Chapter 45: Finally Leveled Up (Please Vote for Recommendations!)

"Little Ox, to the left—go harass it from the left! Yes, that’s it, now behind, quick, get to its rear!" The battle between Wu Tian, Ox Wuji, and the Giant-Armed Bear had dragged on for half an hour already, and the bear’s health was only halfway depleted. Fortunately, their teamwork had grown more seamless, and their efficiency was improving.

"This thing’s got thick skin and heavy defenses—fighting it is exhausting! We need to find a way to break through, or who knows how long this will take." Wu Tian dodged aside, panting heavily.

"As the saying goes, to strike a snake, aim for its seven-inch spot. This big black bear must have a weakness. If we can find it, we’ll have a much easier time," said Ox Wuji.

"Of course I know that. The question is, where is this black bear’s weakness?" Wu Tian frowned, lost in thought.

At that moment, the Giant-Armed Bear roared in fury and charged at Wu Tian, leaping high as its massive arms slammed down toward both of them.

"Even a beast dares to be so arrogant? Watch me tear you apart!" Enraged, Wu Tian swung his Black Dragon Blade as he charged, but as he closed in on the bear, he suddenly crouched low and slid forward.

The Giant-Armed Bear soared overhead, just missing Wu Tian, and as they passed, Wu Tian thrust his Black Dragon Blade upward with all his might.

Bang!

A bright red critical hit number—2000—flashed above the bear’s head. Wu Tian’s strike had just shaved off nearly a tenth of its health.

"Ha! I finally found its weakness. Its rear—its weakness is its rear!" Wu Tian steadied himself and burst out laughing. Hard work hadn’t been in vain; he’d finally identified the bear’s vulnerable spot.

"Quick, you keep it occupied—I’ll go for its weak spot!" Wu Tian said excitedly.

So, Ox Wuji continued to bait the bear from the front while Wu Tian took every opportunity to strike at its weakness with his Black Dragon Blade.

Bang! Another 1500 health gone.

Bang! Another 2000 health lost.

…

After five consecutive strikes to its weak spot, the bear’s health was whittled down to just a tenth of its total—only three thousand left.

"That big oaf is almost done for—a couple more hits and we win," Wu Tian said, swallowing a Blood-Refining Pill and a Qi-Gathering Pill.

Ox Wuji also downed two pills, gasping, "I swear I never want to fight another high-defense, thick-skinned beast like this. I’d rather die!"

Suddenly, the Giant-Armed Bear raised its massive arms and let out a furious roar, its jet-black eyes turning blood-red.

Boom, boom, boom! The bear hammered its chest with both fists, emitting a force so powerful that the trees all around trembled violently.

"System alert: Giant-Armed Bear has reached a state of extreme fury and mutated. It has evolved into a Level Five Demon Beast Boss. All attributes doubled. Player Wu Tian, please be cautious."

"You’ve got to be kidding! It mutated—and now it’s a boss! All its stats doubled? Are you trying to mess with me?" Wu Tian stared at the bear in disbelief. It had already been a tough opponent, and now, after this berserk transformation, it was even more formidable.

"Boss, the Giant-Armed Bear’s furious! This is terrifying—what do we do now?" Ox Wuji, sensing the change, asked with dread.

"You can’t outrun it—our only choice is to fight!"

Luckily, the bear’s health hadn’t changed after mutating. If it had, Wu Tian would have had no hope left. With just over three thousand health remaining, there was still a chance, and as a Level Five Demon Beast Boss, it would surely yield plenty of experience and possibly some rare loot. Wu Tian couldn’t resist the temptation.

"Little Ox, keep distracting it from the front. I’ll sneak up from behind!"

With that, Wu Tian flanked the bear, preparing to strike from the rear.

Ox Wuji rolled his eyes but continued to harass the bear from the front.

The bear’s roar grew even fiercer. Its blood-red eyes fixed on Ox Wuji as it suddenly brought its massive arms down, slamming the ground with full force.

Boom!

A thunderous crash echoed, and the ground around the bear shook violently, upheaved by a surge of tremendous power.

"Little Ox, retreat—don’t get close!" Wu Tian’s expression changed dramatically at the sight. This was no ordinary beast—the boss could manipulate natural energies and tear the land asunder. If Ox Wuji pressed forward, he’d surely be killed.

"Boss, what about you?" Ox Wuji pulled back just in time.

"Of course, I’m going in for the kill!" Wu Tian gripped his Black Dragon Blade and charged forward without hesitation.

Boom!

The rocks beneath the bear’s feet were blasted into the air by a tremendous force, hurtling toward Wu Tian in a deadly barrage.

"Ride the wind!" Silently, Wu Tian activated the Wind-Chasing Boots' innate skill, his figure instantly vanishing as he darted nimbly around the flying stones.

"Damn, that speed! I can’t even see Boss anymore!" Ox Wuji exclaimed, rubbing his eyes as he lost track of Wu Tian.

The Giant-Armed Bear’s blood-red eyes flashed with surprise. Unable to spot Wu Tian, it crouched and furiously pounded the ground.

Boom, boom, boom! The energy radiating from the bear’s body grew even stronger, sending rocks swirling into the air as if a hurricane had erupted.

"Black Dragon Blade Technique—Wind and Cloud Surge! Break!" Suddenly, Wu Tian appeared behind the bear and, bracing himself against the wild energy, unleashed the full force of his blade technique.

Boom! Just before the two energies collided, a raging blade aura struck the bear’s weak spot.

Bang! Wu Tian’s body was flung back like a cannonball, skidding dozens of feet before coming to a halt. When he stopped, his health was nearly depleted. He hurriedly stuffed a top-grade healing pill into his mouth.

Bang! At last, a bright red critical hit of -3500 appeared above the bear’s head.

The last sliver of the bear’s health was wiped out by Wu Tian’s strike, and its massive body crashed heavily to the ground.

Ding!

"Congratulations, player Wu Tian, on defeating the Level Five Demon Beast Boss: Giant-Armed Bear. Reward: 40,000 experience, 5,000 silver, Earth-Grade Supreme Defensive Armor—Black Bear Armor, Level Five Giant-Armed Bear Demon Core…"

"Congratulations, player Wu Tian, for successfully leveling up! Current level: 21 (First Rank Martial Spirit)."

At long last, Wu Tian, stuck at the same level for so long, had finally advanced—stepping from Martial Master into the realm of the Martial Spirit. Don’t underestimate this leap; the difference between Martial Master and Martial Spirit is immense. If Wu Tian had faced the Giant-Armed Bear with his current cultivation, he could have finished the battle in a third of the time.

"First Rank Martial Spirit! At last, I’ve reached First Rank Martial Spirit! He Jiang, you’re worthless to me now—after the clan tournament, your death is certain!" Wu Tian roared inwardly with excitement.

PS: Please vote for recommendations, brothers. Thank you!