Stealthy Assist

Shi Xiangdong stood at the prow of the flying boat, his eyes sharp as lightning, with a Puppet Eagle perched on his shoulder.

Even while on the flying boat, he continued to carry out his duty of keeping watch.

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 boat.

It was only after hunting an Iron Armored Crocodile last time that he had gathered enough spirit stones to purchase this flying boat at auction.

As a Tier 1 High-grade Flying Magic Tool, the price was as high as 1,500 spirit stones.

It was even more expensive than a Tier 1 High-grade flying sword.

As a Qi Refining Level 9 cultivator, purchasing a flying magic tool was quite necessary.

In the future, when the Monster Hunting Team distributed the Spoils of War, the contribution of the flying boat would also be factored in.

On the journey.

They encountered several other Monster Hunting Teams.

They were also riding flying boats.

Their flight altitude was far above theirs.

"Not good, it's Old Yu and his group! Their flying boat is heading in the same direction as us!"

"I knew that brat couldn't be trusted, selling the same intel to multiple parties!"

Zhao Chunsheng said with a hateful voice.

Wen Zijian silently took out a Mid-grade Spirit Stone.

He stuffed it into the flying boat's formation array.

He rapidly pinched a magic seal, and the flying boat's speed suddenly accelerated.

"No need to worry. They have more people, their flying boat isn't as fast as ours!"

Shi Xiangdong gazed intently, quickly reaching a conclusion.

"Once we find the Water Repelling Rhinoceros, Talisman Master Shen will strike with full effort, Fellow Daoist Xia will provide support, Fellow Daoist Shi and I will keep watch, and Fellow Daoist Wen will steer the flying boat well, ready to rendezvous at any time!"

Zhao Chunsheng assigned everyone's duties.

"If anyone approaches within thirty zhang of us, issue a warning first."

"Regardless of who it is, if they come within ten zhang of us, strike first!"

A ruthless expression flickered across Zhao Chunsheng's face.

The others nodded in agreement.

Shen Xuan inwardly praised Zhao Chunsheng's decisive and ruthless nature.

The Rabbit Monster Hunters were merely cautious, not pushovers.

To have worked as Monster Hunters for so many years and remained standing, their experience bars were certainly not short.

Half a month later.

The flying boat arrived at the target area.

A shallow tributary region of the Longze River appeared in their field of vision.

It was as blue as if washed, silent and peaceful.

Beside it stood Millennium Ancient Trees, shielding the area from the intense sunlight.

A breeze brushed past, causing the shadows of the wind and the swaying trees to dance—a truly beautiful sight.

Wen Zijian landed the flying boat on the shore of the shallow lake.

The moment they touched down, Shen Xuan seemed to sense something, his gaze directed straight into the depths of the forest.

"It's somewhere nearby!"

After hearing Zhao Chunsheng's confirmation, Shi Xiangdong released two Sighthound Puppet Beasts, which took off at a sprint to scout the area.

"Rest for a moment, everyone. Prepare for battle."

Shen Xuan sat cross-legged in silence.

Insight Technique was quietly activated.

Wen Zijian looked toward the depths of the forest and asked, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, is that Water Repelling Rhinoceros inside the forest?"

"That's right. That Water Repelling Rhinoceros is in the forest nearby. Its combat power is quite formidable, so everyone must be careful when dealing with it."

Zhao Chunsheng spoke with caution, simultaneously distributing the high-quality Spring Return Talismans, Water Control Talismans, Breath Concealing Talismans, and Invisibility Talismans he had prepared in advance to the group.

"These are high-quality spirit talismans crafted by Talisman Master Shen. Just like with Fellow Daoist Wen's flying boat, the costs will be deducted before we distribute the spoils of war."

"That is only fair." The group replied in unison.

Xia Muqing was assigned an exceptionally large number of high-quality talismans.

There were over thirty of them.

"Fellow Daoist Xia, you don't need to participate in the combat. Just assist Talisman Master Shen well and activate as many spirit talismans as you can."

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Zhao! I am a Water Method cultivator, which makes me perfectly suited to use these water-attribute spirit talismans," Xia Muqing said with a cheerful smile.

"Fellow Daoists, I've made a discovery! The Sighthound Puppet Beast has found the Water Repelling Rhinoceros!" Shi Xiangdong shouted in pleasant surprise.

"Let's go. We'll enter the forest and finish this quickly. Many monster hunters are on their way; delays will only lead to complications," Zhao Chunsheng said resolutely.

Shi Xiangdong flew at the very front, leading the group deep into the forest.

Before long.

The group stopped on a small hill, each of them suppressing their own aura.

Xia Muqing cast a high-quality Breath Concealing Talisman and an Invisibility Talisman onto each person.

Under this deliberate suppression, the spirit energy fluctuations around them became extremely faint.

Accompanied by the sounds of thunderous explosions.

A powerful Yao Qi quietly spread through the area.

Up ahead.

Seven monster hunters were using various magical artifacts and talismans to besiege a Water Repelling Rhinoceros.

"Fellow Daoist Zhao, what should we do?" Shi Xiangdong asked, looking back.

"It's Baldy Chen and his group! These people are ruthless, and there are four in the late Qi Refining stage among them. Their strength is not to be underestimated!"

Zhao Chunsheng's eyes were filled with reluctance.

They had finally managed to purchase valuable intelligence, traveled at full speed for half a month, and consumed a great deal of spirit stones and talismans, only to finally locate the target monster, the Water Repelling Rhinoceros.

Yet, they were now forced to watch as it was being hunted and besieged by another team of monster hunters.

The Water Repelling Rhinoceros had thick skin and flesh, covered in bead-like armor plates protected by a layer of spiritual light. From time to time, it would raise its head and let out a low, ox-like "moo" that sounded like a dragon's roar, firing off sharp water arrows.

But there were simply too many monster hunters besieging it.

The seven monster hunters, including four in the late Qi Refining stage, surrounded it from four directions, relentlessly attacking its neck and throat.

This was where its weakness lay.

The other three Mid Qi Refining Stage cultivators continuously activated spirit talismans, harassing the Water Repelling Rhinoceros while simultaneously restoring spiritual energy for their four teammates.

The Water Repelling Rhinoceros fought back desperately, attempting to break through the encirclement.

Yet, no matter which direction it tried to charge, it was intercepted by a barrage of magical artifacts and spirit talismans before it could run more than a few steps.

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

Everyone's eyes turned in unison toward Zhao Chunsheng.

He was the captain and the strategist of this Monster Hunting Team.

"If the Water Repelling Rhinoceros breaks out and is surrounded and hunted by us, according to the Monster Hunter Rules, the prey belongs to us."

Zhao Chunsheng looked at Shen Xuan.

"Talisman Master Shen, is there any way to temporarily strengthen the Water Repelling Rhinoceros?"

"Do I need to reveal my identity?"

"It would be best not to!"

Shen Xuan nodded.

The next moment.

His figure vanished into thin air.

With the Small Success stage of the Invisibility Technique combined with the Breath Concealment Technique, Qi Refining Stage cultivators could not detect his presence from ten zhang away.

I never expected that the most unremarkable Cloud Rain Technique could play such a critical role! Shen Xuan thought to himself.

He flew to the top of a Millennium Ancient Tree and formed hand seals.

Soon, the sky changed color abruptly, and heavy dark clouds gathered.

As the first bolt of lightning flashed, a torrential downpour began instantly.

The group of cultivators besieging the Water Repelling Rhinoceros turned pale.

Baldy Chen, who was leading them, hurriedly increased the intensity of his magical artifact attacks.

"Quick, attack with full effort!"

However, it was too late.

A massive amount of rainwater gathered around the Water Repelling Rhinoceros, invigorating its spirit.

With a low, resonant moo that shook the heavens, Shen Xuan saw a brilliant divine light erupt from the Water Repelling Rhinoceros. Countless raindrops condensed into a thick water mist, spreading outward with a bone-chilling cold.

The Water Spiritual Power lingering in the vicinity instantly turned violent, as if drawn by some unseen force, rapidly converging toward the Water Repelling Rhinoceros.

"Watch out!" Baldy Chen shouted in warning.

The next moment.

Dozens of water arrows took shape, transforming into a rain of projectiles that poured down toward Baldy Chen and his group.

These water arrows were noticeably sharper than the ones from before.

As they tore through the air, they emitted a hair-raising hissing sound.

It was the noise produced by the water arrows absorbing the Water Spiritual Qi from the air.

They expanded as they flew.

Baldy Chen and the others hurriedly commanded their magic tools and activated spiritual talismans, resisting with all their might.

The three weaker members of the team, all at the Mid Qi Refining Stage, let out agonizing screams.

The demonic power contained within the water arrows was far too formidable.

They slammed heavily against their defensive magic tools!

The immense force of the impact sent them flying back over a dozen zhang.