Finding Rock Valley is easy enough, the location is already put with the mission. Spotting it is also easy, the terrain transforming from lush forests to barren rocks, creating a contrast. There were rumors a powerful expert specialized in the Law of Earth died there and the reason why the terrain is like that.
While the chances are low, though it is still a possibility as there was no way such abrupt changes happened without reason, Ryker had no time to ponder the fact of how the valley came to be. Instead, he had to ponder how to get its inhabitants to leave their homes so he could kill them.
Ryker sighed. If not for the payment, along with the chance to find some rare materials in the valley, he would not take the mission. He was brave, not stupid. The reason he even accepted it was because of the terms offered.
While there are minimum number required, there were no limits on how many Rock Bears one could bring. As long as the number is more than two, the commissioner would pay extra, for each Rock Bear. If one could bring a hundred, they would pay for all one hundred.
Of course, it was impossible to kill one hundred, the Rock Bear Lord would make his move and turn him to paste if it caught him. Heck, Rock Bear with strength at Genesis Condensing realm could turn him to paste.
Now that he had chosen the mission, he needed to see it to the end. At least he should hunt 2 down. More if possible but it will depend mostly on his luck.
Looking around the area, he spotted a sufficiently dark spot, he used the Shadow Traversing technique, passing through some of Rock Bear at the 3rd Stage Genesis Beast realm. Entering the valley with surprising ease, he remained in the shadow, looking for any sign of trouble.
He heard a loud noise and looked in that direction to see a Rock Bear hunting a rabbit. A glance showed that it was around the 1st Stage Genesis Beast realm. Seeing how the bear slowly cornered the rabbit, he couldn't help but notice it was herding it towards a cave.
Smiling to himself, he followed the bear, who followed the rabbit. The rabbit entered the cave before trying to use its claws to burrow through it but to its surprise, it couldn't. It could only turn to see the bear lying down, its head severed as a strange Genesis Beast looking at it with contemplation.
Ryker looked at the rabbit before capturing it. The rabbit tried to escape but failed, trying to wiggle his way out of Ryker's hold. Looking at it, Ryker easily identified it thanks to the book about the beast he had bought.
"A Rock Rabbit, so that's why it tried to burrow its way through the cave. After all, they can penetrate through earth and rocks because of their mastery of the Law of Earth. But why did it fail?" he asked himself, before looking at the spot and punching the wall.
To his surprise, he didn't even make a dent. 'The rumors that an expert died here might be true after all,' he thought to himself.
Looking at the rabbit, another thought came to his mind, 'Are their species the Rock Bear's favorite prey? Then I can use it,' Letting out a smile, he used the Beast Bonding Technique, a Technique linked to one of the Cultivation Arts his parents gave to him, Beast Linkage Art.
Using the Beast Bonding Technique, he could give a portion of his power, along with sharing some of the beast's sense. The technique also allows him to learn of the bonded beast's whereabouts.
The rabbit, realizing a small stream of red light slowly entering its head tried to resist, squeking while at it. It stopped when it sensed a presence communicating with it.
While Ryker could turn the rabbit into a mindless drone, he decided against it. After all, the rabbit had helped him in killing one Rock Bear. Besides, he could give it to Ariana as a pet.
The rabbit looked at him before letting out another squeak, accepting the bond. Being the stronger one in the bond, Ryker could exert some control but decided to use another approach.
"Do you want to get some revenge?" the squeak he got seemed to contain some evil laughter, at least in his opinion.
-x-
A huge Rock Bear looked around before spotting another rock filled with energy. It used its jaws and crunched it, absorbing the earth's energy inside. At that moment, it spotted its favorite prey, a Rock Rabbit
The rabbit seemingly oblivious of its presence, continued to gnaw on one earth energy-rich rock. The bear began to stalk at its prey, it's using its natural ability to blend in with the surrounding rocks.
When he came close, he was about to swipe its paws when its vision flipped and it saw its claw, the last thing he would ever see.
-x-
Ryker petted the rabbit. Thanks to it being the bait, he had hunted down 7 Rock Bears. Most of them were killed in an ambush. Along the way, he had grabbed some of the earth's energy-rich rocks. Absorbing it while using the Primordial Earth Scripture, would increase his comprehension of the Law of Earth.
Besides the strange rocks, he also gathered a lot of herbs, most of them emitting earth energy. He looked, wondering if it was okay to hunt down another Rock Bear when he spotted the largest Rock Bear at the 2nd Stage appeared before him.
The Rock Bear sniffed around before walking towards a cave, one they didn't even realize was there. Following it, they were greeted by the sight of earth-rich herbs and rocks all around them.
"Grade 2 Cavern Mushroom. Grade 2 Brittle Moss. Even a Crystal Fern. This place is a paradise for Rock Bear. But why did only 2nd Stage Rock Bear here." he wondered before doing another look.
For a Stage 2 Rock Besr to occupy the area, it must be the child of a powerful existence. Thinking about it, he decided to take the risk anyway, as he needed plenty of resources.
He showed himself, using some of his qi seal the cave. The Rock Bear, seeing the weird beast, roared, trying to get the other Rock Bear's attention. Seeing how no other Rock Bears showed up, it knew the weird beast was somehow involved.
It tried to swipe its claw, but Ryker avoided its claw easily, before doing another strike before he kicked the Rock Bear in the stomach. The Rock Bear growled, trying to hit the weird beast in front of him, Ryker avoided it with ease as the beast was far slower than him.
Soon, it turned into a battle of attrition, Ryker attracting the beast to attack thinking he was injured. The bear slowly pushed through, some of its strength returning as it tried to kill him.
However, in that claw swipe, Ryker ducked underneath before stabbing its hearts. Finishing it, Ryker decided to grab every single treasure, including all the herbs and most of the rocks. As they cleaned up the last one, they both heard a roaring sound, one that sent shivers to their bones.
Ryker calmly grabbed the rabbits, putting them in his arms before practicing one important technique, the Art of Fleeing. Truly, the greatest technique they ever have.