High Martial Arts: Enlightenment after Practices

Chapter 154: Chapter 154: A Rat King Appears

THUD! THUD! THUD!

A series of dull thuds echoed, accompanied by the faint crack of breaking bones.

The charging Bone-Eating Rats were sent flying back even faster, as if struck by a high-speed train. They slammed against the pipe walls, slid down limply, and fell silent.

Every one of Xu Wuyi’s punches landed precisely on a Bone-Eating Rat’s head or another vital spot, killing it in a single blow.

Lin Yue, clutching her short spike, had just finished off a Bone-Eating Rat ambushing her from the side when she realized the battle was already almost over.

Zhang Chengyi hadn’t even had time to raise his Round Shield before the fight was finished.

The two of them looked from the seven or eight instantly-killed Bone-Eating Rats on the ground to Xu Wuyi. His breathing was steady, as if he’d just swatted a few flies. They couldn’t hide the shock in their eyes.

The Life Energy Level of a Bone-Eating Rat ranged from 13 to 15. Furthermore, due to the nature of Star Beasts, their Life Force was far more tenacious than a human’s.

They knew they could handle clearing out Bone-Eating Rats themselves, but they could never do it so effortlessly. What Xu Wuyi had done was nothing but a series of instant kills.

’Is this the power of a Martial Artist?’

No, it wasn’t as if they’d never seen a Martial Artist in action before. An ordinary Basic-Level Martial Artist was definitely not this skilled!

”Let’s keep moving.”

Xu Wuyi’s voice broke them from their thoughts. As if he had just done something trivial, he took the lead and headed deeper into Zone D7.

Lin Yue and Zhang Chengyi exchanged a glance, each seeing the same thought in the other’s eyes: ’We got lucky this time. We’ve teamed up with an expert.’

Life Energy Level was just a reference. It was perfectly normal for the strength of Martial Artists at the same Energy Level to be worlds apart.

The rest of the cleanup operation became exceptionally efficient.

Under Xu Wuyi’s lead, the team moved like a precision scalpel, cutting through the intricate network of underground pipes.

Xu Wuyi was responsible for the frontal assault. His long spear, which he rarely even drew, would unleash a sharp whistle that tore through the air whenever he thrust it, precisely picking off the leader of each rat pack.

Lin Yue patrolled the flanks, dealing with any that slipped through the net. Her short spike was vicious and cunning, always aimed at weak points like the eyes and throat.

Meanwhile, Zhang Chengyi conscientiously held his shield, guarding their rear and flanks. He would occasionally use his Short Rod to smash any Bone-Eating Rats that tried to pounce from a blind spot.

The three of them gradually fell into a rhythm, their teamwork becoming more seamless.

Xu Wuyi’s immense strength and calm judgment made him the undisputed core of the team.

He could always sense the presence of a rat pack in advance, choosing the most effective route of attack to conserve the maximum amount of time and energy.

They finished clearing Zone D7, moved on to D8, and then to D9.

Although they had a few minor skirmishes along the way, they were never in any real danger.

The Bone-Eating Rats were numerous, but against such an absolute gap in power and effective tactical coordination, they were unable to mount any meaningful resistance.

In less than two hours, the mission to clear the three zones was essentially complete.

After confirming that the last corner was free of any rat packs, the three of them returned to a relatively dry pipe junction in Zone D9.

”Rest for five minutes, replenish your energy. Then we’ll head back the way we came and report the mission complete.”

Xu Wuyi gave the order and sat down himself, leaning against a thick pipe. He silently circulated the Hundred Refinements Melting Furnace to recover the negligible amount of energy he had spent.

Lin Yue and Zhang Chengyi also breathed a sigh of relief, taking out High-Energy Nutrition Bars and water to quickly replenish their stamina.

A look of excitement on his face, Zhang Chengyi said in a low voice, ”Team Leader, you’re incredible! I feel like going on one mission with you is more useful than ten practical combat classes at school!”

Lin Yue didn’t say anything, but her gaze toward Xu Wuyi was also filled with admiration.

As a Social Martial Artist, she had met many other Martial Artists, but it was rare to see one like Xu Wuyi whose combat power so far exceeded others at the same level.

Just now in Zone D9, there had been a giant rat that was clearly no ordinary pack leader; it was almost at the level of a chieftain.

Lin Yue had been caught off guard and was nearly injured, but luckily Xu Wuyi had pulled her back in time. She mentally estimated the giant rat’s Level was around 19.

Yet a Star Beast of that caliber was still killed instantly with a single punch, as if he were squashing a common mouse.

’A Genius from Star Martial University truly lives up to the reputation.’

However, just as the three were about to get up and head back, the urgent voice of Captain Chen Feng suddenly crackled from the short-range communicators clipped to their shoulders:

”All units, listen up! A Bone-Eroding Rat King has been spotted in Zone D14! I repeat, a Rat King has been spotted in Zone D14!”

”Estimated Life Energy Level is over 22! Reinforcements urgently needed! All Martial Artists with a Life Energy Level of 20 or higher, please proceed immediately to Zone D14 and assemble!”

”All other personnel may return the way you came or maintain a perimeter watch outside Zone D14. Coordinates have been sent to your terminals!”

The communication cut off abruptly.

Xu Wuyi, Lin Yue, and Zhang Chengyi all froze.

Zone D14 wasn’t too far from their current position in Zone D9 as the crow flies, but reaching it required crossing several main pipelines.

’A Level 22 Rat King...’

Xu Wuyi stood up. There was no hesitation in his eyes, only calm consideration.

For him, a Level 22 Star Beast was not invincible.

More importantly, participating in the mission to eliminate the Rat King would surely come with extra rewards. The mission briefing had already specified the details for this type of impromptu task.

”Team Leader?” Lin Yue looked at him.

Zhang Chengyi swallowed nervously. A Level 22 Rat King... that was a battle far beyond what Martial Disciples like them could interfere in.

”Change of plans,” Xu Wuyi said quickly, looking at the two of them. ”Zhang Chengyi, you return to the outpost the way we came and report that our team has completed the cleanup of Zones D7 through D9. Lin Yue, if you’re willing, you can come with me to the outskirts of Zone D14. But don’t get close to the main battle zone. Your job will be to stand guard and provide support.”

His arrangements were methodical, taking into account Zhang Chengyi’s inexperience while also giving Lin Yue a choice.

”I’ll go with you,” Lin Yue said immediately, without a second’s thought.

For a Social Martial Artist like her, the chance to observe—or even participate in—the siege of a higher-level Star Beast from up close was a precious opportunity.

Besides, with an unexpected change like this, as long as she actively participated—even if only on guard duty—she would receive compensation afterward.

After all, this was a failure of initial intelligence. The City Guard Army wouldn’t be stingy with the reward.

”Alright.” Xu Wuyi nodded, wasting no more time.

He checked the coordinates received on his terminal, picked a direction, and shot forward in a blur of motion.

Lin Yue took a deep breath and followed close behind.

Zhang Chengyi watched their backs quickly disappear, clenched his fists, then turned and hurried back the way he came.

He knew that the battle ahead was no longer something he could take part in.

His mission now was to accurately report the situation back at the outpost.

...

One behind the other, Xu Wuyi and Lin Yue moved swiftly through the maze-like pipes.

The closer they got to Zone D14, the thicker the foul, musky stench in the air became, mingled with a faint, oppressive aura.

More and more deep claw marks began to appear on the pipe walls, along with mottled patches of corrosion.

Occasionally, they saw scattered, ordinary Bone-Eating Rats fleeing in terror. The creatures seemed so frightened that they scrambled blindly, completely ignoring the presence of Xu Wuyi and Lin Yue.

”Looks like the fighting up ahead is intense,” Lin Yue said in a low, grave voice.