Chapter 49: Is Cumin Better or Spiciness Better?

The group walked along the main road for two hours, surrounded by an undisturbed and peaceful environment without any signs of danger.

"Now, everyone stay focused!" commanded Zhou Shi as he led the team towards an unknown side path outside the main road. The surroundings were overgrown with weeds, raising their vigilance.

After another half an hour of marching, Chen Shu and Xu Xiaoyu found themselves in the middle of the group. Chen Shu crossed his arms behind his head, but his eyes remained constantly scanning the surroundings.

"Huh? Uncle Zhou, that tree branch is moving!" Suddenly, Chen Shu noticed a tree branch above him slowly wriggling.

With his experienced instincts, Zhou Shi quickly realized the situation and shouted, "A moving branch? Be careful!"

Chen Shu widened his eyes in astonishment as the branch instantly transformed into a large snake, baring its fangs and lunging at him.

The formidable snake, nearly two meters long, appeared ferocious and emitted a repulsive stench.

Boom!

A thunderous sound reverberated as the previously fierce gaze of the snake suddenly widened, as if it was about to burst. In its place, a colossal creature, measuring six meters in length, appeared and firmly pressed down on the snake.

"What the hell is this?" exclaimed the enraged snake, feeling both sorrow and anger. It had anticipated a feast today, but instead, a gigantic blob fell from the sky.

The group was startled, witnessing the sudden appearance of a slumbering slime from thin air. Chen Shu let out a sigh of relief, grateful for his quick reaction.

"You insolent creature! Can you withstand the weight of nearly a thousand kilograms?" the snake hissed in agony but still attempted to retaliate, lunging its head towards Chen Shu's lower leg.

"Ah, can't reach, can't reach..." Chen Shu strategically leaped backward, narrowly escaping the snake's attack range. "I'm back again," he took a step forward, enticing the snake.

"Still can't reach... I'm back again..." Chen Shu continued his antics, causing everyone to be dumbfounded. Who exactly was he?

"Hiss!!" At that moment, the humiliated snake let out a desperate roar and finally succumbed, gasping its last breath.

"Well, it was just a level five disguised snake. What a miserable existence it had," sighed Zhou Shi, followed by his black wolf companion swiftly devouring the snake.

Although Chen Shu's behavior was rather obnoxious, it couldn't be denied that he had quick reflexes, and the slime's combat prowess was equally impressive. But still, he was obnoxious...

The group continued their journey, walking for another hour. Xu Xiaoyu appeared fatigued, being the only girl among them. Her physical endurance naturally couldn't compare to the others.

Fortunately, the Flame Bird had the capacity to carry passengers, albeit reducing some of its combat capabilities. However, in reality, they didn't need it for combat.

As Xu Xiaoyu was about to hop onto the Flame Bird, Chen Shu suddenly expressed concern, "Xiaoyu, let me help you with your backpack."

"No need..." Xu Xiaoyu shook her head, declining his offer.

"It's fine. Let me tell you some news. I've also entered the senior high special training class. We'll be classmates from now on," Chen Shu patted his chest and directly took Xu Xiaoyu's backpack. Then, effortlessly, he sat on the Flame Bird.

The Flame Bird's eyes were filled with resentment, as if saying, "You have ulterior motives..."

"You got accepted into the special training class?" Xu Xiaoyu's mouth hung open, clearly surprised.

"Of course, it happened accidentally," Chen Shu chuckled and then patted the warm back of the Flame Bird. "Little Fire, you can start flying now."

Only then did Xu Xiaoyu realize that Chen Shu had sneakily taken a seat without anyone noticing. The Flame Bird wasn't large, but it could comfortably accommodate two people.

"Let's go," Zhou Shi sighed, accustomed to Chen Shu's unconventional ways. With Chen Shu already seated, it was impossible to drive this shameless guy away.

"Uncle Zhou, are your backpacks heavy? I can help carry them," Chen Shu waved his hand, feeling light and relaxed.

"Chirp!" The Flame Bird suddenly opened its beak, its body temperature rising significantly. What do you mean 'help carry'? Ultimately, I'm the one shouldering everything, right?

"Take it easy, take it easy..." Chen Shu patted the bird's back to calm it down.

"Oh, damn!" He looked up and was suddenly startled, his gaze fixed ahead. "There's a Big Power Flower!"

"Hmm?"

The crowd's expressions changed, and they all looked in the same direction. In the distance, several hundred meters away, three Big Power Flowers were swaying in the wind, appearing extremely tempting.

"You have incredible eyesight!" Old Deng didn't expect Chen Shu's eyes to be so sharp.

"Silence!" However, Zhou Shi's face turned serious. Wherever there were rare medicinal herbs or minerals, there were usually fierce beasts guarding them.

"Old Deng, let the Ironback Beast go and test it out."

Boom, boom, boom! The lizard-like Ironback Beast with its sturdy hooves strode toward the Big Power Flowers.

Just as it was about to approach, large iceballs suddenly appeared.

From the grass behind the Big Power Flowers, several meter-sized wild rabbits emerged. Their eyes were blue, and they continuously spat out huge iceballs.

The Ironback Beast, already moving at a slow pace, practically came to a halt, unable to move.

However, the reason they were called Ironback Beasts was because their backs had astonishing defensive capabilities. Not only did it reduce physical attacks, but it also had notable resistance to elemental attacks.

"Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!" Nine ice wild rabbits appeared, continuously spewing iceballs, keeping the Ironback Beast immobilized.

If there was no assistance, this Ironback Beast would undoubtedly be worn down and killed.

"Go!" Zhou Shi lightly commanded, and the black giant wolf by his side suddenly pushed off its hind legs and pounced forward at lightning speed.

Chen Shu sat on the Flame Bird, his gaze fixed on the black wolf.

He had knowledge of high school beast-controlling creatures in his mind, and he instantly recognized the black wolf as an evolution from a D-grade Claw Wolf to a C-grade Rupture Claw Wolf.

A black iron-level Rupture Claw Wolf was more than enough to kill the ice wild rabbits in front. After all, the strongest ice wild rabbit was only an eighth-level fierce beast.

As expected, the Rupture Claw Wolf let out a roar, and a deep black light suddenly appeared on its two claws.

It was using its innate skill, 'Rending Claw'!

The ice wild rabbits also sensed the aura of the black iron-level creature. Panic filled their azure eyes, but it was already too late for them to escape.

The two ice wild rabbits were instantly torn apart, splattering blood all over the ground.

"Ah!" Xu Xiaoyu couldn't help but exclaim in astonishment at the sight, but she still forced herself to watch.

Although she was already a Level 7 Beast Tamer, it was her first time encountering fierce beasts. Naturally, she felt somewhat uncomfortable witnessing such a scene. However, she forced herself to adapt because if a Beast Tamer couldn't fight, it would be a waste of resources.

Out of the corner of her eye, Xu Xiaoyu wanted to see Chen Shu's expression. After all, they were the same age. However, to her surprise, Chen Shu suddenly swallowed a mouthful of saliva and muttered to himself, "Should I go for cumin flavor? Or should I go for spicy flavor..."