One moment, Chen Yu, Feng De, and the others were all stunned.
The task of hunting the Iron Brown Bears this time was precisely for the reward of contribution points and Primordial Stones, wasn't it?
And yet, Le Feng and Ding Jiuhui didn't want any of these?
Then, what could their true objective be?
"Not just the gallbladders and claws of these two Iron Brown Bears; we don't want any from the future ones either."
Ding Jiuhui added from the side.
Upon hearing this, Chen Yu and Feng De exchanged glances with the pockmarked teenager, all with an expression of excitement.
According to reports, there was a small group of Iron Brown Bears nearby. With Le Feng and the group's strength, killing a bear like the one they just encountered shouldn't be too difficult.
"If what Le Feng says is true, this mission will yield considerable contribution points, easily enough to exchange for a mid-level martial art."
Chen Yu was genuinely tempted.
He was on the brink of breaking through to the Meridian Passage Stage and needed a better primary cultivation technique to not fall too far behind those Inner Sect Disciples.
"So, dare I ask, what do you need, Brother Yue and Senior Brother Ding?"
The pockmarked teenager inquired.
These people weren't fools; they wouldn't take on excessively dangerous tasks.
"Our target is a 'Bear King' in the forest cave ahead. More precisely, it's the Bear King's Gallbladder."
Le Feng said candidly.
Bear King? Bear King's Gallbladder?
The hearts of Chen Yu and the others tightened. Just hearing the words "Bear King" made it clear it was no easy target.
The ordinary Iron Brown Bears just now demonstrated their might, and disciples of the Meridian Passage Stage typically couldn't withstand them.
"The Bear King's Gallbladder, combined with several auxiliary materials, produces a 'Bear Gall Elixir,' which aids me and Senior Brother Ding in breakthrough cultivation."
Le Feng explained.
Chen Yu and the others understood.
Le Feng's cultivation was stuck at the Mid-stage Meridian Passage; he was half a step away from breaking through to the Late-stage Meridian Passage.
Ding Jiuhui's situation was similar; he was about to advance to the Mid-stage Meridian Passage.
The "Bear King's Gallbladder" was far more useful to them than ordinary bear gallbladders and claws. Hence, they generously gave up the latter.
"What about the Bear King's strength? Brother Yue, do you want us to help deal with the Bear King?"
The pockmarked teenager was hesitant.
He struggled even with ordinary Iron Brown Bears. If they encountered the Bear King, wouldn't he be instantly killed?
"Hmph! Of course, the Bear King isn't something you can handle."
Ding Jiuhui snorted, "At that time, Brother Yue and I will join forces to tackle the Bear King. Your task is to distract and lure away some ordinary Iron Brown Bears."
Upon hearing this, the few present breathed a sigh of relief.
Chen Yu nodded, "If we don't have to deal with the Bear King, then there's naturally no problem."
The pockmarked teenager and Feng De also nodded in agreement.
After all, their goal here was to earn a large number of contribution points.
"However, let me warn you in advance. If anyone among you flees during the battle, all previous gains will be forfeited!"
Ding Jiuhui declared coldly.
To this, no one had any objections. In general team missions, it's not particularly disgraceful to flee in battle.
After reaching an agreement, they began distributing the profits from two Iron Brown Bears.
"According to convention, profits are distributed based on effort and contribution."
Le Feng said.
Soon, the profits from the two Iron Brown Bears were divided into ten parts.
Chen Yu, for killing one Iron Brown Bear and contributing the most, took five shares; the pockmarked teenager and the slender girl each received two shares; Feng De, having been knocked away at the beginning, received only one share.
There was no dispute over this distribution.
In typical team missions, profits are often distributed according to contribution, to prevent slacking.
"Alright, let's continue deeper in."
Le Feng and Ding Jiuhui led the way ahead, cautiously entering the dense forest.
After entering the forest, Le Feng again took out a small jar of honey; this special honey worked on Iron Brown Bears, unlike ordinary honey.
Soon.
In the depths of the forest, three Iron Brown Bears leapt out, each as massive as the previous two.
Le Feng instructed, "Everyone, get accustomed to fighting in the forest."
With a gentle slash of his treasured broken sword, he injured and attracted one Iron Brown Bear.
The other two Iron Brown Bears were dealt with by Ding Jiuhui and the five others, including Chen Yu.
This time, Ding Jiuhui fought one Iron Brown Bear alone.
The last Iron Brown Bear was left for Chen Yu, Feng De, the pockmarked teenager, and the slender girl to handle.
It was clear that Le Feng and Ding Jiuhui wanted the four to become more accustomed to fighting Iron Brown Bears.
In the woods, taking advantage of the terrain made dealing with the relatively clumsy Iron Brown Bears easier than on flat ground.
Soon!
With hardly any time, Le Feng dismembered the Iron Brown Bear into pieces.
Ding Jiuhui also severely injured another Iron Brown Bear. Killing it would only be a matter of time.
As for the four of them on Chen Yu's side, with Chen Yu as the main force and the others providing support, they managed relatively easily.
After a short while,
"Iron Plow Fist!"
Chen Yu landed successive blows on the back of the Iron Brown Bear's head, shattering it, causing the bear's massive body to collapse with a thud.
Almost simultaneously, Ding Jiuhui also dealt with another Iron Brown Bear.
With experience and techniques, these three Iron Brown Bears were taken down so swiftly by the group.
"Next time, you four will handle two Iron Brown Bears."
Le Feng contemplated.
He seemingly intended to further push the potential of the four, including Chen Yu.
Chen Yu had no objections; after all, he had tremendous physical strength and happened to lack practical combat experience.
The six continued deeper into the forest.
This time, they attracted five Iron Brown Bears, a slight increase in number.
Le Feng, alone, lured away two; Ding Jiuhui individually enticed one; the remaining two were left to Chen Yu and the others.
This time, Chen Yu teamed up with Feng De to handle one.
With Chen Yu as the main force, the two managed quite comfortably.
The pockmarked teenager and the slender girl worked together to handle another, which was a bit more challenging, but not difficult to engage with and protect themselves.
Boom!
This time, Chen Yu leapt and delivered a powerful punch, killing an Iron Brown Bear before Ding Jiuhui; with Feng De aiding him, they were more efficient.
Afterward, Chen Yu and Feng De helped the pockmarked teenager and the slender girl.
In a short span of time.
All six Iron Brown Bears were dealt with by the group.
Le Feng single-handedly slew two; Ding Jiuhui killed one. On Chen Yu's side, with him as the primary force, they killed two.
"It seems that Brother Chen can handle an Iron Brown Bear alone without much trouble."
Le Feng remarked with some surprise.
The stronger a team member's abilities, the higher the chance of successfully obtaining the Bear King's Gallbladder.
After a brief rest,
the group continued further into the forest.
…
Half a day later,
the group had killed twenty or thirty Iron Brown Bears, and everyone was handling them with noticeably more ease.
Based on contributions, Chen Yu still claimed the most significant share.
Out of nearly thirty Iron Brown Bears, Chen Yu alone took at least fifty-five percent, earning well over two thousand contribution points, excluding the Primordial Stones.
Such a bounty made Chen Yu overjoyed.
Even Ding Jiuhui was somewhat envious of Chen Yu's gains; however, considering Chen Yu's displayed strength, comparable to the Early-stage Meridian Passage, he had no words of complaint.
As night fell, the six camped outside for the night, resting and recovering.
The next morning,
the group of six reached the depths of the forest, where they saw a massive cave ahead.
Traces of Iron Brown Bears could be seen faintly in the vicinity of the cave.
Clearly, this was the Iron Brown Bears' lair.
"I estimate that over half of the Iron Brown Bears in the cave have been lured out and killed. The remaining bears have become cautious, likely due to the Bear King's vigilance."
Le Feng analyzed.
Ding Jiuhui said in a solemn tone, "Then we'll have to storm it."
Le Feng nodded. Ultimately, a hard battle was inevitable.
Chen Yu and the others took a deep breath; the moment of truth had come.
At this point, they couldn't back out, or all their previous efforts would be wasted. Thinking of this, Chen Yu couldn't help but admire the meticulous nature of Le Feng and Ding Jiuhui's plan.
"Charge!"
Le Feng, holding his treasured broken sword, took the lead and charged toward the bear cave.
Ding Jiuhui and Chen Yu followed closely.
With a flash of residual sword light,
Le Feng swiftly killed an Iron Brown Bear with a couple of strikes.
Willow Shadow Finger! Iron Plow Fist!
Ding Jiuhui and Chen Yu launched a rapid assault, finishing another Iron Brown Bear in just a few moves.
The screams of the two dying Iron Brown Bears immediately alarmed their kin nearby.
Roar!
A roar shook the cave,
and a gust of foul, fishy wind surged out from deeper inside.
That dreadful aura made everyone's blood halt for a moment.
"It's the Bear King's voice!"
Le Feng's expression changed. Yet his eyes grew sharper, quickly slaying another Iron Brown Bear nearby.
According to their plan,
the six split up in different directions, each luring a certain number of Iron Brown Bears.
"Help me…"
The pockmarked teenager accidentally attracted six or seven Iron Brown Bears.
At the same time, Chen Yu saw an opportunity.
He picked up two or three stones,
striking three Iron Brown Bears and provoking them into furious roars.
This way, Chen Yu attracted three Iron Brown Bears.
At this moment,
aside from Le Feng and Ding Jiuhui, the others' tasks were to lure away a specified number of Iron Brown Bears.
Among them,
Chen Yu attracted three Iron Brown Bears; Feng De and the pockmarked teenager lured away three and four, respectively.
The slender girl was lucky, attracting only two.
In total, twelve!
This met the requirements of their plan.
Though there were still seven or eight Iron Brown Bears nearby, the treasured broken sword in Le Feng's hand was practically unstoppable, capable of slaying an Iron Brown Bear in one or two strikes.
"You don't need to fight, just lure these Iron Brown Bears away, as far as possible."
Le Feng said loudly while slaying the bears.
Before long, the four Body Refining Stage disciples successfully lured twelve Iron Brown Bears away a dozen yards.
Then,
boom!
At the entrance of the cave, a slight tremor occurred, kicking up a wave of dust and airflow.
Amidst the dust, the shadow of a giant bear emerged.
A silver-brown giant bear, taller and larger than the ordinary Iron Brown Bears, stepped out from the cave.
"Bear King!"
From a dozen yards away, Chen Yu felt a shiver, sensing the formidable blood and energy oppression.
Chasing Life Sword!
After killing an Iron Brown Bear with one strike,
Le Feng leaped into the air, sending a streak of residual light arcing towards the Bear King.
Whoosh!
The treasured broken sword left only a shallow blood mark on the Bear King's surface.
Roar boom!
A shocking roar erupted,
accompanied by a whirlwind of dust surging in all directions.
Crash!
Without seeing the details, Le Feng's body flew back several yards; fortunately, with his skillful movement technique, he flipped mid-air, landing on a tree.
On the tree trunk, a trace of blood appeared at the corner of Le Feng's mouth.
"Junior Brother Yue, are you alright?"
Ding Jiuhui looked shocked. With Le Feng's considerable strength, he was struck and sent flying with just one move.
"No major issues."
Le Feng wiped the blood from his mouth and said in a low voice, "The Bear King's roar contains a sonic attack, and its defensive power exceeded expectations. Without this damaged treasured sword, even injuring it would be difficult."