Chapter 111: The Progress of Vajra

Wu Meitian blushed, pouting, "You two are the ones with issues!" She then seemed to recall something and asked, "Are the mutant beasts here really as human-like as you say, and are they all your subordinates? In that case, you must be the King of Beasts!"

Le Kai was speechless. He turned to Li Yan and asked, "The conditions here are extremely harsh; are you sure you can adapt?" Seeing Li Yan’s complexion change drastically after stepping out of the shuttle, Le Kai could not help but feel worried.

Li Yan took a few deep breaths, gasping for air. Her stubborn nature was fully revealed: "If you can adapt, why can't I? It’s just this sky full of volcanic ash—you can barely see the road, so how are we supposed to walk?"

At this moment, the Gun God and his team trotted over, their faces looking grim. Looking at the hostile environment ahead, they were likely cursing Le Kai’s ancestors in their hearts. Carrying out a terrestrial mission had been the dream of every Blue Shark squad member, as the glitz and glamour of city life offered excitement impossible to find in outer space. Yet, before they could even enjoy the company of a beautiful woman, they had been dragged by this pit-boss, Le Kai, to this godforsaken place. Not only was the air quality far beyond acceptable limits, but there was also the constant danger of radiation. The thought of having to survive in this wasteland for two whole months made the nine of them want to bury their heads and weep. If this were to get back to the squad, what would become of their reputation?

Le Kai clearly had not considered their feelings. Seeing Li Yan struggling, he led everyone back toward the hillside and said, "Yan'er is not in good health and probably shouldn't stay within the radiation range of the dormant volcano for too long. The air is fresher here; you can set up camp here!"

This was exactly the place where Le Kai had killed the wild boar for the first time. It was on the outskirts of the volcanic ash zone, backed by a mountain forest, and not particularly unbearable.

Li Yan asked, puzzled, "I don't want to stay here alone."

Le Kai replied, "You won't be alone. Sister Wu Meitian and the Gun God will be here to protect you, and I will make time every day to come and keep you company. It’s too dangerous inside, and since your body hasn't been augmented, you won't be able to handle it. If you insist on going, I’m afraid you’ll pass out before long."

Hearing this, Li Yan remained silent for a long moment before saying indignantly, "I have my wristwatch for protection; this environment can't defeat me." As she spoke, with a soft 'beep,' a golden-brown light ring appeared around her, enveloping her. It looked like a goddess's halo, creating a stunning visual impact.

Le Kai felt a massive yet gentle force push him away; he could no longer get within a meter of Li Yan.

With such intelligent protection, Li Yan could indeed survive in any harsh environment. However, Le Kai knew better than anyone the temperature and conditions inside the dormant volcano’s cavern. The air was thick with intense fire-elemental spiritual energy. Fire-element martial artists might fare better, but an ordinary person could stay for only a few minutes before the fire toxins invaded their internal organs, causing severe damage.

Besides, they couldn't keep the protective shield running indefinitely; the energy consumption would be more than the wristwatch's AI could sustain.

When Li Yan became stubborn, even Le Kai had to compromise. Seeing her aggrieved expression, his heart inexplicably softened. "Alright, I'll take you to see it, but you must tell me immediately if you feel unwell." After saying this, Le Kai let out a long howl. The rolling sound waves echoed through the wasteland like a thunderclap, seemingly dispersing a significant portion of the dense fog—it was truly astonishing.

Wu Meitian giggled, "Such the demeanor of the King of Beasts! A single roar that shakes the heavens—will the hundred beasts come to pay homage next?"

No sooner had she finished the joke than roars echoed one after another, as if a large group of fierce beasts had been awakened by Le Kai’s call—furious, violent, and surging toward them. Especially when a massive, unidentified roar sounded, the very ground seemed to tremble. *Thump, thump, thump*—each step sounded like a giant pile driver at work.

Everyone’s expression changed drastically, filled with panic. Only Li Yan remained calm; not only was she not the least bit flustered, but she also looked at Le Kai with great interest.

"Enemy attack! Protect the young lady!"

The Gun God shouted, and several special agents, extremely tense, formed a defensive formation, shielding Li Yan while isolating Le Kai, the Wu siblings, and Lan Wu. The three of them felt their brows twitch, cursing silently.

"You people from outer space only know 'enemy attack.' Last time I just glanced at the shuttle, and you were ready to fight to the death. Aren't you too sensitive? These are my friends. Keep it down and don't scare them. If you want to stretch your limbs, there will be plenty of time later." Le Kai glared at them irritably. Immediately, the Gun God, Big Guy, Skinny, and the other members who had witnessed his power lowered their heads, fearing the 'Little Devil' might target them.

The surroundings roared continuously, the earth shook, and it felt as if an army was charging toward them. The soaring murderous aura was enough to break one's spirit.

However, when they reached within a hundred meters of the group, everything suddenly went quiet.

*Thump, thump, thump!*

Only one sound continued rhythmically. Le Kai laughed, leapt into the air like a nimble bird, suddenly soaring dozens of meters high. He flipped in mid-air, transformed into a diving eagle, and lunged fiercely into the fog, shouting, "Let's see what progress you've made lately!"

*Boom!*

Le Kai dove headfirst, his fists glowing with a faint red light that grew increasingly intense. With a thunderous roar, he tore through the thick fog, manifesting as two fireball-like entities that struck downward.

A roar exploded, sounding like a bomb detonating in the mist. The dense fog was instantly swept away by the storm, swirling in all directions and revealing a hundred-meter-wide clearing, as well as a giant standing in the center.

Kongang!

Having not seen Le Kai for so long, Kongang was clearly bursting with battle intent. Its eyes opened, the sharp glint within them almost tangible, filled with raw rage and power. Its massive arms slammed together, and without dodging or retreating, it caught Le Kai’s true qi attack head-on.

Le Kai’s figure looked pitifully small before Kongang. Had his true qi not been sharp, he might have been crushed instantly by the giant’s palms. But Kongang underestimated the density of Le Kai’s true qi. Just as the fireballs were about to touch Kongang's hands, Le Kai suddenly accelerated, his palms vibrating as a tidal wave of true qi erupted, acting like a giant fireball burning in front of him, which he smashed down with all his might.

Seeing the look of surprise on Kongang's face, Le Kai laughed triumphantly.

But then, he couldn't laugh anymore. Kongang’s raised hands suddenly shuddered, and invisible air currents surged, causing the entire space to vibrate. The magnitude of that vibration was several times stronger than Le Kai’s.

*Boom!*

The initial fireballs of true qi were extinguished without a trace. Immediately after, two astonishing forces collided, like two massive gongs clashing. The deafening sound wave was enough to leave one deaf, and the point of collision generated a massive storm that radiated outward like a nuclear explosion, instantly clearing a thousand-meter-wide area.

Le Kai always fought with a plan. At the start of the attack, he had already devised several contingencies. Seeing the sudden turn of events, he wouldn't be foolish enough to attack the enemy's strengths with his own weaknesses. Taking a deep breath, he circulated his internal energy, locked his mental focus onto a coordinate, and instantly activated the 'Returning Step.' He abruptly halted his descent and appeared behind Kongang.

His small hand opened, and a crackling sound echoed. Red-hot true qi made his palm look like iron forged in fire. With lightning speed, he struck Kongang’s sturdy back.

Even with Kongang’s astonishing defensive power, it was sent flying by the sneak attack. Its massive body landed like a small mountain, sending sand and gravel flying like arrows in all directions.

Kongang was clearly stunned. Le Kai’s 'Returning Step' was significantly stronger than when he had left. Back then, he couldn't fully control his movement in mid-air, and his aerial maneuvers appeared forced. Now, it was as natural as flowing water. This kind of 'Returning Step' was the true version—it was terrifying.

As long as Le Kai’s mental power was strong enough to lock onto a spatial anchor, and with his internal energy driving it, he could perform bizarre movements. This movement, akin to teleportation, was unpredictable and required perfect coordination between mental power, special abilities, and the 'Returning Step.' It was one of the core areas Le Kai had been training, and it seemed the results were excellent.

Since he began sparring with Kongang, this was the first time Le Kai had managed to make the beast look so disheveled. The excitement in his heart was beyond words.

Kongang climbed up in a rage, its eyes blood-red. Compared to the light red of before, the color seemed much deeper, appearing primitive, bloodthirsty, and terrifying.

Anger was the source of Kongang’s power; the angrier it became, the stronger its strength grew.

However, what truly shocked Le Kai was not the strengthening of Kongang’s power, but his discovery that a layer of subtle air current had emerged on Kongang’s body.

How was that possible? Was that... true qi?

Mutant beasts were evolved from mutated animals, naturally gifted in strength. But limited by their bestial nature, they could possess innate abilities—either mental or elemental—but they lacked true qi. True qi required complex evolution and cultivation to develop. Even for humans, the 'spirits of all things,' it took a difficult journey to potentially grasp it.

But what was Le Kai seeing now?

The strength-based Kongang had actually ignited true qi. Clearly, it didn't know how to wield it properly; it was mostly a natural outburst. The previous lifting of its hands and the current external defense were all subconscious applications, which was a complete waste.

Could it be that because Kongang had been used as a test subject for so long, its potential had been unlocked?

Le Kai vaguely guessed the reason, which only made him more excited. He laughed and lunged at Kongang again, eager to relive the passion of their past battles.

The Gun God and his team were completely dumbfounded. They stared blankly as the man and the beast fought until the heavens collapsed and the earth was rent asunder, flattening the entire valley as if it had been a massive construction site. Several times, they were tempted to open fire, but fortunately, Li Yan stopped them.

It wasn't until both these monsters were exhausted that they stopped, standing there, beating their chests and howling toward the sky.