"The Dragon-Cry Golden Toad is extremely aggressive and highly territorial. Once it catches our scent, it will definitely attack us!" Yu Xiaogang said.
"What's more, its attack, defense, and speed are all outstanding among Soul Beasts. It has no obvious weaknesses at all. As we are now, we cannot possibly defeat it."
"But none of that is the main point. The most terrifying thing about this Soul Beast is its cry!"
"Its cry?" Tang San asked in confusion. "Is there something special about it?"
"The Dragon-Cry Golden Toad's cry sounds just like a dragon's roar, which is how it got its name! More importantly, whenever it cries out, every creature around it is forcibly stunned. You could call it the bane of close combat," Yu Xiaogang explained.
"So, Xiao San, unfortunate as it is, you should give up on this Mandala Snake Soul Ring. We can look for another Soul Ring."
After hearing Yu Xiaogang's explanation, Tang San felt a wave of dejection.
After all, a Soul Ring with suitable attributes could only be encountered by chance, not sought at will. Who knew whether he could find another suitable Soul Ring if he missed this one?
But a single Mandala Snake had already been enough for them to handle. With an even stronger Dragon-Cry Golden Toad added to the mix, the hunt would be all but impossible! Tang San was also unwilling to put everyone in danger for his sake.
"Heh, Grandmaster, Xiao San, we don't need to leave!" Qi Ling suddenly said.
"Since it's the bane of close combat, can't we just kill it from a distance?"
"Oh? Qi Ling, you have a way to deal with the Dragon-Cry Golden Toad?" Yu Xiaogang asked in surprise, while a hopeful look appeared on Tang San's face as well.
"That's right. Here, let me show you something big!" As Qi Ling spoke, he took the Barrett Sniper Rifle out of his Infinite Space.
When the pitch-black, imposing Barrett Sniper Rifle was laid before Yu Xiaogang and Tang San, both were too shocked to speak!
Though they did not recognize it, they could sense a powerful intimidation and a lethal threat from it! Without a doubt, this was a weapon of astonishing killing power.
"Qi Ling, just what is this thing?" Yu Xiaogang asked. "Can you eliminate that Dragon-Cry Golden Toad with it?"
"Absolutely! Just one shot, and I guarantee that toad won't even have ashes left!" Qi Ling said confidently. "This is called a Barrett Sniper Rifle. It's a special kind of Soul Tool."
"This Soul Tool sniper rifle has an effective firing range of over 4,000 meters, completely beyond the Dragon-Cry Golden Toad's detection range!" Qi Ling said.
"The only problem now is how to make sure we hit it! After all, I only have two bullets."
[Ding-dong! Host detected about to use a Soul Tool. A choice mission has been triggered. Please choose from the following options!] Option one: The host fires personally. Shooting success rate: 50%. Reward: one Barrett Sniper Rifle bullet. Option two: Let Tang San fire. Shooting success rate: 99%. Rewards: God Level eye technique: Fiery Eyes and Golden Pupils; Tang San's favorability +5%.
Of the two options, choosing the first would merely give him one more chance to fire, with the odds still at 50%. It was practically a wasted effort.
Tang San, on the other hand, cultivated the Purple Demon Eye technique and had also mastered the techniques of Hundred Solutions to Hidden Weapon. Even if this was his first time operating it, his chances of success were far greater than Qi Ling's.
Besides, this God Level eye technique, Fiery Eyes and Golden Pupils, was clearly something extraordinary just from its name. He naturally could not miss it! Thus, Qi Ling chose option two without hesitation.
[Ding-dong! Congratulations, host, on choosing option two: let Tang San fire. Rewards obtained: God Level eye technique: Fiery Eyes and Golden Pupils; Tang San's favorability +5%.]
"Xiao San, here!" Qi Ling said, handing the Barrett Sniper Rifle to Tang San. "You take this shot!"
"Me?" Tang San looked at the Barrett Sniper Rifle in his hands. Its weight told him that it was not merely fierce in appearance, but possessed incomparable power within. "But I've never used this thing before!"
"Ah, there's a first time for everything. Xiao San, I believe in you. Just go ahead and do it!" As Qi Ling spoke, he began teaching Tang San how to operate the sniper rifle.
As someone who had been obsessed with Hidden Weapons his entire life, Tang San was naturally full of curiosity about this novel weapon and eager to try it himself.
Thus, after choosing a spot to set up the rifle and lying down to aim, he immediately activated his Purple Demon Eye to its fullest power, locking firmly onto the Dragon-Cry Golden Toad.
"The Dragon-Cry Golden Toad is very vigilant. Striking rashly will only beat the grass and startle the snake," Qi Ling said beside him.
"Only when it launches its crying attack does it expose an opening! Xiao San, that will also be your best moment to attack!"
"More importantly, we have to use the Dragon-Cry Golden Toad's attack to subdue the Mandala Snake. Otherwise, if it gets frightened and flees, all our efforts could fall short at the final hurdle."
Maintaining the Purple Demon Eye exhausted Tang San's stamina enormously, but fortunately, the standoff between the Mandala Snake and the Dragon-Cry Golden Toad soon ended!
Seemingly unable to bear the pressure, the Mandala Snake attacked first. Its body shot toward the Dragon-Cry Golden Toad like a sharp sword, staking everything on a surprise assault to catch it off guard.
Unfortunately, the Dragon-Cry Golden Toad's reactions were even faster than the Mandala Snake's! Just as the Mandala Snake lunged into midair, the Dragon-Cry Golden Toad thrust hard with both legs and instantly vanished from its spot!
When the Dragon-Cry Golden Toad reappeared, there was actually green snake blood in its mouth! At some point, a wound had appeared on the Mandala Snake's body.
The Mandala Snake, impervious to blades and spears, could not even withstand one little bite from the Dragon-Cry Golden Toad!
Watching all this, Tang San could not help swallowing. To think he had actually wanted to hunt a monster like this. He truly had overestimated himself.
"Pay attention, Xiao San!" Qi Ling said then. "The Dragon-Cry Golden Toad is about to open its mouth! Get ready!"
Having realized the difference in their strength, the Mandala Snake naturally refused to sit and await death, immediately fleeing into the distance! Unfortunately, the Dragon-Cry Golden Toad was already prepared for this as well.
Before the Mandala Snake could get far, the Dragon-Cry Golden Toad opened its mouth, and a long, melodious dragon's roar rang out from within.
It was hard to describe just how bizarre the sight was: a toad actually producing a dragon's roar from its mouth!
Yet that was exactly what happened. The Mandala Snake seemed to freeze suddenly, falling from midair into a stunned state.
"Now, Xiao San!" Qi Ling told Tang San. "Fire!"
Tang San, who had been ready all along, pulled the Barrett Sniper Rifle's trigger the instant Qi Ling gave the order. The bullet shot toward the Dragon-Cry Golden Toad at a speed that nearly broke the sound barrier.
Still crying out, the Dragon-Cry Golden Toad had never imagined that it, too, had become someone else's prey. It took a direct hit to the head!
Half of its already small body vanished outright, leaving only its lower half struggling.
"We did it! Haha!" Qi Ling said excitedly. "Come on, Xiao San, let's hurry and collect your Soul Ring! We can't let that Mandala Snake wake up and get away."