Chapter 4: Collective Advancement (Part 2)

Guo Shier smiled and said, “Level 9… is beyond our reach. Hehe, with our strength and the help of the Giant Nesting Dragon, we can still deal with Level 7 mutated beast beasts, but Level 8… it’s better to run.”
Everyone began packing up their belongings and tents. Guo Shier retracted his Dark Winged Scorpion and summoned the Giant Nesting Dragon. After this period of hunting, the dragon had fully recovered. It lazily climbed out of the river, clearly enjoying water.
Guo Shier took off, tapped the dragon’s huge forehead with his hand, then flew onto its back.
After packing up, everyone flew onto the dragon’s back one after another. Sun Min’er habitually took out a thick piece of beast skin, threw it on the dragon’s back, and sat down. He said contentedly, “Having the Giant Nesting Dragon as a mount—so majestic, safe, and no need to run on my own. I’m so lucky…”
Slap!
He got a slap on the back of his head. Zhou Xiaoling scolded, “Useless!” She propped her chin and stared at Sun Min’er, seemingly lost in thought.
Sun Min’er rubbed the back of his head, not daring to retort. Zhou Xiaoling was very violent when fighting. He shuddered, avoiding her gaze, praying silently that she would leave him alone.
In this world, the more one prays, the less likely it seems to work. Sure enough, Zhou Xiaoling lowered her hand and said smilingly, “Beard Man, Wangwang, Sister Lan—get off… and run after the Giant Nesting Dragon!”
Huh?
Ah!
Only Lan Hu remained silent, leaped off the dragon’s back, and started running.
Sun Min’er and Peng Yuanwang followed reluctantly. Peng Yuanwang didn’t dare scold Zhou Xiaoling. He grumbled, “Min’er! You wretched guy… If there’s any trouble, you can bear it alone. Why drag me in too… Sigh, I’m so pitiful. I haven’t even said a word, yet I have to run alongside you as punishment…”
Sun Min’er looked helpless. He hadn’t said much, yet Zhou Xiaoling had already chased him off the dragon’s back. He said, “I… I really don’t want to run either…”
Zhou Xiaoling’s clear voice came through, “If you can’t keep up… just fend for yourself in the Dark Mist Zone!”
The Giant Nesting Dragon took big steps, moving like a giant tank, and set off with a rumbling sound.
Guo Shier suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of pride. He shouted, “Let’s go! Haha…” Although his voice was still young, his passionate spirit inspired everyone.
The dragon’s speed grew faster and faster. Sun Min’er and the others chased desperately. In moments, the dragon and everyone else disappeared into the vast blood mist.

With the thunderous footsteps of the Giant Perch Dragon, Guo Shier casually cast a spell on his eyes and stared ahead. Zhou Xiaoling, however, stood at the end of the dragon’s massive tail, constantly shouting, “Beardy! Run faster! Wangwang! You’re running too slowly. Sister Lan, go for it!”
“Beardy! If you keep dragging your feet… I’ll have Shier send scorpions to bite you!”
Sun Min’er was at her wits’ end—this was a long-distance run, not a short sprint. If mutated magical beasts were chasing them, he would surely run at all costs. Right now, as long as they caught up with the Giant Perch Dragon, it would be fine, but even so, he was already exhausted.
Guo Shier glanced back at Zhou Xiaoling and couldn’t help but laugh. The way this little girl stood with her hands on her hips, neck stretched out, shouting loudly, was truly amusing. Eagle Demon said, “This girl is good—she has potential and is hardworking. Among these people, only she can compare to you.”
Xuan Ai smiled and said, “She must be someone the family or sect is focusing on training.” He was deeply envious. He had also been an outstanding figure in his sect, but after entering the Bloody Secret Realm, he realized he was actually quite ordinary. The professionals he encountered all had potential no less than his own.
Eagle Demon said, “Those who can enter the Bloody Secret Realm must be professionals who are being heavily trained.”
Guo Shier called out, “Ding ding, come and lead the way!”
Zhou Xiaoling glanced back. She was having fun and had no desire to come and guide them. She shouted loudly, “Keep going! I’ll come in a bit.” Then she muttered under her breath, “I still haven’t had my fun yet. Hehe, it’s rare to have people to train with…” Before adding loudly, “Wangwang! Sprint faster!”
Peng Yuanwang had no choice but to speed up his sprint. He exerted all his strength, leaving a trail of blood-red dust behind as he appeared straight in the blood mist. With continuous roars, he soon overtook the Giant Perch Dragon. Guo Shier was surprised and asked, “Why run so fast?”
“Beardy! Sprint!”
Sun Min’er replied with a grim face and also began to sprint frantically. Zhou Xiaoling shouted, “Wangwang! Block Beardy! Sister Lan, launch an attack!”
Not only did they have to run, but they also had to fight each other. This was Zhou Xiaoling’s training method.
The three of them had to both run and attack one another. They were already used to this routine. Even in the rest camp, Zhou Xiaoling would often force them to attack each other to train their combat skills. As they trained, their abilities improved significantly.

Sun Min’er and Peng Yuanwang had decent potential, above average, but they lacked experience—unlike the professionals from the Lower Spellcraft Continent who had fought in the wild since childhood and possessed rich combat experience. Through constant attacks on each other, the three gradually mastered some fighting skills.

After about half an hour, Guo Shier said, “Ding ding, let them come up. Too much is as bad as too little… That’s enough!”
Eagle Demon also said, “It’s about time. Let them come up!”
Zhou Xiaoling was somewhat disappointed. Knowing the training was nearly complete, she called out, “Alright, back now!”
The three felt as if they’d been pardoned and flew back onto the back of the Giant Nesting Dragon. Sun Min’er sat down in a messy manner, breathing heavily. Peng Yuanwang crouched aside, panting heavily with his tongue out. Lan Hu also lost her ladylike composure; she supported her knees, trying to calm herself down. The excessive running and fighting over the past half hour was truly exhausting.

Zhou Xiaoling smiled at the three and said, “Very good. Once you’ve caught your breath, continue!”
Hearing this, the three collapsed on the back of the Giant Nesting Dragon. Sun Min’er wailed, “I can’t go on!” inwardly cursing Zhou Xiaoling as a little witch.
Zhou Xiaoling giggled happily and said, “Do you want me to train with you? Hehe!”
The three shouted in unison, “No!”
Guo Shier couldn’t help but laugh. If Zhou Xiaoling trained with them personally, they would really be in trouble—her strength was far too great. Fighting one against three might not be life-threatening, but being beaten by a little girl wasn’t a pleasant experience.
Guo Shier, unable to bear it, casually cast three spells, activating the runes on their bodies. Warm currents circulated within them, rapidly restoring their stamina. In just a moment, they were back to full strength. These were spells unique to the Lower Continent for activating runes; professionals from the Higher Continent didn’t have such spells.
Sun Min’er said happily, “Shier, how did you do that? In just a moment… I feel so much better!”
Eagle Demon was surprised and asked, “These are spells unique to spellcasters. Haven’t you seen them before?”
Zhou Xiaoling said with interest, “I haven’t. They’re quite good spells.” Then she asked, “How do you feel? Have you recovered?”
Sun Min’er replied carefreely, “Pretty good. I feel full of energy, hehe.”
Peng Yuanwang watched Zhou Xiaoling warily and said, “It’s okay… just…”
Lan Hu remained silent. Zhou Xiaoling smiled and said, “Well then, go down… and keep running!”

The three of them sighed, not daring to argue, and obediently flew off the Giant Nesting Dragon’s back to continue running. Everyone understood that Zhou Xiaoling was doing this for their own good, but such a training method was truly exhausting.

Another round of training began.

…

Three days later, Guo Shier and the others arrived at the edge of the Black Mist Area.

It was a land of black soil, completely different from the Blood Mist Area. Fine black mist rose from the ground like hair strands, curling upward and giving off a strange atmosphere. When it reached mid-air, those thin black strands turned into faint black mist, swirling up and down.

Zhou Xiaoling pointed at the black strands rising from the ground and said, “Shier, the more of these strands there are, the better the training effect. What we see here is only a sparse few. The further into the center, the more of these strands there will be, and the thicker the black mist in the air. But those places are mostly occupied by powerful beings—either advanced mutated talisman beasts or skilled experts.”

Guo Shier took a few steps forward, crouched down, and gently touched one of the strands emerging from the ground. That strand, as thick as hair, immediately turned into faint mist and disappeared into the air—quite amazing. He said, “I don’t know what this is. It feels very strange.”

He grabbed a handful of soil. The soil here was also peculiar, as if soaked in ink, appearing dark black. The pebbles on the ground were also ink-black, just like the black coal he had seen in his past life. When he released his hand, the black soil slipped through his fingers, leaving no trace on his palm.

After a moment of silence, Guo Shier retracted the Giant Nesting Dragon. Here, a giant spirit beast could bring many uncertain dangers. This time, he not only retracted the dragon but also didn’t release the Dark Winged Scorpion. He said, “Let’s look for a campsite. Well, we’ll first move around the edge of the Black Mist Area. After I advance in level, we’ll go further in.”

Zhou Xiaoling nodded. “That’s the safest approach. I’ll take you to a place. It’s faster—follow me!”

Eagle Demon crouched down and said, “Shier, I’ll carry you.”

Xuan Ai frowned and asked, “Who’s going to carry me?”

Sun Min’er started running immediately; he didn’t want to carry anyone. After just a few steps, he heard Zhou Xiaoling say, “Beard Man, you carry him!”

Sun Min’er shouted in anger, “Why me?”

Zhou Xiaoling smiled and said, “What? Are you not willing?”

Sun Min’er was stunned for a moment before saying, “I… I fucking… am happy! I’m extremely happy!” He snatched Xuan Ai and tucked her under his arm, shouting, “Let’s go!”
Xuan Ai screamed in pain as she was squeezed.
Guo Shier looked ahead eagerly, thinking, “What the hell is waiting for us in the dark fog zone?”