Chapter 11-Crazy Slaughter, Terrifying Leveling Speed！

Nightfall Arrives, the Hunt Continues

Night fell, and the time reached 8 PM.

At this moment, the rookie dungeon closed, and the last batch of professionals emerged.

Facing inquiries from Zhang Yi and the other headmasters, Jiang Ningyu recounted everything that had happened in the dungeon in full detail.

When they heard that Li Yao might have one-shot the Bloodthirsty Forest Wolf, Zhang Yi instantly broke into a cold sweat.

Without saying a word, he turned and left the scene.

Just like that, the news of Li Yao slaying an eighth-level boss monster spread rapidly.

The Silver Wolf Guild also secretly circulated the rumor of Li Yao's awakened talent, successfully drawing the attention of some influential figures.

"An A-rank Summoner awakening a talent… now that's interesting."

In Jiangzhou City's Lord's Mansion, a middle-aged man set down the intelligence report in his hand and chuckled softly.

On his desk lay another document that had been forwarded to him from below—

"Request to Cancel Li Yao's A-rank Subsidy Application."

After contemplating for a moment, the middle-aged man spoke.

"Xiao Zheng, upgrade Li Yao's A-rank resources to S-rank."

"Although those with talents are eligible for SS-rank, he's still just a Summoner. It wouldn't be easy to justify it to those above us."

Hearing this, the young man known as Xiao Zheng hesitated.

"City Lord, but that S-rank resource was already promised to Yu Wenhao—"

"Yu Wenhao isn't even an S-rank professional. If no one worthy could claim that resource, then fine, let him have it. But now that someone qualifies, it naturally has nothing to do with him anymore."

"As for the Yuwen family…"

The middle-aged man stood up and patted Xiao Zheng's shoulder.

"That's for you to handle. I have great faith in you! Hahaha!"

Xiao Zheng: "..."

"Oh, and call Zhang Yi to see me."

The middle-aged man suddenly remembered something and spoke again.

Jiangzhou Borderlands

Li Yao carefully sorted and categorized the monster materials.

"The quest materials are sufficient."

"Unfortunately, I'm still short of experience to reach level 10."

Leveling up only got harder as time went on.

Even though Li Yao could one-shot every monster he encountered, he had only managed to reach level 9 after an entire afternoon of hunting.

He still needed 70% more experience to reach level 10.

"Since that's the case, I'll just keep going."

Muttering to himself, Li Yao silently followed the rampaging Void Mantis, heading deeper into the ruins.

Before long, new monsters appeared in sight.

[Ruins Strider Hound]

Level: 17

HP: 3050

Strength: 84

Spirit: 22

Agility: 73

Endurance: 61

Skills: Sprint LV3, Bite LV2, Pack Hunting LVMAX

[Earth Bear]

Level: 19

HP: 6100

Strength: 78

Spirit: 16

Agility: 31

Endurance: 122

Skills: Heavy Armor LV5, Roaring Claw LV1.

Two nearly level-20 monsters.

Aside from HP and skills, they were no weaker than the Bloodthirsty Forest Wolf in the rookie dungeon.

Even a single one of them in that dungeon would force rookies to either group up cautiously or outright flee.

However,Li Yao swept his gaze over the area. There were at least twenty monsters in sight.

And judging by the Ruins Strider Hound howling into the sky, it wouldn't be long before even more emerged.

"Perfect!"

If he could one-shot a Bloodthirsty Forest Wolf, these monsters were nothing.

With not a trace of fear in his eyes, Li Yao grinned savagely.

"Void Mantis, kill them all!"

In the next instant, the Void Mantis' deep purple form materialized, its arms crossing.

A barrage of razor-sharp spikes shot forth!

"Pfft! Pfft!"

As the spikes pierced flesh, damage numbers appeared before Li Yao's eyes.

[-2314]

[-1732]

[-2043]

[-4396 (Weak Point Attack)]

Whether it was the Ruins Strider Hound or the heavily armored Earth Bear, their HP visibly plummeted!

Before the monsters could even counterattack, the Void Mantis vanished into the void.

Every time it reappeared, several monsters fell lifelessly to the ground.

Li Yao stood at a distance, watching as his system panel flooded with notifications.

[Killed Ruins Strider Hound, EXP +0.17%]

[Combat Training Triggered, Void Mantis Strength +1]

[Killed Earth Bear, EXP +0.21%]

[Combat Training Triggered, Void Mantis Strength +1]

[Killed Ruins Strider Hound, EXP +0.14%]

[Combat Training Triggered, Void Mantis Strength +1]

In just a few minutes, his experience bar had surged by 4%.

At level 9, the experience required was exponentially higher than in the early stages.

A normal professional at his level would need to form a party just to hunt monsters of the same level.

And even then, the experience per monster would barely exceed 0.1%.

With experience split among teammates, earning 4% in several hours would already be impressive.

But Li Yao had done it in just minutes.

The difference was clear as day.

The night deepened, and the borderlands, shrouded in thick mist, exuded a terrifying and ominous aura.

Unknowingly, the Void Mantis had continued its slaughter for nearly half an hour.

From a distance, Li Yao observed the endlessly approaching waves of monsters.

He noticed that their emotions were becoming increasingly frenzied.

Previously, some had still tried to flee.

But now, they seemed to have completely abandoned their instinct for survival.

"Is this what the Gatekeeper Uncle meant by 'nighttime monster mutations'?"

Li Yao's expression grew serious.

The way these creatures swarmed forward was eerily reminiscent of the zombie hordes from his past life's films—impossible to fully exterminate.

Even the Void Mantis, after an entire day of relentless slaughter, was beginning to show signs of fatigue.

"Void Mantis, retreat."

Li Yao commanded.

Fatigue led to mistakes.

And if the Void Mantis made a single mistake and was overwhelmed by the countless monsters, there would be no saving it.

Upon hearing the order, the Void Mantis instantly vanished among the monsters.

With its upgraded level-7 Void Stealth, these wild monsters had no hope of tracking it.

Come and go as they pleased—there was no chance for revenge.

His experience bar now sat at 61% of level 9.

Such leveling speed would make any other professional drool with envy.

"A night's rest. I'll level up in the morning."

Li Yao withdrew from the battlefield, heading toward a pre-selected camp location.

Yet, less than five minutes into his journey—

His pupils shrank sharply.

From the desolate depths of the ruins, the sound of three approaching footsteps echoed.

And they were close.

Which meant that before they voluntarily revealed themselves—

Neither Li Yao nor the Void Mantis had sensed their presence at all!

His own detection abilities aside, the Void Mantis, as an SS-rank summon, had perception far beyond the ordinary.

For something to evade even its senses—

It could only mean one thing.

These entities vastly outclassed him.

And now, they had deliberately exposed their presence.

Which meant that at this distance—

There was no escape.