C7 Black-streaked Bear

After receiving the five energy blocks from Hao Xiu, Lee Xingyun tossed two of them to Liu Hao, sharing the bounty. Liu Hao, however, threw the energy blocks back, insisting, "I didn't help with anything. I can't accept these."

Lee Xingyun didn't argue; he was dirt poor, and parting with the two blocks had already stung. Retrieving the returned energy blocks, he announced, "The issue's settled. I'm heading into the Iron Pear Secret Realm now."

Liu Hao hesitated at Lee Xingyun's words, then finally spoke up, "Xingyun, aren't you curious about our tangle with Hao Xiu?"

Surprised, Lee Xingyun replied, "Sure, I'm curious, but if you'd rather not share, I won't pry."

Hao Xiu, who had just recalled his soul pet, chimed in, "There's not much to it. Your group from Class 10 arrived in force, landed plenty of jobs, but lacked the strength. It's only natural you'd draw attention."

Lee Xingyun nodded in understanding and asked, "Is that the whole story?"

With a grim look, Liu Hao shook his head, "It's only part of it. We're students, so those eyeing us wouldn't dare too much. But the other reason is we took a job from Zhang Ying of the seed class, and now we're at odds."

"I was brought in by her," Hao Xiu interjected helpfully. "She wanted me to give Liu Hao a thrashing, as payback."

Lee Xingyun frowned, "So you expect me to deal with this mess?"

Liu Hao quickly clarified, "No, that's not it. Zhang Ying is vindictive. You just handled Hao Xiu for me, and now she might come after you."

Unfazed, Lee Xingyun quirked an eyebrow, "Let her come. I'm not scared."

With that, he strode toward the Iron Pear Secret Realm entrance. Money-making trumped all other concerns. Hao Xiu watched, intrigued, and after a moment's hesitation, followed suit.

Liu Hao sighed as they departed. Problem solved, it was time to regroup with his Class 10 peers.

The Iron Pear Secret Realm was an endless forest of Iron Pears, the realm's namesake. Entering, Lee Xingyun was greeted by the sight of towering Iron Pears.

"Quite the sight, isn't it?" Hao Xiu remarked, observing the Iron Pears with Lee Xingyun. "And these are just the outskirts."

"Why are you tagging along?" Lee Xingyun inquired, puzzled.

With a smug tone, Hao Xiu offered, "I know where to find some great loot. How about it? We team up and split the haul fifty-fifty?"

Lee Xingyun, skeptical from their recent encounter, turned on his heel and left. Hao Xiu's words held little trust.

Seeing the reaction, Hao Xiu sighed, "I'm serious. There's a Black-streaked Bear, an Advanced Servant Level creature, in the realm. Alone, I can't beat it, but together, we stand a chance."

Pausing, he proposed a new split, "How about sixty-forty? You take the larger share."

The mention of the Black-streaked Bear piqued Lee Xingyun's interest. Its meat and fur were valuable, and the Black-streaked Grass that grew near its den was highly sought after for its benefits to soul pets' fur.

"Are you for real?" Lee Xingyun eyed Hao Xiu skeptically.

Hao Xiu laughed, "Absolutely. Follow me."

Approaching the bear's den, Lee Xingyun whispered, "Is this it?"

"Exactly," Hao Xiu whispered back, inching closer. "Given the size of the Black-streaked Grass, our bear might be at the Seventh or Eighth Layer. We can't pass this up. What do you think? Can we take it down?"

Lee Xingyun, aware of the bear's might from his mental display, was ready.

Race: Demonic Beast World - Beast Species - Bear Clan - Black-streaked Bear

Race Level: Advanced Servant

Aptitude: 25

Level: Eighth Layer

Maximum Level: Third Rank First Layer

Talent: None

Skills: Slap, Roar, Charge, Crunch

Evolution Path: Black-streaked Bear to Brown-streaked Bear

An Eighth Layer Black-streaked Bear is a formidable opponent that an ordinary Fifth Layer Flame Spirit Tiger or Moon Dog wouldn't stand a chance against in direct combat.

However, Jianbing had already mastered the three primary skills and Lee Xingyun himself was protected by a talisman.

"We could give it a shot," Lee Xingyun suggested to Hao Xiu, who was standing next to him. "But I'm not entirely sure of the outcome. Do you have any protective measures?"

"You can count on me," Hao Xiu confidently slapped his chest, "I'm a scion of the Hao family, after all."

Lee Xingyun gave a nod of acknowledgment. The Hao family was well-known in Janhall County, which explained why Hao Xiu was accepted in the Elite Class and had an Advanced Servant Level Moon Dog as his pet.

Lee Xingyun gently patted Jianbing crouched beside him, signaling it was time to engage.

Jianbing burst forth, its claws, concealed within its paw pads, shooting out. Blades of soul power crystallized along its claws—an instinct honed from two weeks of relentless training. To Jianbing, the prone Black-streaked Bear was no different from the Iron Pear post that had once shattered its claws.

But the Black-streaked Bear, a wild soul beast from the secret realm, was exceptionally alert. It snapped awake at the very moment Jianbing's claws unsheathed.

Before the bear could even react, Jianbing, in its agile Spirit Cat state, had already inflicted a deep, bone-revealing wound on the white crescent patch of the bear's chest. Jianbing's speed and agility were unmatched.

Caught off-guard and grievously wounded, the Black-streaked Bear erupted in rage. It rose to its feet and charged out of the Iron Pear Wood cave, swinging its hefty paws in a frenzy, seeking to crush the little cat that had dared to harm it.

Hao Xiu, witnessing Jianbing's bravery, was ecstatic. He quickly called out to the Moon Dog idly at the sidelines, "Moon Dog, execute Crunch!"

"This is bad," Lee Xingyun muttered under his breath as he heard Hao Xiu's command. A Fifth Layer Moon Dog was no match for an Eighth Layer Black-streaked Bear in close quarters. Wasn't this akin to serving up an easy kill?

As expected, the Moon Dog, spurred by Hao Xiu's command, leapt forward eagerly and clamped onto the Black-streaked Bear's thigh, tearing away a chunk of flesh. However, the enraged bear snatched up the Moon Dog in one swift motion and slammed it against the Iron Pear Wood with brutal force. The sheer ferocity of the bear's retaliation paled the faces of the two onlookers.