Chapter 252 - 112: Fourth Grade! Heaven and Earth Dharma Aspect

Chapter 252: Chapter 112: Fourth Grade! Heaven and Earth Dharma Aspect

The driver asked again, curious:

"I remember the training camp isn’t supposed to end for another twenty-something days, right? How come you’re out early?"

The moment the words left his mouth, he seemed to realize something. ’Getting out early... could it be that he was eliminated?’

A flash of embarrassment crossed his face, and he quickly tried to backtrack:

"Ahem, well... even if you got out early, you’re still a hundred times better than that brat of mine! You’re a true top-1,000 genius; you can pick any famous university you want, right? As for my kid, I’d thank my lucky stars if he could just get into a regular university. With his grades, it’s a long shot. He’ll probably just end up messing around at a vocational college..."

He tried to ease the tension with a self-deprecating tone.

Lin Yi understood the man’s good intentions and replied calmly:

"Thank you for your concern. I’m fine."

The driver, realizing he had misspoken, sheepishly shut his mouth and didn’t try to start a conversation again.

Lin Yi was happy for the peace and quiet, taking the opportunity to close his eyes and rest.

He regulated his breathing, and his mind grew calm.

’This trip to the Taihang Mountain Range, hunting a Fourth-Grade Demon Beast to upgrade my Mosquito Avatar, will inevitably involve a vicious fight. I need to conserve my energy.’

Inside the car, only the steady hum of the engine and the scenery flashing by the window remained.

「Two hours later.」

The taxi arrived at the security checkpoint set up by the Nanjiang Military District at the foot of Taihang Mountain.

They passed through a checkpoint guarded by soldiers with live ammunition and filled with detection equipment.

Finally.

He arrived at his destination for this trip: Giant Stone Martial Artist Town.

"We’re at Giant Stone Town, young man," the driver said, pulling the car to a stop and turning around.

"Thanks." Lin Yi paid the fare, opened the door, and got out.

The taxi started up and quickly vanished from sight.

His feet once again touched the rough stone-paved road of Giant Stone Martial Artist Town.

A unique smell washed over him—a mixture of sweat, metal, herbs, and the faint scent of blood.

This was the outpost for entering the Taihang Mountain Range, as well as a base for Martial Artists to rest, trade, and form teams.

All sorts of Martial Artists bustled about. Some were in a hurry, covered in dust from their travels. Others gathered in groups of three or five, laughing and talking loudly, still carrying a lingering Evil Qi from their battles. Still others were gathered in the open space at the town’s entrance, shouting out:

"Black Wind Squad is recruiting! Our target is a Third-Grade Ironback Bear, we need a strong front-liner!"

"Herb-gathering team looking for a guide familiar with ’Ghost-Vexing’ Gorge! Generous pay!"

"Looking for someone with long-range attacks! We have four, need one more, leaving for the mountain immediately!"

A lean, sturdy Martial Artist with a faint scar on his face noticed Lin Yi’s unfamiliar face. His eyes lit up, and he quickly walked over.

"Little brother, you alone? Heading into the mountains to hunt or gather herbs? Want to team up? There’s safety in numbers!"

A few of his companions were behind him, and their gazes also turned over.

Lin Yi didn’t stop walking. He just gave them a casual glance and judged their approximate strength from the fluctuations of their Qi and Blood. This was just a Second-Grade Martial Artist.

He shook his head and said flatly, "Sorry, I’m used to going alone. I have no intention of teaming up."

After saying that, he ignored them and walked straight through the bustling streets, left the town, and headed toward the majestic and perilous Taihang Mountain Range.

As they watched his back disappear onto the path into the mountains, the members of the Martial Artist squad who had just invited him over began to discuss in low voices:

"Tsk, he looks seventeen or eighteen at most, right? Daring to enter Taihang Mountain alone? He’s got some serious nerve!"

"Hmph, just a newborn calf that doesn’t fear the tiger! He must be a greenhorn fresh out of school, doesn’t know how deep the water is. Probably thinks he’s invincible after learning a few moves in class."

"Heh, I bet he won’t last three days in these mountains! With no one to watch his back, the moment he runs into a slightly tougher Demon Beast, it’s game over!"

"Exactly. Taihang Mountain isn’t some greenhouse like at school..."

Their voices, laced with contempt and dismissal, gradually faded into the mountain wind.

Lin Yi paid their discussion no mind.

As soon as he entered the vast mountain forest, the dense canopy immediately blocked out most of the sunlight. The air became damp and cool, and a thick layer of humus cushioned his steps, making them soft and silent.

He was surrounded by towering ancient trees and gnarled vines. From the distance came the occasional roars of unknown beasts and the shrieks of birds, filling the air with a primitive and dangerous atmosphere.

Unlike an ordinary Martial Artist, Lin Yi wasn’t in a hurry to hunt Low-tier Demon Beasts, nor was he searching for Spirit Medicines that might grow in the crevices of cliffs.

His objective was crystal clear.

Following the location provided by his Mosquito Avatar, he moved swiftly through the rugged mountain forest.

He headed for the stronghold cave halfway up the shady side of the mountain.

「An hour later.」

Lin Yi finally reached his destination.

The mouth of the cave was completely blocked by a jagged Giant Stone several men high. It blended in seamlessly with the surrounding cliff face; if one didn’t know beforehand, it would be impossible to discover the hidden grotto behind it.

The very moment he arrived, the nearly inaudible sound of flapping wings came from the distance, drawing closer. The Mosquito Avatar had finally caught up, landing lightly on his shoulder.

Rendezvous successful!

’First, I’ll move all the supplies in the cave into the ring. Then, it’s time to hunt a Fourth-Grade Demon Beast to help the Mosquito Avatar level up quickly!’

A glint of excitement flashed in Lin Yi’s eyes.

He took a deep breath, sank into a low stance, and the muscles in his arms bulged as he let out a low shout:

"Open!"

An immense power erupted. The heavy Giant Stone rumbled as he slowly pushed it aside, revealing a deep, dark cave entrance just wide enough for one person to pass through.

He stepped into the cave.

A complex smell—a mix of earth, Ore, Spirit Medicine, and the faint scent of blood—filled his nostrils.

The space inside the cave was quite large.

The various spoils of war had been neatly organized by the Mosquito Avatar.

Lin Yi moved nimbly. He strode forward, his mind connecting with his Space Ring.

Wherever his left hand swept, snake scales, ox hides, Feathers, and Exotic Gold from Demon Beasts... vanished in an instant, as if devoured by an invisible mouth. Piles of precious materials were safely transferred into the space within the ring.