"Commander, are we really going to fight this Calamity Beast?"
The questioning voices echoed softly through the woods.
Upon hearing this, a faint sound rippled through the woods, and one soldier after another turned to look in the center.
There, a small figure was gazing into the distance with a solemn expression.
Clearly, the question that soldier just asked represented the sentiments of many of them.
only...
The figure glanced at them and said:
"So, you're already here, and you've already made pre-battle preparations, and you're planning to run away?"
Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions froze slightly.
The soldier who had just asked the question was now flushed red with suppressed emotion.
"No, we just, we just..."
He began to speak, but didn't know how to continue.
However, Xu Ruiyu took over the rest for him.
"Just what? Just don't want to be bluntly accused of running away? Then what do you want to be said? A strategic retreat? Is this the kind of cowards our Great Xia has raised?!"
The reprimands grew increasingly harsh, yet the voice remained consciously lowered.
At that moment, not only did the person who had just asked the question turn red in the face, but many soldiers also blushed.
They're good in every other way, but to call them cowards? If they were cowards, they wouldn't have chosen to join the army!
"Commander, I didn't mean we shouldn't fight. I just mean, this Calamity Beast is only at the Late Fourth Tier, isn't it a bit weak? Should we find a Fifth Tier one?!" the soldier who had asked the question said.
"Yes, that's right. We have at least eight or Fourth Tier cultivators here, including three mid-tier ones. With so many of us fighting a Late Fourth Tier Calamity Beast, isn't that a bit like bullying the weak? How about we pick a Fifth Tier one?"
"Yes..."
One soldier after another chimed in.
Xu Ruiyu looked at the scene before him with a slight smile.
In situations like this, using reverse psychology is the most effective tactic!
It's not that no one saw through his provocation, it's just...
If someone tries to provoke you and slaps you, do you realize they meant to anger you and just take the slap for nothing?
Of course, there were indeed quite a few soldiers who didn't notice it.
"Alright, don't you know our situation? A Late Fourth Tier Calamity Beast is already enough for us to handle, let alone a Fifth Tier!" Xu Ruiyu reprimanded again.
"Now, everyone remain solemn and keep 'concealment' running. When the Calamity Beast arrives, follow the original plan: wear it down first, make it feel it can survive and won't fight desperately. Later, when it's worn down enough, then attack with all your might. Understand?"
"Yes!"
"Receive!"
"Receive!"
A series of soft responses followed.
Then, silence fell over the forest once again.
Xu Ruiyu glanced at it, then looked away.
The smile on his face turned into a solemn expression when he saw the figure slowly approaching in the distance.
The other soldiers' concerns were not unfounded.
In a normal environment, given their numbers and prior preparations, dealing with a Late Fourth Tier Calamity Beast shouldn't be difficult.
The problem is that here, the Origin Power is restricted for unknown reasons.
Furthermore, every living being, when driven to the brink of despair, may be forced to use a large amount of Origin Power, potentially leading to Distortion.
At that time, the Distortion creatures will become much stronger.
If one's strength increases significantly in the Late Fourth Tier, then they will likely reach Fifth Tier.
At that time, one side will Fifth Tier, able to use their Origin Power at will, while the other side will be a group of people who haven't even reached the Late Fourth Tier.
It's obvious that the outcome won't be good!
Xu Ruiyu had also considered this issue, but after careful consideration, he decided to give it a try.
Firstly, because...
It has been more than ten days since it appeared in this world. In such a long time, even if the Calamity Beast is not smart, it should have encountered enemies that used excessive amounts of Origin Power during its hunts, causing its body to Distortion.
In this situation, if the final Calamity Beast shows a similar tendency, he can communicate with it and try to end the battle!
Even if it's furious, driven by its survival instinct, the Calamity Beast will most likely agree!
Secondly, it's because...
They didn't know where they were, how to get out, or even if they would ever be able to get out.
In this situation, some things are bound to happen in the future.
For example, encountering uncontrollable Calamity Beast in the future, or Calamity Beast that have Distortion because they cannot be killed directly.
If they only target weaker Calamity Beast, one day they will suffer serious casualties due to their lack of experience in fighting powerful Calamity Beast!
that is...
Xu Ruiyu stared ahead with a solemn expression.
Either kill it before it completes its Distortion, or escape before it even begins, or before it has even started but has just begun and hasn't completed its Distortion!
The Calamity Beast were approaching their location.
As they got closer, everyone gradually got a clearer look at the Calamity Beast.
It was a Calamity Beast that was fourteen or fifteen meters tall, with thick limbs, a flat head, a protruding snout, and a row of fine teeth on each side.
Its entire body is covered with dark brown carapace, and its back is covered with rough Ridged.
Ridged Beast, A-Class.
The crowd watched the Ridged Beast from a distance.
On its back, there were several not-so-new wounds.
Judging from the shape of the wound, it doesn't seem to have been caused by a human; rather, it seems to have been caused by Calamity Beast.
No one was surprised by this.
After all, they need food, and so do the Calamity Beast.
Normally, things were better in the Erosion Zone, where food was delivered; but after a few days of hunger in this space, they realized that it was like returning to the Ruins Realm, where they still had to hunt for themselves.
Then, the food also mainly returned to the Calamity Beast, which were significantly more numerous in this world.
So, actually, compared to them, humans...
Calamity Beast, especially weak Calamity Beast, are the more troublesome.
They not only have to guard against humans, but also against other Calamity Beast that are also Calamity Beast.
but...
These things are none of their concern; they'd rather the Calamity Beast kill each other more!
Time flowed on, and the Calamity Beast drew ever closer.
Everyone subconsciously lowered their breathing again.
Footsteps began to sound in my ears, gradually growing louder.
Everyone kept their heads down, avoiding looking at the Calamity Beast, and instead relied on their senses and hearing to make their judgments, so as not to let the beast notice anything because of their gaze.
They remained hidden in their positions, their bodies slightly tense.
"Action!"
A loud shout suddenly rang out from the woods.
Then, one figure after another suddenly stood up from their hiding places and rushed towards the location of the Ridged Beast.