Chapter 49: The Cave

After the Black Bear Clan Leader accepted Xiong Batian’s challenge, he ordered the surrounding black bears to clear a path, allowing Xiong Batian and her companions to enter.

“Once we’re inside, they won’t gang up on us, will they?”

Qiqi, walking at the back, muttered softly.

“No. Blood duels are sacred battles among the Black Bear Clan, and they also determine the Clan Leader. There shouldn’t be any issues.”

Xiong Er thought for a moment, recalling what Xiong Batian had told her, and murmured in response.

“More than that, I’m worried about that powerful Demon Human who has been aiding the Black Bear Clan and wanted to capture you back then. With him around, even if we win the blood duel, these black bears might not necessarily submit to Xiong Batian.”

Zhai Guangyi had checked the attributes of the Black Bear Clan. Apart from the Clan Leader, there were no other threats worth noting. Plus, with the speed of the Storm Holy Wolf beneath them, even if the Black Bear Clan surrounded them, they could easily escape—the black bears wouldn’t be able to catch up even if they ran for their lives.

“True. Since even a Demon Human of the Clan Leader’s Level didn’t dare to resist that guy, we should be even more cautious of him.”

Xiong Er agreed with Zhai Guangyi’s point. Ending their brief whispered conversation, everyone quickened their pace to catch up with the Black Bear Clan Leader walking ahead.

Qiqi sat behind Zhai Guangyi, holding onto his shoulders. She occasionally played with his long ears while remaining vigilant of their surroundings.

Passing through this stretch of forest, a massive cave came into view. The entrance was littered with animal bones, and the interior was pitch-black, seemingly bottomless.

Seeing this cave shrouded in darkness, Xiong Er stopped and glanced timidly at Zhai Guangyi. Pointing at Xiong Batian, who was walking straight in without hesitation, Zhai Guangyi said,

“Isn’t this your home? What are you afraid of?”

“I… I’m not afraid! I love cramped, dark little rooms—so cozy to stay inside.”

Xiong Er snorted, closed her eyes, and followed. After all, the Storm Holy Wolf beneath her would carry her along, so she could walk even with her eyes closed.

Though Zhai Guangyi was also a bit scared, he had company. With Qiqi sitting right behind him, close by, he felt less afraid.

Entering the pitch-black cave, Zhai Guangyi could see nothing. Using Spirit Magic, he summoned several tiny Light Spirits and had them fly in the air to illuminate his surroundings.

With his vision restored, Zhai Guangyi could now see the interior of the cave. The tunnels varied in height and width—sometimes high, sometimes low, sometimes narrow, sometimes wide. At times, they even had to follow a stream deeper inside.

The tunnels twisted and turned, with many branching paths. On the ground lay numerous Human Equipment, likely belonging to those who had perished here. This cave was practically a natural trap.

Xiong Batian and the Black Bear Clan Leader walking ahead didn’t need light at all. They didn’t even need to look to know the way. Fighting in such terrain without a guide familiar with the area would be a real struggle.

After about seven or eight minutes of walking, Zhai Guangyi finally saw a hazy white light. Though he couldn’t make out the scenery outside from within, it was likely the exit.

Xiong Batian and the others lowered their heads and crawled out. Zhai Guangyi and his companions, being shorter, could walk normally. Stepping outside, Zhai Guangyi finally understood what a paradise on earth looked like.

The small stream from that cave had actually converged here into a lake. Surrounded by tall trees and rocky cliffs, this secluded spot was enclosed on all sides, yet inside lay a whole new world, with many little black bears playing by the lakeside.

Everyone was stunned by the sight. It was simply too beautiful and hidden away. The Black Bear Clan lived here, and Zhai Guangyi couldn’t think of any better conditions to win them over. Compared to this place, the small wooden huts under his tree were like mere thatched cottages—this was a natural grand villa.

After entering, many of the sleeping Frenzied Black Bears raised their heads to look at Zhai Guangyi and his group. The black bears that followed them in began spreading word among the clan about Xiong Batian’s origins.

This woman, who had been driven out by the Black Bear Clan, had returned with her spiked club to engage in a bloody duel with the Clan Leader. The fact that she had achieved human form in such a short time outside was proof enough of Xiong Batian’s astonishing talent.

Among Magical Beasts, there weren’t many formalities or procedures. When a duel was declared, it began directly. Under the watchful eyes of countless black bears, Xiong Batian and the Black Bear Clan Leader made their way to the small island at the center of the lake.

The crowd gathered on the opposite bank of the river to watch Xiong Batian’s bloody duel.

“Do you think Xiong Batian can win?”

“Judging by stats alone, my mom is sure to win. The Clan Leader hasn’t even received a Blessing—he’s just a bit higher in Level. But you know, in this World, what matters is Skill strength. Levels are just superficial.”

Xiong Er spoke with great confidence, sharing her insights.

Zhai Guangyi nodded. That was indeed true. Xiong Batian possessed overwhelming attributes, and she was quite focused, having allocated all her Skill Points to Berserk. With Berserk at Level 7, once she activated the Skill, Zhai Guangyi had yet to see a Magical Beast she couldn’t kill with a single swing of her club.

“Are you ready?”

This time, the Black Bear Clan Leader carried no weapons. He rotated his neck and wrists, preparing to engage Xiong Batian in hand-to-hand combat.

“Anytime.”

Not wanting to take advantage, Xiong Batian planted her spiked club into the ground, also ready to fight the Clan Leader bare-handed.

“That stick of yours is impressive. I’ve never seen anything so hard.”

“If you win, it’s yours.”

“Then I’ll take it.”

The Black Bear Clan Leader lunged straight at Xiong Batian. She raised her fist and aimed a punch at his face. Having witnessed her strength in the Forest earlier, he knew she wasn’t much weaker than him. Taking a direct hit would surely cause significant damage.

The Clan Leader sidestepped, then quickly crouched, sweeping his leg like a whip toward Xiong Batian’s lower body.

Xiong Batian leaped back into the air, then thrust her palm toward the Clan Leader’s chest.

Naturally, the Clan Leader wouldn’t just let her attack. He raised his arm to block, and the two continued like this—attacking, defending, engaged in close-quarters combat without even using their Skills.

The thunderous clashes of their fists sent ripples across the lake surface. The members of the Black Bear Clan watched in awe as Xiong Batian traded blows with the Clan Leader. Back then, she was just someone who had been driven out, yet now she could fight him evenly. It was truly terrifying.

In terms of close combat strength alone, Xiong Batian was the ceiling on Zhai Guangyi’s side. Looking at Xiong Er cheering and shouting encouragement nearby, Qiqi on high alert, and himself who was practically no different from a mascot, one could say Xiong Batian was carrying the entire household on her shoulders.

Fists met flesh with every blow, and soon both combatants bore numerous red fist marks on their bodies and faces. Yet they continued as if unfazed, fists colliding again and again, seemingly making it difficult to determine a winner.

The Clan Leader was the first to activate Berserk. His entire body swelled to immense proportions, his muscle contours taking on the solid appearance of metal. His form transformed into that of a massive black bear, and he raised a gigantic bear paw to slam down toward Xiong Batian.