Chapter Eighty-Six: Mutual Observation [Launching Tomorrow!]

Behind a rocky outcrop, six people watched the battle below.

Xiao Yong silently calculated Lu Sheng’s combat strength while also assessing the fighting power of the goblins.

Since Lu Sheng hadn’t made a move, Xiao Yong couldn’t gauge his abilities directly, but he could clearly evaluate the goblins. Judging from their current performance, these goblins were only at the fourth tier; even with five of them, it wouldn’t make much difference.

Every one of his own subordinates was at least fourth tier. This time, the spoils might not be small. As for Lu Sheng, even with the most generous estimation, he would be at the fifth tier at best.

Anyone who had reached the sixth tier in these wilds was a notable figure, someone with a name and a reputation. Even if Xiao Yong didn’t know them all, he recognized most. None of those he knew bore any resemblance to Lu Sheng.

Given Lu Sheng’s youthful appearance, Xiao Yong was even more certain that his strength couldn’t possibly exceed the fifth tier.

To break through to the sixth tier, three conditions had to be met:

First: the initial evolution must be completed.
Second: the quality must surpass green, and be at least blue.
Third: one must be able to wield the power inherently carried by their life card, not just use its skills.

Failing any one of these meant the breakthrough was impossible.

The first two were relatively easy with a bit of luck, but the third required talent, time, and luck. If one lacked the natural aptitude to sense the essence of the monster in their life card, then time was necessary. Worse still, if misfortune led them to awaken a monster whose power source was hard to comprehend, even more time would be required.

Take, for instance, someone who awakened an Icefield Wolf; the presence of the ice element was clear, allowing the individual to resonate with their life card and sense the hidden power within the wolf. But what if someone awakened a bloodthirsty mosquito? What power were they supposed to grasp?

The more obvious the attribute of the life card’s power, the faster one could sense its essence.

Given these criteria, how could someone who looked only seventeen possibly be sixth tier?

In Xiao Yong’s mind, Lu Sheng was already labeled as someone from the second generation.

“Captain, should we make a move?” a female team member asked anxiously. “The goblins he brought are strong. Even if we can take him down, the force behind him...”

“There’s nothing to worry about,” Xiao Yong’s gaze was cold and sharp. “If we’re forever timid, how will we ever grow strong? Once we pull this off, we’ll leave these wilds. No matter what force he comes from, so what?”

Tang You remained uneasy. A woman’s intuition told her there was risk in their plan.

But with the captain resolved, she could only swallow her doubts.

“Don’t worry. Even if he’s fifth tier, am I not still here? Besides, look at him—he won’t even handle a few third-tier sand wolves himself, and keeps a goblin at his side for protection. Do you really think he’s that strong?”

“As for his backing, even less need to worry. In these wilds, death is commonplace. When this is over, they may not even know who did it.”

“Besides, don’t you all want the resources he holds?”

“If even goblins are worth nurturing to him, imagine how many resources he must have. Maybe enough for you all to break through to the fifth tier in one leap!”

With Xiao Yong’s reassurances and promises, the team’s spirits rose. With profit before them, and living by the blade’s edge, who would hesitate?

“Captain, when do we move?”

“Wait a bit. Let him finish off the sand wolves. We strike when he’s at his most relaxed.”

...

Meanwhile, the sand wolf leader, enraged by the death of its pack, let out a furious howl. Large sand orbs coalesced, hurtling toward Yan Zhengfei.

Yan Zhengfei’s brow furrowed in anger. Why was this thick-headed wolf targeting him? Why not go for the goblin nearby?

The sand wolf leader was a fourth-tier beast; he didn’t dare to confront it directly. Dodging frantically, he shouted, “Brother Lu Sheng! Hurry up and clear these sand wolves, then let’s take down the leader together! I can’t handle it alone!”

Lu Sheng replied, “Alright, hang in there!”

After some time, more than half the sand wolves lay dead.

With a single swing of its spiked club, the goblin could crush a sand wolf. Their speed was useless before the goblins.

If the goblin were truly only fourth tier, it might have been affected, but in reality it was fifth tier, merely restraining its power to appear fourth. Its overall strength, however, was still that of the fifth tier.

Dispatching the sand wolves was easy. Lu Sheng had the goblin pick up speed, utilizing its elusive movement technique to swiftly slay the beasts.

This so-called ethereal step was nothing more than reading the path of the sand wolf’s attack, dodging, and then clubbing the beast into oblivion.

In close quarters, the sand wolves’ pouncing and biting were utterly ineffective.

One goblin seized the hind leg of a leaping sand wolf and slammed it to the ground.

The sand wolf struggled desperately to rise, but the goblin shattered its spine with a single blow. The wolf lost all support, writhing helplessly.

Ignoring its pitiful howls, the goblin dragged the sand wolf closer, then brought its club down again.

The blow struck the wolf’s skull, sending blood splattering across the sand.

Lu Sheng’s eyes flickered with subtle change. He hadn’t been idle all this time. From the outset, he’d sent his True-Eye Moth to circle the area and observe.

Through the moth’s eyes, he now saw six people concealed behind a protruding rock above.

He didn’t know if they belonged to Yan Zhengfei, and unwilling to wrongly accuse anyone, Lu Sheng decided to wait until these people took action to make his move.

Once the goblin dealt with the third-tier sand wolves, it joined Yan Zhengfei in attacking the sand wolf leader.

Normal sand wolves appeared lean and of average size, but the leader was massive—about as big as a buffalo, with powerful limbs no one would want to be caught by.

A single pounce could pin down an enemy, and its fangs would swiftly send its victim to the afterlife.

Yan Zhengfei was already panting; facing the sand wolf leader alone was a real challenge. The prolonged struggle had drained his strength.

Now, with Lu Sheng’s goblin joining the fight, he smiled.

Even though Lu Sheng was their target, there was no reason not to cooperate—at least while Lu Sheng was unaware he was prey.

With the help of four goblins, the sand wolf leader was swiftly slain by one of the goblins.

The goblin’s sudden burst of power struck Yan Zhengfei as odd, but recalling the goblin’s abilities, he dismissed his suspicion.

Perhaps it had used a powerful skill.

He had no time for further thought, as the captain’s signal had just reached him: it was time to act.

Now he’d seize the opportunity to stab Lu Sheng—a dagger ready at a moment’s notice. As long as he got close, striking by surprise, he was certain Lu Sheng was doomed.