107: Chapter 107 Slacking Off

When passing through a hollow filled with rotting leaves, a dull vibration suddenly came from the ground.

Zhao Meng stopped abruptly, holding his saber horizontally in front of his chest: "Something's not right, this movement..."

Before he could finish, the bushes ahead suddenly burst open, and a black bear as tall as two people charged out.

Its entire body was covered in black fur like steel needles, but there was a strange tuft of white fur on its chest that looked like a congealed bloodstain; it was the famous Vicious Beast in Black Wind Ridge—the Blood-Stain Bear.

The aura of a Late Stage Realm pressed down like dark clouds; Zhao Meng's expression sank instantly: "It's this guy!"

The Blood-Stain Bear let out a low roar and slammed its paw into the ground, causing several bowl-sized stones to jump up.

Old Wang and the other team members turned pale. They had struggled just now to deal with an Early Stage Iron-Spine Wolf, and now, encountering such a Vicious Beast, their legs were starting to tremble.

Zhang Wen gripped his sky-splitting startling thunder spear, and the Eye of Thunder Punishment quietly activated.

The flow of spiritual energy in the Blood-Stain Bear had nowhere to hide in his eyes; amazing explosive power was hidden beneath that thick fur.

Every breath carried an energy that shook the pulse—this thing...

He moved to the side of the team without changing his expression, deliberately restraining his aura.

Exposing his strength now would do more harm than good; it was a perfect opportunity to see what kind of skills Zhao Meng had.

"Muer, step back!"

Zhao Meng shouted, and his thick-backed saber suddenly glowed with red light: "Today, I'll let you witness my 'Crimson Blood Saber Intent'!"

He was clearly trying to show off in front of Lin Muer and had even used his trump card.

The red light on the saber grew brighter and brighter, with faint blood mist steaming off it, making the very air become hot and dry.

The Blood-Stain Bear was enraged by this Saber Intent and roared, its paw slamming toward Zhao Meng with a foul wind.

That paw was larger than a shield; if it landed, his bones would likely be crushed to dust.

"Well come!"

Zhao Meng did not retreat but advanced instead, leaping into the air. He pushed his Crimson Blood Saber Intent to the limit, and the saber carved out a crimson arc, hacking straight at the bear's paw!

A crisp "clang" rang out, like metal striking metal.

Zhao Meng was sent flying backward by the impact, sliding several meters on the ground before stabilizing his figure, the webbing between his thumb and index finger already split.

However, only a shallow bloodstain remained on the Blood-Stain Bear's paw, and in its rage, its offensive became even fiercer.

"Captain!"

Lin Muer exclaimed, drawing her soft sword to help, but was forced back by the Blood-Stain Bear's tail sweep.

Old Wang and the others wanted to help, but as soon as they approached, they were intimidated by the Blood-Stain Bear's aura, unable to even deliver a decent attack.

Zhang Wen saw it clearly from the side; Zhao Meng's Crimson Blood Saber Intent did have some merit, but unfortunately, his Realm was still lacking, and he couldn't break through the Blood-Stain Bear's defense.

He deliberately slowed his movements, occasionally thrusting his spear.

It looked like he was helping to contain it, but in reality, his strikes all landed in the Blood-Stain Bear's defensive blind spots, having no effect at all and instead making the situation more chaotic.

"What the hell are you doing, kid!"

Zhao Meng was forced to dodge left and right by the Blood-Stain Bear. Seeing Zhang Wen "slacking off" on the side, he roared in anger, "If you don't want to die, show me your real skills!"

Zhang Wen feigned panic, dodging the Blood-Stain Bear's strike, and shouted while panting heavily.

"Captain, this thing is too hard, I... I can't hold it off!"

This look of "insufficient strength" was exactly what Zhao Meng wanted.

If even a newcomer was more eye-catching than him, he would lose too much Face in front of Lin Muer.

Zhao Meng gritted his teeth and pulled out a blood-colored Medicinal Pill, stuffing it into his mouth.

The Medicinal Pill melted the moment it entered his mouth, and his aura surged, showing signs of a Breakthrough beyond the Late Stage Realm; his eyes also turned crimson.

"My trump card isn't just Saber Intent!"

He charged violently at the Blood-Stain Bear, his blade wreathed in thick blood mist, and he actually carved a wound deep enough to see bone into the bear's belly!

"Roar—!"

The Blood-Stain Bear, in pain and madness, charged wildly with its massive body, knocking the surrounding trees askew.

Zhao Meng relied on the power of the Medicinal Pill to clash head-on a few times, sustaining several wounds deep enough to see bone, but he still fought to the death without retreating, clearly determined to hold on until the end in front of Lin Muer.

Lin Muer frowned tightly as she watched; several times she tried to step forward but was blocked back by the Blood-Stain Bear's offensive, and she could only shout anxiously: "Captain Zhao, don't fight it head-on!"

Zhang Wen stood at the edge of the battlefield, looking at the crazed Zhao Meng, his eyes narrowing slightly.

This crimson Medicinal Pill was clearly something that overdrawn his potential, and there would inevitably be a backlash after the effect wore off. To go this far just to show off in front of a woman, that could be considered a kind of "skill."

He glanced at the tuft of white fur on the Blood-Stain Bear's chest, and the Eye of Thunder Punishment captured that the flow of spiritual energy there was significantly weaker than in other parts—that was its weakness.

But he didn't say a word, only quietly adjusting his spear stance.

It wouldn't be too late to "reluctantly" make a move when Zhao Meng couldn't hold on anymore; this way, he wouldn't expose his strength and could solve the trouble in a logical way.

In the field, Zhao Meng's aura had already begun to disorder, and the Crimson Blood Saber Intent was gradually fading; clearly, the effectiveness of the Medicinal Pill was about to run out.

Although the Blood-Stain Bear was seriously injured, it was still ferocious. Its paw, carrying a gust of wind, slammed toward Zhao Meng's head again—if this strike landed, the consequences would be unimaginable.