"Hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo!"At this critical moment, the Flaxscale Monitor sharply sensed a deadly threat behind it. Its head, like a flexible hinge, rotated 180 degrees on the spot to face Ethan Chen directly.
It opened its horrifying maw, unleashing a burst of scorching yellow flames.
Ethan, unfazed by the sudden attack as if expecting it, quickly dodged aside. Despite his efforts, he still suffered minor burns. But having seized the initiative, he pierced the Monitor's left eye at the cost of a slight burn.
The Monitor screamed in deafening agony, the sound echoing through the air.
Countless life-or-death battles had engraved the phrase "strike while your opponent is vulnerable" deeply in Ethan's mind.
Rolling swiftly along the Monitor's broad back, he reached its wings without hesitation.
Without pause, he unleashed a series of Thunderous Drums strikes, severing the wings.
With its wings cut off, the Monitor not only lost its ability to fly but also struggled to maintain balance.
Crack! It collapsed onto the ground.
It tried to stand but with great difficulty; after trembling briefly, it fell prone again.
The Monitor was formidable, but Ethan's mastery came from dozens of deaths and invaluable experience.
Only through those countless deaths could he learn the Monitor's attack patterns and rhythm so well.
Facing the struggling beast, Ethan felt no mercy and wasted no words.
Instead of attacking vital points outright, he skillfully severed the Monitor's limbs and tail one by one.
Finally, when sure it could no longer fight back, he struck decisively.
His body moved like thunder, without hesitation, slicing through the Monitor's neck, piercing its heart, and smashing its head.
Each move was precise, leaving no room for respite.
This was Ethan's killing trio.
The second wave's Hookclaw Bears had regenerative powers, which once cost him dearly.
"Next wave arriving in 30 seconds!" The familiar Crystal Space prompt echoed again, along with a voice in Ethan's mind:
[Congratulations Host, successfully defended five waves of monsters, Mental Strength increased by 1][Congratulations Host, Defense Waves: 5/5 (Completed), acquired "Ruins Immortal Visualization Technique"]
The first reward was routine, nothing special.
Every wave defended granted Ethan a Mental Strength level increase.
Previously, his defense count was 4, plus the initial level 1, making his Mental Strength level 5.
Now, after five waves, it rose to level 6.
As for this Ruins Immortal Visualization Technique…
Before becoming a Martial Artist, everyone's Mental Strength hovered around level 1—like ordinary people.
After becoming Martial Artists, the body could absorb star energy, raising Mental Strength—but very slowly.
Visualization Techniques were an active way to cultivate Mental Strength.
They required a minimum Mental Strength of 5 to use safely, or death risked following.
Ethan hadn't expected to receive this after the fifth wave.
Visualization Techniques were one-time consumables.
Once used, a phantom image would appear in your consciousness.
The user simply sank their mind into it to train Mental Strength.
Even the worst Visualization Techniques sold for millions on the market, a scarce and highly prized commodity.
The Big-Eyed Civilization on Mercury was especially skilled in mental attacks and had driven prices sky-high.
To be honest, Ethan didn't want this Visualization Technique.
It might be a treasure to others, but every wave he defended raised his Mental Strength level.
For those stuck unable to improve Mental Strength, the Visualization Technique was essential.
But Ethan preferred selling it for cash, then using the money to buy Vitality Milk to boost Life Intensity!
Unfortunately, he couldn't do that.
This reward was directly assigned to him.
He only had to close his eyes and slightly sink his mind to feel the phantom in his consciousness.
And its origin was inexplicable.
While Ethan studied the reward, thirty seconds passed like sand slipping through his fingers.
Boom! Boom! Boom! The earth trembled inexplicably as tall figures emerged one after another from the white fog.
Sixth Wave Monsters: Greenfire Giants (Level 6.2)
"1... 2..." Their grayish-white bodies were mottled with irregular green patches.
Each giant stood about ten meters tall, with Life Intensity one level above Ethan's.
And there were thirty of them!
Noting this, Ethan sighed:
"Looks like I won't get past this stage anytime soon."
At this moment, he had no desire to fight, only wanting to try the Visualization Technique.
To wake refreshed, he ran straight beneath a giant and took his death without hesitation.
At 4 a.m., Ethan opened his eyes lying in bed.
His bright, sharp eyes showed no sign of fatigue.
To confirm the Visualization Technique's presence, he immediately sensed it in his consciousness.
"Good, it's with me."
Ethan feared it would only be detectable inside Crystal Space, leaving no time to use it.
Some gifted people reached Mental Strength level 5 before becoming Martial Artists—like Ethan.
But few used Visualization Techniques then, because it was too grueling.
After becoming Martial Artists, one's mind, willpower, and endurance strengthened greatly.
Usually, only then could people endure such torment.
But Ethan was an exception.
Thanks to the 100% pain experience in Crystal Space battles, his pain tolerance was terrifyingly high.
Sitting cross-legged on his bed, eyes closed tight, he transformed his mind into a tiny figure and sank into it.
As he approached, the phantom in his consciousness gradually enlarged.
When clear, Ethan gasped.
It was a giant—not just any Sixth Wave Greenfire Giant, but a super giant!
Ethan's 1.83-meter height wasn't even as tall as the giant's toenail!
Feeling Ethan's gaze, the giant opened eyes with six pupils.
It began to smile mysteriously but made no sound.
Suddenly, Ethan felt his consciousness twist, tremble, and tear—like being burned, fried, and frozen.
But whenever he closed his eyes, the sensation vanished.
"I see now..."
"No wonder it's called a Visualization Technique. Just staring at this giant trains my mind."
"I heard this pain accumulates. Today, I want to see exactly how much it hurts!"
...
February 17, early morning.
Ethan entered the classroom with a tired look, his haggard face out of place compared to usual.
Class monitor William Shouren was shocked and immediately concerned:
"Ethan, you can't have turtle stew with wolfberries every meal!"
"That'll mess you up!"