Chapter One Hundred Eighteen: The First Step
Third Watch, seeking recommendations!
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White Rhinoceros Howlers:
A large-bodied, social mid-level magical beast species. Adult White Rhinoceros Howlers generally rank between four-star second stage and four-star ninth stage in strength. The longer they survive, the stronger they become. Occasionally, a five-star “boss-level” White Rhinoceros Howler appears, known as the “Silver Rhinoceros Howler,” entirely silver in color and possessing combat power comparable to five-star mid-level magical beasts.
The White Rhinoceros Howler is a cunning magical beast. When threatened, it usually assesses the number and strength of intruders and gathers a numerical advantage by calling companions to launch a joint assault.
If the enemy’s aura is overwhelmingly strong, even if killed, they will not leave the area shrouded in white mist.
The Soul Extinguishers are merely a fledgling mercenary group, composed of students who have yet to taste real bloodshed. They are young, lack teamwork, and their morale is far weaker than previous mercenary groups who have entered this forest. Naturally, they are not regarded as a threat by these beasts.
——
Within the team, the sole beast tamer, Silver Moon Pride Dragon, placed his hand on the chest and abdomen of a towering yellow giant ape over three meters tall, closed his eyes, and began sensing.
The yellow giant ape was extremely obedient, lowering its arms and moving its head side to side, scanning the surroundings—a four-star wind-element magical beast known as the “Purging Wind Ape.” It possesses an ability rare among ordinary magical beasts called the “Purging Golden Eye,” with vision comparable to archers of seven stars or higher. Ordinary mist barriers cannot block its sight. Its hearing is highly sensitive, capable of discerning the size and approximate strength of magical beasts invading the area by detecting airflow within a kilometer.
When Silver Moon Pride Dragon summoned the Purging Wind Ape, Xu Wen was taken aback, suddenly understanding the source of He Chen’s confidence and the true meaning behind his actions.
A lone four-star magical beast generally flees far away and won’t come to cause trouble...
Encountering one means it is definitely five-star mid-level or above!
Even if they barely manage to cooperate, He Chen neither has the confidence nor courage to face such a foe. Many in the team would be in mortal danger once within attacking range.
Using four-star magical beasts for practice was indeed a wise approach.
On one hand, it allows everyone to familiarize and coordinate before real danger arrives; on the other, it corrects attitudes and clarifies what each member should and can do.
He Chen truly was a commendable captain.
“Seventeen, eighteen... about right.”
Silver Moon Pride Dragon opened his eyes. “There are no more than twenty in this area. They will attack within half a minute at most.”
“Twenty? We only have twenty-one people. That might be tough to handle.”
Several members showed signs of nervousness. Four-star water-element low-level magical beasts seemed slightly stronger than them overall. Once engaged, it would be challenging.
“Don’t worry. In one-on-one fights, four of us in this mercenary group can take on two, even three enemies at once.”
He Chen calmly dispersed a flame and glanced at Xu Wen.
“Xu Wen, I, and Sakqi will handle group attacks! The warriors will focus on defense and cover us when necessary. The rest will take care of any stragglers.”
He paused before continuing, “Everyone, don’t be nervous! They’re only four-star magical beasts, not very strong. Your fighting spirit armor and equipment aren’t just for show!”
The timely reminder boosted the confidence of several warriors who had never been on the battlefield, as they patted their gear.
“All right! Prepare for battle!”
A variety of colored lights swiftly appeared on the seven swordsmen and battle mages in the front line.
Tensions rose sharply!
Chilling cold air, the weight of earth, scorching heat waves, and uplifting spiritual magic waves released by a priestess all blended together. The morale of the Soul Extinguishers mercenary group surged rapidly.
At this moment!
The Rhinoceros Howlers in the white mist finally finished assembling, responding to the intrusion that had corrupted the mist and provoked them.
A commanding low roar echoed.
The ground trembled violently as the white mist surged forward with great force. Thunderous vibrations emanated frequently from within the mist, the momentum and rumbling sound approaching rapidly, like dozens of steamrollers grinding full speed side-by-side.
Several palms began to sweat; everyone gripped their weapons tightly, feeling an almost suffocating pressure.
When the first few huge magical beasts burst through the dense white mist into view, the group seemed to see white walls over three meters tall and six meters long.
Moving white walls!
Xu Wen glanced at the size and sprinting speed of these White Rhinoceros Howlers and couldn’t help but mutter silently:
“Time to lose some weight…”
Solar Flare Burst completed!
“Go!”
A six-pointed star array was quickly sketched in front, then vanished, appearing directly above the charging group of White Rhinoceros Howlers.
Boom!
A massive fireball accompanied by suffocating heat burst from the star array, descending from the sky and crashing into the group. Countless high-temperature fire pellets exploded outward, instantly shattering the Howlers’ charge formation and momentum.
However...
Their bodies, weighing over ten tons each and incredibly sturdy, saved them.
A typical four-star magical beast struck head-on by such magic would be severely wounded or killed, but these White Rhinoceros Howlers were only slightly affected—fire pellets had yet to cause serious injury.
Nonetheless, the spell greatly bolstered the confidence of those behind, awakening them from being intimidated by the Howlers’ charging momentum.
“Quicksand!”
“Stormfall Meteor!”
A soil-element group spell and a powerful archer’s single-target skill burst forth with fury.
The foremost White Rhinoceros Howlers roared in anger as their massive bodies suddenly sank uncontrollably halfway down—the ground within ten meters had turned into loose, soft quicksand, engulfing them.
A brilliant arrow exploded in the air into countless tiny flame shards, piercing the bodies of several Howlers behind. Though the holes were small, they provoked anguished howls and heavy bleeding.
Simultaneously, Sakqi unleashed “Meteoric Fire Rain,” and He Chen cast “Golden Flame Wheel”!
The white mist around had nearly dissipated...
A rain of fire descended, and the mist vanished completely, revealing over a dozen White Rhinoceros Howlers behind who had sustained little damage.
Boom!
The Golden Flame Wheel struck the head of a Howler behind, which collapsed before it could break out to the left, becoming a three-meter-high barricade blocking the way. The domineering slash of a four-star earth emperor-level magic was fully displayed!
“Focus fire! Take down the ones at the front.”
As He Chen quickly gave the order, the Howlers regained their senses after the first round of magical assault and the front few retaliated with water magic!
“Rise!”
Lei Eo shouted, as a layer of dark gray elemental barrier quickly spread out from him, enveloping all twenty-one people.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Several thick water columns slammed into the barrier.
In the blink of an eye, it withstood seven consecutive magical attacks before finally collapsing.
No wonder he was a five-star magic swordsman—the soil-element barrier’s defense bought the Soul Extinguishers valuable time.
Irene, also a magic swordsman, but only at the mid-level three-star mage proficiency, naturally couldn’t unleash a mighty display like Lei Eo. Three-star magic was useless here; she didn’t even bother chanting spells, instead releasing fighting spirit and gripping her sword, watching the charging beasts from both flanks. Purple lightning flickered rapidly along her Light Thunder Sword...
Circles upon circles, from hilt to tip, the speed intensified!
Sizzle!
Another Golden Flame Wheel shot from above a warrior’s head.
The foremost White Rhinoceros Howler had half its head severed, crashing down with a thunderous impact that shook the ground.
“Xu Wen?”
“Vice Captain?”
The magic stunned several mages and archers behind.
Even Lei Eo couldn’t help but glance back, refusing to believe He Chen could unleash another four-star earth emperor-level magic so quickly.
Moreover, the magic came from behind him...
Xu Wen!
Could Xu Wen really wield that spell too?
If not for several Howlers already within twenty meters, they definitely would have demanded an explanation.
“I can’t hold on!”
The soil-element mage who cast the quicksand trapping several Howlers shouted, having endured prolonged abuse. The Howlers finally struggled free from the quicksand pit behind.
A roaring howl!
“Don’t worry about the rear... warriors, advance! Hold the line!”
“Everyone else, focus fire! Take them down one by one!”
As the son of the palace guard commander, He Chen remained calm and commanding under danger—a commendable trait.
Not far behind, Lant hid behind a tree, eyeing the approaching White Rhinoceros Howlers, pondering whether to strike immediately.
“Truly troublesome.”
Xu Wen was quite surprised by the Howlers’ resilience and astonishing defense.
Solar Flare Burst felt like a mosquito bite; Meteoric Fire Rain was similarly ineffective. Others’ attacks also inflicted limited harm. Despite two rounds of intense fire assaults, only three four-star water-element Howlers were downed, two by the Golden Flame Wheel.
Seeing the Howlers break free from the quicksand and a soil-element mage temporarily losing combat ability from mana exhaustion, Xu Wen’s brow furrowed sharply.
Only that spell left!
Lei Eo, Irene, and five other warriors surged forward, their fighting spirit blazing! Each intercepted a charging Howler head-on!
But within two seconds, boom, boom, boom—the three warriors were thrown back violently, flying far away. Though their spirit armor remained intact and bodies unharmed, they could not withstand the impact of these massive beasts, leaving a gap in the defense.
“Watch out!”
The archer Bai Xi released his grip; one charging Howler let out a miserable scream, eyes bursting with red and white blood.
At the same time, the Purging Wind Ape leapt high from the ranks. Under Silver Moon Pride Dragon’s command, it landed atop another White Rhinoceros Howler, wrapping its legs and furiously beating it with both arms!
Slightly stronger in cultivation, Lei Eo also blocked the last White Rhinoceros Howler, while beside him lay a Howler bleeding profusely from the head and legs.
“Hah!”
A sharp command rang out as Irene unleashed a sword slash charged with abundant lightning spirit energy. Visible waves surged along the wound, striking a Howler that had withstood dozens of attacks. Under Irene’s strike, it defecated uncontrollably, convulsed, and collapsed weakly.
Danger temporarily lifted, the priest began chanting to heal the wounded, easing pain and uplifting spirits.
Seeing this, Lant quietly withdrew once more.
The first step of the Soul Extinguishers mercenary group had been successfully taken.