CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44: INVISIBILITY ASSIST

Shi Xiangdong stood at the prow of the flying ship, his eyes like lightning, with a puppet eagle perched on his shoulder.

Even on the flying ship, he continued to fulfill his duty of vigilance.

Shen Xuan and Xia Muqing sat in the middle.

Zhao Chunsheng sat at the stern.

Wen Zijian focused all his attention on steering the flying ship.

Last time, after hunting the Iron Armor Crocodile, he finally gathered enough Spirit Stones to purchase this flying ship.

A Tier One Upper Grade Flying Spiritual Artifact, priced at a whopping 1,500 Spirit Stones.

It’s even more expensive than a Tier One Upper Grade Flying Sword.

As a Qi Cultivation Ninth Layer cultivator, it was quite necessary to buy a flying artifact.

In the future, when the demon hunting team allocates the spoils, the contribution of the flying ship should also be counted.

Along the journey.

They encountered several other demon hunting teams.

Also traveling by flying ship.

Their flight altitude far exceeded theirs.

"Not good, it’s Old Yu’s team! Their flying ship’s heading is the same as ours!"

"I knew that boy wasn’t reliable, selling the goods to multiple buyers!"

Zhao Chunsheng said hatefully.

Wen Zijian silently pulled out a Middle Grade Spirit Stone.

Inserted it into the ship’s array.

Quickly forming a spell, the flying ship’s speed abruptly increased.

"No need to worry. Though they have more people, our ship’s speed is faster!"

Shi Xiangdong, concentrating, quickly came to a conclusion.

"Once we find the Water-Repelling Rhinoceros, Shen the Talisman Master will go all out, Friend Xia will assist, Friend Shi and I will keep watch, and Friend Wen will steer the ship for quick support anytime!"

Zhao Chunsheng assigned each person’s duties.

"If anyone approaches within thirty zhang of us, give an audible warning first."

"If they come within ten zhang, attack first regardless of who it is!"

There was a trace of ruthlessness on Zhao Chunsheng’s face.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Shen Xuan secretly praised Zhao Chunsheng’s decisiveness.

"The Rabbit Demon Hunter" was just cautious but not a pushover.

Having been a demon hunter for so long, standing the test of time, his experience bar wasn’t short.

...

Half a month later.

The flying ship reached the target area.

A shallow water branch of the Longze River appeared in sight.

Azure blue as if washed, tranquil and serene.

Beside it were ancient trees of a thousand years, shading the intense sunlight.

A breeze blew past, casting dancing shadows, the trees swaying beautifully.

Wen Zijian landed the flying ship by the shallow water lakeside.

As soon as they landed, Shen Xuan seemed to sense something, looking directly into the forest.

"It’s nearby!"

Upon Zhao Chunsheng’s confirmation, Shi Xiangdong released two fine dog puppet beasts, letting them run swiftly to scout.

"Rest first and prepare for battle, everyone."

Shen Xuan sat cross-legged in silence.

The Insight Technique silently activated.

Wen Zijian gazed into the depths of the forest and asked, "Friend Zhao, is the Water-Repelling Rhinoceros inside the forest?"

"Yes, the Water-Repelling Rhinoceros is in this nearby forest, quite formidable in combat strength. Fellow Daoists, handle it with care."

Zhao Chunsheng spoke cautiously, distributing the carefully prepared premium Rejuvenation Talisman, Water Control Talisman, Breath Concealment Talisman, and Invisibility Talisman to everyone.

"These are premium Spirit Talismans made by Shen the Talisman Master; we’ll deduct the costs first before distributing the spoils just like Wen Daoist’s flying ship."

"That’s only fair," everyone answered in unison.

Xia Muqing received an especially large number of premium talismans.

Over thirty in total.

"Friend Xia, you don’t need to join the battle. Assist Shen the Talisman Master and activate more Spirit Talismans."

"Don’t worry, Friend Zhao! I’m a water cultivar, perfectly suited to use those water attribute talismans," Xia Muqing said with a grin.

"Fellow Daoists, there’s a discovery! The fine dog puppet beast has found the Water-Repelling Rhinoceros!" Shi Xiangdong exclaimed joyfully.

"Let’s go into the forest for a quick battle. Many demon hunters are coming, and delays will spell trouble," Zhao Chunsheng said with resolve.

...

Shi Xiangdong flew at the front, leading everyone deeper into the forest.

Soon after.

Everyone paused on a small hillside, each suppressing their aura.

Xia Muqing cast a premium Breath Concealment Talisman and Invisibility Talisman on each person.

Deliberately suppressed, the Spiritual Qi fluctuations around them became particularly faint.

Accompanied by the booming sound of thunder.

A powerful demon aura quietly spread.

Ahead.

Seven demon hunters, each wielding magical artifacts and talismans, besieged a Water-Repelling Rhinoceros.

"Friend Zhao, what should we do?" Shi Xiangdong turned to ask.

"It’s Chen Baldy’s team! These people are ruthless, four are in the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation, quite strong!"

Zhao Chunsheng’s eyes were filled with reluctance.

They had finally bought valuable intelligence, traveled rapidly for half a month, expending many Spirit Stone Talismans, only to finally locate the target demon beast, the Water-Repelling Rhinoceros.

Yet now they watched helplessly as another demon hunting team besieged it.

The Water-Repelling Rhinoceros had tough skin and thick flesh, armored in bead-like plates, with spiritual light protection, occasionally raising its head to let out an ox-like "moo" sound, akin to a dragon’s roar, shooting out sharp Water Arrows.

But there were too many demon hunters besieging it.

Seven demon hunters, four in the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation, surrounded it from four directions, continually attacking its neck and throat.

Those were its weak points.

The remaining three in the Middle Stage kept activating Spirit Talismans, harassing the Water-Repelling Rhinoceros while restoring the Spiritual Power of their four teammates.

The Water-Repelling Rhinoceros desperately counterattacked, trying to break through.

But no matter which way it charged, it never ran more than a few steps before being intercepted by assorted magical artifacts and Spirit Talismans.

"The Water-Repelling Rhinoceros won’t last much longer!" Wen Zijian said coldly.

Everyone’s gaze turned to Zhao Chunsheng in unison.

He was the captain, the planner of this demon hunting team.

"If the Water-Repelling Rhinoceros breaks through and we kill it, according to demon hunter rules, the prey is ours."

Zhao Chunsheng looked towards Shen Xuan.

"Shen the Talisman Master, is there a way to quickly enhance the Water-Repelling Rhinoceros’s power?"

"Should we reveal our identity?"

"Preferably without revealing identity!"

Shen Xuan nodded.

In the next moment.

His figure disappeared into thin air.

With a Small Accomplishment Level Invisibility Technique combined with the Concealing Breath Technique, a Qi Cultivation Stage cultivator couldn’t detect him from ten zhang away.

"Who would’ve thought, that the least conspicuous Cloud Rain Technique could play a critical role!"

Shen Xuan mused.

He flew up to a millennium-old tree, forming a spell with his hands.

Soon, the skies abruptly changed color, shrouded in heavy clouds.

With the first flash of thunder, a torrential rain suddenly poured down.

The cultivators besieging the Water-Repelling Rhinoceros immediately turned pale.

The leader, Chen Baldy, hurriedly intensified his magical artifact attacks.

"Quick, attack with all your might!"

But it was already too late.

Torrential rain accumulated by the Water-Repelling Rhinoceros’s side, invigorating it.

With a ground-shaking ox-like "moo," Shen Xuan saw a divine light erupt from the rhinoceros, as countless rain droplets solidified into water mist, spreading with biting cold in all directions.

The water Spiritual Power around began to riot in an instant, as if drawn by some force, quickly converging on the Water-Repelling Rhinoceros.

"Watch out!" Chen Baldy cried in warning.

In the next instant.

Dozens of Water Arrows congealed, transforming into a rain of arrows, pouring down on Chen Baldy and his men.

The Water Arrows now appeared noticeably sharper than before.

As they sliced through the air, they emitted a nerve-racking "hiss" sound.

It was the sound of the arrows absorbing the ambient water Spiritual Qi.

Flying and expanding at the same time.

Chen Baldy and his team hastily wielded magical artifacts, activating Spirit Talismans in total defense.

The three weaker Middle Stage cultivators all let out agonized wails.

The demon power contained in the Water Arrows was overwhelmingly strong.

They collided heavily with their Defensive Spiritual Artifacts!

The massive force sent them hurtling back more than ten zhang.