Chapter 60: You Fool, Get Over Here! |
A black shadow suddenly descended from where two mountains intersected above the valley. Following behind the shadow were two figures—one wielding a sword, the other a saber—flanking it from left and right as they all plummeted downward before crashing to the ground.
The first thing everyone saw was a disheveled white-haired old man clad in animal hides. His clothes were stained with grime, as if neglected for years. In his left hand was a small knife, while his right clutched a bundle of white threads. His crimson eyes burned with fury as they swept over the crowd, his entire demeanor appearing rather disheveled.
The two accompanying the old man were none other than Yang Ning and Li Hu, who had been conspicuously absent until now. Their expressions were grave, bodies bearing fresh wounds.
"Father... you..."
Luo Ming was the first among the valley's occupants to speak, his voice thick with disbelief. The old man who had fallen from above was his father, Luo Feng. But as soon as he uttered that single word—"father"—understanding dawned, transforming his disbelief into rage and sorrow.
"Ah... My masterpiece! The masterpiece I killed so many to complete! How dare you destroy it! I'll slaughter you all!" The old man turned toward the crowd, his venomous shriek brimming with malice. Clearly, the destruction of the giant wooden puppet had driven him to the brink of madness.
"Leader Luo, this Wood Puppet Abomination is no ordinary foe. Even the two of us working together might not be enough to subdue it. We'll need all five of you to assist!" Yang Ning's grave tone sent an involuntary shiver down Luo Ming's spine. In the over half-month since they'd first met, this was the first time Yang Ning had sounded so solemn.
Xia Hong, who had been observing the trio, glanced up at the mountain intersection and realized it was nearly two kilometers above ground. Understanding flashed through his mind. He'd initially suspected Yang Ning and Li Hu had either left or were lying in wait to swoop in after the puppet's destruction. Now it was clear—they'd been battling the abomination atop the mountain while the others fought its giant wooden puppet below. At that altitude, it made sense they hadn't detected any activity.
This realization darkened Xia Hong's expression. It meant the Wood Puppet Abomination had simultaneously controlled the massive wooden construct below while engaging Yang Ning and Li Hu above—and judging by the duo's injuries, it hadn't been at a disadvantage. Worse yet, Yang Ning was now requesting assistance from all five Digging Realm experts. This abomination's strength likely surpassed all expectations.
"Enough chatter! Attack now! This Wood Puppet Abomination hasn't broken through to the intermediate level yet. With all seven of us, it's as good as dead!" Li Hu, standing beside Yang Ning, could no longer contain himself. Stripped of his usual arrogance after their mountain battle, he clearly understood they couldn't handle the creature alone. His furious roar preceded him as he charged, Yanling saber raised high toward the abomination.
Arrogant Li Hu might be, but his skills were undeniable. He closed the distance in an instant, his saber slicing horizontally toward the creature's head with such force that the resulting wind howled through the valley. Against any ordinary foe, such an attack would mean instant death.
But his opponent was no ordinary foe.
The Wood Puppet Abomination didn't evade. With a slight twitch of its right hand, countless translucent white threads erupted from its palm, spreading rapidly along its left side to weave an ethereal net in mere moments.
Clang...!
The flimsiest-looking net imaginable—so thin one might assume a finger could pierce it—effortlessly blocked Li Hu's mountain-cleaving strike. Worse yet, the net then disintegrated into countless needle-sharp threads that shot toward Li Hu like a hail of deadly silver rain.
Whoosh... whoosh... whoosh...!
Thousands of needle-thin threads sliced through the night air, their speed so great they left silvery trails in the warm valley atmosphere. Like a storm of pear blossoms, they sealed off every possible escape route around Li Hu. Dodging was impossible.
But Li Hu hadn't attacked without preparation.
"Leader Luo, stop gawking! Attack now!" Yang Ning, who'd remained motionless on the right, shouted at Luo Ming before suddenly charging the abomination with his sword. The Wood Puppet Abomination's expression visibly tightened at Yang Ning's movement. With a flick of its fingers, over half the threads targeting Li Hu abruptly redirected toward Yang Ning.
Sssst... sssst...!
Where Li Hu's saber had been blocked, Yang Ning's blade sliced clean through the white threads, sparks flying from each severed strand. Xia Hong's eyes widened before fixing on Yang Ning's silver sword.
"That sword's material must be similar to the Concentrated Fire Oil you gave me earlier, Leader Xia. With these two assisting, we should be able to handle this abomination!" Luo Ming explained upon noticing Xia Hong's gaze before raising his own saber and joining the fray, followed by Shang Ping and the other two. They formed a circle around the Wood Puppet Abomination alongside Yang Ning and Li Hu.
Now Xia Hong understood why Luo Ming hadn't been surprised by the Concentrated Fire Oil earlier—he'd already seen Yang Ning's sword. Yet Xia Hong mentally shook his head. While the materials might be similar, the sword's abomination-suppressing properties couldn't compare to his oil. Though Yang Ning's blade could indeed cut the white threads, the sparks produced were fundamentally different from the flames ignited when his oil contacted abominations.
Dismissing these thoughts, Xia Hong gripped his broadsword tighter and prepared to join the battle.
"You fool! Get over here and help! Unless we eliminate this abomination, we all die!" The sudden curse made Xia Hong freeze mid-step, his brow furrowing as he glared at Li Hu. There was no way Li Hu hadn't seen him preparing to attack—this insult was deliberate. Clearly, Li Hu still harbored resentment over their prior conflict at Redwood Ridge and was seizing this opportunity to humiliate him.
Luo Ming also heard Li Hu's outburst and inwardly cursed the man's stupidity. Stealing a moment between attacks, he turned to Xia Hong and urged, "Leader Xia, this is no time for petty grudges! Eliminating the Wood Puppet Abomination must take priority!"
Gripping his broadsword until his knuckles whitened, Xia Hong suppressed his fury and charged forward. Not because he was particularly tolerant, but because Luo Ming was right—destroying the abomination was indeed their most pressing concern.