Chapter 57 Stone Forest

The Stone Forest is located in the southern part of the Black Mist Forest and is an area composed of rugged and strange rocks.

Numerous stone pillars rise from the ground, some over ten zhang tall, others more than a person tall. The gaps between the pillars are narrow, and the paths are intricate and complex, resembling a maze.

Shen Lian and his three companions arrived outside the Stone Forest in the afternoon.

Chu Wen immediately observed the terrain within the stone forest: "This place is perfect for concealment. As long as we occupy a high point, we can monitor the entire area."

Shen Lian activated the [Combat Power Detection] and scanned the area ahead, discovering several combat power levels of 10-15, which should be first-tier demonic beasts.

Shen Lian said in a low voice, "There are demonic beasts in the stone forest. Let's clear out a safe area and set up camp here tonight."

The four cautiously entered the stone forest.

The path between the stone pillars was rugged and uneven, with pebbles scattered on the ground that made a soft crunching sound when stepped on.

Gray mist flowed slowly between the stone pillars, making the view even more blurred.

Shen Lian walked at the front, his long sword already drawn, and he looked around warily.

Shortly after the group entered the stone forest, a giant, grayish-brown scorpion suddenly sprang out from behind a stone pillar on their right. The scorpion was five feet long, with its tail hook pointing high.

"It's a Tier 1 demonic beast, the 'Stone Scorpion'!" Chu Wen warned. "Be careful of its stinger; it's highly venomous!"

The stone scorpion was extremely fast, its eight legs moving swiftly across the gravel ground. In the blink of an eye, it rushed in front of Shen Lian, its tail hook stabbing out like a venomous snake.

[Combat Strength]: 13~19

Shen Lian detected the stone scorpion's combat strength, activated the "Tiger-Taming Stance" footwork, and moved three feet to the side like a swimming dragon.

The stone scorpion's stinger grazed his left shoulder, missing its mark, and its venom splattered onto the stone pillar, making a sizzling, corrosive sound.

Shen Lian's eyes turned cold, and the moment the stone scorpion retracted its hook, his longsword slashed down diagonally like lightning.

"Wave-Cutting Style!"

The blade struck precisely at the junction of the stone scorpion's head and body, breaking through its tough exoskeleton and spurting out green fluid.

The stone scorpion struggled a few times before collapsing and dying.

"Stone scorpions usually live in groups." Chu Wen looked around warily. "I'm afraid we're already surrounded."

As soon as he finished speaking, seven or eight stone scorpions crawled out from behind the surrounding stone pillars and surrounded the group. These stone scorpions were slightly smaller in size, but there were many of them.

Shen Lian looked at the stone scorpions that had appeared around him. None of these stone scorpions had a combat power of more than 20, and the group of people could easily deal with them.

Upon seeing the stone scorpions appear, Lin Feng's eyes turned cold. He shot out like an arrow, his long sword sweeping across, aiming straight for three of the stone scorpions.

clang!clang!clang!

Three crisp sounds rang out among the stone forest as three blades struck the stone scorpions, severing their joints and crippling their forelimbs.

Chen Yun and Chu Wen also made their move at this moment.

Chen Yun moved nimbly among the stone scorpions, her longsword striking them precisely with powerful penetrating force.

Chu Wen's swordplay was as fluid as flowing water, easily defeating several stone scorpions.

Soon, all the stone scorpions that had attacked were killed.

Chu Wen skillfully cut off the scorpion's tail: "The stinger of the stone scorpion contains potent venom and is a precious material that can be sold to the Wan Dan Pavilion in exchange for elixirs."

The four quickly cleaned up the battlefield and carefully collected the stone scorpion stingers.

After clearing the battlefield, the group chose a high stone platform as their temporary camp. The platform had towering stone pillars on three sides.

Chu Wen set up several simple traps at the entrance and scattered animal-repelling powder around the camp. He wiped the sweat from his forehead and said, "It should be safe tonight. The stone forest is a natural barrier. Unless the other side is familiar with the terrain, it will be difficult for them to approach silently."

As night fell, the fog in the Stone Forest thickened.

The four sat around the campfire, the firelight reflecting off the rugged stone wall.

After hunting monsters in the Black Mist Forest for some time, the group had all earned a lot of points, with Shen Lian having the most, reaching 78 points.

Chen Yun, 52 points.

Lin Feng, 61.

Chu Wen, 56 points.

"Based on past experience, if you score over 300 points by the end of the seven-day trial, you'll have a chance to be in the top ten," Chu Wen said, poking at the fire.

three hundred?

Upon hearing this, the group gasped in shock. To earn 300 points in seven days, they would need to earn at least 50 points every day.

Shen Lian pondered, "At our current speed, we should be able to obtain enough points by the end of the 'Demon Hunting Trial'."

Lin Feng said, "The premise is that we don't encounter any trouble."

Shen Lian and Chu Wen nodded. They naturally understood Lin Feng's meaning. Not long ago, they had just defeated several people from Heishan County, but Zhou Yang, who was behind the scenes, had not yet shown up.

Chu Wen took a deep breath and said, "Zhou Yang is the number one genius in Heishan County. It is said that he has already touched the threshold of the fifth level. He also has several other powerful companions by his side. If we really have to fight head-on, we may not have a chance of winning."

Chen Yun looked at Shen Lian and asked, "Senior Brother Shen, do you think Zhou Yang will come directly to us?"

Shen Lian took a bite of the jerky and chewed it carefully. "It's still unclear, but I reckon he definitely won't give up so easily. He's a smart man. The people he sent last time failed to take us down, so he must be prepared. He won't act rashly without absolute certainty. What I'm worried about is that he might join forces with others."

Chu Wen frowned: "Brother Shen, do you mean that Zhou Yang is very likely to cooperate with people from other counties?"

Shen Lian nodded and said, "We can't rule out that possibility. Beichuan County and Heishan County have always had a good relationship, and Chen Yuan from Beichuan County is no weaker than Zhou Yang. If they join forces, they will be a great threat to us."

Lin Feng coldly said, "Then let's strike first. Before they unite, let's defeat them one by one."

Shen Lian shook his head: "That would be too risky. We should take advantage of the stone forest's terrain. Starting tomorrow, we'll use the stone forest as our center and hunt monsters outwards. Brother Chu is skilled in tracking and traps, so he can set up some warning devices around the stone forest. We'll be able to detect anyone approaching immediately."

Chu Wen's eyes lit up: "That's a great idea! The Stone Forest has a complex terrain, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack. We have the advantage of terrain, allowing us to advance or retreat as needed."

Chen Yun said, "We can also reserve a few retreat routes in the stone forest. In case the enemy numbers are too large, we can quickly evacuate and avoid being surrounded."

After discussion, the group formulated a detailed action plan.

Shen Lian sat cross-legged to the side, circulating the "Tiger Subduing Stance" mental technique, his blood and qi surging within him. He had not stopped cultivating during this period.

[Host]: Shen Lian

[Realm]: Body Tempering Realm (4/10)

[Combat Strength]: 36~46

[Martial Arts]: Tiger-Taming Stance (Mastery) (9/10), Demon-Subduing Blade Technique (Mastery) (6/10)

Skill Points: 0

Shen Lian has now broken through to the fourth level of cultivation, with a combat power of 36-48. He is also close to breaking through in both the 'Tiger Subduing Stake' and the 'Demon Subduing Blade Technique'.

Shen Lian knew very well that once he broke through the "Tiger Subduing Stake" and "Demon Subduing Blade Technique", his combat power would be even more terrifying.

Just as Shen Lian finished his cultivation, he suddenly sensed an aura. He looked to the side and saw it land on Chen Yun.

At this moment, Chen Yun was cultivating, and her aura was growing stronger.

"We're about to break through."

Shen Lian could tell that Chen Yun was at a crucial moment in her breakthrough.

After a long while, Chen Yun's eyelashes trembled slightly, and then she exhaled a breath of stale air. She slowly opened her eyes, feeling the surging power within her body, and a smile appeared on her pretty face.

"Congratulations, Junior Sister Chen, on breaking through to the fourth level." Shen Lian smiled and could feel that Chen Yun's aura had become much more stable.

[Combat Strength]: 28~36

After breaking through to the fourth level, Chen Yun's combat power reached 28-36, which is quite impressive.

Chen Yun nodded slightly, unable to hide her excitement, and said, "Thanks to the practical training these past few days, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to break through to the fourth level so quickly."

Shen Lian looked at Chen Yun with a smile. Chen Yun's breakthrough to the fourth level of the Heavenly Realm had strengthened the team's overall strength, which was undoubtedly good news.