Chapter 143: Battle with the Red Bear

"There are twenty days left until the entrance to the Advancement Illusion Realm opens. We shall spend ten days here in the Trial Forest, and reserve the remaining ten to adjust our mindsets in preparation. How does that sound to everyone?"

In a clearing within the Trial Forest, Prier addressed the group. He had always been the one to lead and direct the team, as none of the others had any interest in such responsibilities.

"Boss, this is your first time working with us, and we've just fought several battles. Do you have any thoughts?"

Seeing that no one had any objections, Prier turned his gaze toward Wang Luo. From the initial comfort he provided on the way to Tianxuan Academy, to his later advancement as a second-level mage, and all the events that followed, Prier had come to admire Wang Luo more and more, willingly accepting him as his leader.

"As for me, I plan to stay in the Trial Forest alone for the ten days. I won't be joining you all."

After a brief hesitation, Wang Luo voiced his decision. When with them, he could not utilize the space within his sea of consciousness where he kept his plants and herbs, and he also tried to avoid letting too many people know about his blood energy. His "Lion Father" and "Lion Mother" had warned him about it, but sometimes, when circumstances left him no choice, he had to resort to using that blood energy.

"Oh, I see, Boss. That's fine. When are you leaving? The Trial Forest can be quite dangerous, so please take care of yourself!"

Hearing that Wang Luo intended to leave, Prier could not help but feel a twinge of disappointment. The others also looked at Wang Luo, but said nothing, merely urging him to be careful.

After bidding everyone farewell, Wang Luo set off with his two beasts. Racing through the Trial Forest as if he had returned to the Magical Beast Forest, he let out a joyful, long whistle toward the sky, followed by the happy roars of the two beasts behind him.

"Rain Arrow Technique!"

Following a low shout, dozens of blue arrows descended from the sky like raindrops, crashing in an instant upon a massive, fiery-red bear.

*ROAR—*

The giant red bear let out a furious roar, flames erupting from its body as a phantasmal suit of fire armor manifested.

*HISS—*

The rain arrows pierced the sky, striking the fire armor directly. Where water met fire, a strange hissing sound erupted. The charging red bear faltered for a moment, then continued to roar as it lunged toward Wang Luo.

"Earth Spirit Bind!"

A soft chant followed, and a yellowish-brown chain composed of earth elements erupted from the ground, lashing out toward the red bear's feet.

*ROAR—*

With a thunderous bellow, the giant bear stomped its feet onto the earth. A unique ripple of energy spread from its paws, and the approaching earthen chain shattered instantly, dissolving into raw elements.

"Stomp!"

Wang Luo’s pupils constricted. He recognized the magic the red bear had just used—it was "Stomp." It could disrupt the composition of surrounding magical elements, effectively dispelling any magic within its area of effect.

"Earth Mist!"

Dust suddenly filled the forest, obscuring the red bear's vision. Wang Luo used this opportunity to retreat rapidly, but his expression changed an instant later. A series of water curtains materialized out of thin air, blocking the bear’s path.

*ROAR—*

The bear roared again, followed by a searing red beam of light that shot out. It easily pierced through the water curtains and collided with a series of yellowish-brown earthen walls.

*RUMBLE—*

The red beam, moving with unstoppable force, finally lost much of its momentum after shattering three earthen walls. At that exact moment, six water-blue snakes surged forth, coiling around the red light.

*HISS...*

Water and fire clashed once more. The red light flickered unsteadily before finally dissipating in frustration. By then, the dust cloud had been completely scorched away, and the figure of the red bear was rapidly enlarging in Wang Luo’s vision.

"Earth Sink!"

The ground began to sink in a bizarre fashion. The red bear stumbled, its feet trapped in the shifting earth. It roared continuously, but without a solid foundation, it struggled to break free.

"Mud Swamp!"

Just as the ground stopped sinking, the trapped bear fell into a suddenly appearing mire. Realizing the danger, the red bear’s fiery armor burned intensely, vanishing in an instant as the mud around it scorched dry.

*BANG—*

With a powerful slam of its massive paw, the bear pushed off the ground and finally leapt free. But the very next moment, a rain of arrows pierced the sky before the bear could react. The beast frantically raised a fiery-red barrier, roaring as it swatted at the arrows with its thick claws.

*HISS—*

The fragile red barrier shattered upon contact. Its claws were no match for the deluge of arrows; wounds began to appear all over the bear's body, and hot, crimson blood sprayed out alongside its pained roars.

*HFF... HFF...*

Panting heavily, the red bear dropped to one knee, glaring at the small figure in front of it who was also gasping for breath. Having lived in the Trial Forest for who knows how many years, it never expected to be defeated by such a human. Here, there was only one outcome for failure: death.

"Heh, you lost!"

Wang Luo formed a water-blue spike in his hand, grinning at the giant fiery bear. He hadn't expected the first magical beast he encountered to be so formidable—fire armor, searing heat beams, stomp, fire shield, raging bear claws... This seemingly clumsy red bear knew all these techniques, some of which even seventh-level fire-type beasts might not master. If the bear had also grasped "Beast Blood Berserk," he might have been the one to lose. Of course, there were no "ifs."

*Squeak, squeak...*
*Chirp, chirp...*

The two beasts ran out from the forest. The Fat Pig smugly shook its chubby rear end at the red bear, while the Little Black Monkey—sharing the same wicked nature as its master—showed its contempt by extending a middle finger at the bear and pointing it sharply toward the ground.

The red bear, clearly possessing high intelligence, was so infuriated that blood surged to its heart. With a wet thud, it spat out a mouthful of blood. The last ounce of strength it had used to remain standing vanished, and its massive body collapsed onto the ground, sending up a cloud of dust.

*Clap, clap, clap...*

Unexpected applause suddenly echoed through the now-quiet forest. The human and beasts froze, their gazes snapping toward the source of the sound. A slender figure slowly stepped out, hands clapping together.

*Chirp, chirp...*

The Little Black Monkey went on high alert, jumping in front of the Fat Pig to protect her. Wang Luo had told him that the Fat Pig couldn't fight right now, and it was his duty to protect her well.

*Hff...*

With a ragged breath, the red bear's eyes revealed a trace of unwillingness. It wouldn't have minded losing to Wang Luo and dying by his hand, but to die at the hands of a stranger? That was unacceptable. Even magical beasts have their pride.