I Have Infinite Skill Points

Getting cocky just after breaking through to Star Cloud Stage? Wang Lan mused. I could casually display a Star Martial Skill and make them recognize reality. As for Xu Xiangwen and Gong Feiyu right now, at best, they're Jiang Xinyu from six months ago—possibly not even as good.

Our strategic objective has already been met, but there are still four days left. During the next four days, of course, it's about expanding our victories.

Although Wang Lan has already saved more than 2,000 skill points in the system, when it comes to skill points, can one ever have too many? The skill points in the Phoenix Form are only 800. It wouldn't be too much even if we added another 1,000 to it.

After resting for six hours, Wang Lan and the others left the original battlefield and detoured to the back of the Golden Mantises to continue hunting them from a different angle.

The tactic employed by Wang Lan and his team drove some of the Golden Mantises that had fled from the opposite area completely mad. I, a fearless Exotic Beast, have been forced to the other side, and I still encounter you?

I can't stand it anymore! Brothers, charge!

Then, they were easily decapitated, and their Soul Beads were taken.

Soul Bead +1.

After hunting for just two hours, Wang Lan suddenly noticed that three people were also hunting Golden Mantises 200 meters behind him.

Jiang Xinyu naturally noticed Wang Lan's unusual movements.

"Is it them again?"

"Three from yesterday's group: one at Star Cloud Stage and two at Star Shine Stage."

Wang Lan frowned and spoke slowly, "If it was a coincidence yesterday, then today we can be sure they are targeting us."

"Aiming for us? They better have teeth sharp enough for the bite," Xu Xiangwen said with a disdainful sneer.

"With three of us at Star Cloud Stage here, would they dare make a move?"

"This... Wang Lan, what are you guys talking about?" Xie Sisi asked confusedly. It was her first time in the trial field, and she was still very naïve, unaware of the actual dangers within.

"Sisi, within the trial field, the real threat isn't the Exotic Beasts but our own fellow Star Martial Warriors. It's not just the trial field, but also in the Different Dimensional Space of the Pioneering Legion. Do you know why Pioneering Legions all have their own squads, small teams, and large teams, and so on? Without forming a group, they can't trust their backs to fellow warriors they don't know."

"This... There's such a thing?"

"Of course, there is, but it's just not made public. Xu, keep a close eye on our surroundings. Those three definitely won't dare to attack us—I guess others will come."

"Got it!"

Wang Lan and his team pretended to be oblivious and continued their cycle of hunting monsters, resting, and hunting again.

The trio on the other side also seemed to be there purely for hunting monsters, staying away from Wang Lan and his companions, picking off one Golden Mantis at a time.

After about five hours, Xu Xiangwen suddenly stopped his actions.

"Lanzi, something's not right."

"Have they made their move?"

"Not certain, but there are two Star Martial Warrior squads, each about 800 meters to our left and right, in a one-lead-three formation. There's also another team 200 meters from that squad's flank that is approaching. They're not moving quickly, but they're definitely heading here."

"Then there's no mistake—they're trying to encircle us. What's their strength?"

"An estimated four at Star Cloud Stage and twelve at Star Shine Stage. Damn it, if it weren't for Feiyu and I breaking through yesterday, we would have been in deep trouble today. Now we have three at Star Cloud Stage, and you, Lanzi. What's there to fear? Let them come and try!"

"Three against four is a bit difficult. They're not rookies but battle-hardened elites. Plus, there are twelve at Star Shine Stage; this won't be easy," Wang Lan analyzed objectively, not as optimistic as Xu Xiangwen.

"With you here, Lanzi, even if they had ten more at Star Cloud Stage, they'd be trash," Xu Xiangwen said, still not fully grasping the situation, laughing with some complacency.

"I shouldn't use my Star Martial Skills if I don't have to—never revealing them unless absolutely necessary. Moreover, I surmise they dare to make a move because they don't know you two have already broken through to Star Cloud Stage. This way, we can hit them with a surprise advantage."

Jiang Xinyu's expression became serious. "Wang Lan, you mean we should strike first?"

"Wait a minute... they haven't shown any intent to attack us yet. Would it be okay to take action first?" Xie Sisi suddenly asked, tense.

"Their intention to attack is very clear, with a three-sided encirclement and sealing off the exits. Once they finish encircling us, we will either get trapped here or have to fight our way out through the Golden Mantis lair. Therefore, we must break through before they complete their encirclement."

"Which direction?"

"The direction we are looking at now. If I remember correctly, there's a lake about 1 kilometer away in that direction. We could set up an ambush there."

Xie Sisi looked at Wang Lan with a shocked expression. Wow, this man is so cool! His tactics are awe-inspiring—he's even already considered how to counter-attack after the enemy pursues!

Xu Xiangwen and Gong Feiyu, on the other hand, showed fear in their eyes and gave Wang Lan a thumbs-up.

"Wang, you're ruthless! Are you planning to annihilate them? I don't remember you being this ruthless before."

Indeed, the first time they entered the trial field together, Wang Lan was still very immature, an innocent and harmless child. But after several incidents, Wang Lan's mentality had grown rapidly. Especially after Zhang Zhiyun was executed on the spot, Wang Lan began to reflect on his own views. Zhang Zhiyun, such scum... Executing him on the spot was definitely too harsh; perhaps fifteen years of imprisonment would have sufficed. But killing such a person only benefits society; there's no harm. Similarly, Star Martial Warriors who could bring themselves to strike down their own companions—can you expect them to support humanity and bravely fight the enemy in times of national peril? Don't dream. It's a miracle if they don't turn traitor. So, since we have to strike, and the enemy is bound to pursue us, it's better to just counter-attack and kill them all.

Having decided on a plan, Wang Lan and his group stopped luring monsters and turned to retreat the way they had come.

This was the last chance Wang Lan was giving them. If they stayed their hand and let Wang Lan withdraw successfully, this level-one alert status would automatically dissipate. But if the enemies approached, attempting to obstruct, then...

Wang Lan had offered the chance. Unfortunately, it seemed the opponents failed to grasp his kind intentions.

Pretending to be overwhelmed by the Golden Mantises' attacks, they gradually closed in on Wang Lan's group of five.

"Bro, help us out... we can't hold on any longer..." the disheveled trio called out when they got within 30 meters of Wang Lan's party, quickly rushing towards them.

"Alright, hang in there, we'll be right there," Wang Lan responded immediately, and the five-member squad charged toward the trio in a flash.

"Heh heh..." A cold smirk appeared on the lips of the Star Cloud Stage warrior leading the trio.

Chicks are indeed chicks. Seems like they're truly just students.

"Qi, we're going to strike it rich this time."

"Of course. These past few days, they've gathered at least 5,000 Soul Beads. Holy mother, are students these days always this fierce? If they live, they're definitely going to be badasses."

"Only those who survive are badasses. The dead are trash. Cai, are you going soft?"

"Soft my ass! How many times have I done this? That woman last time, kneeling and begging me to spare her—when have I ever gone soft?"

"You only get a soft heart when you've got a hard-on! When you're limp, your heart's like stone! Scum!"

"They're coming. Stop talking. Put some effort into your acting. Kids these days are shrewd."

The trio instantly put on expressions of joyous relief, their acting quite skillful, as if they had found kin in a foreign land, the emotion of reuniting with fellow villagers welling up on their faces.

"Brothers, thank you so much..."

Before they could finish their sentence, Jiang Xinyu's Star Martial Skill erupted without warning, enveloping the trio with a ferocious assault. Not even a second passed. Her Star Martial Skill, already primed, was thunderous upon activation.

The three-man squad hadn't realized their clumsy ploy had been exposed. They were totally unguarded and got completely blindsided by Jiang Xinyu's Star Martial Skill.

But even so, seasoned warriors remained seasoned warriors, instantly dodging effectively.

However, Jiang Xinyu's Star Martial Skill wasn't meant to kill. To conceal the Star Energy Fluctuation, she could only use ice-sealing-type Star Martial Skills.

The trio's movements instantly stiffened.

On the ever-changing battlefield where life and death were decided in an instant, a moment's rigidity marked the boundary between life and death.

Before the Star Cloud Stage warrior could even react, Wang Lan's figure flashed past him. The Flame Sword sliced across his throat, and Wang Lan casually snatched the tactical backpack from his back.

All of this was accomplished in about a second.

Wang Lan's form swept by like the wind; only then did the man's head tumble from his neck.

"Kill above your level. Reward: 300 experience points, 20 skill points."

Only 20 skill points? Trash!

A second after Wang Lan finished, Xu Xiangwen and Gong Feiyu also deftly handled the other two Star Shine Stage warriors and completed the looting.

The five-person squad, from engagement to action, to looting and withdrawal—the entire process took less than five seconds. Breaking through the blockade, they dashed straight for the riverbank not far opposite.

At that moment, Xie Sisi was still in a daze.

What had she just seen? In a flash, a Star Cloud Stage warrior and two Star Shine Stage warriors had been decapitated! Their actions were precise and swift, without the slightest hesitation. She hadn't seen even a trace of doubt in them. Xie Sisi knew she couldn't have done it, at least not in the situation just now. In her mind, they were all human Star Martial Warriors; how could Star Martial Warriors slaughter each other? Yet, the precociously mature Xie Sisi understood. In such situations, one had to be ruthless; any hesitation, and she could be the one to die. But understanding was one thing, acting on it another. At least, Xie Sisi hadn't been able to act just now. Even as Jiang Xinyu made her move, she had still been hesitating, conflicted.

They covered 1 kilometer in less than ten minutes.

This place was a lake, with dense underbrush and woods by its shore.

It wasn't until they reached this spot that Wang Lan allowed himself a slight exhalation. Looking back, he asked, "Xiangwen, keep an eye out. Are they following us?"

"Not for the moment, but they have started to gather," Xu Xiangwen replied, a smile appearing on his face. "Perfect cooperation! Come on, let's open these bags and see what we've got."

As he spoke, he quickly opened the tactical backpack in his hands. "Trash! Is this all the Soul Beads they had?"

"There are only about 100 in my bag. I can't even be bothered to count them."

"This bag feels pretty heavy; seems like a lot," Wang Lan said as he opened his bag. Indeed, the bag was brimming with Soul Beads, easily 1,000 or more.

"Huh? What's this?"