Chapter 3: An Encounter on the Battlefield

Li Mingxing immediately understood what his subordinates were thinking. He knew that in the Inner World, combat strength often meant everything. Since he couldn't yet rely on his intellect to handle all matters in this world, it would be beneficial to enhance his fighting abilities, even if just a little. After all, this was a world riddled with dangers, not the real world where he could act with impunity.

With that in mind, Li Mingxing nodded at his subordinates, signaling his agreement. Soon after, two elite thieves dragged a massive stone stele before him.

Li Mingxing could see that the stele was surrounded by swirling goblin souls, most likely the ancestors of the goblins who had once inhabited this cave.

He circled the stele and then turned to ask, “How does one use this thing?”

“Just press your forehead against it,” replied one of the elite thieves, who then took up a guarding position at the entrance.

Though puzzled, Li Mingxing did as he was told, placing his forehead against the stone. Instantly, he felt a chill seep into his body and gather in his chest and abdomen.

He hesitated, trying to manipulate the chill within him, but no matter what he did, it remained motionless.

Seeing this, the elite thief explained, “Even the method to transform one's physique is a skill—you need to learn it from a mentor.”

At the mention of skills, Li Mingxing seemed to understand. To alter his physique, he'd need to acquire this skill first. But what about his other abilities? He currently possessed three skills.

As soon as this thought crossed his mind, the chill that had entered his body began to move again. It appeared before him, drifting toward the three skill icons in his mind’s eye.

Li Mingxing tried to control it and found that he could. He split the chill into four parts, distributing them among his skills: two parts to Imperial Aura, and one each to Toxic Physique and Draconic Lust Physique.

Yet, to his confusion, nothing happened after the chill was injected into these skills—no reaction, no changes.

Upon reflection, Li Mingxing realized the reason. The experience he’d gained this time wasn’t much, and after dividing it further, each skill received too little to advance. If he wanted to grow stronger, he’d need much more experience.

With this realization, Li Mingxing decided not to linger. After instructing Yin Haitao to collect the soul coins formed from the goblin souls, he immediately sent out scouts.

The rest of his followers stayed behind in the now abandoned goblin den. The elite thieves searched through the goblins’ stored food for anything edible, while the battle leopards feasted unabashedly on the goblins’ corpses.

Li Mingxing called Yin Haitao aside. “Did you notice anything during the last fight?”

Yin Haitao thought for a long moment before answering, “They’re very strong.”

“Could you match the elite thieves’ level?”

Yin Haitao considered carefully, then shook his head. “It would take a lot of training.”

“In that case, just focus on coordinating the elite thieves. Here’s my plan: three elite thieves will scout ahead, and the other two will each lead three battle leopards as combat squads. What do you think?”

“But aren’t the battle leopards more effective as a group?” Yin Haitao asked.

“That’s true, but have you considered our limited manpower? If we spread too thin, we’ll lack strength. My idea is for the three elite thieves to scout in different directions. If they encounter trouble, they can retreat. For minor issues, the combat squads will handle it. If it’s a large enemy force, they can hold out until the main force arrives.”

Yin Haitao found no fault with this arrangement. Thus, Li Mingxing’s force underwent its first reorganization: thirty-three battle leopards were concentrated at Li Mingxing’s side, while the rest were directed by Yin Haitao.

Just as they finished planning, an elite thief returned with news: not far ahead, two groups were engaged in battle.

Li Mingxing’s eyes lit up—this was the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the chaos.

He and Yin Haitao quickly led the troops to the scene, moving cautiously so it took some time to arrive.

Upon seeing the situation, Li Mingxing immediately grasped the overall picture. As reported, two groups were locked in fierce combat.

On one side were six minotaurs, each with bronze skin and standing over two meters tall. Five wielded axes the size of wheelbarrows, while the last, standing at the rear, held a totem pole as thick as an adult’s waist.

Their opponents were more numerous—around thirty troglodytes, accompanied by three harpies. Unlike the minotaurs’ uniform weaponry, the troglodytes wielded a mix of spears and steel pipes.

What truly surprised Li Mingxing were the harpies’ weapons—strange devices like grenades, which didn’t explode on impact but bounced erratically across the ground, detonating only when striking flesh, with considerable destructive power.

After observing for a while, Yin Haitao whispered, “Master, should we intervene?”

“Of course, but now isn’t the time. We’ll wait until things are most critical.” Li Mingxing glanced at the battlefield. “If we act at the most dangerous moment, we’ll reap the greatest rewards.”

Yin Haitao didn’t fully understand until Li Mingxing pointed at a withered tree behind the harpies. Only then did Yin Haitao notice a treehouse nestled within its branches. Though far away, both he and Li Mingxing could sense a powerful presence inside.

“See that? The troglodytes and harpies are defending that treehouse. We don’t know if anyone’s inside, so helping the minotaurs capture it isn’t realistic. Our best move is to attack the minotaurs when the defenders are on the verge of collapse. That way, we might profit in the end.”

Yin Haitao nodded and watched the unfolding drama intently. Meanwhile, Li Mingxing and his battle leopards carefully studied their enemies’ strength and tactics.

Soon, Li Mingxing realized that although the minotaurs seemed formidable, their combat ability wasn’t overwhelming. They boasted great strength and sweeping attacks, but were slow. Their strategy relied on brute force, head-to-head.

If not for the shaman at the rear providing timely healing, the minotaurs might have already fallen.

After a while, Li Mingxing concluded, “The situation is nearly resolved. At this rate, the minotaurs will wipe out the troglodytes. So I’ll take fifteen battle leopards to kill the minotaur shaman. The rest, under your command, must hold off two of the minotaurs—no matter how you do it.”

Yin Haitao frowned. “They’re powerful. Facing them head-on is suicide.”

“That’s why you need only lure them away. With your speed, it shouldn’t be difficult.”

At this, Yin Haitao hesitated no longer. “When should we act?”

“After I make my move, have the elite thieves distract the minotaurs from a distance.” Li Mingxing licked his forepaw, excitement surging within him for reasons he couldn’t explain.

With everything in place, Li Mingxing nodded to the fifteen chosen battle leopards, and they slipped through the shadows toward the battlefield.

When they were twenty-five meters from the minotaur shaman, Li Mingxing took a steadying breath, reminding himself that he could cover that distance in a single leap. His tail was now fitted with a superior stinger, filled with his own refined toxin. All he needed to do was drive the stinger into the shaman’s body, and victory would be his.

Yet, the more he psyched himself up, the greater the pressure became, causing his body to shrink back involuntarily.

At that moment, several battle leopards stood before him, as if asking whether they should attack first to create an opening.

Seeing this, Li Mingxing shook his head, crouched low, and charged straight at the minotaur shaman. His speed was astonishing—within a blink, he was behind his target.