Chapter 60: The Bizarre


    However, Han Ming had no other choice but to brace himself and move forward.


    Having witnessed the power of the Xuantian Ice Silkworm, he gained a deeper understanding of the first form of the Water God''s Art, "Extreme Freeze."


    The chilling power of "Extreme Freeze" was likely far more formidable than that of the Xuantian Ice Silkworm. Otherwise, why would it require such a monstrous magical beast core to cultivate?


    Han Ming was well aware of the terrifying cold emitted by the Xuantian Ice Silkworm. A member of the Falcon Mercenary Group had been frozen into a crystalline statue just by approaching within ten meters. Even the person who tried to thaw the statue succumbed to the cold and died.


    Who said water mages have no future!? If I master the first form of the Water God''s Art, its freezing power will surpass even that of the Xuantian Ice Silkworm. Then, anyone who displeases me will be turned into an ice sculpture!


    What? You want to thaw them? Well, you''ll die too.


    "Hahahaha!"


    Han Ming laughed heartily, his earlier frustrations dissipating in the joy of being able to cultivate the first form of the Water God''s Art. Endure the bitter to become the master!


    Water God''s Art, here I come!


    The wilderness forest was vast, and as Han Ming ventured deeper, the number of magical beasts increased. Eventually, he encountered one or two low-tier beasts every day. Although these low-tier beasts posed no fatal threat, they significantly slowed his progress.


    After a full month, he hadn''t even covered half the distance to the central region of the wilderness forest.


    In the remote wilderness, Han Ming no longer worried about drawing attention. He took out his giant battle axe, carrying it on his back daily.


    After defeating a first-tier wood-attribute magical beast, Han Ming sat on the ground, noticing the dusk had fallen.


    He extracted the crystal from the beast''s head and tossed it into his storage bag. Now, his bag contained nearly a hundred assorted small crystals—quite a haul.


    The month of training had made Han Ming more adept with his giant battle axe.


    His magical cultivation had stabilized at the second-tier, first-level Grand Mage. The next advancement was still far off.


    Since he couldn''t cultivate combat energy, he focused on honing his techniques and physical agility. While others spent time consolidating their combat energy, Han Ming, free from such concerns, dedicated his time to mastering attack techniques—his only way to enhance his strength.


    Shirtless, Han Ming stood in a forest clearing, wielding his giant axe with ease. His seemingly delicate arms hid explosive strength. With swift movements, he felled trees as thick as a man''s waist, startling groups of animals into fleeing.


    Han Ming grew more proficient, the giant axe becoming an extension of his body. His strikes—chopping, slashing, smashing, sweeping—became a blur of black shadows.


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    After two hours of practice, the sky had darkened completely.


    Han Ming packed up, slung his shirt over his shoulder, and headed to a small river. He stripped and dove in with a perfect arc.


    The cool, clear water washed away his sweat, soothing his body. He floated on the surface, resting under the faint glow of plants and starlight piercing the thin black mist.


    As he prepared to dress, he heard faint footsteps—three or four people approaching.


    Who would come this deep into the wilderness? Most people only ventured to the outskirts to hunt low-tier beasts for magic crystals.


    Han Ming, caught off guard, quickly crouched in the water, hiding behind riverside weeds, only his eyes and nose above the surface.


    Soon, three figures appeared—young women, each quite attractive.


    Oh no!


    Han Ming realized his clothes were still on the bank.


    The tallest woman frowned, "Who''s in the water? Come out!"


    Han Ming, seeing no point in hiding, stood up, revealing his upper body.


    "Sorry, I was bathing and didn''t hear you. I didn''t want to startle you," he said with a smile.


    The tall woman''s expression softened. Han Ming''s explanation made sense; he couldn''t very well run around naked.


    The two younger women giggled. One, cute-looking, teased, "We wanted to get some water, but with you bathing here, how can we drink it?"


    Han Ming scratched his head, embarrassed.


    The tall woman frowned, "Come out!"


    "Out? I''m naked. You''d see everything," Han Ming replied, puzzled.


    His words, though innocent, sounded like teasing to the women.


    The younger ones stopped smiling, while the tall woman glared, "You dare insult us! Come out now, or I''ll kill you!"


    Han Ming, confused by their mood swings, sighed, "Alright, I''m coming out."


    He waded ashore, the shallow water no longer hiding him.


    The two younger women screamed.


    "You''re dead!" The tall woman swung her sword at Han Ming.


    He rolled away, grabbing his clothes and hopping on one leg to put them on.


    "Hey! You told me to come out, and now you''re mad? What''s the deal?" Han Ming protested.


    The women were being unreasonable.


    "You''re asking for it!" The tall woman attacked again.


    Han Ming, adhering to the principle of not fighting women, dodged her strikes and finally dressed.


    Seeing no reason to fight over such a trivial matter, he turned to leave.


    But the tall woman, relentless, kept thrusting her sword at him.


    Han Ming grew annoyed, "Enough already!"


    The tall woman, only a first-level Grand Warrior, was no match. Han Ming, without using his weapon, caught her blade between two fingers and snapped it with a twist.


    "You! How dare you!" The tall woman, furious at her broken sword, glared.


    "Me? How dare I? Even women should be reasonable," Han Ming retorted.


    The other two women drew their swords, advancing on Han Ming.


    "Stop!"


    A man''s voice interrupted.


    Han Ming, about to break their swords, turned to see a tall, handsome man in white robes emerge from the shadows. His refined features and graceful demeanor outshone even Han Ming.


    The man''s presence was striking, but what caught Han Ming''s attention was his stealth. Han Ming, with his current strength, hadn''t sensed the man''s approach—a clear sign of a master.


    "What''s going on?" the man asked, glancing at Han Ming.


    The women rushed to him, the younger ones clinging to him, complaining, "That jerk harassed us!"


    The tall woman, though less overt, held the man''s hand, gazing at him lovingly.


    Han Ming sighed, some people just have it all.


    The man, courteous, smiled at Han Ming, "There must be a misunderstanding. I hope you don''t mind."


    His words defused Han Ming''s anger. "No problem, just a misunderstanding. Let''s part ways here."


    Han Ming, with a nod, slung his giant axe over his shoulder and turned to leave.


    The women, noticing the axe, gasped.


    The man''s eyes gleamed, "Wait, friend."


    Han Ming stopped, "What now?"


    The man, without a word, stripped the tall woman, leaving her naked.


    Han Ming frowned, "What''s the meaning of this?"


    The man replied, "Consider this compensation. If you''re still unsatisfied, they can spend the night with you."


    The tall woman trembled but remained silent. The younger ones pouted.


    "No thanks," Han Ming said, growing wary.


    Suddenly, rapid footsteps approached from the forest.


    A muscular, towering man burst into view, spotting the naked tall woman. He roared, "Wife! Why did you run off with that pretty boy? And what''s this!"


    Han Ming was stunned. Wife? She was married?


    The tall woman, mortified, tried to dress, but the man in white calmly said, "Who said you could dress?"


    She hesitated, then removed her half-donned clothes.


    What the hell is going on? Han Ming was utterly confused.