The Ancient Forest World, although located underground, felt like a completely different realm. Thus, it wasn't surprising to see a towering mountain within this subterranean world, nor was it unexpected to witness a massive creature emerging from a cave in the mountain wall ahead.
At this moment, blocking the group's path was a colossal bear, standing a full eight zhang tall. Its fur was golden, and when it stood upright, a patch of white fur on its chest formed the character for "king" (王).
"Life and Death Realm?" Lin Qian sensed the aura of the giant bear and suddenly understood why the creature wasn't affected by his presence—it was completely unshaken.
"Earth King Bear!"
Upon seeing the giant beast, the others around Lin Qian all showed expressions of sheer terror.
"Honorable Lord, don't worry about us! Just run!" Liu Fang, standing beside Lin Qian, gulped nervously and urged him to flee upon seeing the Earth King Bear blocking their way.
"Our gathering place's previous protector was crushed into a pulp by this beast. I never imagined that the Earth King Bear had moved its territory," Barrett, who was also nearby, spoke with despair in his voice.
Everyone's eyes were filled with hopelessness as they gazed at the Earth King Bear, as if staring into the face of certain death.
Barrett had previously explained the gathering places and protectors during their journey. The gathering place was where the humans, Redhorn Clan, Dwarves, and Spirit Hoof Clan lived together, united in resistance against the oppressive rule of the Blackhorn Clan.
In the Blackhorn-ruled Blackhorn Kingdom, all other races were treated as subordinates, subject to endless exploitation and enslavement. The Blackhorn Clan could even kill members of the four other races at will without facing any consequences.
The gathering places had leaders, who were not necessarily the strongest but the most capable of managing and organizing the community. The protectors, on the other hand, were the strongest warriors of the gathering places. From what Barrett had described, Lin Qian knew that their protector had the strength of a Void Breaking Realm expert at the Soaring Void level.
The Earth King Bear before them, as observed by Lin Qian's spiritual sense, was at the Strength Stage of the Life and Death Realm. It was no wonder that the gathering place's protector had been swatted into a bloody pulp by this creature.
"Roar!" At that moment, the Earth King Bear bent its massive body and let out a deafening roar toward Lin Qian and the others, its saliva spraying out as it roared.
Simultaneously, the bear unleashed a violent aura, crushing down on everyone present. It raised its massive paw and swiped it toward Lin Qian, Barrett, Liu Fang, and the others.
Many were so terrified that their legs gave out, causing them to collapse to the ground. However, they couldn't help but feel puzzled. Typically, such ferocious soul beasts exuded an aura so oppressive that those of their cultivation levels would have been reduced to vomiting blood and falling unconscious. Yet, they remained unharmed.
As the Earth King Bear's paw slammed down, Barrett, Liu Fang, and the others closed their eyes in despair, awaiting their inevitable demise. The fierce wind generated by the bear's attack whipped their robes, making a loud flapping noise.
But after a moment, the howling wind in their ears ceased, and the expected death blow never came.
When Barrett, Liu Fang, and the others cautiously opened their eyes, they were greeted by an unbelievable sight.
The comparatively small figure of Lin Qian stood with his right arm raised, palm open, blocking the Earth King Bear's massive paw, preventing it from crashing down.
They stared in shock at the scene before them, unable to comprehend how Lin Qian had managed to stop the bear.
At the same time, the Earth King Bear bared its fangs, gritting its teeth in frustration. Its thick right arm, still exerting force, trembled as it tried to push down on Lin Qian.
Lin Qian, having stopped the bear's paw, turned to the others and smiled calmly. "Just wait here. I'll play with this bear for a bit."
With those words, Lin Qian's eyes sharpened, and he pushed upward with both hands, forcing the Earth King Bear to stumble back several steps.
Without missing a beat, Lin Qian leaped into the air and delivered a powerful kick to the bear's abdomen.
"Roar!" The Earth King Bear let out a pained roar as it was sent tumbling backward, crashing through several towering ancient trees, kicking up clouds of dust.
Yet, the Earth King Bear was quick to react. Before it fell completely, it swung its left paw at Lin Qian.
Smack!
Lin Qian crossed his arms to block the strike, but the force of the blow sent him flying toward Barrett and Liu Fang.
Thud!
Lin Qian landed smoothly, flipping in mid-air before touching down lightly on the ground. The impact of the strike had been absorbed and channeled into the earth, causing only small cracks to spread out from where he landed.
Having landed safely, Lin Qian ignored the wide-eyed stares of those around him and casually stretched his limbs.
Thanks to the special potions that Zhuge Ming had concocted for him, Lin Qian's muscles and bones still retained traces of medicinal energy. As long as these residual effects accumulated to a certain level and were tempered through battle, he could fully absorb them.
Finding a good sparring partner wasn't easy!
Lin Qian couldn't use the Hua Xia Empire's units for this purpose. Their absolute loyalty meant that if he forced them to fight, they would rather commit suicide than lift a hand against him.
He had planned to spar with the three elders, but the current situation had led him into this underground world before he could arrange it.
Although the Earth King Bear wasn't as strong as Lin Qian, its natural physical strength as a soul beast made it an ideal sparring partner.
As Lin Qian mused to himself, the Earth King Bear, which had been knocked down by his kick, had already gotten back on its feet.
"Roar! Roar! Roar!" Furious at being bested by a mere human, the Earth King Bear bellowed in rage. Its eyes turned blood-red as it charged at Lin Qian with all its might.
Lin Qian, however, showed no fear. Instead, a grin spread across his face as he prepared to face the bear head-on.