After resting for a while, Zhang Shi and the others marked the altar. Guided by Ge Dalong, they continued to explore forward, intending to first locate the treasure chest and, incidentally, gain some experience to level up.

The altar can significantly advance the progress, so it's still necessary to open it.

Neither the monster tide nor the final elite monster is weak. Zhang Shi and his group are of higher level, so they can deal with them more safely.

After a series of fierce battles, everyone reached level 5, with Zhang Shi even reaching level 6. The progress bar was also pushed to 30%.

At this point, his attributes were already very high, and he could kill ordinary beasts and monsters with a single blow.

Name: Zhang Shi

Race: Human

Experience points: Level 6 (10/5100)

Rank: Common

Strength: 16+1

Agility: 8

Physical condition: 6

Magic: 0

Talent: Scholar

Ability value: 7

As they approached their destination, just in case, Zhang Shi distributed plums to everyone to help them regain their stamina. Wu Qing also took out various types and functions of incense to prepare for the formidable enemy.

Following the guidance of the parchment, the four arrived at a lake with a pavilion in the middle, where a shimmering treasure chest was placed.

It is worth noting that there is an altar on the opposite bank of the lake, exactly the same as the one we just encountered.

Zhang Shi used his Dingzhen technique to examine the area around the treasure chest and found no danger.

The quality of the treasure chest is dynamic; when it is opened, its quality is determined based on the challenger's final progress.

Zhang Shi informed his teammates of the discovery. Zhao Feng glanced at the time and asked.

"We've only gone halfway through the time limit, and we still have one Medal of Courage. Should we open another altar?"

Ge Dalong looked at Wu Qing and asked, "Xiao Qing, do you have enough incense?"

Wu Qing shook her head.

"There are only some with lower enhancement values ​​left. For example, we only brought one of those incenses that put animals to sleep."

Zhang Shi considered it for a while and then discussed it with everyone.

"Now that our strength has increased, if we fight around this lake, we can reduce the pressure from one direction. Even if we can't win, we can use the pavilion to run to the other side of the lake. I think it's worth a try."

None of them were willing to leave just like that, but once Zhang Shi spoke up, they all agreed with his idea.

As usual, Ge Dalong built defensive fortifications around the altar with wooden fences. This time, he also took out several spike traps that Zhang Shi was familiar with and placed them in front of the fences.

Zhao Feng stood at the forefront, holding a giant axe, while Wu Qing lit incense and was guarded in the center by Zhang Shi and Ge Dalong.

Zhang Shi glanced at everyone, nodded to each other, and then placed the Medal of Courage into the altar.

Another familiar red light accompanied by violent shaking.

With the lake behind it, a large number of monsters emerged from three sides of the altar, their eyes red, and they charged towards the altar like madmen.

Ge Dalong put all his attribute points into magic power, unlike at the beginning when he would run out of energy after using the wand a few times in a row.

With only a 2-second cooldown, Ge Dalong, in conjunction with the energy ball, unleashed a barrage of firepower, clearing out a small area of ​​monsters.

Zhang Shi coordinated with him, firing a barrage of sharp arrows, each one a life. Against larger beasts, they would deliver a triple blow, blasting them to pieces.

Some agile monsters and beasts approached the fence, attempting to leap over from the outside, but failed to notice the spike trap ahead. Their footing gave way, and they were pierced by the iron spikes, turning into pincushions. A few that managed to scale the wall were quickly dispatched by Zhao Feng, who was waiting inside, with a single axe blow.

After an unknown amount of time, with ample preparation, the four of them easily caught the strange tide.

The altar shook violently again, the red light dissipated, and a cocoon appeared.

A black claw emerged from the cocoon, breaking it open, and a lithe black panther appeared before everyone. The panther had sharp eyes and its fur reflected light like silk, indicating that it was of high quality.

Zhang Shi examined it and shared the information.

[Black Panther King (Green): Panel (Unknown) Ability Value: 41]

[A highly refined elite monster, extremely fast, with sharp claws and teeth.]

Although he was also unsure of its level, Zhao Feng judged from its appearance that it was an easy monster to bully, so he stepped forward with his giant axe and swung it horizontally. The flint axe blade swept across, creating a burst of sparks.

With a push of its legs, the Black Panther Queen nimbly leaped into the air, easily dodging Zhao Feng's attack. Then, it swung a claw at Zhao Feng, which he blocked with the broad blade of his axe.

Zhang Shi's iron arrows and Ge Dalong's ice spikes came flying, but the Black Panther King jumped back slightly to avoid the attack, crouched down, and let out a series of threatening growls.

Unlike the gargoyles, the Black Panther King was a beast known for its speed. It easily dodged Zhang Shi and his companions' first round of attacks. Zhang Shi knew that this monster could not be defeated by brute force.

"This thing is too fast. It's too easy for it to dodge when it attacks from one direction. Feng, you keep it occupied, and everyone spread out to surround it."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Feng decisively pressed forward. With the support of the Firestone Giant Axe, his strength was almost comparable to that of a large beast. The Black Panther King did not dare to confront Zhao Feng head-on, and could only rely on its agile movements to dodge left and right, looking for an opportunity to swing a claw, trying to find a weakness in Zhao Feng.

Relying on his armor, Zhao Feng was fearless, unleashing powerful and sweeping attacks. He dodged the Black Panther King's attacks whenever possible, and relied on his weapons and armor to withstand the ones he couldn't dodge, managing to entangle the king for a time.

Zhang Shi and his two companions had already spread out their formation, and even Wu Qing took out a woodworking set from her backpack to coordinate with Zhang Shi's actions.

"Brother Feng, now's the time!"

The three attacked simultaneously from three different directions, their arrows and ice spikes forming an angle that locked onto the Black Panther King. Hearing Zhang Shi's voice, Zhao Feng unleashed another sweeping attack, blocking the Black Panther King's path.

Forced into a corner, the Black Panther King made a decision in an instant.

With a twist of its body, it darted out like a cannonball, leaving a bloody gash on its shoulder, and charged towards Wu Qing despite her arrows.

Seeing that the other party was treating her like an easy target, Wu Qing angrily took out a string of chili peppers from her backpack, threw it forward, and then quickly retreated, squatted down, covered her ears, and stared ahead.

Not to mention Black Panther King, even Zhang Shi didn't understand what was going on with Wu Qing and was preparing to unleash a triple attack to rescue her.

"Bang!"

Before Zhang Shi could react, a violent explosion suddenly occurred where the chili pepper had fallen, sending flames soaring into the sky and thick smoke billowing out.

The Black Panther King was thrown into the air by the sudden explosion.

Ge Dalong seized the opportunity, his ice spikes predicting the landing point and successfully hitting the black panther king, breaking its hind leg. Furthermore, frost spread across the black panther king's body.

Zhang Shi aimed at the Black Panther King and delivered a triple strike. Arrows rained down, piercing its body, with the phantom arrow piercing through it completely, leaving two bloody holes.

At this moment, the Black Panther King had completely lost his fighting ability and was lying on the ground, barely alive.

Zhao Feng walked up to it, his face cold, and swung his giant axe down, severing its head and sending it to meet the King of Hell.