In the Beast Mountain Range, every magical beast had its own territory.
The area Feng Hao was in was a no-man’s-land, which was why no powerful magical beasts had appeared.
An eighth-stage magic bear was only slightly stronger than a Flame Beast.
In the broader Beast Mountain Range, it was still at the bottom of the food chain.
But for a mere sixth-stage early-tier Martial Apprentice like Feng Hao, it was a significant challenge.
After all, there was a gap of two full stages between them.
But confident in his speed, Feng Hao decided to give it a try.
If he could take down this magic bear, his food supply would expand considerably.
Speaking of speed, Feng Hao had some questions about it.
When he killed his first Flame Beast, it had been a near-death experience.
But after eating that beast’s meat, his speed and agility had increased mysteriously.
It was baffling.
Unable to find an explanation, he simply attributed it to his waterfall training.
Moving closer, he spotted a black bear over two meters tall lying in a thicket.
Beside it were the bones of some unknown magical beast.
*Grrrrowl!*
The magic bear suddenly opened its large eyes and looked directly at where Feng Hao was hiding.
It rolled onto its feet, opened its massive mouth, and let out a furious roar before charging at Feng Hao.
“Damn.”
The surprise attack had failed.
Feng Hao turned and sprinted away.
*Grrrrowl!*
The magic bear charged forward like a tank, trampling every bush in its path.
Any tree that stood in its way was swatted aside with a single paw.
Its presence was fierce and terrifying.
*Swish!
Swish!
Swish!*
Feng Hao darted nimbly through the forest, as agile as a monkey.
His movements were fluid and clean.
In no time, he had left the bear behind.
“That slow?”
He turned and looked at the bear roaring in the distance, stunned.
“Have I really gotten this much faster?”
Last time, he had barely escaped those bear paws.
This time, he had left it in the dust with ease.
The difference was astonishing.
“In that case…”
Seeing how things stood, Feng Hao felt completely at ease.
He leveled his spear and waited for the bear to arrive.
*Grrrrowl!*
Spotting Feng Hao, the magic bear went berserk.
It swung its thick, powerful arm at Feng Hao.
The wind from the blow hit his face, but Feng Hao remained calm.
Gripping his spear tightly, he moved in small steps, nimbly dodging the bear’s swipes.
All the while, his eyes remained fixed on the bear’s movements, waiting for an opening to strike.
*Boom!…*
*Crack!*
*Thud!…*
Wood splinters flew.
Grass and plants were torn up.
Stones scattered.
Dust blanketed the small area.
The bear’s enraged roars never ceased.
The force behind the bear’s strikes was undeniable.
If Feng Hao took a hit, he had no doubt his bones would break, or he might even be crippled.
But with his agile footwork, after half an hour, the bear hadn’t even touched a corner of his clothes.
Feng Hao could clearly see the trajectory of every attack, allowing him to dodge with ease.
After some time, even the bear — known for its endurance — began to slow down.
Each successive strike grew weaker.
Seeing this, Feng Hao felt a surge of excitement.
His mind began to work.
He widened his evasion radius, circling around the bear.
*Swish!*
Seeing his chance, Feng Hao thrust his spear without hesitation, aiming for the bear’s back.
*Thunk!*
The result wasn’t what he expected.
The bear’s hide was as hard as rock.
The spear only scratched off some fur — it didn’t inflict any real damage.
*Grrrrowl!*
The magic bear went into a frenzy.
Though exhausted, it exploded with a burst of wild strength when threatened.
Its killing intent swept outward, kicking up dust and dirt.
Feng Hao was caught off guard.
Several times, the bear’s massive paw scraped past his body, sending chills down his spine.
“How is it so hard?”
Sweat rolled down Feng Hao’s face.
He dodged while thinking, his eyes scanning the bear’s body.
*Boom!…*
A massive paw slammed into the ground, creating a crater.
When the paw lifted,rubble and dirt scattered in all directions.
“Hey.”
As the bear raised its arm, Feng Hao noticed something.
Amidst all the black fur, there was a palm-sized white patch in the bear’s armpit.
“Could that be its weak point?”
He noticed that every time the bear raised its arm, it subtly tried to shield that white patch.
*Swish!*
With a faint sound of cutting air, as the bear’s paw came down, Feng Hao’s spear swiftly slashed across that white patch.
*Riiip!*
*Grrrrowl!*
A tearing sound, followed by the bear’s agonized roar.
Bright red blood sprayed from its armpit, staining the ground.
The bear shot a terrified glance at the small figure before it, then turned and fled without looking back.
“Think you can run?”
Feng Hao accelerated and gave chase.
The magic bear was already slower than Feng Hao.
With this heavy wound, its movements were even more unsteady.
In no time, Feng Hao caught up.
*Swish!
Swish!
Swish!*
Feng Hao’s spear struck again and again at the bear’s armpit.
Though the bear kept its arm pinned to its side, blood continued to gush from the wound, slowly weakening it.
*Riiip!*
Another tear.
The white patch on the other side was also slashed open.
Blood poured out in double volume.
The bear’s body swayed.
Finally, it collapsed with an unwilling groan.
Its massive frame twitched as blood soaked the surrounding ground.
*Whoosh.*
Feng Hao let out a breath.
He stood at a distance until the bear stopped breathing.
Only then did he cautiously approach.
He prodded the wound with his spear.
When the bear didn’t react, he finally relaxed.
“Heh.”
The corner of his mouth lifted.
A sense of accomplishment welled up inside him.
A sixth-stage Martial Apprentice killing an eighth-stage magic bear —leap across two full stages.
That wasn’t something just anyone could do.
“Will magic bear meat also increase my strength?”
That was what Feng Hao really wanted to know.
After considerable effort, he dragged the roughly three-hundred-jin bear back to the waterfall.
He cleaned it thoroughly, started a fire, skewered a large chunk of bear meat, and began roasting.
The aroma of meat filled the air.
He grabbed the bear meat, not caring that it was scalding hot, and started gnawing on it.
He couldn’t even tell what it tasted like — he just swallowed.
[END OF CHAPTER 22]