"What is that?"
In the distance, the Black Shark Bandits who had followed close behind the Flame Fang Battle Puppet, charging down like lackeys to reap easy spoils, froze.
In their field of vision, a strange creature with an eagle's head, a tiger's body, and two wings on its back swooped down through smoke and flames, like a primordial strange beast trampling mountains and rivers beneath its feet.
It radiated soul-gripping spiritual pressure, its imposing presence shaking their hearts. Amid the distorted light from the rising flames, it seemed stained with blood-red clouds, bristling with murderous intent.
"That's the Five-Star Battle Puppet, Yu Xiao Tiger!"
"Why is it here? Since when did Guangyun have a puppet like that?"
Shock, bewilderment, disbelief-one emotion after another spread rapidly, only to be replaced just as quickly by terror and relief.
"Thank goodness we didn't charge down with it, or else..."
"We'd be dead for sure!"
Some even began retreating involuntarily, ready to flee at any moment.
In the earlier battles, they had followed behind their own Core Formation fighters to pick up easy spoils and mop up the aftermath. Whatever powerful enemy they encountered, the honored envoy could handle them all.
But now, the honored envoy piloting the Five-Star Battle Puppet could barely protect himself. How could he spare any attention for them?
Although they numbered more than a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators and together still constituted a force that could not be underestimated, once they lost their spirit and courage, they were nothing but a disorderly mob, scattering at the first rout and utterly useless.
"You actually... had a Five-Star Battle Puppet hidden away!"
A voice laced with surprise and anger emerged from the smoke. The Black Shark Bandits turned to look and discovered Flame Fang rising amid the heat waves.
Gang