CHAPTER 41: CHAPTER 41: CYAN-BACK BEAR

After several rounds of battle, the Star Power within the five Guardian Beasts was nearly depleted, and it was already noon. The five were also quite hungry, and they had run out of bait.

As a result, Chu Chen decided to leave this place temporarily, to first find a safe location for a short rest.

Secondly, they needed to go out for food, as the surrounding two kilometers were all the territory of the Gray Rock Ants, requiring them to leave the area for sustenance.

Finally, they needed more bait. Chu Chen wanted to prepare more, as there were still many Gray Rock Ants. Missing this opportunity might mean there wouldn’t be another.

Two hours later, the five returned near the ant nest.

After numerous battles, the five had become very adept at using this set of tactics, almost to the point where Chu Chen didn’t need to direct them, and they each did their part making all the preparations.

With round after round of battle, the scores of Chu Chen and his three companions soared at an astonishing rate.

By evening, the five finally concluded a day of battle. They did not rest nearby but moved away from the ant nest to find an abandoned cave.

While eating roasted meat, Chu Chen checked the leaderboard.

Currently, his score had reached 780 points, ranking first.

Wang Lu was in second place, with a high score of 709 points.

Gangzi ranked third, with a score of 573 points.

Fourth place Ji Mingyue, 523 points.

Fifth place Zhao Peng, 517 points.

Sixth place Qian Jiadong, 508 points.

Seventh place Li Jiahao, 232 points.

......

One hundred and thirty-fifth place Zhang Ming, 23 points.

The leaderboard scores had formed three tiers: first and second place were one tier; third to sixth place formed another; and beyond seventh was another tier. Moreover, over 70% of the students had already withdrawn from the assessment.

Ji Mingyue sat in a newly dug cave, her expression unusually sullen.

She couldn’t comprehend how Chu Chen and the others managed it. Her score of over 500 points was earned almost entirely by soloing the team’s points throughout the day.

Zhao Peng glanced at the leaderboard with a meaningful smile, but a hint of coldness lay in his gaze.

"Damn it, Chu Chen, Wang Lu, just you wait," Qian Jiadong roared as he looked at the leaderboard.

In the central area of the forest, a figure in a black robe stood on the back of a blood-colored giant bird, coldly speaking to the five below, "How is the preparation going?"

Upon hearing this, the five immediately lowered their heads, not daring to respond to the inquiry.

The black-robed man glanced at them coldly, speaking in a deep voice, "Are you all deaf?"

With the words spoken, the five’s bodies trembled fiercely. As they stood indecisive, a thin, pale-faced man stepped forward slowly, clenched his fists tightly, and said in a trembling voice, "Reporting to the master, it’s still... still lacking a bit, but we will definitely complete it before the plan is implemented."

Upon hearing this, the black-robed man coldly said, "Useless."

At that moment, the right wing of the blood-colored giant bird shook, turning its wide feathers into an afterimage that directly flung the thin man away.

The man crashed heavily into a tree trunk, the intense pain forcing him to let out a muffled grunt as fresh blood poured from his mouth.

"If it affects my plan, the consequences are something you cannot bear."

"Rest assured, master, we will certainly complete the task with all our might."

"Very well, after the task is completed, each of you will be rewarded with a Blood Crystal."

Upon hearing this, the five immediately showed joy, and their attitude towards the black-robed man grew even more respectful.

The thin man followed the other four quickly away.

He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, gritting his teeth, and said, "Chu Chen, I will grind your bones to dust."

If Chu Chen were here, he would have recognized this man.

Night had fallen deeply, and the number of Star Beasts foraging in the forest by night gradually increased.

The bonfire inside the cave where Chu Chen and the others were staying had already gone out, and the entrance was mostly sealed by a huge rock.

Chu Chen stared at the entrance, a look of seriousness flashing in his eyes.

"Everyone, rest first. We’ll take turns keeping watch," Chu Chen said quietly.

The four nodded and each found a corner to rest in.

The forest at night was not quiet. The rustling of the wind through the treetops, the creaking of Star Beasts rubbing against the trees, the roar of hunters and the screams of prey—all these sounds mixed together, composing a symphony of life.

As Chu Chen was silently listening to this wondrous symphony, a roar at close range immediately put his heart on edge.

He didn’t dare delay and quickly reminded, "Wake up, everyone! We’re in trouble."

"Heard that. With such a racket, who could sleep?" Wang Lu rubbed his drowsy eyes, complaining somewhat.

Without wasting words, they each summoned their Guardian Beasts.

Just then, a loud bang came from the entrance, the huge rock blasted into powder.

Seeing this, Chu Chen coldly ordered, "Lei Yao, use Thunder Blade. Gangzi, follow the Iron Armor Giant Lizard out."

Upon hearing this, Lei Yao let out a low growl, the dazzling Thunder Blade appearing exceptionally brilliant in the darkness of night.

The Thunder Blade landed at the entrance, resonating with a rumble.

The Iron Armor Giant Lizard charged out of the entrance first, followed closely by the other four beasts.

Chu Chen and the others exchanged glances and followed suit.

After charging out of the entrance, Chu Chen realized that the attacker was a massive bear.

Its shoulder height was two meters, with a body length of three meters, standing upright it was over four meters tall. Even the Iron Armor Giant Lizard seemed small in its presence.

The giant bear’s fur was brown, but the fur on its back was cyan. Its limbs were short and sturdy, exceptionally powerful, especially its dark claws, not only hard but unusually sharp, its green-tinged eyes flashing bloodthirstily.

Chu Chen quickly summoned the Slaughter Atlas to look up the giant bear’s information.

Star Beast Name: Cyan-Back Bear

Life Level: Mature Stage

Star Beast Quality: Elite Level Upper Grade

Star Beast Talent: Beast Soul Power

Star Beast Level: Ninth Rank Slave Level

Power Talent: D-level

Defense Talent: D-level

Agility Talent: E-level

Physical Talent: F-level

Soul Power Talent: F-level

Star Power Talent: E-level

Star Beast Attribute: Beast Type

Star Beast Skills: Brute Force Claw (Ordinary Level, Mastery Realm), Intimidation (Ordinary Level, Mastery Realm), Muscle Hardening (Elite Level, Skilled Realm), Earthquake (Elite Level, Skilled Realm)

Looking at the Cyan-Back Bear’s information, Chu Chen’s expression immediately became serious. Its attributes were rare Beast Type, and its defense ability and power were incredibly formidable.

What made Chu Chen feel at a loss was that their team lacked an Agile Attack Type Guardian Beast; otherwise, they could have engaged it by utilizing speed to deplete its stamina.

The five Guardian Beasts formed a semicircle surrounding the Cyan-Back Bear, but they didn’t attack, instead fixing a steady gaze on it, continuously emitting threatening "woof" sounds.

The Cyan-Back Bear chose to ignore them directly, letting out a low roar as its aura erupted.

Upon seeing this, Chu Chen’s expression grew even more serious; the Cyan-Back Bear’s aura had reached the peak of the Ninth Rank Slave Level, just a step away from entering the War General Level, but its true strength was comparable to a Star Beast of the War General Level.