Chapter 116: The Enemy Comes Knocking

With a charming smile, she outshone the entire cavern.

"Le Kai, your medicinal pills are truly miraculous. Although the process was a bit unrefined, the results are astonishing. If this could be popularized, nationwide physical fitness would be a breeze. Many poor people cannot afford to enhance their physiques and are still plagued by illness; if they could take these, it would surely save many lives." Li Yan truly possessed the heart of a Bodhisattva, thinking of the impoverished people first.

Le Kai smiled bitterly: "The world is vast, and the number of poor is beyond your imagination. If we were to rely on pills to save them, even ten thousand Le Kais would not be enough."

Li Yan hopped about, saying happily: "Now I understand why so many people want to cultivate. This feeling is really wonderful; I feel light as a feather, as if I could fly away at any moment. Le Kai, you are so capable, teach me too!"

Le Kai asked, puzzled: "Didn't you say three days ago that practicing martial arts was a waste of time?"

"But taking your pills doesn't interfere with doing other things!" The young girl’s thoughts were simple, but true strength cannot be achieved by medicine alone.

Le Kai chuckled, choosing not to explain the difficulty of advancing as a martial artist.

In truth, there really were pills that could defy the heavens—not only capable of directly breaking through the "Three Spirits in One" bottleneck, but also easily clearing subsequent cultivation hurdles. These were the "Ten Thousand Spirit Pills," which even alchemists regarded as treasures. Once successfully refined, these pills possessed incredible effects, most suitable for breaking through barriers. However, they were extremely rare because they required an ingredient so bizarre it was nearly unheard of in the world—a substance rumored to have been seen in the Martial God Star, the forbidden territory of the War Wolf Empire and the ultimate holy land for martial artists.

If he could find this key ingredient, Le Kai was confident he could refine "Ten Thousand Spirit Pills" suitable for every stage of cultivation, rendering the so-called thresholds non-existent.

Li Yan, experiencing the joy brought by strength, was clearly delighted, her lively side fully exposed. She skipped around the cavern; if outsiders were to see the young lady so energetic and cute, their jaws would likely hit the floor. Only in front of Le Kai was she so uninhibited, like an ordinary young girl.

Suddenly...

Le Kai pricked up his ears, his expression turning grave. He grabbed Li Yan and said in a low voice: "Stay here for a while. I’m going out, but I'll be back soon."

Li Yan’s eyes also narrowed: "What happened?"

Le Kai replied: "I'm not sure yet, but King Kong seems very anxious. I need to go out and see. Just to be safe, stay here and don't wander off, understand?"

Li Yan nodded obediently. She was no ordinary person and naturally understood her importance to everyone, so she would never make a foolish decision.

After giving a few instructions, Le Kai hurried away. In his consciousness, he asked: "Sister Xianxian, can you detect the situation over there?"

"Little brother, although I once managed the information of 108 planets, I am now limited to your consciousness. I can only assist you in scanning areas within your mental reach. This distance is too great; I cannot detect anything. However, King Kong is rushing furiously toward a certain location, which only means that something has happened there."

Le Kai frowned: "I kept telling King Kong to keep a close eye on Lan Bo and the others, to ensure they wouldn't truly be in danger... No, looking at this, it must be that something happened to Lan Bo. Let’s go!"

An ominous feeling welled up in Le Kai’s heart. He activated his "Return Step," his figure moving like a phantom. After a few flashes, he went from the cavern to the mountaintop, leaped off, and soared through the air. His speed and graceful posture were distinct from King Kong’s ferocity, appearing elegant and even somewhat spectral. He landed without a sound, twisting like a shadow and fading away, only to reappear a hundred meters away. When disregarding the depletion of internal energy, the "Return Step" was truly terrifying.

Shortly after.

King Kong’s roar was deafening, as if the entire sky were trembling. Amidst the swirling dust, smoke billowed out like a missile explosion. Yet, amidst this terrifying momentum, one person's voice remained clearly audible, filled with mockery and triumph: "Hahaha, what a surprise! To think so many beasts would sacrifice their lives to protect you. Very well, let me, Captain Sang Qing, put an end to your final hopes!"

"How terrifying. I fear King Kong is no match for him!" Hearing this voice, Le Kai’s heart sank. He felt an immense pressure—the kind he had only felt from Li Xiuxiang. The opponent was a Star-level martial artist!

For a martial artist, the gap to a Star-level fighter was like the distance between the "Three Spirits in One" realm and a true warrior—a minor hurdle. While 10,000 Ankes of strength might not seem much different from 10,000-plus, the reality was worlds apart. This person’s aura seemed no less formidable than Li Xiuxiang’s.

"No, although King Kong is inferior in strength, it is naturally thick-skinned and has practiced 'Berserker Battle,' so its true strength cannot be measured by conventional logic. While winning is unlikely, it won't be defeated quickly while in a berserk state. We must take advantage of the fact that King Kong is drawing their attention to launch a surprise attack. Rescuing Lan Bo and the others is the best strategy."

"Them? They have accomplices? It seems the Xi family is sparing no effort to kill me." A flicker of anger crossed Le Kai’s eyes. He wasn't surprised that the Xi family wanted him dead; a man lives to settle scores, but the fact that they repeatedly put his friends in danger infuriated him.

"I have specific information. This Sang Qing belongs to a combat squad under the 'Blood Fiend Mercenary Group.' They have been stranded on 'Azure Star' for half a year for a mission. The squad has five members, all at the peak of the martial artist realm. Captain Sang Qing has one-star strength, 'Micro-Perception' realm, with an estimated strength of about 50,000 Ankes. He is cruel by nature, loves slaughter, and never leaves witnesses. He is an extremely dangerous character. His father, Sang Xing, is a high-ranking, powerful figure in the mercenary group and a well-known individual on 'Li Chen Star,' with deep ties to the Li family. Little brother, this person is powerful with a strong background; he is a formidable enemy. It seems this might have nothing to do with the Xi family—could there be some misunderstanding? Being an enemy rashly could lead to unpredictable consequences!"

Xianxian’s voice was filled with worry.

Le Kai sneered: "They have already come knocking at my door. Even if it is a misunderstanding, it must be washed away with blood!" His gaze fixed on the animal carcasses ahead, his eyes burning with rage. Although these mutated beasts used to be his prey—and he had tried every means to kill more of them—ever since King Kong had tamed them, he had subconsciously viewed them as soldiers on his side. Seeing his soldiers lying dead across the wasteland, their blood staining the gray earth red, how could he not be angry? Even if it were a misunderstanding, he would not yield. In Le Kai’s heart, mutated beasts were sometimes more worthy of cherishing than certain so-called humans!

Furthermore, they had kidnapped his friends.

This was absolutely unforgivable!

Le Kai, who had always been adept at using "Game Tactics" to weigh pros and cons, did not think about benefits at this moment; he only wanted justice for his friends!

"Little brother, are you really planning to do this? This... this is too dangerous, it’s not worth it!"

Xianxian and Le Kai shared a mental connection, and since Le Kai did not intentionally shield his thoughts, Xianxian knew exactly what he was thinking. When Le Kai began analyzing the enemies with his "Game Tactics" and quickly formulating a battle plan, she began to panic, a hint of an inexplicable emotion surfacing—something that was by no means easy for an advanced AI.

"My mind is made up. Even if I die, I have no regrets." Once he entered combat mode, Le Kai’s calmness exceeded the limits of his age, unaffected by outside influences, much like an intelligent program. He took an alloy bow from his wrist storage, bit his finger, and smeared blood onto the string. That vibrant crimson slid across the unknown material of the bowstring, and as if ignited, the previously dull string began to emit a red glow, like a red-hot wire. Le Kai tapped the bow’s spine, and the entire weapon seemed to vibrate, instantly changing.

Heavy draw, ultimate shot—it required essence blood as a guide, the dual coordination of internal energy and mental power, and harmony with heaven and earth to deliver a fatal blow!

Le Kai drew a cold, shimmering long arrow. This was a精品 arrow specially crafted for him by the Professor. There were only nine of these arrows, specifically produced for heavy draws. According to the Professor, no one else could make such arrows, not just because of the exotic materials, but more importantly... the Professor had been coy about why, because at the time, Le Kai couldn't possibly have used them!

But there was no doubt that as he held the cold arrow at this moment, a flash of insight rose in Le Kai’s heart. He looked at the arrow in shock and slowly nocked it. The moment it touched the string, he felt a clear, blood-linked connection. He closed his eyes slightly, adjusted his state, and then opened them slowly. His gaze was now as still as an ancient well—no killing intent, no hatred, no emotion whatsoever. Even the arrow in his hand seemed to have fused with him, devoid of any aura of slaughter, as if he were merely a blade of grass or a tree in the wilderness!

"He has not only integrated himself into the environment, but even his weapon has entered this state. This is too strange! You must know, even a master at the peak of the one-star realm could likely not achieve this!"

Xianxian was too stunned to speak. She also understood that now was definitely not the time for conversation.

At this moment, the members of the Blood Fiend mercenary squad were laughing and joking, surrounding Lan Bo’s group from four directions while watching the intense battle between King Kong and Captain Sang Qing. They appeared carefree, but in reality, they were relaxed on the outside and tense on the inside. As four martial experts at the peak of their craft, they had followed their captain on countless missions, often hovering on the edge of life and death. Tempered into steel, they were truly elite warriors.