"Search, now! That damned Ox Demon disappeared somewhere around here!"
Someone shouted anxiously.
"Right, we absolutely can't give him time to recover!"
Another person chimed in.
"Split up. Signal the others as soon as you find him."
Someone made the suggestion.
"Spread out."
At that command, Wang Di and the twenty-odd others quickly scattered into groups of five or six and began searching the area carefully for the Ox Demon.
Meanwhile, seven or eight master ambushers were quietly lying in wait in a secluded corner.
They had long known that the Ox Demon was hiding here and had been waiting for the right moment to launch a surprise attack.
Through gaps in the grass, the ambushers watched the Ox Demon below intently as he sat meditating with his eyes closed, healing his injuries.
Two of the ambushers secretly rejoiced, convinced that this was a golden opportunity.
Like phantoms, they darted out of the shadows and lunged at the Ox Demon from either side.
Yet, to their surprise, the Ox Demon seemed utterly unaware of their attack. His eyes remained tightly shut, and he sat there as steady as Mount Tai.
The two secretly delighted at the sight, certain their surprise attack would succeed.
But just as they were about to touch the Ox Demon's body, his eyes suddenly snapped open, and a wicked smile curled his lips.
Then, quick as lightning, the Ox Demon sprang up and evaded their all-out surprise attack.
Both lunged at empty air. Alarmed, they hurriedly tried to draw their blades and flee.
But the Ox Demon moved faster. He descended like a whirlwind, landing squarely on their hands and pinning their palms firmly to the ground.
Before either could even cry out in pain, the Ox Demon grabbed one in each hand as though