Chapter 136: The Fiery Strike

The situation of the Stone Beast leader did not go unnoticed by the spirit beasts, especially the rank-six spirit beasts that had been keeping their distance until now. They all charged forward at once, and the rank-five stone beasts, seeing this, threw themselves into the fray, desperately trying to block them. Although the stone beasts were formidable in combat, they were momentarily stalled by the sheer number of spirit beasts.

Eventually, the five rank-six spirit beasts reached the Stone Beast leader. They showed no restraint, launching their attacks immediately. If a breakthrough is interrupted, the consequences can be dire, and it was quite possible the Stone Beast leader might perish right there. Lin Xiao watched everything unfold. Just as even he thought the leader’s breakthrough was about to fail, the previously hunched Stone Beast leader suddenly stood up, grabbed a rank-six Raging Fire Lion, and smashed it violently against the ground. Taking advantage of the beast’s dazed state, it lifted a massive foot and crushed its skull.

After killing the Raging Fire Lion, the Stone Beast leader pounded its chest wildly and let out a series of deafening roars. The remaining four rank-six spirit beasts seemed intimidated, quickly widening the gap between themselves and the leader. The Stone Beast leader did not pursue, instead hunching back down. This time, the rank-six beasts were hesitant. Was this creature truly attempting a breakthrough, or was it baiting them into another trap? Lin Xiao was surprised; the Stone Beast leader appeared oafish and dim-witted, yet its intelligence was surprisingly high, even employing strategy. He had underestimated it; he hadn’t realized it was feigning its state earlier.

Lin Xiao wasn’t sure if the leader was actually breaking through now, but he sensed that time was running out for it. Even if it wasn’t truly breaking through, it couldn’t hold on for much longer. However, this had nothing to do with him. The battle between the beasts was still undecided, and the Flame Mercenary Group had yet to intervene, so it was best to simply watch the spectacle.

The four rank-six spirit beasts were growing anxious. If they attacked, they feared the Stone Beast leader would use the same trick again. But if they didn't, and the creature truly completed its breakthrough, it would surely slaughter them to vent its rage. Soon, a quick-witted Thunder Cloud Leopard came up with a plan. It launched a lightning-based spirit skill directly at the target. The attack struck the Stone Beast leader, causing shards of rock to fall away, yet the leader showed no reaction. Seeing this, the other three rank-six beasts grew bolder and launched a coordinated attack once more. As they drew close, the Stone Beast leader stood up again and killed another rank-six spirit beast.

The remaining three were on the verge of tears. This Stone Beast leader was a truly cunning fox! It had tricked them twice already.

Seeing the leader hunch back down, they dared not attack again. The rank-six Thunder Cloud Leopard, terrified of getting close, began bombarding the leader with spirit skills from a distance. The other two followed suit, launching a barrage of attacks. This time, the Stone Beast leader did not counterattack, choosing instead to endure the blows with its own body.

Elsewhere, the battle between the rank-and-file stone beasts and the spirit beasts had reached a fever pitch. Though the stone beasts were thick-skinned and sturdy, they were struggling against enemies that outnumbered them several times over. As one stone beast after another was pulverized, the advantage slowly shifted to the spirit beast horde. Of course, the losses on the spirit beast side were also immense—far greater than those of the stone beasts. By the time the final Titan Stone Beast was slain, only about thirty rank-five spirit beasts remained, alongside the three rank-six leaders. Under the command of the rank-six beasts, the survivors joined the siege on the Stone Beast leader.

The Stone Beast leader made no further moves; the surrounding spirit energy had begun to converge upon it frantically. It could no longer suppress the process; the breakthrough had truly begun.

In the distance, Feng Yang, the leader of the Flame Mercenary Group, who had been waiting for an opening, felt that his time had come. With only thirty-odd spirit beasts left, most of whom were already injured, there was no better time to strike. He couldn't let such a massive fortune slip through his fingers!

Feng Yang waved his hand. "Boys! Charge! Once we finish off these spirit beasts, there will be plenty of bonuses for everyone. Plus, I’m giving you all a month off, and I’ll cover all your expenses!"

Hearing this, the members of the Flame Mercenary Group acted as if they’d been injected with adrenaline, charging out with wild shouts. Before they even reached the fray, they unleashed their prepared spirit skills. Although the Flame Mercenary Group wasn't as elite as the War Wolf Mercenary Group, they had numbers on their side. Dozens of spirit skills, even if not all were high-ranking, created an astonishing amount of combined firepower when unleashed at once.

Scores of spirit skills exploded within the ranks of the spirit beasts, instantly killing over a dozen rank-five beasts. Even the three rank-six spirit beasts were caught in the blast and suffered minor injuries. All the spirit beasts turned their gaze toward the mercenaries. They never expected that just as victory was within reach, the Flame Mercenary Group would intervene. The three rank-six beasts were enraged. They ceased their attacks on the Stone Beast leader. "Damn humans! You all deserve to die!"

The Thunder Cloud Leopard immediately unleashed its rank-six area-of-effect spirit skill: "Dancing Lightning Snakes!"

The lightning-based energy descended directly upon the Flame Mercenary Group. The rank-six Leopard’s attack was far too much for these mercenaries, most of whom were only rank-four, to handle. Despite their defensive formations, many were killed instantly. Seeing many of his men die, a cruel smile appeared on Feng Yang’s face. This had been part of his plan all along; the more who died, the fewer people there would be to split the final reward. Despite his thoughts, he shouted, "Don’t be afraid, brothers! Kill these beasts! Avenge our fallen comrades!"

As he shouted, Feng Yang also launched his own attack. Seeing their leader in action, the rest of the mercenaries rallied and resumed their assault on the spirit beast horde. The spirit beasts were now experiencing the same frustration the stone beasts had felt—having superior strength but being suppressed by an enemy that outnumbered them many times over.

Lin Xiao watched everything from the small hill, not knowing what to make of it. Was Feng Yang an idiot? Why not wait until the spirit beasts finished off the Stone Beast leader before intervening? By attacking now, weren't they just helping the Stone Beast leader? The spirit beasts' rage was now directed at them, leaving the Stone Beast leader completely unbothered. What if the leader completed its breakthrough? Wouldn't they all end up dead here? Furthermore, even if they managed to kill the remaining beasts, the Flame Mercenary Group would surely suffer heavy losses.

A possibility suddenly occurred to Lin Xiao. *Hiss!* Could Feng Yang have done this on purpose? If so, this man was truly vicious.