C29 Guardian Beast!
Excitement was etched on their faces as they had stealthily infiltrated Hua Xia, all for the White Tiger Immortal Cave before them. What else could explain their presence here, if not for the pursuit of this treasure? Surely they hadn't risked their lives just for a bit of fun in Hua Xia.
This White Tiger Immortal Cave was the real prize, the key to their next level of advancement!
"We've found it! We've found it!" The group of B-rank individuals seemed to be in a trance, their spirits bordering on madness as they began to dance with wild abandon.
Yang Chen, observing from the side, was utterly bewildered. It was just an Immortal Cave; what was with all the excitement? He might not know what treasures lay within the White Tiger Immortal Cave, but having read his share of fantasy novels, Yang Chen was certain that such places were bound to hold wonders. The specifics, however, remained a mystery to him.
Still, he couldn't understand their over-the-top reaction.
Scratching his head, Yang Chen was lost in his confusion. The A-rank leader, by contrast, seemed somewhat more composed. After a brief moment of fervor, he regained his cool and produced a pristine white stone from his pocket.
For reasons unknown, the stone burst into a dazzling light upon being revealed. A milky radiance bloomed in an instant, and the dense fog around them, as if recoiling from some formidable force, involuntarily began to dissipate.
From within the stone, a spectral image of a white tiger emerged, growing clearer by the second.
With a low roar, the tiger's phantom sent out a wave of energy that rippled through the air. Suddenly, a beam of light surged from the cave's entrance and bathed the phantom in its glow, as if to acknowledge its presence.
The others watched the light beam with bated breath, their gazes flickering nervously around them, wary of any unexpected intruders.
Meanwhile, Yang Chen, trailing behind, had taken cover behind a massive boulder, escaping notice.
As the four onlookers tensed, the light beam gradually faded, and the earth began to quake beneath them.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The ground shook as if in the grip of an earthquake, fissures spreading like a spider's web, while boulders tumbled down the mountainside.
Thankfully, as Ability Users with no small measure of power, they were in no danger of being crushed by the falling rocks. With swift releases of their abilities, they shattered the descending boulders, ensuring their safety from above.
The cave's massive doors began to creak open before their eyes!
"It's open!"
A wave of elation washed over the leader's face as his expression shifted.
The stone he had previously produced was indeed the key to this cave!
Yang Chen, concealed behind them, watched with a glint in his eye. It was a good thing he hadn't acted earlier; otherwise, even if he had discovered this place, he wouldn't have been able to open the door!
It must be said, these four made excellent pawns!
After exchanging glances, the group surveyed their surroundings, ensuring no one else was around, before proceeding toward the cave's entrance.
Yang Chen hesitated briefly but held back.
He had been tempted to burst out and eliminate the group, then delve into the cave's secrets himself. But he realized he was unprepared and inexperienced.
The four, on the other hand, were a different story.
They had come ready and were undoubtedly seasoned. It was wiser to let them unwittingly serve his purpose!
He chuckled to himself, marveling at his own brilliance. How could anyone in the world match his cleverness?
The doors swung open, and the four figures were slowly consumed by the darkness beyond.
Just as Yang Chen was about to follow, a thunderous roar stopped him in his tracks.
"Get out first, there's a Spirit Beast!"
Yang Chen's muscles tensed as he quickly ducked behind a large boulder, peering out at the unfolding scene.
Soon, the four reemerged, accompanied by an enormous presence—a colossal white tiger!
With a roar, the tiger sent boulders tumbling down the mountainside.
Its gaping maw revealed the character for "King" on its forehead, writhing as if provoked to a great rage.
"A Grade S Spirit Beast!"
The leader's face soured at the sight. He hadn't anticipated a Grade S white tiger guarding the White Tiger Cave—a true guardian beast!
Despite their dismay, the four sprang into action.
They moved with the precision of a well-trained unit, quickly spreading out as a flurry of abilities manifested around them—ice, water waves, and flames.
The A-grade team's leader wielded an extraordinary ability—a long staff that, when swept through the air, generated a fierce wind.
"Kill!" he bellowed, unleashing a flurry of radiant staff strikes that pummeled the massive body of the white tiger.
From his vantage point, Yang Chen observed every detail with keen interest, especially the leader's ability, which made his eyes sparkle with excitement. Weapon-type abilities were a rare find, and possessing one meant there was no need for a physical weapon. An ability-formed weapon was inherently more attuned to its user, being an extension of oneself, unlike a crafted weapon, which was merely an external tool. Of course, divine weapons were an exception—they were undoubtedly superior to any ability.
At the moment, Yang Chen was unarmed, but the thought of acquiring a weapon-type ability was enticing. Without realizing it, he had already begun coveting the leader's power.
Meanwhile, the others had engaged the white tiger in fierce combat, unleashing their abilities without restraint upon the creature's form. They faced an S-class Spirit Beast, and even the strongest among them, the A-grade leader, seemed outmatched.
Yet, they refused to yield, each member tapping into their unique talents. The leader, at the forefront of the battle, let out a ferocious roar as his clothes tore apart, revealing his muscular physique. He wielded his staff with intimidating prowess, targeting the white tiger's critical points with precision.
The white tiger roared in agony after taking a hit, the 'King' character on its forehead writhing intensely. It rampaged across the open field, launching itself at the leader with ferocious intent. Having likely spent its life confined to a cave, the beast's combat skills seemed inferior. To Yang Chen, this white tiger wasn't nearly as formidable as the Flying Tiger he had previously slain.
In a short span, the white tiger was covered in gashes and scars, oozing crimson blood. The relentless assault of fire and ice only compounded its suffering, leaving it increasingly at the mercy of its attackers.
"This is just garbage!"
Yang Chen couldn't help but complain.
You're an impressive S-class Spirit Beast, and you can't even take down one A-class and three B-class opponents?
It's common knowledge that Spirit Beasts are inherently stronger than humans at the same level!
And yet, here you are, getting thrashed like this. Isn't that embarrassingly weak?
The white tiger roared furiously.
Its body crackled with electricity, the unmistakable power of thunder at work!
Above, the sky was shrouded in dark clouds, with lightning dancing among them, sending a wave of terrifying pressure cascading down.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Like the Flying Tiger before it, massive bolts of lightning struck down at the group.
But the white tiger's injuries affected its aim, and the lightning veered off course, missing its mark.
Luckily, the residual energy from the missed strikes still managed to hit a few of the attackers.
Even the aftershocks of an S-class Spirit Beast's assault were formidable.
Two B-class individuals immediately coughed up blood, their faces turning ashen, but they persisted, unleashing their abilities at the white tiger.
The stakes were clear: either they would kill the white tiger, or it would kill them!
Despite their injuries, taking down the white tiger would be quite the feat.
Both parties were fighting desperately!
Only Yang Chen, tucked away behind a massive rock, seemed at ease as he effortlessly deflected the spreading shockwaves of the lightning.
Indeed, being the outsider had its perks!
The leader's staff suddenly extended, gleaming metallically in the sunlight, and struck precisely at the white tiger's weak spots.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The sound of impact echoed as devastating power burst forth on the white tiger's form, which was already weakened by injury and now struggled to endure the relentless assault.
The fury in its eyes slowly gave way to a deep sense of fear.
It was terrified and looking for an escape!
Even a Spirit Beast knows fear in the face of death.
The white tiger turned tail and fled toward the cave, deeming it the safest refuge.
But would the attackers let it get away? The answer was a resounding no.
As the white tiger spun around, the leader bellowed.
"Die!"
The staff swept through the air, surrounded by a halo of ice and fire, delivering a brutal blow that crashed down on the white tiger's body.
With a thunderous crash, a colossal force tore open a massive wound on the White Tiger's body, sending its enormous frame hurtling backward to slam violently into the mountain, carving out a vast crater upon impact.
The White Tiger let out a mournful howl as a gush of blood spilled from its maw. Its life force dwindled to a mere whisper, teetering on the brink of death.
The leader approached the stricken beast with measured steps, his eyes devoid of any emotion. With a swift thrust of his long staff, he pierced the White Tiger's eye, withdrawing only to strike again repeatedly. Only when the vital essence of the White Tiger was utterly extinguished did he cease his grim task.
He exhaled deeply, a wave of relief washing over him as his tension dissipated.
Just then, a taunting voice burst forth, ringing in the leader's ears, "Impressive. You've slain an S-grade Spirit Beast, sparing me a considerable headache!"
