Chapter 134: Level Seven?

Rat led Rooster down the mountain, both remaining extremely cautious.

Lin Xiao was not idle either; they carried military-grade communication equipment.

Rat deliberately left Lin Xiao behind to direct them from above.

Rat and Rooster moved swiftly, and under Lin Xiao’s guidance, they soon approached within about five hundred meters of the Flame Mercenary Corps’ hideout.

Rat sensed it was close enough; advancing further risked being spotted by the mercenaries’ scouts. He immediately instructed Rooster to start gathering intelligence.

Rooster focused her mind, quietly probing the situation of the Flame Mercenary Corps.

The mercenaries had been here for some time and were well acquainted with the area. When they first encountered so many spirit beasts, Feng Yang nearly fled with his men.

Though he commanded nearly a hundred soldiers, their uneven abilities made them no match for the spirit beasts.

However, upon discovering that the spirit beasts were split into two opposing factions, Feng Yang saw an opportunity.

He immediately ordered his men to hide, his intent clear.

Like a mantis stalking a cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, he hoped that if the spirit beasts fought each other, he could seize the chance. If they ended up severely damaging one another, he might benefit greatly.

The idea was clever, but being a successful oriole was no simple feat.

The two factions of spirit beasts had been at a standoff for a day and a night; the mercenaries had also been hiding for the same duration.

The roars of the Sky-reaching Stone Beasts scared away many spirit beasts.

Yet, the presence of mosquitoes was unavoidable.

Most of the mercenaries were now covered in itchy welts from the relentless bites.

If the rewards weren’t so enticing, many would have abandoned the mission.

“Damn it, why put up with this torture? Wouldn’t it be better to be cozy in the city, sleeping next to our wives?”

“Shh, quit whining. We can still rest a bit, but those spirit beasts have been at each other’s throats all this time. I feel they’re about to clash.”

“There are so many spirit beasts above level five here. Even if we don’t get many spirit pearls, the materials on their bodies alone will set us up nicely. Then we can find some beautiful ladies to celebrate.”

“True, but eventually we have to make a move. You know, the Sky-reaching Stone Beasts used to be creatures we avoided at all costs. Didn’t expect we’d be targeted this time. Which side do you think will win?”

“Hard to say. The Stone Beasts aren’t many, but their strength far surpasses ordinary spirit beasts. It’s better this way; if one side was overwhelmingly strong, where would we find our opportunity?”

...

The Flame Mercenary Corps’ hideout was still far from the spirit beasts, which is why they hadn’t been discovered.

Hence, though the mercenaries had to keep quiet, whispering was still allowed.

Rooster sifted through the information in her mind, her eyes widening with astonishment.

Among the many details, she finally uncovered the reason behind the two factions’ standoff.

She gave Rat a knowing glance, who immediately understood.

The two silently slipped away.

Neither spoke along the way, but seeing Rooster’s shocked expression, Rat knew things were more complicated than they seemed.

They quickly climbed back onto the low hill, where Lin Xiao and the others awaited them.

“Rooster, tell us what you found out.”

Rooster said nothing at first, opened her water bottle, and took a long, hard drink.

“Everyone, do you know why these spirit beasts are in conflict?”

No one expected Rooster to turn the question back on them. If not for their genuine curiosity, they might have been tempted to give her a good scolding for withholding information.

Rooster knew she couldn’t keep them in suspense any longer.

Before anyone could lose their temper, she revealed the truth.

“The leader of the Stone Beasts is about to advance—possibly to become a level seven spirit beast.”

Her words cast a heavy silence over the group.

This was a level five secret realm, home to spirit beasts ranging from level one to six. Being classified as such meant level six spirit beasts were already rare.

Who would have thought the Sky-reaching Stone Beast was on the verge of breaking through to level seven?

Lin Xiao felt this made sense; he sensed a certain turmoil in the Stone Beasts’ aura, indicative of an imminent breakthrough.

Seeing no response, Lin Xiao voiced a doubt.

“I don’t quite understand. Even if the Stone Beast leader is advancing, why would that attract the attention of other spirit beasts? Does that make sense?”

His question snapped everyone back to attention.

“Haizhu, this is your first time here, so you don’t know the territory. The most fearsome spirit beast in this realm is the Sky-reaching Stone Beast. They’re violent and used to dominate the core area.

“Let me put it this way: the number of spirit beasts killed by them surpasses even the kills we’ve made.

“If it successfully advances to level seven, it will be invincible here.

“With its temper, the first thing it’ll do after advancing is to expand its territory.

“All other spirit beasts will become its targets.

“The only hope for those beasts to survive is to stop it from ascending.”

Rat’s explanation made everything clear to Lin Xiao.

So this was the Stone Beasts’ own fault—whether human or beast, one must never be too conspicuous.

Otherwise, one quickly becomes the target of all.

Lesson learned.

“So the Flame Mercenary Corps intends to wait for the spirit beasts to fight and then swoop in to take advantage?”

“Yes, that’s exactly their plan.”

They had to admit, the mercenaries were shrewd strategists.

Rat sighed deeply.

“Their plan is clever, but it won’t be so easy to pull off.”

Lin Xiao was puzzled: “Why? I don’t see any flaw in their strategy.”

“There’s one crucial condition for their plan to succeed—the Sky-reaching Stone Beast must fail in its breakthrough.

“If it succeeds, none of us stand a chance; the gap between level six and seven is like an unbridgeable chasm.”

Lin Xiao understood now. Having gained some knowledge through cultivation, he knew this was a significant hurdle.

From level six to seven, cultivators not only gain a new spiritual skill but also awaken a special talent.

For instance, elemental awakeners can transform into elemental beings.

Fire awakeners can become beings of flame, which is why conventional firearms are ineffective against high-level supernatural users.

Spirit beasts are no different; upon reaching level seven, they too awaken unique talents.

This awakening marks a qualitative leap in combat power.

What’s even more daunting is that a level seven spirit beast’s intelligence greatly improves.

Their intellect rivals that of ordinary humans.