Convinced

"Clang!!"

The heavy miaodao, wreathed in blazing flames, crashed down on the Earth Violent Bear's head.

The clang of metal rang out across the surrounding wilderness!

"Aaargh!!"

An explosion of increased intensity erupted from the blade. It was the 50% additional explosive damage from Purgatory Dragon Soul. The knowledge he had previously obtained said there was a 30% chance of triggering it, yet in all those years, this was the first time it had happened. He really was unlucky.

The Earth Violent Bear let out a piercing scream.

Its hard skull had been split by the blade, leaving a deep crack!

Blood gushed from the crack.

"Thud!"

The Earth Violent Bear's massive body fell heavily to its knees.

Dust flew, and the ground shook.

It struggled to get back up.

This human... is too strong!

In the air, the Thunder-Winged White Tiger was utterly stunned by the sight.

It knew better than anyone just how strong the Earth Violent Bear's defenses were.

Among those of the same rank, the Earth Violent Bear's defenses were among the strongest.

Yet now, this human had grievously wounded it with a single slash?!

Wasn't that terrifying?!

"You... who are you?"

The Thunder-Winged White Tiger looked at Haoyue, its eyes full of wariness.

Its earlier arrogance was gone.

The human before it was too dangerous.

Haoyue flicked the miaodao in his hand, and both the blood and the flames on its blade vanished.

He slowly turned around and looked up at the Thunder-Winged White Tiger, his gaze sharp as lightning.

"Now, is it your turn?"

His voice was quiet, but it carried an icy killing intent.

The Thunder-Winged White Tiger shuddered.

It had no doubt that if it charged at him, its fate would be little better than the Earth Violent Bear's.

It might even die!

"Wait!"

The Thunder-Winged White Tiger hurriedly spoke up.

"We... we can talk."

Talk?

Haoyue raised an eyebrow.

Giving up already?

But on second thought, it was only natural.

High-level magical beasts were no less intelligent than humans.

Seeking benefits and avoiding harm was instinct.

Saint-level magical beasts, in particular, treasured their lives.

"What is there to talk about?" Haoyue asked calmly.

The Thunder-Winged White Tiger descended from the sky, staying far from Haoyue at what it considered a safe distance.

"Human, you're strong," the Thunder-Winged White Tiger said in a deep voice. "Stronger than we expected."

"We admit we're no match for you."

"But-"

Its tone changed.

"Even if you can defeat the two of us, you can't possibly stop the entire beast tide."

"Even if they stood still and let you kill them, you couldn't kill them all."

"Besides, our king is still behind us."

"When our king arrives, you'll be as good as dead."

Haoyue said nothing, simply waiting for it to continue.

The Thunder-Winged White Tiger gritted its teeth and went on:

"Why don't we make a deal?"

"Let us pass, and we won't cause you any trouble."

"We'll stay out of each other's way. How about it?"

Haoyue suddenly laughed when he heard that.

"Let you pass?"

"And then let you go slaughter those fleeing humans?"

He shook his head.

"No."

The Thunder-Winged White Tiger frowned.

"Human, don't push your luck!"

"We've already shown you plenty of respect!"

"If you really force us to fight for our lives, you won't get off easy either!"

Haoyue sneered.

"Fight for your lives?"

"Are you even worthy?"

He slowly raised his miaodao.

Magic power of three elements flowed across the blade at once.

Earth yellow, fire red, and water blue.

The three colors intertwined, emanating a terrifying aura.

"Let's see whether your lives are tougher or my blade is."

Seeing the negotiations break down, the Thunder-Winged White Tiger's expression turned ugly.

It exchanged a glance with the Earth Violent Bear, and each saw resolve in the other's eyes.

Since they couldn't reach an agreement, they had no choice but to fight!

"Roar!!"

The Thunder-Winged White Tiger let out a roar.

The lightning around it turned violent once more.

The Earth Violent Bear struggled to its feet as well.

Though badly injured, its gaze remained fierce.

The two Saint-level magical beasts took positions to Haoyue's left and right, ready to attack him from both sides.

Their terrifying auras locked onto Haoyue.

"Together!"

The Thunder-Winged White Tiger shouted.

It was the first to attack.

"Thunder-Wing Storm!"

Countless bolts of lightning shot from its wings, bearing down on Haoyue like a torrential rain.

Every bolt carried the power of ninth-level magic!

They filled the sky, countless and dense!

On the other side, the Earth Violent Bear moved as well.

"Earth's Fury!"

It slammed both fists into the ground.

"Rumble!!"

The ground instantly split apart.

Countless enormous stone spikes burst from the earth and stabbed toward Haoyue!

The two Saint-level magical beasts attacked at the same time.

One from above, one from below; one with lightning, one with earth.

Their combined power was enough to kill an ordinary Early Saint-level expert!

Facing the attack from both sides, Haoyue's expression grew solemn.

But his eyes remained calm.

"Bring it on!"

He let out a low shout.

The magic power within him erupted without restraint.

Earth Element: Greater Gravity Domain!

An invisible gravitational field spread out, enveloping the entire area for several hundred meters around him.

Thunder-Wing Storm instantly slowed somewhat.

The Earth Spikes slowed considerably as well.

But that wasn't enough.

Water Element: Dense Fog Bewildering Formation!

Milky white fog poured out around Haoyue, instantly spreading across the entire battlefield.

Their vision was completely obscured.

The Thunder-Winged White Tiger and the Earth Violent Bear both lost sight of Haoyue.

"Hmm?"

The Thunder-Winged White Tiger froze.

Where did he go?

Just as it was wondering in alarm-

"Fire Element: Chain Explosive Flame Formation!"

"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Violent explosions rang out one after another from within the dense fog.

Pillars of fire shot into the sky.

The blazing flames dyed even the thick fog crimson.

"Aaargh!"

The Thunder-Winged White Tiger cried out in pain.

It was struck by several explosive flames. Though not seriously injured, it was left sooty and disheveled.

The Earth Violent Bear was no better off.

Though its defenses were astonishing, the successive explosive flames caused it a sharp, stinging pain.

"Damn it!"

"Come out!"

"Fight us fair and square if you've got the guts!"

The two Saint-level magical beasts were furious, but helpless.

The dense fog blocked their vision, and they couldn't find Haoyue at all.

They could only take the hits.

Haoyue, meanwhile, darted through the fog like a ghost.

Every so often, he unleashed a few spells, harassing the two magical beasts until they were thoroughly exasperated.

The two sides remained deadlocked like this for a full half hour.

Haoyue's guerrilla tactics had left the two Saint-level magical beasts at their wits' end, with more and more wounds appearing on their bodies.

Haoyue, on the other hand, had used up a considerable amount of magic power, but with Ocean Dragon Soul, he recovered extremely quickly.

As one side weakened and the other gained strength, the scales of victory had begun to tip in Haoyue's favor.

"No more!"

At last, the Thunder-Winged White Tiger couldn't take it anymore and shouted.

"We surrender!"

The dense fog gradually dispersed.

Haoyue appeared not far away.

His breathing was somewhat hurried, and beads of sweat dotted his forehead.

But his eyes were still bright.

"You're surrendering?" Haoyue asked calmly.

The Thunder-Winged White Tiger gritted its teeth, but had no choice except to admit it.

"We're no match for you."

"Whatever you want, name your terms."

Haoyue put away the Purple Blood Soft Sword and spoke slowly:

"My conditions are simple."

"First, you must not touch the humans in Wushan Town."

"Second, you must escort them safely north until they reach a safe place."

"Third, you must not harm a single human on the way."

"Those are my three conditions."

"Agree, and you can go."

"If you refuse-"

A cold glint flashed in Haoyue's eyes.

"Then I'll fight you until you agree."

The Thunder-Winged White Tiger and the Earth Violent Bear exchanged a glance, each seeing hesitation in the other's eyes.

Protect humans?

And escort them to safety?

For magical beasts like them, it was an utter disgrace!

But-

If we refuse...

Even together, the two of them were no match for him.

If they kept fighting, they might really die here.

Besides, he had only asked them to protect the humans in Wushan Town. They amounted to nothing compared to the entire beast tide.

There were so many humans, anyway. A few thousand fewer was no great loss.

"Fine."

The Thunder-Winged White Tiger gritted his teeth and finally agreed.

"We agree."

"But we can only guarantee the safety of the humans from Wushan Town."

"We won't concern ourselves with the others."

"Fine." Haoyue nodded. "One more thing: you must promise to escort them to a safe place, and you must stay with them the whole way."

"No problem," the Thunder-Winged White Tiger said in a deep voice. "We magical beasts never go back on our word."

Haoyue gave him a long look. "You must swear it to the Bear God and the Tiger God."

Unable to sway him, the two Saint-level magical beasts did as he asked.

"Good." Haoyue nodded. "I believe you."

"Don't worry," the Thunder-Winged White Tiger said in a deep voice. "We keep our word."

Haoyue nodded.

"In that case, let's get moving."

"The people of Wushan Town have already traveled some distance north."

"Come with me. Let's catch up to them."

With that, Haoyue turned and left, and the two Saint-level magical beasts followed him.