Chapter 106 – The Target for Testing My Strength

Before leaving, Shi Lin gave Su Ming a number.

“This is my private number. If you need anything, you can contact me anytime.”

Shi Lin said this to Su Ming.

Clearly, after their recent interactions, this eccentric Great Master had acknowledged Su Ming and intended to maintain contact with him.

Noticing this, Yun Langyue mentioned to Su Ming:

“Master Shi himself possesses exceptional skills, but his network is also extensive. Although he isn’t particularly enthusiastic about social interactions, he has many disciples, and quite a few of them have gained fame in Longyao City and even other Base Cities. This influence should not be underestimated.”

Given an Alchemist’s status, many Professionals and high-ranking individuals would naturally seek connections with them.

Many of Shi Lin’s disciples maintained relationships with Professionals and influential figures.

Even if Shi Lin himself wasn’t keen on interpersonal relationships, if he mobilized his network, he could undoubtedly stir up significant waves in a place like Longyao City.

Thus, whether in terms of personal ability or connections, Shi Lin possessed considerable and extraordinary resources.

It was precisely for this reason that even Yun Langyue had to show him some respect, addressing him as Great Master.

Had Su Ming not been able to produce Nightmare Species blood and the Verdant Green Potion, this Great Master likely wouldn’t have traveled all the way to the battlefield to concoct potions for him.

Su Ming naturally understood this logic, so he noted down Shi Lin’s number and saw him off to the off-road vehicle.

Yun Langyue also boarded the off-road vehicle and, before departing, informed Su Ming of something.

“By the way, your Vision Mark seems to have Awakened.”

Yun Langyue relayed this matter to Su Ming.

“My Vision Mark has Awakened?”

Su Ming was slightly taken aback, feeling surprised.

“It has indeed Awakened.” Seeing that Su Ming seemed completely unaware, Yun Langyue responded with a mix of amusement and exasperation. “You didn’t even notice any signs of your Vision Mark Awakening?”

“No, I didn’t.” Su Ming answered matter-of-factly, which made Yun Langyue a bit annoyed.

However, prompted by Yun Langyue’s reminder, Su Ming recalled many past incidents he hadn’t paid much attention to.

For instance, the abnormal state he experienced on the frontline.

Or the sudden surge in Spirit Power and spirituality during his consumption of the Phantom Demon Potion.

And then, on the night when he and Xu Qianqian raided the Underground Mercenary Group that had captured the Phantom Demon Cub, at the very last moment, in a life-or-death situation, Su Ming subconsciously used [Spiral Fire], which ended up burning the demonized Yi Junchuan to death.

Thinking back carefully now, Su Ming found it strange.

How could a mere twenty-eight-form low-level Spirit Art like [Spiral Fire] instantly burn to death Yi Junchuan, who had survived a fifty-eight-form [Wind Demon Pursuit] even after demonization?

Even if Yi Junchuan was severely injured at that time, completely incinerating his superhuman Physique after Demonization shouldn’t have been possible with a low-level Spirit Art.

Even if the twenty-eight-form [Spiral Fire] was close to the level of an Intermediate Spirit Art, it would still have been a stretch.

Unless Su Ming’s Vision Mark had manifested at that moment, greatly enhancing his spirituality and multiplying the power of his Spell Formula severalfold or even dozens of times, making it possible.

“Was it also because of the Awakening of my Vision Mark during the frontline battles that the twenty-eight-form I used became so much stronger?”Su Ming finally understood this point.

Then, he became delighted.

“Not only did I successfully obtain the Bloodline of a Nightmare Species, but even my Vision Mark has completely Awakened along with it?”

This was a complete transformation.

“I’ll go out and test it later.”

Su Ming began to feel restless with anticipation.

Yun Langyue noticed Su Ming’s eagerness and couldn’t help but chuckle as she spoke.

“Then do your best, my great benefactor.”

As she said this, Yun Langyue extended her slender jade-like fingers and gently traced them across Su Ming’s face, nose, and lips.

That flirtatious and seductive gesture made Su Ming’s heart race uncontrollably.

“I’ll be waiting for your return, okay?”

Yun Langyue smiled charmingly, her smile as beautiful as a blooming flower.

Then, this Fox Spirit drove off in the off-road vehicle with Shi Lin, heading into the distance.

Su Ming touched his nose, watching Yun Langyue depart.

Only when the off-road vehicle completely disappeared from view did Su Ming turn around and look toward the direction of the Frontline.

“Bang!”

Suddenly, Su Ming vanished amidst a burst of explosive wind.

No, he didn’t vanish—he had leaped into the air.

Su Ming had actually shattered the ground beneath his feet with a single step, riding the explosive wind as he shot straight into the sky.

With this leap, Su Ming had jumped at least a hundred meters into the air.

This was something the old Su Ming could never have accomplished.

But now, his entire body was filled with a sense of power. His limbs were strong and robust, and his physique had become far more formidable than before.

“Is this the power of a Hunter?”

Su Ming leaped through the high air, sometimes landing on the rooftops of buildings, sometimes leaping high again, moving forward in this manner like a superhuman.

Bathed in the howling wind, Su Ming felt inexplicably joyful, so much so that the blood within him seemed to boil, growing scalding hot.

Before long, Su Ming reached the Frontline.

Here, countless Professionals were still battling the invading Phantom Demons, making the roars, angry shouts, clashing of Sabers, Spears, and Swords, and even the artillery fire from the soldiers in the rear sound overwhelmingly noisy.

Su Ming did not land on the battlefield. Instead, he directly crossed the Frontline, flying at an astonishing speed toward the distant horizon.

Not long after Su Ming left, a figure arrived at an even faster speed, landing in the same spot.

This person carried a Qilin Blade on his back, and his usually indifferent face now showed a trace of solemnity.

This person was none other than Gao Xu, the only Upper-Rank Professional on this Defense Line—a Four-Star Hunter.

“Who was that?”

Gao Xu frowned tightly.

Just moments ago, Gao Xu, who was stationed in the rear, had sensed an astonishingly intense Blood Qi rapidly passing over the battlefield.

“The concentration of that Blood Qi is already extremely close to that of an Upper-Rank Phantom Demon, isn’t it?”

Gao Xu’s expression turned grave.

“Could an Upper-Rank Phantom Demon have infiltrated this area?”

Gao Xu didn’t know.

But one thing was certain: if the owner of that Blood Qi was truly an Upper-Rank Phantom Demon, this Defense Line would be in serious trouble.

Yet, if it were an Upper-Rank Phantom Demon, why would it pass over the battlefield without attacking and instead fly far away?

“Perhaps it wasn’t a Phantom Demon but an Upper-Rank Hunter.”

Thinking this, Gao Xu’s furrowed brows did not relax but instead deepened.

“At this stage, what Upper-Rank Professional would dare to leave their post and wander around outside?”The answer was that he was either not from Longyao City or an Upper-Rank Professional not recorded in the files.

If that were truly the case…

“I hope that person doesn’t ruin my plans.”

A cold glint flashed in Gao Xu’s eyes as he vanished from the spot in an instant.

……

Su Ming remained unaware that his actions had already drawn Gao Xu’s attention.

But there was no helping it—who told him to sweep directly over the frontline with such a conspicuous display?

Having just adapted to the Nightmare Species Bloodline, he hadn’t fully mastered controlling his power. The surge of blood Qi around him was undoubtedly very noticeable to experts like Gao Xu.

Thus, Gao Xu had detected Su Ming.

Fortunately, Gao Xu didn’t realize that the mysterious Upper-Rank Professional in his sight was Su Ming.

Su Ming leaped toward the wilderness, eventually landing in front of a group of Phantom Demons charging toward the frontline.

“Boom!”

A loud impact echoed, accompanied by billowing dust and tremors.

“Squeak!”

“Chirp!”

“Grr!”

The Phantom Demons were immediately halted by the sudden disturbance, stopping in their tracks and roaring furiously at the rising dust ahead.

Su Ming emerged slowly from the dust, his eyebrows rising slightly as he observed the group of Phantom Demons.

There were eight Phantom Demons in total.

“Two Screaming Demons, three Blade Demons, two Shadow Demons… Oh? There’s even a Troll?”

Su Ming effortlessly identified the true forms of the Phantom Demons before him.

The massive monster at the rear of the group particularly surprised Su Ming.

It stood about three meters tall, with pitch-black skin as hard and angular as rock, resembling a miniature giant.

Its name was Troll—literally, a Phantom Demon with a colossal body. It possessed immense strength and astonishing defense. Aside from being somewhat slow, it had virtually no weaknesses and was renowned among lower-tier Phantom Demons for its combat prowess.

The Troll’s fighting capability was universally acknowledged to rank among the top of all lower-tier Phantom Demons.

At the very least, if asked which lower-tier Phantom Demon race was the strongest, the Troll would undoubtedly secure a spot in the top three.

Most Professional-level Hunters couldn’t match a Troll’s strength. To subdue one, either a three-person squad of Two-Star Professionals—including a Sorcerer—was required, or a Three-Star Professional had to take action personally.

Three-Star was already the highest Rank among lower-tier Professionals.

Now, however…

“Perfect for testing my power—just qualified enough.”

Su Ming couldn’t help but crack his knuckles, a thrilled smile spreading across his face.

“Roar!”

The Troll opposite him let out a thunderous roar, prompting the surrounding Screaming Demons, Blade Demons, and Shadow Demons to join in a chorus of snarls.

The next moment, the Phantom Demons charged forward collectively.

In response, Su Ming advanced instead of retreating.

Wind whistled past his ears.

Blood surged through his veins.

Mana swelled like a turbulent ocean, ceaselessly churning.

For the first time, Su Ming charged toward his enemies with unstoppable momentum, no longer holding back.

“Squeak!”

The two Screaming Demons, leveraging their aerial advantage, darted to the front, shrieking as they opened their mouths to bite.Su Ming recalled the combat techniques he had been practicing continuously up to now. With a step that kicked up dust, he nimbly dodged the biting attacks of two Screaming Demons with fluid footwork, positioning himself at their sides.

Immediately, Su Ming threw a punch.

“Thud!”

In the dull impact, his powerful fist landed heavily on the head of one Screaming Demon, sending it flying.

“Screech!”

The other Screaming Demon roared in fury.

What greeted it, however, was another fist.

“Thud!”

The second dull thud caused the Screaming Demon’s head to explode.

Yes.

The second Screaming Demon had its head blown apart by a single punch, collapsing to the ground and convulsing.

Before long, it lay still.

(End of Chapter)