In the dimly lit cave, sparks flew.
The cold gleamed from the well-crafted standard machete as it struck the surface of the stone wall.
Yet it only crushed a few scattered lichens.
Clumsily avoiding the opponent’s attack.
Xia Nan rolled to his feet, the tip of the Beheading Longsword resting on the ground.
He panted heavily, strands of hair on his forehead matted with sweat, and a few specks of mud adorned his cheeks.
The outer thigh of his trousers was sliced open, with blood slowly seeping from underneath.
—This was a cut accidentally inflicted by the sharp-edged stones on the cave floor during the battle earlier.
Fortunately, the wound wasn’t deep; with his Constitution, it would scab over and heal quickly, alleviating concerns of excessive bleeding.
And before him, the enemy he was fighting against.
Was a humanoid demon with the size of an adult male, its skin a reddish-brown hue.
Like the Bear Goblins, this creature was also a subspecies of goblins.
Much like two divergent branches from the same bough.
If Bear Goblins evolved towards size and Strength;
Then Earth Goblins leaned towards intelligence and commanding abilities.
A Challenge Level of "0.5" rendered an ordinary Earth Goblin, lacking other talents, generally no match for its burly cousin in a one-on-one scenario.
However, their intelligence far exceeded their kin, bestowing them with greater potential.
These natural leaders and commanders could effortlessly become the chief of a large goblin settlement upon reaching adulthood, rapidly expanding the tribe into a menace threatening other intelligent beings, thanks to inherited plundering experiences.
In exceptionally unique situations, some elite individuals could even, under the protection of their patron deity, master Battle Skills, attain Professional Levels, and even manipulate Magic Particles...
Of course, none of this had any relevance to the current Earth Goblin Xia Nan was facing.
Thick saliva dripped from the yellow-brown tusks.
The Earth Goblin swung the machete in its hand, roaring with anger.
After the intense clash with Xia Nan, it was impossible for it to remain unscathed.
Its arms, waist, and lower legs were marked with sword-inflicted wounds.
The gradually diminishing life force and vigor only fueled its increasing agitation.
"Damn flea, I’ll chop off your head and feed your brains to the maggots in the latrine!"
Yet, this thick tribal-tinged taunt did not disrupt its opponent’s rhythm, nor did it lead to erratic performance caused by agitated emotions.
Xia Nan remained calm.
He even felt a hint of amusement.
Having spent countless nights typing on keyboards and battling experts worldwide in forums in his previous life.
Such threats from the Earth Goblin had no aggression for him.
If he truly wished to anger the opponent.
He could casually pick a phrase or two from the countless retorts flashing through his mind at the moment and speak them aloud.
The "pure" tribal youth in front might break down on the spot and charge at him recklessly.
There was no need for that.
Xia Nan intentionally entered the cave to utilize actual combat as much as possible to accelerate the learning of Battle Skills.
Now that the opponent’s injuries were worsening and its Combat Ability rapidly declining, it lost its value as a sparring partner.
He did not wish to waste more time.
The iron-gray Beheading Longsword was held horizontally in front of Xia Nan’s chest, firmly blocking the Earth Goblin’s descending slash.
The sword trembled slightly from the intense collision.
As if entering the phase of a sword-holding contest, Xia Nan suddenly loosened his tight grip on the hilt.
Boots stained with Ice Crystals ground into the mud and moss on the cave floor, suddenly exerting force!
The scenery on both sides receded, and the air around him instantly solidified, as if submerged in deep water.
In his ears, there seemed to be the brewing accumulation of some beast’s cry.
Just as the beast’s cry grew louder, seemingly about to explode at any moment.
"Pity, just a little more."
Thoughts floated in his mind.
Under the effect of [Teeth Hunting], Xia Nan was supposed to instantly relocate behind the enemy.
However, due to not fully mastering the Battle Skill, he only displaced to the side of the Earth Goblin, where his speed slowed.
Yet it was already enough.
Like a taut violin string, Xia Nan exerted strength in his waist and abdomen, rotating his body with the momentum of the charge, and the Beheading Longsword traced a perfect arc.
The crescent moon-shaped iron-gray sharp arc of light vanished fleetingly in the air.
With the Chopping Master’s five percent slashing damage bonus, stacking with the sword’s five percent beheading attribute.
Sheared off the Earth Goblin’s left shoulder blade and half a head.