Resurrection Era 997, September.
Under the infusion of spiritual energy, Chen Shu's university roommate, Wang Jue from Beiyuan City, also broke through to the Legendary level!
Thus,
Fang Si's small team successfully grew to four members...
With the Beast Emperors' actions, they no longer had opportunities for solo hunting and could only begin to frantically plunder resources.
Everything was as Fang Si had predicted...
After Wang Jue broke through to Legendary, his combat strength was not particularly immense,
But his utility was undeniable!
His main contracted spirit, Space Bird, had a dedicated space within its body that was comparable to a small world, capable of holding nearly infinite resources.
And more importantly,
The speed at which Space Bird could store resources was simply monstrous.
Even Chen Shu back then needed to first kill the fierce beasts or wait for them to be absent before collecting resources.
But Wang Jue's Space Bird was different. As long as someone could delay for a moment, it could quickly sweep through and collect everything, with no possibility of interruption.
This was truly professional...
With such a professional scavenger present,
Fang Si and the others naturally began to wreak havoc within the Ancient Imperial Continent...
Although the Ancient Imperial Continent had already been ravaged by Realm Dragon, Forbidden Mist Fierce beasts, and Chen Shu upon its appearance,
There were still considerable resource reserves.
The continent was vast, but Old Xie's search capability was formidable, allowing him to find them easily...
Old Xie and Old Wang, one responsible for finding, the other for storing,
Their cooperation was seamless...
Two months passed.
The four of them were like a storm, ravaging the continent and plundering vast amounts of resources...
Although most of them were ordinary resources, their sheer quantity could still bring about a qualitative change...
In the southern border region of the Ancient Imperial Continent,
"With so many resources, is it enough?"
Fang Si and the others sat on a snowy mountain, appearing travel-worn.
"Just a moment."
Old Xie stroked his Insect Butterfly and said, "I'll have it estimate."
Insect Butterfly not only could find resources everywhere but also served as the team's analyst, essentially an intelligent brain.
A moment later, Insect Butterfly relayed information to Old Xie.
"It's enough."
Old Xie said with joy, "It seems Xiao Xing can join us soon too."
"Then let's go. As long as Xiao Xing breaks through, our safety will be guaranteed."
Fang Si and the others did not delay and directly chose to return.
Although they had been rampaging on the Ancient Imperial Continent, they had actually encountered multiple life-and-death crises.
A month ago,
The four-person team was plundering resources when they were ambushed by a High-tier Legendary Fierce beast!
What was even more critical was,
Old Xie's Insect Butterfly immediately unleashed a blast of "love's radiance" upon the opponent.
The result was naturally predictable: the fierce beast instantly became enraged and began a relentless pursuit.
Out of necessity,
The four-person team had to counterattack, and also wanted to gauge their own combat power.
However, the outcome of the battle exceeded their expectations.
In just ten minutes,
The four-person team experienced multiple near-death experiences, and the battle situation became precarious.
The combat power of a High-tier Legendary far surpassed their estimations; it was not on the same level as a newly emerged Beast Emperor.
Without hesitation, the four of them downed two teleportation potions and forcefully escaped the fierce beast's perception range, thus saving their lives.
This was just a single High-tier Fierce beast.
If Realm Dragon, possessing the Beast Ancestor's Eye, were to appear, they would likely not even have the chance to flee.
Only then did they understand what level of enemies Chen Shu had faced alone in the past...
...
Fang Si and the others quickly returned to the ruins.
Simultaneously, they channeled all the collected resources into the Human Emperor Formation, converting them into refined spiritual power.
Xiao Xing's stalled breakthrough process was thus reignited...
Resurrection Era 998, January.
Chen Shu's middle school friend, the honorary director of the Nanjiang City Psychiatric Hospital, Xu Xingxing, also successfully broke through to the Legendary realm!
"Xiao Xing, how do you feel?"
The six of them gathered on the rooftop of the residential complex, eating the hotpot prepared by Da Li, just like in the past.
"Not bad."
Xiao Xing nodded, not showing excessive excitement.
"But why did all of you break through faster than me?"
A hint of suspicion was in his eyes. Based on talent, he should have been stronger than Old Xie at least.
Yet, he was the last to break through?
"Uh..."
The others were momentarily stunned, unsure how to explain, and could only look at Fang Si in unison.
"Yes."
Fang Si nodded, as if confirming, although it was off-topic...
"?"
Xiao Xing's mouth agape, he didn't press further.
"Alright, now our team is truly complete."
Fang Si coughed lightly and looked at the others.
They now had a main attacker, support, life-savers, and transporters – a truly perfect team.
"Our lineup is the strongest beast-taming team in history."
A Liang stroked his chin, a smile on his face.
Except for Da Li, the rest of them were Legendary level, arguably the current pinnacle of humanity.
And the only ordinary person, Da Li, was the sole Legendary Spirit Chef in history.
Their smooth breakthroughs were actually crucial to Da Li's involvement.
After all, a Legendary Spirit Chef would be revered even in the Ancient Imperial era.
At this moment, Old Xie raised an eyebrow and said,
"Should we register with the official authorities?"
"It's not impossible..."
Fang Si showed a flicker of interest.
Firstly, it would make things more formal, and secondly, it would give everyone a sense of collective honor.
Fang Si said thoughtfully,
"Since we're a beast-taming team, we naturally need a name. What name do you think would be suitable?"
For a moment, everyone fell silent, beginning to ponder.
"Right, Ah Liang, what was your trio called before?"
Da Li raised an eyebrow and asked.
After graduating from Huaxia Academy, Ah Liang, Xiao Xing, and Wang Jue had formed a beast-taming team and were quite famous in the country.
"The Super Handsome Combo."
"..."
Da Li's expression froze, then he mumbled, "Pretend I didn't ask..."
A moment later, Old Xie said, stroking his chin,
"Since we are the strongest lineup, why not call ourselves the Most Monstrous Team Ever!"
"Forget it!"
Everyone vociferously objected.
"Old Xie, can't you come up with something with a bit more flair?!"
Xiao Xing pouted and said, "How about calling ourselves the Mentally Unstable Team? It fits our demeanor!"
"You two, forget it!"
Everyone's foreheads were covered in black lines as they decisively rejected the suggestion.
"Truly unappreciative. Fine, you guys name it then!"
Xiao Xing and Old Xie exchanged a look and couldn't help but grumble.
For a time, everyone offered their suggestions, but all were rejected.
At this moment, Fang Si remained silent, his thoughts drifting to the young Chen Shu, and the idea of forming a beast-taming team together to traverse the world...
He withdrew his wistful expression and slowly said,
"Let's call ourselves the Nanjiang Outlaws."