengcheng know if you need anything."
He paused, then added, "As for the safety of this place... I'll have to rely on you."
This arrangement seemed fair and reasonable. In exchange for providing Lu Ming with comfortable living quarters and sustenance, he would ensure the safety of the gathering place. This reciprocal relationship had always been their modus operandi.
Huo Sheng's smile widened upon receiving Lu Ming's nod of agreement. "There's one last thing," he began. "I was wondering if you'd be interested in a little excursion, Mr. Lu?"
Going out? Lu Ming was initially inclined to decline, but the idea of exploring this new world held some appeal. The newly constructed home lacked the comforting warmth of his old one; it was the difference between a cold, unwelcoming bed and a cozy haven on a winter morning.
"Where are we going, and what's the purpose?" Lu Ming inquired.
"We're headed to the lair of the Six-legged Wolf Bears," Huo Sheng replied. "To see if there's anything of value there."
Lu Ming furrowed his brow, a puzzled expression crossing his face. "What could possibly be there?"
Lu Ming's interest was piqued when Huo Sheng mentioned his "mastermind theory."
"You remember the mastermind theory I proposed?" Huo Sheng asked.
Lu Ming nodded.
"It feels like we're playing a game," Huo Sheng continued. "We've defeated a boss, so there should be some spoils, right? Since that big wolf bear didn't drop anything, where else would the mastermind hide the rewards?"
Lu Ming's curiosity was now fully engaged. "Alright then, let's make a trip."
Following the Wolf Bear Ancestor's tracks, Lu Ming, Huo Sheng, Bai Tianyu, Zhang Chengcheng, and Duan Mei journeyed to Bear Mountain. The area was vast, with ample water sources and fruit trees, prompting Huo Sheng to suggest, "We should establish a new gathering place here."
With over a hundred thousand survivors from Nanxiang, the ancient city ruins were becoming overcrowded. Expansion was inevitable for the future of their community.
Ignoring the surrounding landscape, the group ascended Bear Mountain. Given the Wolf Bear Ancestor's size, its lair should be easy to find, and it was. The entrance to a massive cave, dozens of meters tall, stood out prominently.
Bai Tianyu dispatched a few lingering Six-legged Wolf Bears and led the way into the cave. A pungent, fishy odor assaulted their senses as they entered.
The cave was spacious but also filthy and unkempt.
The cave floor was littered with bones of unknown origin and scattered piles of wolf bear excrement. The only discernible feature was a crude nest constructed from twigs and dried leaves. It was evident that wild beasts held no regard for personal hygiene.
Despite the overwhelming stench, the group began a thorough search of the cave, rummaging through every nook and cranny like a band of determined scavengers. However, Huo Sheng's "mastermind theory" seemed to have failed them this time. The cave yielded nothing but garbage and foul-smelling waste.
Suddenly, Zhang Chengcheng's exclamation brought their search to a halt. She stood atop the nest, clutching a smooth, round stone ball that emitted a soft glow. The light converged above her head, as if transmitting a message.
Lu Ming's heart skipped a beat as he saw Zhang Chengcheng's dazed expression. He took two steps forward, ready to snatch the stone ball away, but she suddenly snapped out of her trance.
Her face lit up with joy. "The Old Wolf Bear dropped gold coins!" she exclaimed, beaming at Lu Ming. "Brother Lu, this is an Origin Power Skill!"
Lu Ming swiftly took the stone ball from her hands, his curiosity piqued.
Chapter 144 Summary:
Lu Ming, Huo Sheng, and the others discover the Wolf Bear Ancestor's lair on Bear Mountain. Despite the filth and lack of valuable items, Zhang Chengcheng finds a glowing stone ball in the beast's nest. She identifies it as an Origin Power Skill, much to Lu Ming's surprise and intrigue.
Key Points:
- The group explores the Wolf Bear Ancestor's lair but initially finds nothing of value.
- Zhang Chengcheng discovers a mysterious stone ball that emits light.
- The stone ball is revealed to be an Origin Power Skill, a valuable find in the Black Mist Zone.
- The chapter ends with Lu Ming taking possession of the stone ball, setting the stage for further exploration of its powers and potential.