Chapter 333: Lack of Coordination

Xia Chao emerged from his three-month seclusion with earth-shaking improvements in strength, transforming from a feeble student into a first-grade Golden Core cultivator capable of casually wielding thousands of pounds of force. What would happen when such power entered society was obvious.
While Lingxi World had many durable objects, they were designed for contract beasts. Everyday items for human use remained ordinary. Without consciously restraining his strength, Xia Chao would break everything he touched – even chopsticks became unusable. Fortunately, his cultivation talent shone through as he mastered power control within a single day after realizing his situation.
Power control was an essential skill for all Nine Provinces cultivators reaching Golden Core stage. Despite the higher average strength in Nine Provinces, not every object could withstand thousands of pounds of force. Those above Golden Core had to learn restraint to enjoy normal life.
Xia Chao’s rest day proved eventful. Street thugs and local bullies repeatedly challenged him, only to be subdued by his martial prowess. When he produced his black card, opponents immediately kowtowed and begged for mercy. Those who dared attack him later received warnings not just from Nine Provinces Group but also national authorities, all cautioning them against provoking the wrong people.
Jiang Li had already informed the nation’s highest leadership of the truth. While some assumed Nine Provinces Group answered to human authorities, the reality was the opposite – the government actively curried favor with the conglomerate.
This rest day differed greatly from Xia Chao’s expectations. The little green snake coiled around his neck continued meditating, undisturbed by the commotion.
…
After one day, Xia Chao and Qiu Shi gathered at the location Jiang Li specified.
“Did you rest well?” Jiang Li, chairman of Nine Provinces Group, asked without any corporate pretense.
“It was… acceptable.” Qiu Shi’s experience mirrored Xia Chao’s – the entire day spent adjusting to his newfound strength.
“Good. Let’s head to the Monster Beast Forest then.”
…
Neither youth had ever entered the Monster Beast Forest before. For humans, this place symbolized cruelty, terror, and madness.
At the academy, only the most outstanding seniors – after four years of study with two-star contract beasts – could enter under teacher supervision. Performance there determined military recruitment. Ordinary graduates merely served two years in the army, engaging in small-scale battles with monster beasts with relatively low mortality rates.
Yet here were Xia Chao and Qiu Shi, entering the forest during their first year – not just the safe zone, but deeper regions. Humanity classified the Monster Beast Forest into Safe Zone (one-two star beasts), Danger Zone (three-four star beasts), and Death Zone (five-six star beasts).
At their level, the Safe Zone would be child’s play. Jiang Li denied them this easy path, taking both youths and their beasts directly to the Danger Zone. While the Safe Zone echoed with beast roars, the Danger Zone remained eerily silent except for their footsteps.
“Only one rule: stay in Danger or Death Zones until I say otherwise. No returning to safety.” Jiang Li paused. “Oh, and find your own food.” With that, he and Baixue Ling vanished.
“This…” The youths had expected level-grinding guidance, not survival training. Still, anything beat private training grounds.
“Look out!” Xia Chao sensed impending danger from the forest shadows. A dark golden figure burst from the foliage with blinding speed.
“Danger!” Qiu Shi reacted instantly, delivering a full-power punch that sent the figure flying through trees, killing it instantly.
“Rather weak,” Qiu Shi remarked, expecting tougher resistance. The impact suggested merely a two-star beast.
“Two-stars pose no threat to me,” he boasted confidently as a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator.
“That’s a Darkgold Terror Monkey,” Xia Chao identified the mangled corpse. “Normally two-star but packs make even solo three-stars avoid them. Hence their Danger Zone residency.”
“Packs?” Both youths looked up to see countless glowing eyes in the canopy. Hundreds of two-star beasts!
“No threat, huh?” Xia Chao teased.
“…I meant single two-stars!” Qiu Shi corrected as monkeys rained down upon them.
The little green snake slithered from Xia Chao’s neck toward the Bone-Winged White Tiger as both contract beasts calmly observed their masters’ battle. When foolish monkeys attacked them, the tiger’s tail – sharper than any blade – bisected the offenders effortlessly. Such weaklings couldn’t threaten these beasts.
After a grueling fight, the youths emerged victorious.
“Damn monkeys! Hiding a three-star king among two-stars!” Qiu Shi spat, nearly ambushed by the monkey king until Xia Chao intervened, getting scratched in their tussle. Ultimately, Xia Chao swung the king by its tail, slamming it groundward with seismic force that pulverized its organs. Seeing their ruler perish, the remaining monkeys fled to the Safe Zone.
“You just watched?” Xia Chao challenged their beasts.
The Bone-Winged White Tiger retorted coldly: “That lord clearly intended this as combat training. How would intervening help you improve?”
The little green snake added: “Stronger foes await. I’ll handle those.”
Rustling—Crashing—
A hill-sized elephant herd toppled trees as they advanced.
“Adult Sabertooth Elephants – three-stars,” Qiu Shi frowned. “With a four-star leading them. Probably this area’s dominants.”
“You misjudged,” the little green snake corrected. “There are three four-stars here.” Both beasts stepped forward to engage.
From ten meters away, Baixue Ling shook her head lightly: “Strong, but uncoordinated.”
Jiang Li chuckled while grilling skewers: “They’ll learn. Try my cooking?”
Baixue Ling glanced at the roasted pears, apples and bananas with zero appetite.