Shen Fei and Xiao Ning'er stood below Yellow Earth Slope outside Glory City's North Gate. Wind swept dust across their faces, and the rank stench of the distant beast tide was already bearing down on them, blotting out the sky.
At the front were more than a dozen silver rank demon beasts. Silverstripe Wolves, Fanged Beasts, and Ironclad Rhinos charged toward the city gate in a red-eyed pack.
Three gold rank demon beasts followed behind them. Two gold rank 2-star Shadow Leopards flanked a gold rank 3-star Blazing Demon Lion, whose heavy footfalls sent faint tremors through the ground.
At the very rear of the Beast Horde stood the true harbinger of death—a massive bear demon beast covered in ink-black scales. Standing upright, it was nearly twenty feet tall, its shoulders and back as broad as a city wall, its claw tips gleaming like cold metal.
It did not charge with the others. It merely lowered its gaze over the battlefield, its dark red eyes devoid of the madness of ordinary demon beasts, holding only cold scrutiny.
"Black gold rank." Xiao Ning'er rested her fingertips on the short sword at her waist, her soul force already circulating. "Judging by its aura, it's at least black gold rank 4-star. I'll take to the air and keep it occupied, drawing its attention away from the gate. Use that opening to clear out the gold and silver demon beasts below. Don't let them reach the gate."
Shen Fei murmured his assent and pressed his right hand to his chest. Deep within his soul sea, the Shadow Mantis gave its Blade Forelimbs a slight twitch.
He wasted no words, merely nodding. "Be careful. Its ranged energy attacks are strong. Don't let them even graze you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Ning'er unleashed