"Th… Three-Level Demon Beast?!"
Lin Feng's shock was beyond measure. The instant he saw this colossal Fire-Tailed Scorpion, the thought flashed through his mind.
It wasn't just the size. The terrifyingly powerful aura radiating from this scorpion was completely incomparable to even a Level 2, Rank 9 or Great Perfection (Peak) demon beast. He didn't even need to use his Observing Essence Technique to be certain – this was absolutely a Level 3 demon beast!!
A Level 3 demon beast, equivalent to a Golden Core cultivator! Rumors had circulated about such beasts existing in the Seven Peaks Forest, but Lin Feng had always dismissed them. Yet here one was, not only real but residing within Redstone Mountain, and they had stumbled upon it right now!!
"Level 3 Fire-Tailed Scorpion! GET OUT NOW!!"
Since acquiring his flying sword, Lin Feng had become somewhat skilled and bold. Not even Level 2 Peak demon beasts could truly intimidate him anymore. But now, he was genuinely startled. And if he was startled, the others were terrified. Lu Yang, the strongest among them, reacted first. Forcing down his own dread, he shouted again for everyone to flee.
Everyone quickly pieced it together. The beast Kou Tingting suspected had eaten the Level 3 spirit herbs was undoubtedly the monstrosity before them. The abundance of Level 2 herbs left untouched by other Fire-Tailed Scorpions was also explained by this 'Scorpion King' claiming this territory. It also clarified why they had encountered no attacks during their long walk after clearing the earlier wave of scorpions – the Level 1 and Level 2 Fire-Tailed Scorpions simply dared not approach this area!
Who knew how deep underground this Level 3 Fire-Tailed Scorpion had been hiding, or why it had waited so long to emerge? But there was no time for such questions now. Their only concern was escaping alive.
Fighting this Level 3 demon beast? No one dared entertain that thought. Not even Lin Feng wanted to risk it.
…
"SCREEEEEECH!!!"
But while the group wanted to leave, the Level 3 Scorpion King had no intention of letting them go. Its lower body had now fully emerged, resting directly on the massive hole it had torn open. Its gigantic form resembled a flattened city bus. Its maw gaped open, revealing rows of sharp teeth utterly unlike anything a normal 'scorpion' should possess. It let out an enraged shriek. Both its door-plate-sized pincers rose high and smashed down towards the group!!
"SCATTER!!"
Lu Yang, horrified, roared the warning. He shoved Zheng Kai, who was beside him, away. Simultaneously, he raised his right hand. Spirit light erupted from the middle-grade treasure artifact defensive shield in his grasp as he tried to block.
BOOOOOOM!!
An instant later, one colossal pincer smashed into the spirit light barrier protecting Lu Yang. With an earth-shattering crash, the barrier shattered instantly! Merely grazed by the edge of the pincer, Lu Yang was sent hurtling away like a cannonball!
His middle-grade treasure artifact defensive shield, though depleted from earlier battles, should still have retained half its energy. Yet now, it couldn't withstand even a single blow from the Scorpion King!
THUD!
Lu Yang's body flew over ten meters and slammed heavily into the cave wall before crashing to the ground. Although he had projected his true essence outward just before impact to form a defense, the collision was still jarring. His face paled, and the fluctuations of true essence within him visibly weakened.
"Uncle Lu!!"
The others rushed to Lu Yang's side and helped him up. Zheng Kai urgently asked, "Uncle Lu, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, don't worry," Lu Yang shook his head, standing up, his expression grave. "We must find a way to break through! Do not engage it head-on!"
After the Scorpion King's two devastating pincer strikes, the group had been forced back into the corner of the cavern. The giant scorpion now blocked the path between them and the exit tunnel.
The space was originally large, but with the Scorpion King blocking the way, it created a 'one scorpion guards the pass, ten thousand cannot pass' scenario. There were gaps on either side, but rushing through wouldn't be simple. Whichever way they tried, the Scorpion King in the center only need extend a pincer or whip its massive tail to intercept them instantly.
Whether it was the door-plate-sized pincers or the giant tail – thick as a bucket and tipped with a blazing fireball the size of a millstone – even a glancing blow would likely shatter every bone in a person's body.
Lu Yang's defensive shield being obliterated in one blow had shattered any remaining confidence. Only Lin Feng retained a sliver of hope in his top-grade treasure artifact spirit light jade pendant, but he dared not test it lightly.
…
A brief stalemate ensued. Surprisingly, the Scorpion King didn't immediately resume its attack. It seemed content to hold the optimal blocking position, its predatory gaze fixed on the group. It was as if the slightest movement would trigger its assault.
In just ten seconds of this 'standoff', sweat beaded on everyone's palms. Zheng Kai and the others instinctively looked towards Lu Yang, the strongest among them. Zhang Fangzhou and his brothers, however, looked towards Lin Feng.
Strangely, Zhang Fangzhou's trio, the weakest in conventional terms, seemed marginally calmer than Zheng Kai's group. They knew Lin Feng still held untapped trump cards. This might not be the dead end it seemed.
Suddenly, Lin Feng, who had been silent, spoke. "Everyone, I have a plan that might allow some of us to reach the tunnel first…"
"You have a plan?" The others brightened with hope upon hearing this. Zheng Kai pressed urgently, "Lin Feng, what plan?"
Lin Feng's gaze remained locked on the Scorpion King ahead as he spoke rapidly. "We split into two groups. We rush past it along opposite sides of the cavern. If the scorpion moves to intercept and attack one group, the other can exploit the opening to escape!"
"What?! No! That's too dangerous for the group it attacks! We can't take that risk!"
Hearing Lin Feng's suggestion, Lu Yang frowned and immediately rejected it. Indeed, this plan essentially sacrificed one group to allow the other to escape. It was too brutal.
Zheng Kai also hesitated, "Yeah, Lin Feng, that seems…"
But before he could finish, Lin Feng cut him off. "I'll go alone on the right side. You all go together on the left! I'll launch an attack to draw its attention. That should give you the chance to get past!"
"WHAT?!"
This time, Zheng Kai and the others were stunned, staring at Lin Feng in disbelief. To them, Lin Feng doing this amounted to a suicidal act!! Was he… intending to sacrifice himself to help the others escape?
In that moment, an inexplicable shock and awe washed over Zheng Kai and the others. Their gazes towards Lin Feng held newfound respect, even Chang Gong Xiaojing, who had always looked down on him.
Before they could voice their thoughts, Lin Feng continued firmly, "Don't worry, I'm not committing suicide. I'm confident I can withstand its attacks. Once you safely reach the tunnel, then you all attack together to distract it. I'll seize the chance to dash over, and we make our final break for the exit."
"You can block its attack?!"
Hearing this, Zheng Kai and the others were taken aback, but doubt lingered. Some even suspected Lin Feng was just trying to reassure them.
"I can!" Lin Feng stated decisively. "Alright, no more hesitation! If we wait for it to attack first, it'll be disastrous! Prepare yourselves! I'm going!"
"Wait!" At that moment, Zhang Fangzhou suddenly gritted his teeth and spoke up. "Big Brother, I'll go with you!"
"Huh?" Lin Feng was momentarily startled, then frowned. "No! What are you doing?"
Zhang Fangzhou replied, "Don't worry, I'm not trying to die either! I believe you can get us all out safely alive – just like the last few times. Besides, if it's just you going alone, I think our group of nine over here might draw more of the scorpion's attention. Adding me to your side increases the bait… makes it more likely to focus on us."
"Big Bro Zhang is right! If so, count me in too! Boss Lin, I'm with you!"
"And me! I'm coming too!"
Suddenly, Yao Wangtian and Xu Rong spoke almost simultaneously, their expressions resolute as they stepped forward to stand beside Lin Feng, seemingly having thrown caution to the wind.
"You guys…"
Zheng Kai and the others were dumbfounded, staring at Zhang Fangzhou's trio with shock. Their courageous, bloody-minded declaration and action made everyone see them in a completely new light.
Lin Feng felt deeply moved. He laughed heartily, "Haha! Alright! Then we'll stick together!! Don't worry, none of us will come to harm!"
He raised his hand to stop Zheng Kai, Lu Yang, and the others before they could speak. "No more arguments! It's decided! And there's no time left to hesitate! Everyone, get ready!!"
He had noticed restless agitation building in the Scorpion King ahead; it seemed on the verge of attacking.
His left hand clenched tightly around the spirit light jade pendant. Strangely, he swapped the flying sword in his right hand for a talisman. Lin Feng gave the others a firm nod and then shouted, "GO!!"
Without waiting for further protests from Zheng Kai and the others, Lin Feng tapped his foot against the ground and shot forward, racing along the right-hand cave wall! Zhang Fangzhou, Yao Wangtian, and Xu Rong gritted their teeth and rushed after him without hesitation.
Lu Yang's expression flickered through several emotions, ultimately settling on grim determination. "Do as Lin Feng says! Let's go!!"
With that, he charged towards the left side, leading the way. The others understood the urgency and raced after him.
"SCREEEEEECH!!!"
Their simultaneous movement enraged the Fire-Tailed Scorpion King. Its bulbous eyes swiveled, seemingly weighing its options for a split second. Then, its focus locked onto the larger group rushing along the left side—Zheng Kai, Lu Yang, and the others...