Vicious Scheme

Qin Chuan knew clearly that with his current abilities, as long as he could get close to the Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent, a single "Shadow Hypnosis" would be enough to send it into a dazed state.

Although the effect was weaker than when used on a spirit master, it could still be used across ranks.

Qin Chuan did not want to reveal this trump card; exposing his strength too early would only invite more trouble and suspicion.

He calculated in his mind that he would find an opportunity to slip away shortly, head to the Sunset Forest, find the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well, and complete the task issued by the system!

In the center of the battlefield, the fight had already reached a fever pitch.

The speed of the Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent was astonishing.

Before Tang San's spider web could descend, it flicked its tail, and its entire body shot out from the tree branches like a red bolt of lightning, easily dodging the web.

It circled in mid-air, its target locked directly onto Dai Mubai, who was charging at the front!

"Hiss!"

The snake's mouth opened wide, a foul stench rushing toward them as two sharp fangs glinted coldly in the dim light.

Dai Mubai did not dodge or evade; he crossed his fists to protect his chest and took the blow head-on.

"Bang!"

The head of the Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent slammed heavily into Dai Mubai's arms with a muffled thud.

Dai Mubai was knocked back two steps by the immense impact, leaving deep footprints in the ground, but his White Tiger Protection Barrier remained as steady as a mountain, showing not the slightest sign of shattering.

"What a hard head!"

Dai Mubai roared and smashed a fist toward the snake's head.

The Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent reacted even faster; it twisted its body, nimbly dodging Dai Mubai's fist, and its long tail swept across like a steel whip!

Just then, a black figure appeared ghost-like at the side of the Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent.

"First Spirit Skill, Nether Thrust!"

Zhu Zhuqing's hands transformed into sharp claws, and ten cold glints slashed toward the serpent's vital spot!

The Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent seemed to sense the threat and suddenly retracted its body. Zhu Zhuqing's claws grazed its scales, kicking up a string of blinding sparks, but failed to break through its defense.

"Such strong defense!"

Zhu Zhuqing retreated immediately after the failed strike, not lingering in the fight for a moment.

"Ma Hongjun, use fire!"

Tang San shouted from the rear.

"First Spirit Skill, Phoenix Fire Line!"

Ma Hongjun took a deep breath and spat out a scorching line of fire, shooting straight at the Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent.

The Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent had an innate fear of flames; not daring to take the hit, it quickly darted into the air.

Tang San and Dai Mubai exchanged a glance, understanding each other's intent, and began to steer the battlefield toward Qin Chuan's position, whether intentionally or not.

While tangling with the Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent, they quietly shifted their positions.

Dai Mubai was responsible for frontal containment, using violent attacks to draw the serpent's attention.

Tang San remained in the back, using Blue Silver Grass to harass the creature constantly, forcing the Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent to change its trajectory.

Besieged by the group, the Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent flew into a rage.

It abandoned its struggle with Dai Mubai, whipped its tail violently to force him back, and then shot its entire body like an arrow toward the rear, where the defense was weakest!

The direction it chose for its breakthrough was exactly where Qin Chuan was standing!

"Watch out!" Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong, who were participating in the battle nearby, cried out in alarm.

Qin Chuan dodged immediately, having seen through the petty schemes of Tang San and Dai Mubai.

Heh, you're acting quite well, but I'm not going to play along with you anymore. See you later! Taking advantage of the chaos, Qin Chuan slipped into a blind spot and vanished in the blink of an eye.

Seeing this, a cold smile curled the corner of Tang San's mouth; he had been waiting for the moment Qin Chuan left Zhao Wuji's protection.

But the next instant, his expression shifted slightly—Qin Chuan was already gone from his sight.

"Where is he?" Tang San was filled with astonishment. Beside him, Dai Mubai looked around, finding nothing as well.

Just then, Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing rushed over anxiously; they had been forced back by the serpent's tail whip earlier and hadn't been able to arrive in time.

"Where's Qin Chuan? Have you seen Brother Chuan?"

Xiao Wu asked loudly while dodging the swirling gusts of wind, her voice laced with tears.

"I don't know! It was too chaotic just now, I didn't notice!" Dai Mubai roared without looking back, all while swinging his tiger claws.

Tang San felt guilty: "He might have run somewhere else while dodging! Let's deal with this beast first, then we'll..."

Before he could finish, Zhu Zhuqing's icy voice interrupted him: "You two led the battlefield over here just now."

"Zhuqing, what do you mean? The battlefield changes in an instant; how could we control it?" Dai Mubai argued forcefully.

Zhu Zhuqing did not speak again, but her cold cat-like eyes swept across their faces. The suspicion and indifference in her gaze made both of them feel uneasy.

They did not ask any further questions, but instead rejoined the battle.

However, everyone could see that the attacks from Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing had become exceptionally savage. They fought as if they were trading their lives for the serpent's, venting all their worry for Qin Chuan and their fury toward Tang San and his companion onto this Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent.

"Second Spirit Ability, Nether Hundred Claws!"

Zhu Zhuqing seized the opportunity. Her figure left a black afterimage in the air as she brought her hands together, unleashing a high-frequency, continuous barrage of strikes that slashed fiercely at the Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent's neck!

"Hiss!"

The Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent shrieked in pain.

A deep, bone-reaching wound was carved into its neck, and blood sprayed out in a torrent.

The excruciating pain completely ignited the beast's ferocity.

It abandoned all defense, its bright red cockscomb glowing with an eerie light as its massive body coiled up violently!

This was the most terrifying move a spirit beast could make when on the verge of death: self-detonation!

"Not good! Everyone, get back!" Zhao Wuji's voice boomed like a tolling bell, exploding in everyone's ears.

Zhao Wuji had rushed over specifically to prevent this from happening.

"Third Spirit Ability, Gravity Enhancement!"

The once arrogant Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent's body went limp, pinned down by a crushing force!

Zhao Wuji caught his breath and shouted to Oscar, "Quick, give it the finishing blow!"

Only then did Oscar snap out of his shock. He tremblingly pulled a dagger from his spirit tool, rushed forward, and stabbed it fiercely into the dying Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent.

As the Phoenix-Tail Cockscomb Serpent collapsed, a brilliant purple spirit ring rose slowly from its body.

The battle was over, and everyone let out a sigh of relief.

A look of ecstasy appeared on Oscar's face. He immediately sat cross-legged and began to absorb this hard-won third spirit ring.

Zhao Wuji and the remaining students stood guard around him.

Just then, Xiao Wu suddenly ran over and said, "Teacher Zhao! Qin Chuan is missing!"

"What?" Zhao Wuji frowned. "Where is Qin Chuan?"

"I don't know," Dai Mubai said, feigning ignorance as he shrugged. "The battle was too intense just now. As a support-type spirit master, he probably got scared and ran off."

"Impossible! Brother Chuan wouldn't just run off on his own!" Xiao Wu retorted.

Zhao Wuji's expression darkened. "This is bad. Could he have been snatched away by another spirit beast?"

If that's the case, all the better! Tang San thought to himself.

Hearing this, Xiao Wu and the other two girls grew anxious.

"What should we do, Teacher?" Ning Rongrong asked urgently.

For some reason, the three of them felt an intense, innate possessiveness and desire to protect Qin Chuan, as if he were their most precious treasure.

Now that their treasure was lost, their hearts felt hollow.

"There's no other way. Once Oscar finishes absorbing the spirit ring, we'll search the area together."

Zhao Wuji sighed. Things had reached this point; they could only do their best and leave the rest to fate.

Half an hour later, Oscar let out a long shout and leaped up from the ground.

The third spirit ring behind him shimmered with an eerie purple light.

"Third Spirit Ability, Fantasy Mushroom Sausage!"

As he recited his still-vulgar incantation, a pink sausage covered in mushroom spots appeared in his hand.

"Quick, eat it! It will allow us to fly for one minute!"

The group had no time to complain about the name of the spirit ability; each took one and swallowed it.

The next second, it felt as if a pair of invisible wings had sprouted from everyone's backs, and their bodies drifted lightly into the air.

"Split up and search! Keep within sight of each other!" Zhao Wuji ordered.

Eight figures darted through the low canopy of the forest, calling out Qin Chuan's name over and over again.

"Qin Chuan!"

"Brother Chuan!"

The only response was the whistling wind in the forest and the roars of unknown beasts.

They searched every inch of land for miles around, every bush, and every tree hollow that could hide a person.

But there was nothing.

Qin Chuan had vanished as if he had evaporated into thin air, leaving not even a trace behind.

Two hours later, Zhao Wuji was forced to call off the search.

"Let's go back." He looked at the three dejected girls, his voice filled with helplessness and exhaustion. "Calling out loudly will only make it more dangerous in the forest. We cannot stay here any longer."

"No! I won't go back! I have to find Brother Chuan!"

Xiao Wu shook her head stubbornly, tears falling like beads from a broken string.

"Xiao Wu, listen to me!" Zhao Wuji's voice turned stern. "Are you going to sacrifice all of us for someone who might have already... already met with disaster? This is an order!"

Under Zhao Wuji's unquestionable command, the group had no choice but to give up.

On the way back, no one spoke.

Dai Mubai wanted to comfort Zhu Zhuqing, but was forced back by a single icy glare from her.

Tang San tried to reach for Xiao Wu's hand, but she shook him off as if he were a plague.

They did not understand why the three girls were reacting so intensely.