My Misfortune Crushed Instances-Chapter 206: You Really Like Slap Battles, Huh?

In the Ancient Forest, there are quite a few members of the Demon Race that can be turned against their leader. According to the setting of the Secret Realm World, demons are ordinary beasts that have cultivated themselves to gain Dao, meaning they are ordinary animals that possess Extraordinary Abilities.

Therefore, implicitly, they often engage in disputes among themselves. It's only due to the leader's intimidation that their nature is suppressed, but there are still quite a few rebels among them.

Besides, that King Zhi is genuinely worthless—indulgent, extravagant, and allowing his subordinates to bully and dominate the market. If his own cultivation strength were not far superior to the other Demon Races and didn't have a supreme king to intimidate the demons above him, he would have been overthrown long ago.

In any event, this situation provides Li Rui and the others with many opportunities.

Now, the group has found a Water Buffalo Demon.

He's a blockhead with brute strength, whose lifelong hobby is competing in strength contests. He was previously utterly defeated by King Zhi, leading him to submit, and now he bosses around the Ancient Forest, boasting that aside from the Wild Boar Demon, he has no rival.

Being guided to the vicinity of this demon, Wu Bing furrowed his brow, "The content of this optional task is random. That dumb bull only competes in strength, and may include lifting cauldrons, arm wrestling, or grappling. Can we handle this?"

He mainly looked towards Li Rui, as the two challenging optional tasks so far have almost entirely been achieved by him alone.

But before he could answer, Li Bailang started to have second thoughts.

"I'm a martial arts master, not a pure-strength fighter. If it's purely about strength... I can't win."

It's not because he's cowardly, but because this is a ten-star Secret Realm, and the task difficulty is inherently high. Normally, people wouldn't want to recruit every optional NPC they encounter. If it's unsuitable, it's better to give up to avoid unexpected incidents. The strategy guide even says so.

But Li Rui thinks differently. In this ten-star Secret Realm from level 26-30, the experience from optional tasks is much more valuable than in Peach Blossom Spring. Not a single one can be missed.

Now, An Qing has become wiser, directly looking at him, "Should we take on this optional task?"

"Take it,"

Li Rui said without hesitation, "I'll compete with him in strength."

Li Bailang was taken aback, "Aren't you a Rain Summoner?"

"I'll give it a try."

Li Bailang instinctively wanted to dissuade him but then remembered this guy's magical aptitude, thinking perhaps he could talk that old bull into submission again?

"Alright, let's go and see."

The four of them approached, and before them lay a muscle-bound bull-headed demon sprawled atop an upside-down cauldron, arm wrestling with another demon whose size was no less formidable.

A crowd of idle spectators had gathered nearby, not only demons but humans as well, all enjoying the show.

Li Rui couldn't understand why arm wrestling could excite this bunch so much, but they were indeed dancing and hooting.

Amid the cheers, both sides began exerting their strength, with the Cow Demon showing ferocious determination, gasping with excitement.

Though the two demons were comparable in size, the Water Buffalo Demon gained a decisive advantage from the start, and the opponent couldn't benefit at all.

Thud!

The two demons' hands collided with the cauldron, producing a dull thud, the outcome already clear, yet the Cow Demon still refused to release.

The opposing demon panicked, "I concede! I concede!"

However, the stubborn opponent wouldn't let go, continuing to apply force with a sinister grin.

Crack!

When finally released, the opponent's wrist hung limp.

"Hand it over!"

The Water Buffalo Demon didn't care about the opponent's condition, snatching a small cloth bag from his arms, which presumably contained the bet, possibly valuables.

"Let's, um, give it up?"

Wu Bing swallowed hard, saying, "The strategy guide only mentioned arm wrestling, not breaking limbs!"

The Water Buffalo Demon is immensely powerful; ordinary folks can't win just by physical prowess. However, using skills or getting into a real fight is also not an option.

Yet, Li Rui is no ordinary person, with slightly more attribute points.

The trio could only watch him go into the field with worry, realizing that unlike the previous two tasks, this one required a real show of strength, carrying risk.

Li Rui approached the Water Buffalo Demon, expressing his desire to compete. Immediate laughter followed, yet no one dissuaded him.

The Water Buffalo Demon stared at him for a while, seemingly feeling insulted, yet did not refuse, merely saying maliciously, "Changing the game now. We'll compete in slapping. Do you dare?"

[Triggering optional task: Slapping Contest]

[Task Objective: Win]

[Task Reward: +32,000 Experience Points, +1 Constitution, Water Buffalo Demon's Submission.]

"How does it work?" Li Rui received the task, calmly asking.

"Simply standing in place, alternately slapping. No cultivation, no Cultivation Technique. Whoever falls first loses, got it?"

Li Rui hadn't expected someone would challenge him to a slap match.

"Come on."

"No way!"

Wu Bing and others quickly opposed. This was no slap contest; it was clearly an attempt by the Water Buffalo Demon to harm lives.

In the Demon Race's territory, a human death would cause no disturbance.

The Water Buffalo Demon maliciously pushed the massive cauldron weighing at least a few hundred pounds in front of Wu Bing, blocking his way, "Once decided, there's no turning back!"

Li Rui merely asked calmly, "What's the bet?"

"You decide."

"If you lose, do something for me."

"Okay."

The Water Buffalo Demon didn't even question what would happen if he won, as he was intent only on killing the overconfident person before him.

Standing still, he clapped his hands to say, "I won't bully you, allowing you the first strike."

"Fine."

Li Rui, endowed with high defense, physical resistance, and Earth Shield, wouldn't fear taking a slap but didn't refuse since the opponent offered the first move, obliging gladly.

He rubbed his hands and without hesitation, jumped to deliver a slap without any technique.

The surrounding humans and demons were ready to jeer; none felt the slap would have any effect.

Thud!

This wasn't the sound of a slap landing but the thud of the Water Buffalo Demon hitting the ground.

One hit, instant fall.

"The skin's thick."

Li Rui shook his wrist.

Wu Bing had a subtle premonition, but Li Bailang and An Qing were utterly stupefied.

And you claim you're a Rain Summoner?!

A Rain Summoner could knock down a Water Buffalo Demon with a slap?

The mocking choruses from nearby humans and demons died in their throats. Seeing the Water Buffalo Demon fall, initially disbelieving, they scattered like birds, not forgetting to snatch their lost bets while departing.

After a while, Li Rui used cold water to awaken the demon. The bull regained consciousness and first sat dazed before seeing the menacing face; instinctively, it shielded itself with its head.

"Hehe, Brother Niu, don't be scared, one of us."

Who's one of you!

This blockhead wanted to curse but didn't dare—earlier, that slap inflicted psychological trauma.

"Hehe, mighty warrior, you're strong. Ol' Bull admits defeat."

Usually arrogant and domineering, he dared not act wantonly in front of this mysterious, fierce man.

Li Rui chuckled, "Little bull, does the bet count?"

"Certainly, I'm a demon of my word."

"Alright, then wait here because I need you for a small task later."

"Sure, sure."

The Water Buffalo Demon rubbed his cheek, unaware of the seriousness of the upcoming small task.

After settling the reward, Li Rui led the other three to continue on the route indicated by the Prophet, heading to the next location.