Chapter 57: Three Free Laborers

Chapter 57: Chapter 57: Three Free Laborers

"Watch out! It’s coming!"

Wang Hun shouted as a massive black-furred beast lunged out from behind the trees.

The creature resembled a wild boar, but its body was nearly twice the size of an ordinary one.

Two thick tusks protruded from its lower jaw, while its dark hide was covered in rough scales that offered considerable protection against ordinary attacks.

Its bloodshot eyes locked onto the three cultivators before it lowered its head and charged.

"Dammit! It’s a Sixth Stage Ironhide Boar!"

Wang Hun’s expression changed, but he reacted quickly, jumping aside just as the beast’s tusks swept past him.

BOOM!

The Ironhide Boar crashed into a nearby tree, shaking its thick trunk and scattering leaves across the ground.

"Zhang Zhao, attack its flank! Chen Lei, keep it distracted!"

Wang Hun barked out orders before drawing his sword.

Spiritual energy gathered along its blade as he rushed toward the beast’s exposed side.

Zhang Zhao and Chen Lei immediately moved into action.

One attacked from the left while the other circled around to the right, forcing the Ironhide Boar to divide its attention between multiple opponents.

Their movements weren’t particularly coordinated, but the three had clearly fought together before.

They knew when to advance and when to retreat, preventing the beast from focusing on any one of them for too long.

Meanwhile, several dozen meters away, Li Jian stood behind a tree with his arms folded across his chest.

He watched the battle with a calm expression, showing no intention of joining in.

’Not bad. They actually know what they’re doing.’

Although Wang Hun and the others had been rather unpleasant in their previous interactions with him, their strength wasn’t something to dismiss lightly.

Wang Hun was at the Sixth Stage of Qi Refinement, while Zhang Zhao and Chen Lei were both at the Fifth Stage.

Against a beast of the same cultivation level as Wang Hun, the three had a clear numerical advantage.

As long as they didn’t make any major mistakes, they should be able to handle it.

Of course, there was another reason Li Jian had no intention of helping.

’Why should I waste my energy when I have three people doing the work for me?’

He had already sustained an injury during his earlier fight with the horned lizard.

Although it wasn’t serious, he still needed to be careful with his spiritual energy.

The Fragment Realm was vast, and there was no telling what dangers they might encounter later.

Saving his strength whenever possible was simply the sensible choice.

Besides, the system’s arrangement had already been established.

Wang Hun and the others had agreed to assist him in exploring the Fragment Realm and hand over all the resources they obtained.

That meant he had every reason to let them handle the fighting while he observed from a safe distance.

Of course, he wasn’t going to stand by if their lives were genuinely in danger.

Dead lackeys weren’t particularly useful, after all.

Besides, these three still owed him quite a lot of Favor Debt.

He couldn’t let them die before he had a chance to make use of it.

"Roar!"

The Ironhide Boar suddenly let out a furious bellow.

Its thick hind legs kicked against the ground as it abruptly changed direction, charging straight toward Zhang Zhao.

Zhang Zhao’s expression tightened.

He hurriedly raised his sword to block, but the force behind the beast’s charge was far greater than he had anticipated.

CLANG!

The impact sent him stumbling backward. His arms went numb, and he nearly dropped his weapon.

"Damn it! Wang Hun, hurry up!"

"Stop shouting and hold it off!"

Wang Hun seized the opportunity to slash at the beast’s flank.

His sword struck between two patches of rough scales, drawing a thin line of blood.

The Ironhide Boar howled in pain and swung its massive body around.

Chen Lei, who had been waiting for an opening, immediately thrust his weapon toward its exposed side.

This time, the attack landed cleanly.

The beast staggered, its movements becoming noticeably more sluggish.

Seeing their opportunity, the three men pressed forward.

Wang Hun attacked its head to draw its attention, while Zhang Zhao and Chen Lei took turns striking its vulnerable areas.

After several more exchanges, the Ironhide Boar finally collapsed with a heavy thud.

Its body twitched a few times before falling completely still.

"Haa... Haa..."

The three cultivators stood around the carcass, breathing heavily.

Although they had won, the battle hadn’t been easy.

Their spiritual energy had been considerably depleted, and Zhang Zhao had even suffered a minor injury to his arm.

Still, a Sixth Stage demonic beast was worth the effort.

Wang Hun wiped the sweat from his forehead and turned toward the distant figure standing behind the tree.

"Li Jian! The beast is dead! Come over here!"

Li Jian calmly walked toward them, his gaze briefly sweeping across the carcass.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Wang. That was an impressive fight."

Wang Hun’s mouth twitched slightly.

He couldn’t tell whether Li Jian was genuinely praising them or deliberately making fun of them.

However, considering that Li Jian hadn’t lifted a finger throughout the entire battle, he wasn’t in the mood to think too deeply about it.

"Enough nonsense. Since you wanted us to help you explore, you should at least know what to do with the spoils."

Wang Hun pointed toward the Ironhide Boar.

"Go ahead and collect its core and useful materials. We’ll continue once you’re finished."

Li Jian looked at him for a moment.

Then he smiled.

"Senior Brother Wang, I believe there’s been a small misunderstanding."

"What misunderstanding?"

Li Jian gestured toward the dead beast.

"Didn’t we agree that all the resources we obtained during our exploration would be handed over to me?"

The forest suddenly fell silent.

Wang Hun froze.

Zhang Zhao’s eyes widened, while Chen Lei slowly turned his head toward Li Jian as though he had just heard something unbelievable.

"What did you say?" Wang Hun asked.

Li Jian maintained his pleasant smile.

"I said that the beast’s materials belong to me. Since the three of you were the ones who killed it, I’ll leave the collection to you as well."

He paused briefly before adding in an almost considerate tone.

"After all, you must be exhausted after such a difficult fight. I’ll keep and take care of the spoils for you."

"..."

For several seconds, none of the three men spoke. Then Zhang Zhao’s face darkened.

"Li Jian, are you trying to take advantage of us?"

Li Jian tilted his head slightly.

"Take advantage of you? Senior Brother Zhang, how could you say such a thing? Didn’t all three of you agree to cooperate with me?"

He spread his hands innocently.

"Or are you saying that you’ve already forgotten our agreement?"