Lugh looked at the outer region marked on the leather map that clearly had traces of time on it.

He revealed a trace of surprise and sighed, "I didn't expect that the region that I escaped to back then was actually only considered the outer region of the Forest of Despair. It was actually only at the boundary where the Imperial Court cleared out the source beasts that were threatening."

"Just the source beasts at the boundary are already so difficult to deal with. Then wouldn't the source beasts at the outer area of the Forest of Despair be even stronger?"

Lugh laughed bitterly. His heart became even more determined to become stronger. Recently, due to his obvious progress, his self-satisfaction had gradually calmed down. At this moment, Lugh had a new understanding of the Forest of Despair.

Walking on the main road, he occasionally saw a few groups of villagers walking out of the village and back to the village. Some of them were going to harvest herbs, while others were going to hunt source beasts to make a living. They were all from the same village... Lugh nodded in understanding in response to the villagers' warm greetings.

"We can already see the forest from here. Come out, Big Mouth." Lugh looked at the Forest of Despair that was formed by giant trees in the distance and immediately released his spirit spark to summon Big Mouth, because if they continued to move forward, they might encounter source beasts. Lugh had to be careful. After all, humans were different from source beasts. Humans were very weak.

Ever since the battle a week ago, Big Mouth had not fought well. After a week of training with a large amount of resources, Big Mouth's fighting strength had improved significantly. It was a good opportunity for it to familiarize itself with his strength through this trial, as well as to increase its battle experience.

When he entered the border of the Forest of Despair, he did not encounter any attacks from source beasts. It was probably because the Imperial Court had sent troops to clear it out not too long ago. Lugh had no obstructions along the way and directly entered the outer area of the Forest of Despair.

After walking into the Forest of Despair, it was not long before Lugh found the first source beast he had encountered in the forest.

This source beast was a rat-type source beast. It had a white body that was almost one meter long, and its back was filled with dense sharp spikes. Its small nose was constantly sniffing the surrounding scents, making it seem harmless and even somewhat cute.

"A low-level commoner-level beast-type source beast, the Stinger Rat, has already reached level 1. This opponent is just right. Let's warm up Big Mouth, which I haven't seen for a long time."

[Race]: Stinger Rat

[Type]: Stinger Rat

[Attribute]: Beast

[Innate Ability]: Stinger Skin

[Race Quality]: Low-Level Commoner-Class

As soon as Lugh entered the outer area, he saw a Rank 1 source beast. Although its level was higher than Big Mouth, its grade was still too low. It was a world of difference from a general-class Big Mouth. Big Mouth was enough to directly crush it across battle levels.

"Get rid of it!"

After receiving the order from its master, Big Mouth, which had long been unable to control its fighting spirit, immediately flew towards the Stinger Rat. In the blink of an eye, it arrived in front of the Stinger Rat. The sinister hook claws on its six legs were all opened, and the tip of its claws flashed with a sharp cold light.

Source beasts living in the Forest of Despair were very alert. The moment Lugh discovered the Stinger Rat, the Stinger Rat had already been on guard. Seeing Big Mouth launch a fierce attack, the Stinger Rat immediately launched a counterattack.

"Xiu! Xiu! Xiu!"

The Stinger Rat hunched its back, its body constantly shaking left and right. The sharp thorns on its body directly flew towards Big Mouth that was flying towards it. The Stinger Rat used the sharp thorns to attack the attacker.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

These tiny flying needles shot onto Big Mouth's body, but were directly repelled by the hard insect armor, not even leaving a trace.

This was the powerful defense of the superior insect armor, the Thorn Beetle Armor. It was more than enough to block this kind of attack.

The Stinger Rat that used the sharp thorn attack had already lost the best opportunity to dodge. Big Mouth, who was not slow, directly covered the hook claw with Blood Qi. A few blood traces streaked past, and the poor defense of the Stinger Rat was completely unable to block it, it was directly torn into pieces.

The large success stage Bloody Claw did not stop when it passed through the Stinger Rat's body, leaving several deep claw marks on the ground. The fallen leaves and pebbles on the ground were cut into pieces, and were sent flying from the ground.

The Stinger Rat was completely no match for Big Mouth, and Big Mouth did not even have the desire to dodge the Stinger Rat's skill, ending its pitiful life with a single strike.

The difference in race quality was too great, even though Big Mouth was only at level 9, it was enough to contend against a rank one or five commoner-level source beast. This was the difference in race quality. This was the difference in potential.

This rank 1 Stinger Rat's strength could not even compare to the Shadow Wolf that Big Mouth had fought against before. It was only the weakest existence at the periphery of the Forest of Despair. It could not achieve any effect of training.

After Stinger Rat let Big Mouth take out the beast attribute source crystals on its body, he continued to walk into the Forest of Despair.

He had not even taken a few steps when an uninvited guest jumped down from the tree and directly attacked Lugh.

"Roar!" Big Mouth, who had been on alert all this time, immediately discovered the other party. Just as it was about to hurt Lugh, it directly jumped up and used a claw to force the other party to retreat.

The uninvited guest quickly retreated. Lugh expressionlessly turned around and coldly looked at the enemy who was attacking him.

A yellowish-brown lizard-type source beast was vigilantly observing Big Mouth that was forcing it back. Its body was covered in swollen warts, and its four limbs were like sharp iron claws that were tightly grasping the ground, ready to attack at any moment.

"A medium-level civilian Steel-Clawed Lizard? It's already Rank 1, Level 3. This opponent is not bad!" Lugh looked at the Steel-Clawed Lizard in front of him, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

[Race]: Steel-Clawed Lizard

[Origin]: Beast-Lizard Species

[Attribute]: Beast Rock

[Innate Ability]: Hard Skin

[Race Quality]: Medium-Level Civilian

Steel-Clawed Lizards usually lived in the forest areas near water sources. This kind of lifeform had a vicious nature and was very vengeful. If one offended it, they would not rest until one of them died. The steel claws that they were born with were their proudest weapon. They could easily crush rocks.

"Big Mouth, let me see your growth. Let's end this quickly." A smile appeared on Lugh's face as he said.

In Lugh's opinion, only a strong opponent could have a sharpening effect. Compared to the Stinger Rat from before, it was obvious that this Steel-Clawed Lizard that was actively looking for trouble had a more tempering effect on Big Mouth.

"Hiss, hiss!"

The Steel-Clawed Lizard continuously spat out its long and thin tongue, emitting a hissing sound similar to that of a snake.

Its eyes narrowed in a very human-like manner as it slowly approached the big mouth. The steel claws on its four limbs easily crushed the stones along the way.

The blood vessels on the two-meter-long body were obvious. It was like a muscular man, giving off a strong sense of impact.

"Roar..."

The Big Mouth opened its mouth and growled. It crossed its six-limbed claws in front of its chest.

The legs of Big Mouth were covered by the Thorn Beetle Armor. When they came into contact with each other, they made a sound like colliding copper and iron. In the next moment, all the claws were covered by a layer of poisonous membrane. The claws seemed to be covered by a layer of pale blue frost.

"Hiss, hiss!"

The Steel-Clawed Lizard directly charged at Big Mouth. Its powerful four limbs ran in coordination with its body that was constantly swaying. It coordinated its balance while maintaining its high speed movement.

Although its body was huge, its charging speed was not slow at all.

The moment Big Mouth launched its attack, it also attacked the enemy at the same time.

Since its master, Lugh, was right beside it, Big Mouth could not allow the other party to fight with it near its master. It prioritized protecting Lugh.

The moment the two sides approached, the Steel-Clawed Lizard stood up straight.

The Steel-Clawed Lizard's claw in its hand emitted a silver-white light and instantly became longer and narrower. Along with the strong wind, it slapped towards Big Mouth's head that was not covered by the beetle armor.

"Steel-Clawed Claw!"

The name of the Steel-Clawed Lizard's original skill suddenly appeared in Lugh's mind. This move was the most commonly used and most practical tyrannical move of the Steel-Clawed Lizard race. It was a strike that took into account both defense and strength.

"Very smart. It chose the weak point of Big Mouth's defense to attack. However, if that's the case, it won't be a problem for this little guy."

Lugh did not show any signs of panic. He calmly watched the battle on the field.

"Roar!"

Big Mouth forcefully turned around. Its six limbs kicked to the side and its body flew to the left. Then it kept his balance by flapping its wings and landed steadily.