Shi Xiangdong stood at the bow of the Flying Boat, his eyes sharp as lightning, a Puppet Eagle perched on his shoulder.
Even aboard the Flying Boat, he still carried out his duty of keeping watch.
Shen Xuan and Xia Muqing sat in the middle.
Zhao Chunsheng sat at the stern.
Wen Zijian devoted all his attention to piloting the Flying Boat.
After hunting an Iron Armored Crocodile last time, he had finally scraped together enough Spirit Stones to bid for this Flying Boat.
A Tier 1 High-grade Flying Magic Tool cost as much as fifteen hundred Spirit Stones.
It was even more expensive than a Tier 1 High-grade flying sword.
As a Qi Refining Level 9 cultivator, buying a Flying Magic Tool was a necessity.
Later, when the Monster Hunting Team divided up the spoils, the Flying Boat's contribution would also be taken into account.
Along the way,
they encountered several Monster Hunting Teams.
They were riding Flying Boats as well.
Their flying altitude was far higher than theirs.
"Not good, it's Old Yu and his lot! Their Flying Boat is headed in the same direction as ours!"
"I knew that guy couldn't be trusted. He's selling the information to multiple buyers!"
Zhao Chunsheng said through gritted teeth.
Wen Zijian silently took out a Mid-grade Spirit Stone.
He inserted it into the Flying Boat's formation.
He rapidly formed magic seals, and the Flying Boat suddenly sped up.
"Don't worry. They have more people, but their Flying Boat is slower than ours!"
Shi Xiangdong stared intently in their direction and quickly reached a conclusion.
"Once we find the Water Repelling Rhinoceros, Talisman Master Shen will attack with all his might, Fellow Daoist Xia will assist, Fellow Daoist Shi and I will keep watch, and Fellow Daoist Wen will pilot the Flying Boat and stand ready to provide support!"
Zhao Chunsheng assigned everyone their duties.
"If anyone comes within thirty zhang of us, warn them first."
"If they come within ten zhang, strike first, no matter who they are!"
A ruthless glint crossed Zhao Chunsheng's face.
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Shen Xuan secretly admired Zhao Chunsheng's decisiveness.
The "Rabbit Monster Hunter" was cautious, but he wasn't a pushover.
He had worked as a monster hunter for years without being brought down; he had plenty of experience.
Half a month later,
the Flying Boat reached its destination.
A shallow branch of the Longze River came into view.
The water was deep blue and clear, the surroundings still and peaceful.
Nearby, a row of Millennium Ancient Trees blocked out the scorching sunlight.
A breeze swept through, stirring the shadows and setting the trees swaying. The scenery was lovely.
Wen Zijian brought the Flying Boat down beside the shallow lake.
As soon as they landed, Shen Xuan seemed to sense something and looked straight into the depths of the forest.
"It's somewhere around here!"
After Zhao Chunsheng confirmed the location, Shi Xiangdong released two Sighthound Puppet Beasts. They took off at a run to scout the area.
"Let's rest for a bit and get ready to fight."
Shen Xuan silently sat cross-legged.
[Insight] quietly activated.
Wen Zijian looked toward the depths of the forest and asked, "Fellow Daoist Zhao, is the Water Repelling Rhinoceros in there?"
"That's right. The Water Repelling Rhinoceros is in this forest nearby. It's quite powerful, so all of you must be careful."
Zhao Chunsheng answered gravely as he handed out the High-grade Spring Return Talismans, Water Control Talismans, Breath Concealing Talismans, and Invisibility Talismans he had prepared in advance.
"These are high-grade Spirit Talismans made by Talisman Master Shen. Just like Fellow Daoist Wen's Flying Boat, their cost will be deducted before the spoils are divided."
"That's only right," everyone replied in unison.
Xia Muqing received far more high-grade Talismans than the others.
More than thirty of them.
"Fellow Daoist Xia, you don't need to take part in the fight. Just assist Talisman Master Shen and activate as many Talismans as you can."
"Don't worry, Fellow Daoist Zhao! I'm a Water Method Cultivator, so these Water-Attribute Spirit Talismans are perfect for me," Xia Muqing said with a cheerful smile.
"Fellow Daoists, we've got a sighting! The Sighthound Puppet Beasts found the Water Repelling Rhinoceros!" Shi Xiangdong called out excitedly.
"Let's go into the forest and finish this quickly. Plenty of monster hunters are coming. If we delay, things could get complicated," Zhao Chunsheng said resolutely.
Shi Xiangdong flew at the front, leading the others toward the depths of the forest.
Before long,
they stopped on a small hill and each drew in their aura.
Xia Muqing placed a High-grade Breath Concealing Talisman and an Invisibility Talisman on each of them.
With everyone deliberately suppressing their presence, the fluctuations of spiritual energy around them became exceptionally faint.
Amidst thunderous booms,
a powerful Yao Qi quietly spread.
Ahead,
seven monster hunters were surrounding a Water Repelling Rhinoceros, attacking it with Magic Artifacts and Talismans.
"Fellow Daoist Zhao, what should we do?" Shi Xiangdong asked, turning back.
"It's Baldy Chen and his men! They're ruthless, and four of them are Late Qi Refining Stage cultivators. They're no pushovers!"
Zhao Chunsheng's eyes were full of unwillingness.
They had finally bought valuable intelligence and flown for half a month, spending plenty of Spirit Stones and Talismans, only to find their target—the Water Repelling Rhinoceros.
And now they could only watch as another monster-hunting team hunted and surrounded it.
The Water Repelling Rhinoceros had thick skin and flesh. Pearl-like scales covered its body, and spiritual light shielded it. Every so often, it raised its head and let out a deep "moo" like an old ox, almost like a dragon's roar, firing off sharp Water Arrows.
But there were simply too many monster hunters surrounding it.
The seven hunters had it surrounded from four directions, with four Late Qi Refining Stage cultivators attacking its neck and throat without pause.
Those were its weak spots.
The other three, all Mid Qi Refining Stage cultivators, kept activating Talismans, harassing the Water Repelling Rhinoceros while helping their four teammates recover their spiritual power.
The Water Repelling Rhinoceros fought back desperately, trying to break through.
But no matter which way it charged, it was blocked after only a few steps by the many Magic Artifacts and Talismans.
"The Water Repelling Rhinoceros won't last much longer!" Wen Zijian said coldly.
Everyone turned to Zhao Chunsheng in unison.
He was their captain, and the one who had planned this hunt.
"If the Water Repelling Rhinoceros breaks through and we surround and kill it, then by the rules of monster hunting, the prey will be ours."
Zhao Chunsheng looked at Shen Xuan.
"Talisman Master Shen, is there any way to strengthen the Water Repelling Rhinoceros for a short time?"
"Will that expose your identity?"
"Best if it doesn't."
Shen Xuan nodded.
The next moment,
his figure vanished into thin air.
With his Invisibility Technique at Minor Mastery and the Breath Concealment Technique, Qi Refining cultivators couldn't detect him from ten zhang away.
"I never thought the unremarkable Cloud Rain Technique could play such a crucial role!"
Shen Xuan mused silently.
He flew above a Millennium Ancient Tree and formed magic seals with his hands.
In no time, the sky changed abruptly, heavy with dark clouds.
With the first flash of lightning, torrential rain poured down.
The cultivators surrounding the Water Repelling Rhinoceros turned pale.
Baldy Chen, their leader, quickly increased the intensity of his Magic Artifact attacks.
"Quick, attack with everything you've got!"
But it was too late.
Rainwater gathered around the Water Repelling Rhinoceros, reviving its spirits.
With a mighty moo that shook the heavens and earth, Shen Xuan saw divine light blaze from its body. Countless raindrops condensed into a mist, carrying a bone-piercing chill as it spread in every direction.
The Water Spiritual Power in the vicinity instantly went berserk, as if drawn by some force, and quickly converged on the Water Repelling Rhinoceros.
"Watch out!" Baldy Chen shouted a warning.
The next moment,
dozens of Water Arrows took shape, turning into a rain of arrows that poured down on Baldy Chen and the others.
These Water Arrows were clearly sharper than before.
As they cut through the air, they made a string of chilling hisses.
It was the sound of the Water Arrows absorbing the Water Spiritual Qi in the air.
They swelled as they flew.
Baldy Chen and the others all controlled their Magic Artifacts and activated Talismans, doing everything they could to hold them back.
The three weakest Mid Qi Refining Stage cultivators in the team let out agonized screams.
The demonic power within the Water Arrows was too strong.
They slammed into the cultivators' Defensive Magic Tools!
The tremendous impact sent them flying more than ten zhang.
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