CHAPTER 39: CHAPTER 39: FIRST HUNT

Half a month later.

A swamp area by a tributary of the Longze River.

A demon hunting squad, consisting of seven people, applied the [Breath Concealment Talisman], and walked along the edge of the swamp.

At the very front was the Puppet Master Shi Xiangdong, with a Wood Attribute, at Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer, commanding a three-foot-tall Golden Knife Mantis Puppet Beast to open the way.

Under the swinging golden knife, large patches of reeds were cut open, revealing a rarely-trodden path.

The triangular compound eyes of the Mantis Puppet Beast glanced around, rotating with no blind spots, its vision extremely keen.

Shi Xiangdong attached a bit of Divine Thought to the Mantis Puppet Beast, not only opening the path but also observing the surroundings, quickly alerting any movement ahead.

Walking behind Shi Xiangdong were the Tie Brothers, at Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, with Earth Attribute, they were two Body Refiners skilled in both spiritual and martial techniques, wearing helmets and armor, and wielding Refined Gold and Mysterious Iron Shields.

In the middle was the highest cultivated in the team, Wen Zijian, at Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer, with Gold Attribute, wielding a pair of Sun and Moon Dual Blades, all but invincible.

Next came a round-faced female cultivator Xia Muqing, at Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer, with Water Attribute, looking cheerful, slightly plump, curiously observing Shen Xuan beside her.

Shen Xuan, disguised as Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer, walked casually alongside Xia Muqing in the middle of the team.

In fact, he had already cast the [Insight Technique], monitoring the subtle movements within a thirty-zhang radius.

At the rear was Zhao Chunsheng, at Qi Cultivation Eighth Layer, with Fire Attribute, wielding an upper-grade magical artifact Fire Phoenix Saber, guarding the back.

This squad, before Shen Xuan joined, had already formed complete offensive and defensive tactics, encompassing the Five Elements of Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth.

What Shen Xuan didn’t expect was that the leader was Zhao Chunsheng.

He was responsible for gathering intelligence, planning operations, and distributing loot.

This also brought some reassurance to Shen Xuan.

After all, Zhao Chunsheng was a cautious person, known as the "Rabbit Demon Hunter."

This time, their squad’s target was a Tier One Upper Grade Water Attribute Demon Beast, the Iron Armor Crocodile, which appeared in the swamp area.

"The Iron Armor Crocodile is a solitary demon beast, its crocodile skin is extremely tough, and its teeth are exceptionally sharp. Master Shen, you just joined the team and lack experience. When the demon beast appears, stand behind me," Xia Muqing kindly said.

However, just as she finished speaking.

Shen Xuan’s brow lightly furrowed.

"Be careful!"

From the front, came a warning from Shi Xiangdong.

A buzzing sound of bees echoed from all directions, like a tidal wave, instantly encircling Shen Xuan’s demon hunting squad.

The Tie Brothers raised their solid shields, guarding both sides.

Wen Zijian’s expression turned solemn, his hands immediately holding a pair of Sun and Moon Dual Wheels, with a spiritual light slowly lighting up on them.

Xia Muqing’s expression was tense, subconsciously shielding Shen Xuan behind her.

In everyone’s sight.

Countless deep yellow poison bees, covering the sky, densely packed, turned into yellow clouds, with stingers protruding from their tails, flying toward Shen Xuan and the others.

"Fellow Daoists, these are Yellow-striped Poison Bees, Tier One Lower-grade demon insects, their stingers are highly toxic." Shen Xuan recognized the poison bees, quickly explaining.

"Just some Yellow-striped Poison Bees, dare to attack us! Courting death!" Zhao Chunsheng said coldly, wielding the Fire Phoenix Saber.

Suddenly, his Fire Phoenix Saber swelled in the wind with a red glow, sweeping towards the swarm of Yellow-striped Poison Bees.

The next moment.

Continuous screams echoed, countless Yellow-striped Poison Bees turned into ashes, falling from the sky.

"Fellow Mu, protect Master Shen, we’ll go help out."

The Tie Brothers said in unison, instantly manipulating their solid shields, swinging them towards the surrounding Yellow-striped Poison Bees.

Though these Yellow-striped Poison Bees were numerous, they were just Tier One Lower-grade demon insects with limited strength.

On the other side.

Shi Xiangdong controlled the Mantis Puppet Beast, constantly on alert around them.

Wen Zijian held the Sun and Moon Dual Wheels, not making a move, yet guarding the formation from the side.

Seeing Zhao Chunsheng and the Tie Brothers holding the upper hand and enjoying the battle, Shen Xuan didn’t take action.

Instead, he used the [Insight Technique], silently monitoring the movements within a thirty-zhang radius.

These Yellow-striped Poison Bees, though numerous, were not difficult to deal with.

Soon, half of the Yellow-striped Poison Bees were lost.

The remaining ones screamed and turned to flee.

Everyone began to organize and recover.

Zhao Chunsheng collected and stored all the corpses of the Black Shield Poison Bees they had slain.

"This thing isn’t worth much, only the bee tail venom needle can be exchanged for some Spirit Stones."

After a while, everyone resumed their march.

Half an hour later, they stopped on a piece of swampy grassland.

Zhao Chunsheng flipped through the Geography Jade Scroll.

"The collected intelligence shows that the Iron Armor Crocodile’s range of activity is around here."

"Everyone, be careful, the Iron Armor Crocodile is Tier One Upper Grade, with Water Attribute, Copper Bone Iron Armor, its attack and defense are very strong!"

Just as Zhao Chunsheng finished speaking.

From the front, Shi Xiangdong laughed and said: "Fellow Zhao, with so many of us and Fellow Wen being such a master, what’s to fear from a mere Tier One Upper Grade demon beast!"

"Once the Iron Armor Crocodile is discovered, you all spread out, I’ll handle it," Wen Zijian said expressionlessly.

His tone was filled with confidence.

Everyone continued their search forward.

Shen Xuan followed behind Xia Muqing.

As they were walking.

Shen Xuan suddenly sensed something unknown ahead, rapidly approaching.

Incredibly fast!

"Watch out!"

Just as he warned, Shi Xiangdong’s Mantis Puppet Beast was struck by a tremendous force and shattered with a bang.

"Gaw!" A roar suddenly erupted.

Immediately, from the swampy grassland, a huge, dark brown Iron Armor Crocodile came charging in at high speed.

A stench filled the air.

The giant mouth with sharp white teeth viciously aimed towards Shi Xiangdong at the front.

Ding!

At the last moment.

Wen Zijian’s Sun Blade Wheel suddenly burst with intense spiritual light, speeding to intercept it.

At the same time, a Protective Spirit Shield lit up on Shi Xiangdong’s body, along with a Cyan Wood Shield in his hands, its surface constantly swirling with spiritual qi, shielding his body.

Rumble!

The massive figure of the Iron Armor Crocodile collided heavily with the Sun Blade Wheel, producing a sound like metal striking, and they both crashed and flew back.

The Iron Armor Crocodile let out a wail, then vanished into the swamp.

Shen Xuan’s hands were already adorned with Water-Splitting Mount Emei Needles, using the [Condensed Water Blade Technique], with four Cold Ice Divine Dragons hidden at their tips, ready to strike.

Seeing Wen Zijian’s timely action and Shi Xiangdong’s preparedness, with the Iron Armor Crocodile gaining nothing, he discreetly withdrew the spiritual power infused in the Water-Splitting Mount Emei Needles.

On the spot.

Wen Zijian retrieved the Sun Blade Wheel, glancing at it, its spiritual light dimmed somewhat.

"What a fine Iron Armor Crocodile! Tier One Upper Grade, it’s definitely the one!"

Wen Zijian looked back at the other six, quickly saying: "I’ll pursue it, you all follow behind."

With that, he stepped on the Moon Blade Wheel, wielding the Sun Blade Wheel, and sped across the swampy water, searching for the Iron Armor Crocodile’s tracks.

As Wen Zijian scouted back and forth on the swampy water, the Iron Armor Crocodile suddenly burst from the water.

Water splashed skyward.

It was like an explosion had been triggered.

The massive body shot out of the water like lightning, opening its bloody maw, aiming straight at Wen Zijian.

"Vile beast, meet your end!"

Wen Zijian, unfazed, let the Sun Blade Wheel swell in the wind, slicing heavily at the Iron Armor Crocodile’s forehead.

"Clang!"

Like the sound of metal clashing.

The Iron Armor Crocodile, struck on the forehead, in pain, its bloody mouth missing Wen Zijian, leapt back into the water, diving into the swamp.

"So tough!"

Wen Zijian, flying over the water’s surface with his artifact, did not dare to enter the water.

He was a Golden Cultivator, unable to deal with the Iron Armor Crocodile underwater.

However, the Iron Armor Crocodile did not retreat or swim away.

Being vengeful, it was relentless towards Wen Zijian.

Constantly leaping from the swamp, roaring and snapping its jaws.

In the swampy water, the Iron Armor Crocodile’s swimming speed was evidently much faster than its terrestrial speed.

The surging spiritual power waves continuously spread around, the relentless sounds of metal clashing accompanied by ferocious roars echoed in the swamp sky.

The fierce battle caused the swamp to tremble as if it might overturn at any moment.