Leaves swayed, and countless snowballs and stones flew out, hitting Zhang Wei, who was leaping in the air.
"Fuck!!!"
The snowballs themselves caused no damage, but being disturbed mid-leap, his body was pushed sideways, away from the trunk, and he fell straight to the ground. This height of several hundred meters could have killed an ordinary gourmet hunter.
Adjusting his angle in mid-air, Zhang Wei landed steadily.
While brushing snow off himself, he said, "Snowballs... that kind of force is unusual. Does this tree have a defense mechanism?"
Normally, the Treasure Hall should have given a warning for plants capable of combat.
The description did not mention this tree having combat abilities.
He tried again.
This time, Zhang Wei was much steadier, no longer making long leaps, but gripping firmly with each step.
The leaves shook again, and the snowballs were even bigger and more numerous than before!
But Zhang Wei was prepared this time. The mere snowballs were of no killing power, and he pushed through them to reach the branches.
"I'll see what exactly you are."
On the branches lay various skeletal remains, picked clean.
Yet, the Overlord Tree Ham, within arm's reach, remained untouched.
Snowballs attacked again!
Zhang Wei aimed and immediately plunged into the leaves.
"Are these... monkeys?"
[Discoverable Ingredient Found]
[Mercenary Monkey]
[Capture Level: 4]
[Description: Carnivorous, irritable, gregarious... but surprisingly obedient to powerful species. Highly intelligent, often subjugated by stronger beings to serve them. Meat is sour, astringent... low yield, very little edible value. However, monkey brains are delicious and a rare delicacy.]
"Another rare treasure."
Monkey brains, like bear paws, were ancient delicacies on Blue Star. Due to animal protection laws, Zhang Wei had never had them.
As a chef, he had countless lives on his hands, and he held no foolish notions of "monkeys being cute" or "why eat monkeys."
Besides, these mercenary monkeys were truly ugly!
Since he was only taking the monkey brains, there was no need for elaborate preparation.
His palm struck, and everything within his sight was bisected!
The qi of his transformed intent surged through the sky like dense rain!
The Treasure Hall had not issued a prompt, so it seemed he needed to collect the monkey carcasses first and extract the brains.
To this day, Zhang Wei did not understand the Treasure Hall's collection rules; sometimes it was the entire animal, sometimes a specific part.
The Icefield Yak and the Gallon Tiger were collected whole, but these mercenary monkeys were only for their brains.
Was it because their physical bodies weren't of sufficient quality?
Or did it require a certain processing method?
Under Zhang Wei's slaughter, the mercenary monkeys suffered heavy casualties, while the survivors let out high-pitched, sharp screeches.
Soon, the screeches from the entire canopy merged into one, creating a maddening cacophony.
"There are so many mercenary monkeys in this canopy, at least several hundred!"
"They weren't eating the Overlord Tree Ham... so what did they live on?"
Tens of miles away, a mighty roar boomed, as if in response to the monkeys' cries!
Seeing the terrifying beast slowly flying closer, Zhang Wei instantly understood.
In the distance, a colossal dragon roared and soared, just like in fantasy movies from his past life.
However, its scales were all snow-white, as if forged from ice and snow! Its scarred body exuded an aura of regality with every movement.
On its two feet, it carried a recently captured behemoth, which, judging by its skeletal structure, should be those bones.
"These mercenary monkeys must be raised by the Icefield Dragon; these calls must be their communication."
"When the Icefield Dragon goes out, these monkeys guard the ham."
"That makes sense; considering the tier of the Overlord Tree Ham, only a legendary creature of this level would be worthy."
Zhang Wei did not underestimate it and immediately entered combat stance.
His muscles began to swell, and his height increased to three meters. His physique was even more robust than Haru's.
A large number of mercenary monkeys emerged from the leaves, their ugly furry faces filled with excitement.
In their eyes, on this Ice Hell Plains, no creature could contend with the Icefield Dragon!
Even beasts of the same tier only managed to inflict some scars, at the cost of their own lives.
This minuscule human before them...
Huh?
He seemed to have grown, but what use was that?
As the Icefield Dragon approached, the Treasure Hall issued a prompt.
[Discoverable Ingredient Found]
[Icefield Dragon]
[Capture Level: 57 (Adult)]
[Description: The gatekeeper of the Ice Hell Plains, possessing near-invincible power, with few rivals among its peers! Possesses extreme mobility and aggression; its frost breath can freeze all things.
Although it weighs sixty tons, most of it is bone, scales, and internal organs; its muscles are extremely hard and require profound culinary skills. The most valuable part of its body is its hundreds of square meters of wings.]
"High evaluation. To reign supreme on the ice plains, it certainly has some substance!"
The dragon dropped its prey and slammed its massive claws towards Zhang Wei!
*BOOM!!!*
Zhang Wei dodged nimbly, and the giant claws left deep gouges in the branches.
Looking at the deep claw marks, Zhang Wei's pupils contracted.
"Although the branches are far less sturdy than the roots, to leave such deep marks... this dragon's strength is too terrifying!"
The dragon possessed extensive combat experience. When its claw attack failed, it immediately swung its larger wings to the side.
While its killing power was less than its claws, it compensated with a vast range. Zhang Wei had nowhere to dodge and was sent flying!
Zhang Wei struggled to free himself from the tree trunk. The power of that blow was immense!
"Strong enough!"
"Since I transmigrated, I have never encountered such a powerful opponent."
"The previous ones... couldn't even serve as a warm-up!"
Zhang Wei's best option now was to jump into a hole. Given the Icefield Dragon's size, it certainly couldn't follow.
He only needed to wait a while, and after nourishing his body with various delicacies to further increase his strength, he could easily crush the Icefield Dragon.
However, Zhang Wei shook his head and dismissed the thought.
"My physical condition far surpasses the Icefield Dragon; I just lack the tempering to fight."
"Finding practice partners of this moderate intensity is difficult."
"Fighting you... is much more interesting than smashing walls!"
He brushed off the dust. The recent heavy blow had not caused him even a shred of injury.
The Icefield Dragon was experienced in combat and extremely wary of humans, attacking immediately upon seeing Zhang Wei!
"Let you feel this too."
"Spiral Fist Force!!!"
With Zhang Wei's shout, he threw a heavy punch!
A giant drill shot out, the extreme manifestation of his transformed intent!
The dragon's eyes widened to their fullest. It spread its wings wide, attempting to change direction.
From the attack before it, the Icefield Dragon felt the threat of death!
If this thing hit...