The group cautiously entered the outskirts of the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts. All along the way, they were bewildered-the Level Three and Four magical beasts that had once been everywhere were now nowhere to be found. In their place were only Magic Rabbits, harmless Level One magical beasts with slightly greater speed.
Clearly, Shiheng, Huohe, and the other powerful fighters had already swept away the magical beasts within three hundred li of the mountain range's outskirts. All they needed to do now was kill their target, the Black Bear King, and their mission would be complete. The higher-ups would decide who would receive the Level Nine Magical Beast cub. Once the task was done, everyone could return to camp without worry.
The prolonged tension had left everyone exhausted. Fortunately, they encountered no unexpected obstacles along the way and reached the Black Bear King's lair without incident.
At that moment, the Black Bear King was lying alone deep inside its cave, deeply agitated. Lately, the food it depended on for survival had inexplicably dwindled, and now, of all times, seven uninvited guests had intruded into its territory.
Facing the intruders, the Black Bear King's gaze suddenly turned vicious, churning with undisguised greed and bloodlust. It could clearly sense the immense energy contained within these Fifth-Level Warriors and mages. If it could devour them all, its strength would surely rise another step!
That craving swept through its mind like a raging tide, driving the Black Bear King to the brink of madness. It was like a starving beast suddenly coming upon the delicacy of its dreams-something that would not only fill its belly but also transform it, making it even stronger.
Shiheng, Huohe, and the others knew perfectly well that this was the final battle! Not only would this fight determine whether they completed their mission, but it also concerned the Level Six Magical Beast Core they all dreamed of obtaining-a truly priceless treasure. The instant their gazes met, a battle to the death erupted!
A blazing, dazzling Level Five Fire Magic spell and a howling, sweeping Level Five Wind Magic spell blasted toward the Black Bear King simultaneously. Yet no one had expected the Black Bear King, with its formidable Level Six body, to stand its ground and meet both terrifying attacks head-on. Not even a scratch marred its thick fur! The might of a Level Six magical beast truly lived up to its reputation!
Huohe and the others hesitated no longer. Sharp swords in hand and Battle Qi erupting, they closed in like ravenous tigers and launched a fierce assault, engaging the Black Bear King in brutal close combat. In an instant, blades flashed and crossed, the clash of metal deafened the ears, and battle cries shook the sky. Rows of centuries-old towering trees in the Mountain Range of Magical Beasts snapped beneath the forces unleashed by their exchanges. Nalan Jingyu joined her older sister in casting spells, their unending succession of intricate magic tightly restraining the Black Bear King's movements. Kelin Xiaoman focused on water-element healing, continuously showering pale blue halos over those on the front line to stabilize their injuries and sustain their fighting strength.
The seven coordinated seamlessly, taking turns wearing it down and overwhelming it with numbers, like ants bringing down an elephant. As the fierce battle continued, the Level Six Black Bear King's stamina rapidly drained, its movements grew slower and slower, and its ferocity gradually waned.
Finally, under their combined onslaught, the mountain-like Black Bear King let out a shrill, mournful howl. Its enormous body crashed to the ground, utterly lifeless. Everyone let out a long breath in unison. Just as their taut nerves were about to relax, a terrifying pressure several times stronger than the Level Six Black Bear King's suddenly bore down from the sky!
Everyone looked up, their faces draining white and every hair on their bodies standing on end-a mountain-sized Level Seven Swift Raptor loomed on a rise nearby, its cold, slit pupils fixed firmly on them. Dragons were already synonymous with power among magical beasts, let alone a fully grown Level Seven Swift Raptor! The savage aura radiating from its body bore down like a crushing mountain, making everyone present shudder, sending chills down their spines, and even stifling their breathing.
Shiheng's heart lurched. This was it. A thought of his previous life flashed through his mind. That Level Seven Swift Raptor was enormous and immensely powerful, far more terrifying than he had imagined!
Without giving anyone time to react or think, the Swift Raptor swept its long, powerful tail sideways with a piercing whistle. It moved so fast that all they saw was a black blur. Kelan Kai had no chance to dodge and took the tremendous blow directly. He flew sideways like a kite with its string cut, one arm breaking on the spot as blood spurted out. He lost consciousness the moment he hit the ground, his fate unknown.
Having landed its first blow, the Swift Raptor did not pause. Its long tail stirred up another gale and lashed straight toward Nalan Ruoshui! Nalan Ruoshui was only a mage, her body extremely fragile. If that blow from the Level Seven Swift Raptor struck her, she would surely be shattered to pieces, with no chance of survival!
Just as the long tail was about to touch Nalan Ruoshui, a figure suddenly lunged over and planted himself firmly in front of her.
It was Huohe Basike!
His eyes were bloodshot. Utterly disregarding his own safety, he shielded Nalan Ruoshui behind him with his body. Nalan Ruoshui stared blankly at the tall, imposing back before her. Her nose stung, and tears instantly spilled from her eyes. Her mother's words echoed over and over in her heart-If someone is willing to protect you even at the cost of his life, you can entrust the rest of your life to him. But someone like that is hard to find. I hope you find him.
"Thud!"
A deep, thunderous impact rang out as the Swift Raptor's massive tail slammed into Huohe. Fortunately, Huohe possessed a Divine Beast Bloodline, and his body far surpassed an ordinary person's, allowing him to barely withstand the lethal blow. Even so, it was as though a giant hammer had shattered his bones and sinews. He violently spat out a mouthful of blood and crashed heavily to the ground, completely stripped of his ability to fight and unable to move again.
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