131: Chapter 131 The First Battle

The group discussed until late into the night before dispersing.

Early the next morning, Zhang Wen and his teammates arrived at the Martial Arts Field on time to collect their maps and mission manuals.

The manual clearly stated the assessment objectives: stay in the Mist Shadow Valley for three days, collect ten stalks of "mist condensing grass," and eliminate at least five Subtle Realm Yao Beasts. Upon completion, present the mission items at the assessment point at the valley entrance to submit them.

After collecting their supplies, the four of them immediately began training together at the Martial Arts Field.

Ding Siyi was responsible for honing frontline attack and defense techniques; during every sparring session, she would deliberately force Zhang Wen to use his full strength, and whenever sweat soaked his training uniform, she would toss him a bottle of water.

Li Menger practiced the coordination of Mental Energy detection and support, able to transmit danger signals she perceived directly to her teammates via "Soul Dream Whisper."

In several simulated surprise attacks, she allowed her teammates to avoid the "enemy's" ambush three seconds in advance.

Han Xu also gradually opened up, discovering that he could distinguish simulated traps through the "scent of dead objects."

Of course, Zhang Wen also experienced his concealment effect; one must know that Zhang Wen had consumed quite a few Heaven And Earth Treasure(s) related to Soul power previously.

Yet, under Han Xu's concealment, he couldn't perceive his presence at all.

After training, the group also gave their team a name.

"How about we call it Wen Meng Si Xu?" Zhang Wen asked.

The others clapped in approval, feeling that this team name suited them very well.

On Friday evening, the four of them gathered at the school gate with their packed equipment.

Han Xu stuffed a small bag of dried mugwort into his backpack and whispered.

"I checked the information; mugwort can weaken the miasma. Although the effect isn't great, it's better than nothing."

Li Menger smiled and patted his shoulder, while Zhang Wen checked everyone's protective gear before finally looking at his teammates: "Are you all ready?"

Zhang Wen nodded, his gaze sweeping over the three people beside him; the sunset fell upon them, casting long shadows.

The next day, the final exam began.

"Go, go, go, let's set off!"

He took the first step, and the footsteps behind him followed in unison, without the slightest hesitation.

When the four of them arrived at the entrance of the Mist Shadow Valley, other teams had already gathered one after another.

Someone saw Han Xu and couldn't help but whisper: "Zhang Wen and the other two are in the top ten, why did they bring Han Xu? Isn't that just dragging them down?"

Han Xu's ear tips turned red, and just as he was about to lower his head, Zhang Wen reached out and patted his back, his voice not loud but clear enough.

"Ignore them. Let's show them in a while what the most suitable team is."

"Because Zhang Wen's Realm is too high, we have implemented a Spiritual Power blockade on him, suppressing his Realm to the Subtlety Realm Middle Stage."

As soon as the words fell, a teacher's whistle sounded in the distance, and the assessment officially began.

At the entrance of the Mist Shadow Valley, the miasma flowed slowly like a pale gray veil. Zhang Wen felt his suppressed Spiritual Power and turned to smile at the three of them.

"Are you ready? Let's go."

Ding Siyi summoned a wisp of flame with her right hand, her eyes sharp: "Ready anytime."

Li Menger closed her eyes, a faint white light appearing on her fingertips as she began to perceive the movements around them.

Han Xu took a deep breath and focused his mind; it was as if an invisible net had spread out before him, taking in the "scent of dead objects" of the surrounding stones and trees.

He could even vaguely perceive a trap camouflaged with withered branches hidden in the grass not far away.

"There's a trap three meters to the front left."

Han Xu spoke immediately, his voice much steadier than before.

Zhang Wen paused, walked in the direction he pointed, and sure enough, found a thin tripwire under the grass.

The four of them carefully bypassed the trap and headed deeper into the valley.

The miasma gradually grew thicker, and the air was filled with a faint smell of rotting leaves. Beads of sweat seeped from Li Menger's forehead, and the range of her Mental Energy detection began to shrink.

"The miasma is heavier ahead; my perception will be affected."

"Use the mugwort."

Han Xu immediately took out the mugwort prepared earlier, lit it, and handed it to Li Menger.

The faint scent of mugwort spread, and the surrounding miasma seemed to really thin out a bit. Li Menger's complexion also improved: "It's useful, thank you."

Just then, Ding Siyi suddenly stopped and raised her hand to signal everyone to be quiet: "There's a sound."

Everyone held their breath and listened carefully.

A slight rustling sound came from the distance, as if something was moving quickly in the grass.

Li Menger immediately focused her mind, and after a moment, her expression changed slightly: "It's two 'Shadow Wolves,' very fast, probably Forming Realm Peak, and they're coming towards us!"

Zhang Wen instantly stood at the very front, his Aura sharp. He held the sky-splitting startling thunder spear slanted towards the ground, with faint blue electric light flickering at the spear tip, and the air was filled with a subtle crackling sound.

"Siyi, coordinate with me to break their defenses from the front; let's end this quickly. Li Menger, use your Mental Energy to suppress their reactions; don't let them run around."

He swept his gaze over his teammates, his instructions clear and crisp, "Han Xu, after you conceal yourself, watch their vital points; act as soon as I force out an opening."

Han Xu took a deep breath, nodded silently, and his figure quickly merged into the nearby bushes, leaving only a trace of an extremely faint Aura.

He knew that with Zhang Wen there, there would be no chance for the Shadow Wolves to struggle.

In the blink of an eye, two slender, gray-black furred Shadow Wolves darted out from the grass, fangs stained with blood, and lunged at the four of them.

But in Zhang Wen's eyes, this speed was as slow as slow motion.

He flicked his wrist, and the sky-splitting startling thunder spear swept across instantly. The spear body carried a fierce force of wind, directly striking the side of the left Shadow Wolf's waist.

"Bang!"

The Shadow Wolf didn't even have time to scream before it was sent flying by the spear shaft, crashing heavily into a tree trunk; the sound of bones shattering was clearly audible.

Ding Siyi immediately retreated behind a tree, a ball of pale pink flame condensing at her fingertips.

She flicked her wrist, and the flame drew an arc like a meteor, landing precisely on the hind leg of the Shadow Wolf on the right.

With a "hiss," the Immortal Fire attached to its fur and burned. The Shadow Wolf let out a shrill scream in pain, spinning in place while trying to extinguish the flames, completely losing its attack rhythm.

Just as the Shadow Wolf on the right wanted to turn and flee, a flash of white light crossed Li Menger's eyes, and her Mental Energy, like an invisible net, instantly entangled its consciousness.

The Shadow Wolf's movements suddenly stiffened, its head swaying slightly; it had clearly lost its sense of direction.

"Its heart is on the back left side; it has an old wound!"

Han Xu, who was concealed in the shadows, suddenly spoke. Through the "scent of dead objects," he clearly perceived that the "sense of dead objects" at the Shadow Wolf's heart location was heavier than elsewhere.

Zhang Wen's eyes narrowed, and the sky-splitting startling thunder spear instantly thrust straight out.

The spear tip carried faint blue electric light, piercing through the air like a bolt of lightning, accurately piercing into the heart of the Shadow Wolf on the right.

"Awoo—" The Shadow Wolf let out a short scream, its body twitched twice, and then it completely lost its breath.

In less than ten seconds, both Shadow Wolves were already on the ground. Han Xu walked out of the bushes, looked at the Shadow Wolves on the ground, and then glanced at the sky-splitting startling thunder spear in Zhang Wen's hand, which was still crackling with residual electricity, his eyes full of amazement.

This was the first time he had seen someone use a long spear so cleanly and efficiently, without even a single redundant movement.

Zhang Wen retracted the sky-splitting startling thunder spear, and the electric light on the tip gradually dissipated.

He patted Han Xu's shoulder and praised: "Your perception is critical; it saved a lot of effort. Let's continue; pay attention to movements in the miasma."

The four of them didn't linger and soon continued moving deeper into the valley.

The sky-splitting startling thunder spear in Zhang Wen's hand shimmered with a Shimmer, not only dispersing some of the surrounding miasma but also giving his teammates plenty of confidence.

(Today is September 3rd, the Victory Day of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. With iron-willed blood, the mountains and rivers remain together. Today's resounding steps are the highest tribute to history and the heroic spirits. Remember the victory, and we must strive to strengthen ourselves!)