My stats are higher than yours!!

He opened it to check, mainly to see if there was anything wrong with the food inside. It would be a real problem if the food was delivered and then it turned out to be defective.

Caution is necessary.

Soon, another short man approached from a distance, speaking in a low voice, "The scouts ahead have returned, saying there are figures ahead, probably forty or fifty, and the patrol group behind them is also there... those persistent bastards."

The atmosphere grew heavy. Some people gripped the wheel rims tighter, while others lowered their heads and leaned closer to the mountainside. The situation was clearly not optimistic.

"I see..."

Bai Shuodong suddenly smiled. If a major crisis were to emerge from the shadows, that would actually be a good thing.

Main text

Chapter Seventy-Two: Bloodbath Against the Gray Rock People

"Why are you laughing, sir?"

I laughed at that...

Bai Shuodong subconsciously opened his mouth, but stopped speaking midway. He suddenly remembered a historical anecdote and then angrily said, "Are you trying to plant a flag for me?"

"what?"

The person who spoke scratched his head blankly, not understanding what it meant.

"Humph!"

Bai Shuodong offered no explanation, turning and walking towards the front of the group. A cold wind swept in from the narrow mountain path, making his cloak flutter loudly. His spiritual senses activated naturally, bypassing the stench...

【Gray Teeth (Level 1 Common)】

Race: Human

[Basic Attributes: Strength: 7, Agility: 5, Constitution: 6, Spirit: 3]

The attributes of the other people are roughly the same, so their overall strength is about the same.

In other words, these people have similar base stats to me, and the rangers outside, with similar base stats and likely no skills, didn't just overwhelm them in one go, right? To wipe them out without taking damage and steal their food, we need to carefully consider...

That's not that strong either!

Win!

Bai Shuodong smiled again.

The rest of the team were watching him.

Perhaps it was because he smiled, his expression relaxed, and there was a sense of natural ease that made those people relax as well, feeling that things seemed to be turning around and there was still hope for the future.

"Hmm~"

Bai Shuodong raised his hand to measure the distance between the mountain walls, his smile growing wider and his lips unconsciously parting.

"Narrow path! Narrow path is good! We must take the narrow path!"

"Hahahaha!"

"Even if there are a lot of people in front, it's impossible to clear the way in one go. This location is just too amazing!"

Bai Shuodong suddenly turned his head, his gaze falling on the old guard's face, and asked, "You, who is that?"

“Thule”.

"Okay, TuTu."

"?"

"From now on, the convoy is under your control. I want you to do everything in your power to defend against those motorcycle patrols behind us. As for those people in front... I'll take care of them!" Bai Shuodong commanded with a smile.

"But..."

"No buts! This is an order! From now on, follow me and push forward! And keep the rear of the convoy safe! Do you hear me!" Bai Shuodong roared, his eyes revealing the majesty of a lion.

"what?"

"Did you hear that!"

"I heard you!"

The old guard was startled and instinctively opened his mouth to answer, but as soon as the words left his mouth, he sensed something was wrong and panicked.

But now that his superiors have said so, he has no choice but to go along with it and make the best of a bad situation.

Damn it! Let's do it!

We're all going to die sooner or later anyway!

He gritted his teeth, his expression turning ferocious, and stepped forward to ask, "Sir, how many men do you plan to bring to clear the way? That band of cavalry behind us is troublesome; if we have too few men..."

"Shut up!"

"You think you're worthy to keep up with me?"

Who do you think you are?

"Now, do your own thing, lead the convoy and follow behind, don't hold me back, do you hear me!" Bai Shuodong grabbed the old guard by the collar and shouted.

"I heard you!"

The old guard answered immediately, his breathing becoming rapid, a strange light flashing in his eyes, as if a flame had been ignited in his chest.

he...

He actually plans to clear the way all by himself?

He's the team leader, and I'm just the team's guard. How can we let the leader clear the way himself? That's the most dangerous place! Yet he was willing to risk his life to go there! And he went alone! What incredible courage!

At this moment, the emotions of the others in the convoy were also affected. Pairs of bright eyes looked at Bai Shuodong, watching his back as he turned and walked forward. His cloak fluttering in the wind was like a flag flying in despair.

[Hint: Team morale increased]

Current morale: 50

During battle, your troops are less likely to surrender or break up, and the probability of desertion is reduced.

Morale?

Bai Shuodong raised his eyes slightly and thought to himself: Anyway, it doesn't add any value, so the impact is not significant. I don't need to worry about it.

He strode forward with a bold stride, casually picking up a long spear from the carriage frame. It was the initial weapon automatically sent by the Spirit Realm System, and the armor he was wearing at the moment was also initial equipment.

【Iron Spear】

Attack power: 4-6

Equipment effect: None

[Standard Armor]

Defense: 3 (This defense only applies to the covered area)

Equipment effect: None

Two pieces of trashy, ordinary equipment; the initial Spirit Realm Trial is the same for everyone.

If you want to use pre-prepared equipment, then you have to be prepared for the mission difficulty to increase dramatically and the final evaluation to drop significantly, which would be a losing proposition.

That's enough!

Bai Shuodong twirled his spear, his aura growing stronger, his strides becoming longer and faster as he strode forward through the gravel and into the cold wind.

At the end of the lonely ridge path was a withered forest, where figures moved about and whistles rang out in the wind, seemingly a signal from the enemy.

Soon, the people lying in ambush nocked their arrows, and countless arrows shot out from the shadows of the forest, falling like a fine rain of arrows.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!..."

Bai Shuodong raised his eyes, and countless arrows magnified in his pupils. His lion's eyes locked onto their paths. He deliberately raised his hand and gestured towards the rain of arrows in front of him.

【斬】

An invisible strike was generated instantly, and several arrows fell in response. Bai Shuodong slightly tilted his head to dodge as he moved forward, thus avoiding all the remaining arrows.

"kill!"

"Kill him!"

Immediately afterwards, several nimble figures darted out of the forest and rushed straight towards Bai Shuodong.

Bai Shuodong maintained his original posture, but suddenly an uncontrollable smile appeared on his face, unleashing a slash that was completely different from before.

[Slow Burst] Activated!

[Solution]

"Stab!"

In an instant, the strike tore through space.

The three gray rock men at the forefront hadn't even fully drawn their swords when a tearing pain shot through their chests. Crimson lines of blood bloomed from their chests, ripping through their leather armor, slicing through flesh, shattering bones, and dismembering them.

The three of them fell backward at the same time, their screams caught in their throats, leaving only the clanging of knives hitting the ground and the sound of minced meat hitting the floor.

【斬】

Its conventional damage is indeed not high, so it's better to use powerful weapons for slashing.

However, this is a trial in the spirit world, where no powerful weapons are available. Moreover, the [Slash] skill can be boosted by strength. Bai Shuodong directly used [Slow Burst] to double his strength, and the level 10 skill level increased its power by 50%. The [Release] gesture was also increased by an additional 30%.

This [release] attack is far more powerful than a conventional strike, possessing terrifying power.

The advantage of relying solely on strength stats without weapon enhancements is now fully revealed! Although its ceiling isn't high, its floor is incredibly strong!

"Release the arrows!!"

Shouts rang out from the forest, the owner of the voices seemed very anxious. At the same time, a denser rain of arrows, accompanied by the sound of the wind, came slanting in from three different directions.

【斬】

The invisible strike cut down several arrows.

【Lion's Eye - Lock】

Bai Shuodong raised his spear, swung the shaft horizontally, and swept away most of the remaining arrows, but two arrows still pierced his arm guard and shoulder armor, and trickle of blood flowed out of the wounds.

[Note: Sharp object puncture detected; short-term adaptation trigger]

[Hint: Physical strength increased]

[Note: Continuous bleeding detected, short-term adaptation trigger]

[Tip: Self-healing speed increased]

He pulled out the arrow and casually threw it on the ground. The wound was torn open, and the bleeding rate suddenly increased, but it quickly slowed down. It was the effect of the short-term adaptation to the increased self-healing speed.

"Brothers! Kill him!!"

The commander in the forest called out again, and the Gray Rock warriors came out with their weapons. There were about forty of them in total. The archers in the rear nocked their arrows and aimed, and the warriors in front charged.

Bai Shuodong is indeed very strong, but he was just injured. As long as the opponent is injured in battle, these guys will dare to fight. They might not be able to hurt a single hair on the opponent's head even if they fight with all their might. That would be the real despair.

"Kill!!"

"Kill!!"

Shouts of battle echoed through the forest as warriors charged forward and archers unleashed their arrows.

"Good timing!"

Bai Shuodong showed no fear whatsoever; instead, a sinister smile appeared on his face.

[Slow Explosion]

He suddenly took a step forward, as if he had sprung up from the ground, and thrust out his spear, the tip of which drew a fierce line of fire that burned even more intensely in the air.

"Flaming Spear".

Flames exploded in an instant. The few Gray Rock Man swordsmen at the front of the forest entrance only saw a flash of red. That incredibly stunning crimson completely dominated their vision, followed by a heat wave and the burst of flames.

As the flames soared, they were instantly sent flying backward, some crashing to the ground, others hitting tree trunks with dull thuds. Sparks landed on their leather armor and leaves, making Bai Shuodong look like a demon god who had emerged from hell.

"Hehe... Hahahaha!"

"Hehehehe!"