Chapter 1283: Chapter 1254: The Students’ Survival Strategies
Three days, not too long, but definitely not short either. For a group of students, these three days were clearly crucial.
Li Chen only left them three days of food, which means they must find a reasonable and effective source of food within those three days to support them for the next month.
However, finding a sufficient food source is not simple. Although this is a forest with many wild animals and even demon beasts, there are dozens of them, and it’s impossible to guarantee they can catch prey every time. Therefore, food becomes the main issue.
After all, the cultivation of the group of students is not very high. Skipping meals for one or two days is not a problem, but if it goes on longer, their physical strength will naturally decrease. By then, even if they encounter prey, they might not have the energy to hunt it.
“This is a forest, and although there are many animals, I think our first priority should be to find a water source, especially a moving one!” said Lin Lang, who was originally a hunter, speaking first.
“You don’t have to look at me like that. I grew up in the forest,” Lin Lang said with a frown when he saw everyone looking at him. “If it was just me, I could fill my belly with no problem, but there are so many of us. One or two pieces of prey are certainly not enough. Besides, the consumption of water is a big issue.”
“I agree with Lin Lang,” Reid said from the side. “My family also has relatives who are hunters, and I’ve stayed with them for a while. I think Lin Lang is right—we should first find a water source.”
“Alright then! Let’s start by finding the water source,” said Li Weisi, the strongest in Class Seven, making the decision. “Leave half of the group here to guard our current food and water. The rest of you can split into teams of five to search for the water source.”
“Additionally, if you encounter prey on the way, make sure not to miss it. But if you encounter a demon beast, remember to retreat immediately. Don’t engage unless you are absolutely sure of victory!” Li Weisi emphasized.
“Okay!”
Clearly, the last experience in the forest left a deep impression on Li Weisi. If not for Li Chen, they might have suffered heavy casualties due to that Black Claw Bear.
On the hilltop above the valley, Li Chen stood leaning on his cane, smiling with satisfaction as he watched the group of students nervously assign tasks below.
This group of little ones did not disappoint him.
And they did quite well.
A day later, the group of students, looking a little dusty, returned to the camp in the valley.
By this time, the students left in the valley had already built simple tents for rest.
While others went out to find the water source, these people didn’t idle either.
Everyone knew the importance of cultivating, but Li Chen had already emphasized when he left that this was survival training, and cultivation was secondary.
Although some didn’t understand Li Chen’s words, the previous training results he provided had left them very satisfied. Though unsaid, in their hearts, they already had complete trust in Teacher Li.
“Didn’t find it?” Li Weisi asked with a slightly unpleasant expression to the students who had gone out to find the water source.
However, several of them shook their heads with somewhat dim expressions.
At this moment, Lin Lang returned to the valley with a few students who looked slightly pale.
“Lin Lang, you are…”
Lin Lang, although a bit pale, still had an excited expression: “We found the water source, not far from the valley. We didn’t discover it before because the small river was hidden behind another hill. Once you cross it, you can see it!”
“Then why are you…” Li Weisi asked in confusion.
Lin Lang took the water bottle handed over by Beatrice next to him and gulped down a mouthful before saying, “A Blade Armored Crocodile was hidden in the water, with strength approximately equal to a martial artist at the Mysterious Level Beginner Stage.”
Mysterious Level Beginner Stage?
Hearing this term, the faces of all the students turned slightly grim.
The strongest among them was only at the Mid-Yellow Rank, far inferior to the Mysterious Level.
“Don’t panic!”
Li Weisi glanced at the people behind him and then spoke to one of the students: “Bai Zhao, tell us about the Blade Armored Crocodile’s characteristics.”
The student named Bai Zhao immediately stepped forward upon hearing his name.
“The Blade Armored Crocodile, a low-level demon beast, generally has strength equivalent to the Mysterious Level Beginner Stage, with a few reaching the Mysterious Level Intermediate Stage. Its main characteristic is its high defensive scales and strong biting force, enough to bite through any of our true qi defenses. Its weakness is its slow speed. If you want to attack it, it’s best to restrain its movements and then use blunt weapons to hit its head for a quick defeat.”
This student named Bai Zhao explained confidently.
He was the most knowledgeable about demon beasts among the students, and his words carried weight.
“Good! That’s the plan!” Li Weisi said, his eyes flashing. “We must secure this river, or the coming days will be tough.”
He then selected several students skilled in soft and long weapons to restrain the Blade Armored Crocodile’s movements, while others with blunt weapons prepared to launch a surprise attack.
“Then, there’s the bait,” Lin Lang said.
Li Chen quietly hid in the shadows, watching the group of students arrange and execute their actions, ultimately succeeding in hunting the Blade Armored Crocodile. Li Chen saw the entire process clearly.
“It seems my concerns were unnecessary.”
Originally, Li Chen planned to stay with them for three days. If they hadn’t managed an effective response by then, he would have stepped in. But now it seemed he had underestimated his students.
“That’s good.” Li Chen smiled and turned away.
He was here for a purpose of his own.
Stuck at the Roaring Level for some time, after his battle with Lieu Zhanxiao, Li Chen felt the threshold of the Roar-level, and his time recovering at the Academy of Paradise had allowed him to consolidate his insights.
This time, he was indeed seeking a breakthrough.
“Little ones, do your best. We’ll meet again in a month.”
With a slight smile, Li Chen’s figure disappeared completely into the dense forest.