The Water Repelling Rhinoceros had no interest in fighting. It burst through a gap in the encirclement, charging like a thunderbolt and pounding the forest floor with a series of thuds as it raced toward Longze River.
"After it!"
Baldy Chen roared, leading the other three Late Qi Refining Stage monster hunters in pursuit.
"Stop them. I'll handle the Water Repelling Rhinoceros!" Shen Xuan, still invisible, returned to the group and spoke to Zhao Chunsheng and the others.
"Good! Fellow Daoist Wen, Fellow Daoist Shi, let's go! Fellow Daoist Xia, stay back and keep your distance."
Wen Zijian appeared first and summoned the Sun Moon Double Wheels. He seemed to be attacking the Water Repelling Rhinoceros, but couldn't catch up to it.
Zhao Chunsheng and Shi Xiangdong appeared one after the other.
The three of them happened to block Baldy Chen and his companions' path.
"Fellow Daoist Zhao, what do you think you're doing?" Baldy Chen and the others stopped, asking with dark expressions.
"Hunting the Water Repelling Rhinoceros! It just ran past!"
Zhao Chunsheng said ruefully, "We came all this way for it! Who knew this monster beast would be so powerful? We couldn't stop it at all!"
Then he suddenly seemed to realize something. "Fellow Daoist Chen, was it your group that drove that Water Repelling Rhinoceros this way?"
He promptly stepped aside, adopting a gesture of deference.
But by then, the Water Repelling Rhinoceros had already raced out of the forest and was heading for Longze River.
Not only would Baldy Chen and his companions be unable to catch it.
Even if they did, they wouldn't be able to handle the Water Repelling Rhinoceros near Longze River, where it could replenish itself with abundant Water Spiritual Qi!
Besides, the Water Repelling Rhinoceros could leap into Longze River at any moment.
They weren't Water Method Cultivators.
Even Water Method Cultivators wouldn't stand a chance against a water-type monster beast like the Water Repelling Rhinoceros underwater!
Baldy Chen scrutinized Zhao Chunsheng again and again.
The "Rabbit Monster Hunter" was acting out of character. There had to be a reason.
He didn't believe Zhao Chunsheng would be so reckless.
His gaze shifted to Wen Zijian, who stood ready for battle.
This was a renowned expert among monster hunters.
Qi Refining Level 9, Gold Attribute, and the High-Grade Set Magical Artifact Sun Moon Double Wheels.
Beside him, Shi Xiangdong had also summoned three attack-type Puppet Beasts, his face guarded.
A Puppet Eagle flew overhead.
Two Puppet Wolves stood before them, snarling with bared teeth.
Then there was Zhao Chunsheng.
Though he had made way, he still gripped his Fire Phoenix Saber, which radiated wisps of scorching heat.
Four against three.
They didn't have a sure advantage, and it wouldn't be wise to strike.
Besides, they still had three wounded companions to look after.
Their opponents might also have another teammate concealed nearby.
After comparing the strength of both sides, Baldy Chen gave a dry laugh.
"Fellow Daoist Zhao, mountains and rivers may part us, but we'll meet again. Until then!"
They retreated of their own accord, helping their three injured companions to their feet before turning to leave.
Having assessed their respective strengths, Baldy Chen and the others had no desire to start another conflict.
They knew full well that Zhao Chunsheng and his companions had caused that sudden downpour.
They were all experienced monster hunters. It was easy to tell whether the rain had fallen naturally or someone had cast the Cloud Rain Technique.
Once Baldy Chen and the others had gone some distance away, Zhao Chunsheng chuckled.
"At least they're smart!"
Only then did the tension that had been building in his chest ease a little.
If Talisman Master Shen had been there, Baldy Chen and his companions would have been doomed if a fight broke out!
The problem was, Talisman Master Shen wasn't there.
He had gone after the Water Repelling Rhinoceros!
"By the way, can Talisman Master Shen handle that Water Repelling Rhinoceros?" Shi Xiangdong asked quietly.
A trace of greed flashed in his eyes.
That Water Repelling Rhinoceros was a big score!
It was worth even more than the Iron Armored Crocodile!
"Don't worry. I've known Talisman Master Shen for years. I know exactly what he's like."
"Talisman Master Shen is even more cautious than I am! He won't act unless he's absolutely sure."
"If he makes a move, he'll succeed!"
"Let's hurry after him. Watch out for other monster hunters!"
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Together, they raced toward the Water Repelling Rhinoceros.
By then, the Water Repelling Rhinoceros was still charging ahead.
Its instinct to survive drove it to give everything it had.
Soon, it reached the banks of Longze River.
Without hesitation, it leaped in.
A wondrous sight unfolded.
The waters of Longze River parted of their own accord, opening a dry path for the Water Repelling Rhinoceros.
Following behind it, Shen Xuan marveled inwardly.
He had deliberately let the Water Repelling Rhinoceros enter Longze River.
"The Water Repelling Rhinoceros isn't a monster beast that lives underwater. I should have the advantage in Longze River."
"And it'll be easier to shake off interference from other monster hunters."
Shen Xuan continuously cast [Invisibility Technique], [Breath Concealment Technique], and [Insight Technique].
The Water Repelling Rhinoceros shouldn't have been able to sense his presence.
But its instincts and intuition warned it of danger.
A hundred zhang beneath the river's surface.
The current parted of its own accord.
The Water Repelling Rhinoceros ran at full speed, its hooves treading on spiritual light as if it were galloping on land.
Behind it, Shen Xuan followed at an unhurried pace, using [Water Control Technique].
He could clearly sense the slightest changes in the current within fifteen zhang.
"Enough. I should finish this quickly before anything else goes wrong."
The spiritual power within his body abruptly surged.
Shen Xuan shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, quickly overtaking the Water Repelling Rhinoceros.
The Water Repelling Rhinoceros was incredibly fast after activating its Water-Repelling Talent Divine Ability.
But Shen Xuan's Water Control Divine Ability, gained from the Green Feather Fish, was even more extraordinary.
With the slightest exertion, he moved several notches faster than the Water Repelling Rhinoceros.
Before setting out, he had already looked through the Savage Plains Yao Beast Illustrated Guide.
It had clearly identified the Water Repelling Rhinoceros's fatal weak point.
The direction of Baldy Chen and the others' attacks had confirmed his guess.
Its throat.
The Water-Splitting Emei Dagger, held between his fingers, glimmered with a cold, eerie light.
[Water Control Technique]
[Iron Bone Art]!
[Critical Hit Art]!
After adding three Talent Techniques to himself in succession,
Shen Xuan accelerated and charged at the Water Repelling Rhinoceros.
He didn't want to waste the Water Repelling Rhinoceros's blood.
So he chose to fight at close range.
Just as he'd expected,
the moment the Water Repelling Rhinoceros spotted him, a faint ripple appeared around its horn.
The river water around Shen Xuan vanished completely.
His body suddenly hung in midair.
[Water Condensation Edge Shaping Art]!
Shen Xuan fixed his eyes on the Water Repelling Rhinoceros's throat.
At the bottom of Longze River, a hundred zhang below the surface, visibility was poor.
Even Water Method Cultivators would have trouble seeing the Water Repelling Rhinoceros as it ran.
But Shen Xuan had cast [Insight Technique]!
He could clearly sense the slightest movements nearby.
At that moment, four icy-blue Ice Divine Dragons formed around the tip of the Water-Splitting Emei Dagger.
Their heads reared up, aimed at the Water Repelling Rhinoceros's throat.
A deep, majestic Dragon Roar rang out!
Two icy-blue blades burst forth. Like brilliant stars suddenly lighting up the night, they unleashed dazzling, frigid light in the pitch-black depths.
The Water Repelling Rhinoceros reacted just as quickly.
Dozens of sharp Water Arrows sprayed out in a frenzy.
The next instant,
the metallic-sheened Water Arrows kept striking the two icy-blue blades with Critical Strikes.
"Rumble!"
Explosions thundered one after another.
Brilliant divine light blazed across the Water Repelling Rhinoceros's body, forming a protective shield that encased it completely.
Layer upon layer of Beaded Leather Armor covered its entire body.
The two icy-blue blades roared through countless Water Arrows and shot straight into the Water Repelling Rhinoceros.
Its protective shield shuddered, and the Yao Qi in its Beaded Leather Armor dimmed.
But the two icy-blue blades had also exhausted their spiritual power. They finally broke apart into flecks of azure light and vanished.
Shen Xuan was still rushing toward the Water Repelling Rhinoceros..
With [Iron Bone Art] bolstering him, a strange silver-white sheen rose over his body. He seemed to have strength without end, charging in like a mighty general on the battlefield.
"Pfft!"
At that moment, Shen Xuan seemed like a colossal blue dragon, ready to swallow the Water Repelling Rhinoceros before him whole!
"Moo!"
The Water Repelling Rhinoceros's furious roar rang in his ears.
Its demonic power surged, divine light blazed, and it lowered its head, charging at him like a raging bull.
The Water Repelling Rhinoceros gathered all its demonic power, its force as heavy as ten thousand jun!
The river water around it suddenly trembled.
Centered on the Water Repelling Rhinoceros, the water parted on its own, forming a vast open space.
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