195: Peeping in the dark

Zhou Hai's strength had reached Rank 3, Level 95.

He was only five levels away from the Rank 3 limit of Level 100.

This time, before entering the Barren Land, he made thorough preparations, purchasing a large amount of Materials and upgrading his own equipment.

His goal was to reach Level 100 before leaving the Barren Land, preparing for his Rank 4 advancement.

To achieve this goal, he even paid a considerable price to buy information about wild monster locations in the Barren Land from other Awakeners, meticulously planning his monster-killing and leveling strategy.

This Swamp, where Swamp Basilisks gathered, was the first location on his plan.

However, what he didn't expect was...

When he arrived, he saw the current scene.

Someone had already beaten him to it, frantically slaughtering the Swamp Basilisks he had targeted.

"Damn it!"

"Didn't that guy say this area was rarely visited?"

"The gold coins I paid for this information were a complete waste!"

Watching the Swamp Basilisks fall one by one below, Zhou Hai's heart bled.

His leveling plan involved specifically choosing wild monsters, each one being countered by the Assassin Awakener.

For example, the Swamp Basilisk, with its massive size and powerful strength, charged like a war chariot.

However, its speed and perception were significant weaknesses.

Zhou Hai chose the Swamp Basilisk as his first target because he was confident he could manipulate these "big guys" with his ghostly speed.

At the same time, he could effortlessly fill the remaining experience bar to reach Level 96.

But unfortunately...

Plans always change!

"This kid's strength far exceeds his own Rank, his equipment is quite impressive, and he also has two powerful Beast Pets assisting him in battle; he must be from an extraordinary background."

Looking at the figure wreaking havoc among the Swamp Basilisks below, and the faintly visible glow of his equipment, Zhou Hai's eyes were filled with hesitation.

At this moment, he considered making another risky Move, but he was also afraid that his own strength wouldn't be enough to handle this lucrative opportunity.

After all, the combat power displayed by those three guys below was completely on par with a melee Awakener at the Rank 3 limit.

"Let's wait and see. This kid is using some kind of amplification Move to boost his combat power. After he deals with the Swamp Basilisks, he'll definitely enter a weakened state. That's when I might have a chance to act."

Zhou Hai watched quietly for a while, and eventually, his greed got the better of him.

In a short time, he saw at least two glows representing gold-tier equipment, and even a higher-tier diamond-tier equipment glow among them.

If successful, the gains would be more than what he had earned in the Barren Land over all these years.

It was completely worth the risk!

As for the kid below, his extraordinary background didn't bother Zhou Hai at all.

The Barren Land was incredibly vast; as long as the traces were handled properly, the death of a few Awakeners would not be discovered.

For example, he once took a risk and killed a member of a large Adventurer Group from North Wind City.

The other party searched in the Barren Land for several months but couldn't find any trace of him.

...

...

In the Swamp.

"Lightning Step!"

"Double Fist Rapid Strike!!"

Wang Chen, whose Moves were exhausted, saw a Swamp Basilisk with a ferocious maw lunging at him from the left. He decisively abandoned his sword, using Lightning Step to dodge the opponent's attack.

Then, his fists rained down like a storm.

Bang, bang, bang!!

Amidst the ear-splitting collisions, the Swamp Basilisk's body was directly pinned in place, and it was literally blasted into pieces by Wang Chen's ten punches.

"Phew!"

"Done!"

This was the last Swamp Basilisk; after its death, more than fifty large creatures were completely slaughtered.

After a steady breath, Wang Chen surveyed the messy battlefield around him, a flicker of excitement in his eyes.

This nest of Level 90-plus Swamp Basilisks provided experience points almost equivalent to him clearing four Secret Realm Dungeons.

Although he was currently Level 70 at Rank 2 and could no longer gain experience to level up, the immense experience filled the experience bars of Ice Purity and Susu, who were on the verge of leveling up.

【Beast Pet: Ancient Overlord. Extremely Cold Dragon.】

【Nickname: Ice Purity.】

【Gender: Female.】

【Age: Two months (Juvenile stage)】

【Level: 71.】

【Rank: Ancestral Divine Beast.】

【Talent: Infinite Growth (SSS)】

【Four-Dimensional Attributes: Strength 3800; Wisdom 3800; Physique 3800; Agility 3800. (No buffs, equipment, or item enhancements.)】

【Skills: Frost Body (SSS), Extreme Cold Breath (SSS), Ice Hell (SSS), Dragon's Might (SSS), Frost Fury (SSS)】

【Loyalty: 100.】

【Equipment: None.】

【Introduction: Omitted.】

...

【Beast Pet: Nine-tailed Celestial Fox.】

【Nickname: Susu.】

【Gender: Female.】

【Age: One month (Juvenile stage)】

【Level: 71.】

【Rank: Ancestral Divine Beast.】

【Talent: Infinite Growth (SSS)】

【Four-Dimensional Attributes: Strength 3600; Wisdom 4300; Physique 3600; Agility 3700. (No buffs, equipment, or item enhancements.)】

【Skills: Illusory Body (SSS), Scarlet Eyes (SSS), Bewitching All Living Things (SSS), Nine-tailed World Destruction (SSS), Mark of Enslavement (SSS).】

【Loyalty: 100.】

【Equipment: None.】

【Introduction: Omitted.】

...

The two Little Mouse had become stronger, and with their improvement, Wang Chen, who couldn't level up at the moment, also gained a few points in another aspect.

【Name: Wang Chen.】

【Awakener: Giant Beast Master.】

【Level: 70】

【Talent: Affection of Myriad Beasts (SSS), Beast Fusion (God).】

【Skills: Beast Control Technique (S), Beast Control Spring Return Technique (B), Bloodline Identification Technique (God), Contract Summon (B), Instant Sword (D), Wind Blade Technique (C), Bloodthirsty Berserk (B), Beast Pet Amplification Technique (B), Crescent Moon Slash (A), Lightning Step (A), Charge Strike (A), Double Fist Rapid Strike (A).】

【Strength: 2225+630 points.】

【Wisdom: 2365+100 points.】

【Physique: 2225+450 points.】

【Agility: 2345+400 points.】

【Unallocated Attribute Points: 0 points.】

【Unallocated Skill Points: 0 points.】

...

"Ice Purity and Susu are still nine levels away from the limit of their current growth stage, which means I can increase all my attributes by at least 180 points before Rank 3!"

Wang Chen glanced at his and the two Little Mouse's attribute panels, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

If he had his current strength on the day he challenged the Tower of Babel, he was confident he could have cleared the thirty-seventh floor and defeated a Rank 4, Level 110 opponent.

"Next, I'll collect the Materials. The Swamp Basilisk's hide seems to be able to make silver-tier armor."

Thinking this, Wang Chen grabbed the Serrated Longsword stuck in the ground, preparing to collect his spoils of war.

However, just then, Susu suddenly transmitted a thought through the Contract:

"Master, there's a Little Mouse watching us!"