Upon hearing those words, everyone fell silent and turned their gazes toward Wang Xu.
"Brother Wang!" Song Zhen glared at Xu Yuan, "If Brother Wang leaves, I'm going too! I absolutely refuse to stay with such a petty person!"
"Me too!" Tang Yan stepped forward, "Wherever Wang Xu goes, I'll follow!"
The two expressed their opinions without hesitation, especially Tang Yan, which caused Xu Yuan's expression to darken immediately.
"Song Zhen, Tang Yan," Wang Xu said firmly, "You both go inside. I'm leaving."
As soon as they heard this, both Tang Yan and Song Zhen wanted to speak up but were cut off by Wang Xu: "Don't say any more. The Thousand-Legged Soft Bug is almost upon us. Staying here will only hold me back."
The two were left speechless. Indeed, Xu Yuan had made up his mind not to let Wang Xu enter; therefore, Wang Xu would have to face the Thousand-Legged Soft Bug alone. They were merely third-tier students, and when confronting a fourth-tier elite insect beast, they wouldn't be able to offer any assistance!
"Brother Zhang, I hope you can take care of them for me. Thank you," Wang Xu said to Zhang Xinglin before leaving. Zhang Xinglin glanced at him and nodded seriously.
Wang Xu's actions were clear—he didn't trust Xu Yuan. Even if Song Zhen and Tang Yan could enter the energy barrier, it wouldn't necessarily be favorable. At this moment, only Zhang Xinglin could step up to ensure their safety.
Having said all that, Wang Xu dashed away under the watchful eyes of everyone.
Just as Wang Xu left, the Thousand-Legged Soft Bug arrived, its massive body carving a deep trench into the ground. Spotting Tang Yan, Zhang Xinglin, and the others, it opened its bloody maw and lunged forward.
Xu Yuan kept his word; before the Thousand-Legged Soft Bug could pounce on them, he had already activated the energy barrier, allowing the group to slip inside.
"Boom!" The enormous body of the Thousand-Legged Soft Bug crashed against the purple barrier, ripples spreading outward, but it was still barred from entering.
Furthermore, the radiation in this area was uncomfortable for the Thousand-Legged Soft Bug. It took several steps back, begrudgingly glaring at the people inside the barrier before emitting a strange shriek and turning to chase after Wang Xu.
...…
Wang Xu ran desperately, managing to cover several kilometers at a speed akin to that of a car while the Thousand-Legged Soft Bug was still unaware of his presence.
However, before he could sigh in relief, a thunderous roar echoed closer and closer, causing Wang Xu's heart to race and his face to go pale.
In isolation, as the sky darkened and visibility decreased, his escape speed would greatly diminish. Eventually, when the Thousand-Legged Soft Bug caught up, Wang Xu would simply become its dinner!
The Thousand-Legged Soft Bug was moving much faster than before; having been blocked by the energy barrier and affected by the radiation, it had grown angry. It had decided that the human fleeing in front of it would be its delicious meal for the day and was determined to consume him!
Wang Xu, while running for his life, scanned his surroundings, desperate for a hiding place. To his dismay, the area was filled with dense forest; even a couple of abandoned warehouses and buildings could hardly obstruct the progress of the Thousand-Legged Soft Bug, which could easily demolish them.
"Got it!" Suddenly, a glimmer caught Wang Xu's eye, and joy flooded his expression.
Just as he crested a hill, he spotted a small cave entrance!
The opening was about the size of a person, just enough for him to squeeze through. Wang Xu wasted no time and dashed toward the cave!
The Thousand-Legged Soft Bug was closing in fast, its massive form moving swiftly. Had it not been for the buildings and trees along the way, it would have caught up with Wang Xu long ago.
"Faster! Faster!" Cold sweat broke out on Wang Xu's forehead. Even though his legs were aching, he dared not slow down!
A moment of delay could cost him his life!
Suddenly, the Thousand-Legged Soft Bug let out a strange shriek, its entire body launching into the air, barreling toward Wang Xu!
A massive shadow loomed over Wang Xu. He couldn't afford to look back; his eyes were glued to the narrow cave entrance. Just as he was about to reach it, he made a tremendous leap!
In such a tight space that could only barely fit half his body, Wang Xu astonishingly slipped through without any hindrance!
"Boom!" The colossal body of the Thousand-Legged Soft Bug crashed against the cave wall, sending tremors throughout the cavern. Fortunately, the cave did not collapse; evidently, though the power of the bug was terrifying, it was not sufficient to destroy the cave.
He was saved!
In the dark cave, a sliver of light streamed in through the entrance, and Wang Xu collapsed onto the ground, filled with relief that he had narrowly escaped death.
Peering out from the cave, Wang Xu saw the Thousand-Legged Soft Bug hesitating at the entrance, attempting to ram into the cave wall once more. However, after several attempts, the cave remained unscathed, causing the bug to lose patience and ultimately turn and leave.
"Whew~" Seeing this, Wang Xu let out a long breath; he had finally evaded a crisis.
"Grr…" Suddenly, a low growl resonated from behind Wang Xu.
Startled, he turned around, and with the light from the cave entrance, he could see a third-tier Iron Wire Beetle before him.
Wang Xu's mind quickly processed this information.
No wonder there was such a small cave opening and walls that resembled steel in density; it was because an Iron Wire Beetle was residing here.
The Iron Wire Beetle was the size of a football and resembled a beetle, its body covered in black lines resembling iron wires. These beetles had a peculiar way of life, preferring dark places such as underground or caves—completely enclosed spaces. Interestingly, they would periodically seek sunlight, so they carved out an opening in their residences to let in light.
This cave was clearly the lair of that Iron Wire Beetle.
Although the beetle had indirectly saved Wang Xu's life, he had to summon a long knife from his spatial ring.
Wang Xu could clearly see the murderous intent in the beetle's eyes; it seemed as if insects and humans were arch-enemies destined to never coexist harmoniously!
Without hesitation, the Iron Wire Beetle unfolded its weapon—the six iron wire-like legs—sharp as steel, which it used to excavate its cave.
Wang Xu fixed his gaze and thrust his long knife forward, executing the "Blood Strike" perfectly at the Iron Wire Beetle.
"Clang!" The sound of metal clashing echoed. The force of the Iron Wire Beetle, after all, was no match for Wang Xu, and it was sent flying back. Yet, it showed no sign of retreat, instead re-engaging its shell and launching upward.
The Blood Strike didn't yield the expected result, but Wang Xu remained calm. He sliced a sharp arc with his long knife, confronting the Iron Wire Beetle head-on.
Both were third-tier creatures, but the Iron Wire Beetle was considered a superior insect beast of that tier. Under normal circumstances, a third-tier student encountering a third-tier Iron Wire Beetle would surely be killed instantly, having no chance against it.
"Clang!" "Clang!" "Clang!"…
After several collisions, Wang Xu discerned the beetle's attacking patterns and angles. Taking advantage of the moment when the Iron Wire Beetle was pushed back, Wang Xu stepped forward and thrust his knife at one of its iron-like legs.
The iron legs were the Iron Wire Beetle's strongest weapons, and typically, people would avoid direct confrontation to find weaknesses. However, Wang Xu noticed that among the beetle's six legs, one appeared particularly weak and almost useless. Without hesitation, he acted.
"Grr…" With a single strike, Wang Xu severed the beetle's leg completely. The Iron Wire Beetle let out a strange, muffled roar and, without hesitation, unfolded its shell, attempting to escape.
With only five legs left and in a state of fear and panic, the iron wire beetle realized it was no match for Wang Xu and instinctively chose to flee.
But how could Wang Xu let such a rare opportunity slip away? Without a second thought, he launched into a series of strikes using the "Nine Line Lightning Knife," unleashing Wind Break and Blood Strike violently against the Iron Wire Beetle.
At first, the Iron Wire Beetle could still withstand one or two attacks, but as things escalated, it found itself overwhelmed, suffering numerous injuries.
Sensing that it was no longer a match for Wang Xu and could meet its demise soon, the Iron Wire Beetle let out an enraged shriek, curling its body into a ball and charging at Wang Xu!
Wang Xu, caught off guard by this hidden tactic, quickly raised his long knife defensively to block the beetle's impact.
The violent collision shook Wang Xu to his core, almost causing him to spit out blood. Looking at the Iron Wire Beetle, it too was in a bad state; its shell cracked under the force. Seizing the opportunity, Wang Xu disregarded his injuries and brought down his long knife with all his might!
"Thud!" There was no doubt; Wang Xu cleaved the defenseless Iron Wire Beetle in two, blood splattering everywhere.
As the Iron Wire Beetle met its end, Wang Xu could no longer suppress himself and spat out a mouthful of blood.
Wiping the blood from his lips, Wang Xu silently reflected. He realized he could never let his guard down again. Had the Iron Wire Beetle fought with all its might from the beginning, a couple of strikes would have surely ruptured his insides!
After the Iron Wire Beetle's death, Wang Xu retrieved some healing potions from his spatial ring and sat down to rest.
"Hmm? My stomach feels so hot; what's going on?" Feeling a burning sensation in his abdomen, Wang Xu furrowed his brow. But before he could process it, suddenly a mass of red flames erupted from his skin, shooting straight toward the corpse of the Iron Wire Beetle!
Wang Xu was stunned. When had this flame entered his body? Moreover, how could a flame move by itself? What on earth was happening?!
Looking again at the flames, they enveloped the bisected corpse of the Iron Wire Beetle, forming a fire in the shape of the beetle. Gradually, it shrank, and slowly, the beetle seemed to be consumed by this mysterious flame, disappearing completely.
Wang Xu stared blankly as the mysterious flame hovered in the air. Once it had fully engulfed the beetle's body, it swiftly drilled back into his stomach, and he was too late to stop it.
"What… what is going on?" Wang Xu was utterly bewildered.
Suddenly, he felt another wave of heat surge from his abdomen, but this time it was even more intense. Not only was the heat rising from his abdomen, but it also surged through his limbs and head like a torrent!
Wang Xu's face twisted in pain as he felt his veins burning as if they were being seared by fire, plunging him into unbearable agony!
"Ugh…" His veins bulged as cold sweat poured down his forehead. Simultaneously, dark, foul-smelling sludge seeped from every pore of his skin, releasing a repugnant odor.
This suffering lasted for at least half an hour, during which Wang Xu felt as if he had traversed between hell and paradise. With each searing moment, there would be an inexplicable warmth that would clear his meridians, leaving him feeling extraordinarily relieved. But this sensation would last only briefly before the burning pain would return.
This cycle repeated multiple times, yet Wang Xu gritted his teeth and endured; his thoughts were not consumed by why he was suffering such torment but rather the loved ones in the safety zone. If he were to die out here in the wilderness, what would happen to them?
Fueled by this belief, Wang Xu persevered through even the worst of pain, refusing to let out a scream.
Suddenly, Wang Xu's expression sharpened. He sensed his aura surging explosively, his power continuously increasing, and the invisible shackles within him being shattered, causing a wave of ecstatic joy to wash over him!
He was breaking through!
This was a breakthrough!
Wang Xu had experienced ascensions from first tier to second tier and from second tier to third tier. The sensation of breaking through was nearly identical—both the aura and power would undergo tremendous changes, and now he was undergoing that transformation!