Death of the Leshen

Even the beasts of the Ancient Tree Forest generally did not like moving about at night, when they should have been resting, unless they were naturally nocturnal.

Not long ago, a pair of Rathalos had still occupied the top of the great tree's main trunk as the area's apex rulers.

Thanks to their air supremacy and Ecological Niche, the presence of the apex Rathalos pair had greatly reduced the chances of other flying wyverns appearing here.

Oh, except for a certain Aerial Police. That thing could show up anywhere, not just in the Ancient Tree Forest.

After the apex Rathalos pair underwent deep demonic corruption and began indiscriminately slaughtering the other wyverns in the forest, disrupting the ecosystem, the Guild eventually dispatched elite forces to eliminate them. Yet their lingering influence still affected this area for a short time, and other wyverns with apex potential had yet to discover it.

Afterward, the Leshen, which was closely linked to the Ecological Will of the Ancient Tree Forest, temporarily occupied the "apex" Ecological Niche.

But this peculiar situation left the Ancient Tree Forest's skies temporarily vacant. Neither Cheng Tian's Ore Wyvern nor Eileen's Brute Tigrex encountered any obstruction as they flew freely through the air.

With air supremacy, the guidance of the ever-present Wind Elves, and Mina's almost abnormal sensitivity to demonic corruption, Eileen's group quickly located every Leshen Curse Totem brimming with corrupted energy.

Purification arrows and Fire Ammo rained down from above, destroying one Curse Totem after another with astonishing efficiency.

It had to be said that Cheng Tian's temporary strategy against the Leshen was extremely effective—perhaps even crucial.

If their damage had been any higher and reduced the Leshen's HP by another third, it would have met the basic requirement for rapid long-distance relocation. In other words, it could