Just as he was thinking about this, Meng Lei squeezed out two tears and said with a sad face, “I... I... am lost! I can’t find my way home!”
“Lost?”
The four of them looked at each other and frowned at the same time. At last, Alison said, “He looks so piteous alone. Why don’t we bring him along? The Magical Beast Forest is too dangerous!”
“This... doesn’t seem like a good idea?”
A skinny young man holding a dagger frowned. “The Magical Beast Forest is so dangerous, and we will be targeting magical beasts for this training. Wouldn’t it be a burden to bring him along?”
“I’m not a burden, I am very strong!”
Chapter 11: Stats Increase, The Rampaging Pool Salamander
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Boom, boom, boom!
A white veil several meters wide cascaded from the top of the cliff with a deafening boom. It crashed against the pool at the bottom, causing countless pearl-like water droplets to splash about. The water in the pool was clear, and one could see right to the bottom. Surrounded by dense and luxuriant woods, it formed a beautiful and picturesque scene!
A “crocodile” ten meters long sprawled on the sandy ground beside the pool, basking comfortably in the sun. Its eyelids were hooded and its breathing steady as it laid there leisurely and carefreely, very pleased with itself!
Crackle!
A loud sound suddenly rang out at this point, however. A bolt of lightning that was as wide as an arm came from the sky all of a sudden and struck the crocodile with great precision. At once, the crocodile’s enormous body started to convulse and spasm violently as though it had consumed Ecstasy pills!
“Go!”
The next instant, three well-built men sprang out of the bushes and attacked the convulsing crocodile!
“Millo, block its way and don’t let it go into the pool! This will become very troublesome the moment we allow it to enter the pool!
“Yale, Bobby, restrain it from the sides and keep it busy!”
“Understood!”
“Understood!”
Then, Alison, the female Magician, started to chant magic spells!
Yes, that’s right!
This group of people was exactly the four-men team out for training that Meng Lei had encountered earlier. However, what was different was that there was now an additional “lost” person... Meng Lei!
Hehe, they’ve started fighting again!
As he hid in the bushes, Meng Lei watched Alison and the other three, who were engaged in fierce battle again. A look of anticipation flashed across his eyes!
This was the third battle that he was witnessing since he had joined the four-men team!
The first was an intense battle against eight Iron Fire Ants!
The Iron Fire Ant was a First-Grade Fire-Elemental Magical Beast. With herculean strength and bodies as tough as iron, Iron Fire Ants could kill even a normal Second-Grade Magical Beast when they teamed up. Their battle capabilities were fairly fearsome!
The second was a fierce battle against the Poison Swamp Frog!
The Poison Swamp Frog was a Second-Grade Water-Elemental Magical Beast. Apart from being skilled in water-elemental magic, it could also launch highly toxic attacks, as well as sound wave attacks. With endless tricks up its sleeve, it was a Second-Grade Magical Beast that was extremely hard to deal with!
The third one was a battle against the Chrysanthemum Sky Pig!
The Chrysanthemum1 Sky Pig was a Second-Grade Earth-Elemental Magical Beast. Skilled in earth-elemental magic, the stench of its fart was terribly foul, so much so that normal wild beasts could pass out just from the smell! It wasn’t a beast that was hard to deal with, but it was extremely disgusting!
Also, it was proven that Meng Lei had made an extremely correct choice!
After personally witnessing the three battles, apart from having watched three thrilling blockbusters with visual effects, Meng Lei himself had also received great rewards!
And wasn’t that so? Because his personal stats had increased!
Host: Meng Lei
Race: Human
Wealth: 239 gold coins
Physical Body Constitution: Trainee Warrior (75/100)
Spirit: Normal Human Being (9/10)
Magic Power: Normal Human Being (7/10)
Spell(s): Fireball Technique, Thorn Vine, Water Bubble
Be it his Physical Body Constitution, Spirit, or Magic Power, all of them had increased significantly as compared to what they were in the past. At the same time, he had also picked up a new spell—Water Bubble!
Although it was also just a first-grade spell, Water Bubble was still magic, after all. There was great value in it!
As for his Wealth that had reached 239 gold coins, Meng Lei had gained them from killing two Iron Fire Ants...
Cough, Meng Lei wasn’t capable of killing Iron Fire Ants, of course. However, giving the heavily injured ants a fatal blow when they were on their last breath and on the brink of death after being beaten up was something achievable for him!
And in the eyes of the system, this was no different from Meng Lei killing the Iron Fire Ants with his own hands!
Thus, Meng Lei had gained 200 gold coins after he killed two Iron Fire Ants. One could consider this as having exploited the system’s loophole, but it could also be counted as a pleasant surprise!
I wonder what I can pick up this time?
With his past experience, Meng Lei was full of anticipation toward the battle taking place this time. According to Alison and the others, the crocodile in front of them... No, to be more accurate, it was a Rampaging Pool Salamander!
It was said that this beast had a bit of Water-Elemental Colossal Dragon blood in it. Not only was its physique strong and powerful, but it was also skilled in water-elemental magic. Thus, it was a considerably strong Second-Grade Magical Beast!
This was especially true when it was nearby pools of water. Such an environment was extremely advantageous to the Rampaging Pool Salamander in bringing out its strength. Thus, it wasn’t that easy to kill!
“Ding! Dropped item detected. Will you pick it up?”
Hehe, items drop the easiest during fierce battles. What has dropped this time?
“Pick it up! Hurry and pick it up!”
“Ding! Assimilation successful. Host’s Physical Body Constitution +8!”
Tsk, tsk, physical body constitution again... With that, my Physical Body Constitution field has reached 83 points. Soon, it’ll break through the 100-point milestone!
The 100-point milestone was indicative of a First-Grade Warrior!
Although a Trainee Warrior was only a grade short of a First-Grade Warrior, there was a huge difference in their strength. Meng Lei already couldn’t wait to become a First-Grade Warrior!
Boom, boom, boom!
At the other side, the battle was exceptionally intense!
The Rampaging Pool Salamander might look dumb, but it was extremely agile and nimble. With its thick and muscular limbs moving swiftly and its strong and forceful tail matching their movements, Millo and the other two somehow just couldn’t take much advantage of it.
“My warrior god! This beast’s armor is too tough. I can’t split it open at all! What should we do? C’mon, think of something!”
“Neither can I! Looks like we can only attack its weakness!”
“Alison, use your magic and paralyze the Rampaging Pool Salamander! I’ll attack its eyes!”
“Alright!”
At the end of Alison’s spell-chanting, a lightning dragon struck down from high in the sky and struck the Rampaging Pool Salamander viciously!
The lightning dragon’s power was obviously a lot stronger. The Rampaging Pool Salamander’s back where it had been struck was charred black, revealing crimson-red bloodied flesh. At the same time, it also began to convulse!
“Here’s my chance!”
While taking advantage of the split-second where
the Rampaging Pool Salamander was paralyzed, Bobby, the small and skinny young man, seized the opportunity and instantly appeared where the Rampaging Pool Salamander’s head was. His dagger flashed across the air and stabbed right at the beast’s right eye!
“Die, beast!”
Bobby’s eyes were icy cold, with victory well within his grasp!
However, what he never expected at all was a wall of water suddenly appearing in front of the Rampaging Pool Salamander during this moment of life and death, and blocking the sharp dagger!
The dagger stabbed into the wall of water as though it was stabbing into a ball of cotton, and its speed was abruptly halted. The Rampaging Pool Salamander seized the opportunity, and its head ducked to the side, evading the lethal blow!
The dagger grazed the edge of the Rampaging Pool Salamander’s eye and stabbed into its neck, causing a series of sparks to fly about. However, it didn’t manage to cause any real damage to the Rampaging Pool Salamander!
“I missed!”
Shocked, Bobby retreated with a burst of speed, no longer pressing on with the battle!
“What a shame that such a good opportunity went to waste!”
“If Bobby’s attack had been successful, that beast would have died for sure!”
Upon seeing what had happened, regret filled the eyes of Millo, who was holding a giant axe in his hand, and Yale, the other muscular man with a large sword. After missing such a golden opportunity, it would be difficult for them to find another chance to kill the Rampaging Pool Salamander. Or at least, they would need to wait till Alison’s magic preparation was ready.
It was hard to say just how the Rampaging Pool Salamander might go berserk during this short period of time!
What a shame! thought Alison, the tall and slender freckled Magician, too.
However, what all of them didn’t expect at all was the Rampaging Pool Salamander suddenly letting out a sad and shrill cry. Then, its enormous body started to rock and sway forcefully!
“What’s going on?”
Alison and the other three received a huge shock. It was then that they noticed someone on the Rampaging Pool Salamander’s back. That person had a dagger in his grip and was stabbing the beast’s back forcefully with it, causing blood to fly everywhere!
“That’s...”
Millo, Bobby, and the others’ eyes widened dramatically. They had realized that the person was actually Meng Lei, and his dagger was stabbing right into the area where Alison’s lightning dragon had struck and mangled earlier. The area was charred black, revealing crimson bloodied flesh.
“Die! Die!”
As though he had gone mad, Meng Lei stabbed the Rampaging Pool Salamander again and again with a vigor that was almost crazed. However, he wasn’t just stabbing randomly without any target. Rather, his strikes were aimed at the Rampaging Pool Salamander’s... spine!
He had watched quite a few outdoor TV programs in his past life—some guy named Bear Grylls1 had cut and broken an alligator’s spine and easily killed it after that!
Meng Lei wanted to try and see if this would work on a Rampaging Pool Salamander...
Chapter 12: Killing a Rampaging Pool Salamander, Becoming A First-Grade Warrior
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
“That guy’s nuts! Does he take the Rampaging Pool Salamander for an Iron Fire Ant?”
“The Iron Fire Ant is just a First-Grade Magical Beast, and it was already on the brink of death from our attacks. That’s how he had gotten lucky. But a Rampaging Pool Salamander’s different. That beast is still fine and dandy...”
Upon seeing Meng Lei riding on top of the Rampaging Pool Salamander and stabbing wildly and mindlessly at it, Alison and the other three men frowned after getting over their momentary shock!
The Rampaging Pool Salamander was a Second-Grade Magical Beast, and moreover, it was still healthy and intact!
Under such circumstances, Meng Lei was actually harboring delusions that he could kill the Rampaging Pool Salamander when he was just a little brat that hadn’t even grown up?
What a joke!
And in truth, it was just as they had expected!
Despite Meng Lei giving it all he got, he still couldn’t cut through the Rampaging Pool Salamander’s spine. Not only was the beast’s armor as tough as iron, but its bones were also as solid as diamonds. How could it possibly be cut off that easily!
On the contrary, the intense pain coming from its back assaulted the Rampaging Pool Salamander’s senses, causing the Second-Grade Magical Beast with a bit of Water-Elemental Colossal Dragon blood in it to go berserk. It let out roar after roar and shook its body madly, as though a wild horse that had escaped its reins, and attempted to fling away Meng Lei, who was clinging onto its back!
Meng Lei could sense its strength. He knew that he would definitely be flung out if this went on. He was close to his limit now!
I can only go all out now!
Meng Lei gritted his teeth and shouted fervently in his mind, “System, exchange all of my gold coins into Physical Body Constitution Points! Power, I need stronger power!”
“Ding! Redemption successful. Host’s Physical Body Constitution +23!”
“Ding! Congratulations to the host. You’ve leveled up to a First-Grade Warrior. Please continue to work hard and strive to break through again!”
A powerful warm current that he had never experienced before flowed into his limbs and bones, swiftly strengthening every part of his body. Meng Lei felt his strength starting to rise sharply. Every part of his body was filled with explosive power!
I’ve finally become a First-Grade Warrior!
Meng Lei’s eyes were keen and brilliant. A sharp glint burst forth in his eyes. The dagger in his grip stabbed forward viciously and struck against the Rampaging Pool Salamander’s spine once more!
Snap!
The crisp sound of bones breaking rang out, as though melodious celestial music echoing in Meng Lei’s ears. Right on the heels of this, a strong wave of energy swept toward him, and Meng Lei was flung out uncontrollably!
He landed on the ground with a bam and fell flat on his face. However, Meng Lei was very excited. As he stared at the Rampaging Pool Salamander shaking all over, he let out a sneaky laugh and said, “Die, beast!”
Boom!
He had only just spoken when the Rampaging Pool Salamander fell onto the ground with a loud boom. It crashed against the ground heavily, and then, its breathing ceased!
“Ding! 1 Rampaging Pool Salamander, Second-Grade Magical Beast, killed. 270 gold coins gained!”
The system’s voice notification sounded in good time as the Rampaging Pool Salamander fell onto the ground and died. Meng Lei let out a long pent-up breath and exclaimed, “It’s finally dead! All my desperate efforts weren’t in vain!”
“The Rampaging Pool Salamander... is dead?”
Alison’s four-man team was stunned. Stupefied, they stared at the dead Rampaging Pool Salamander, feeling as though their brains had short-circuited and weren’t quite functioning!
“How did the Rampaging Pool Salamander die?”
“That’s impossible, right? That’s a Rampaging Pool Salamander, a Second-Grade Magical Beast, you know!”
“Hey, brat! How did you kill the Rampaging Pool Salamander?”
Meng Lei struggled to his feet and explained with a smile, “My luck was fantastic, and I accidentally cut through the Rampaging Pool Salamander’s spine. And then, it died!”
“What? You cut through its spine??”
“No, that’s impossible! The Rampaging Pool Salamander’s bones are very solid, and its spine is even the toughest part of its body apart from its teeth. How could you have possibly cut through its spine?”
A frowning Millo with a giant axe in his hand raised his doubts regarding Meng Lei’s explanation.
Bobby, Yale, and Alison agreed with him. A Second-Grade Magical Beast’s strength was all-rounded—be it physique, speed, bone makeup, or magic
, all of its attributes were stronger than a First-Grade Magical Beast’s!
Although Meng Lei was capable of killing the First-Grade Magical Beast Iron Fire Ant, it was a lot more difficult for him to kill a Rampaging Pool Salamander!
These guys are really not easy to dupe!
Meng Lei was rather resigned as he shrugged. He replied, “You don’t believe me? Take a look for yourself, then!”
Yale, the muscular man, glanced at Meng Lei and began to check the Rampaging Pool Salamander. True enough, he discovered that its spine had been cut through. Astounded, he asked, “Brat, how exactly did you manage to do it?”
“I told you, I have a lot of physical strength!”
...
The Rampaging Pool Salamander’s death led Alison’s team to see Meng Lei in a completely new light. Their attitudes toward him also improved significantly.
The strong were respected, no matter where they went. Although Meng Lei was still weaker than any of the four, he ultimately still possessed fairly strong battle capabilities. It was sufficient to give his presence value!
Of course, this also led the four of them to become even warier of Meng Lei, rather than otherwise. It was alright for them to bring a powerless brat that they didn’t know along with them as they traveled. However, now that the same brat had displayed notable battle capabilities, they mustn’t let down their guard that they ought to put up!
Meng Lei could sense the subtle changes, but he didn’t mind in the least. He had no intention of becoming friends with the four of them. He only wanted to follow them to pick up light balls and gain gold coins along the way!
There was nothing else after that!
After they took care of the Rampaging Pool Salamander, the four of them decided to take a small break, have something to eat, and continue on their way after they had a good meal. After a few battles in succession, even they were rather tired.
Moreover, the scenery at the water pool was picturesque, and it had an ample water source. It was a fantastic place to take a break at!
Skinning, cutting, cleaning, and roasting meat...
All of these were Meng Lei’s specialties. He also readied some salt and condiments. Before long, an alluring fragrance wafted from the roasting stand!
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