Chapter 101: A Clash in the Cavern

Battle begins. As two identical multi-legged grave-diggers gradually materialize, everyone unleashes their inner spiritual energy. In an instant, the entire cavern is bathed in a dazzling spectrum of auras.

“Their weakness lies in their legs and mandibles. When the time comes, concentrate all your attacks on their joints!”

In single file behind Huang Kai, Yun Ming gripped his Iron-Blooded Curved Saber tightly and barked orders to the Second-Stage fighters behind him.

The pressure was immense.

He didn’t expect much from the worthless Second-Stage fighters behind him. Under such overwhelming force, even hindering the Third-Stage Mutant would be a bonus. That’s why he relegated all melee types to the back, preferring ranged attacks. In close combat, aside from the Second-Stage Peak Fighter, the weaker ones stood no chance.

And Yenir, fighting alongside, was completely disregarded.

In his eyes, the upcoming battle meant that he had to let Huang Kai draw the mutant’s fire while he served as the main attacker.

Two Third-Stage fighters against one Third-Stage Mutant…

His breathing had grown slightly labored; he was ready to lose control and had resolved to save himself at any cost if danger arose.

At the forefront, Huang Kai silently raised his shield, crouching behind it. Without exchanging a word, his thoughts mirrored Yun Ming’s – killing the foe was unlikely, so ensuring his own survival was all that mattered.

“Roar!!!”

A deafening roar resounded again as a colossal, fully coalesced multi-legged insect charged like a speeding train.

“Bang!!”

Immovable as stone!

At the very front, Huang Kai braced his shield as a tawny glow enveloped him. At a glance, he looked embedded in the ground like granite.

The massive impact shook his insides, and his feet, dug into the earth, were shoved back three or four meters as if plowing the soil.

“Attack now!”

A sharp command rang out.

After signaling the Second-Stage fighters to move, Yun Ming charged sideways toward the insect’s body, his curved saber erupting with a burst of dark spiritual energy.

Dark Flame!

“Boom!!”

A blade flame spanning several meters accompanied his horizontal slash beneath the mutant. With a series of slicing sounds, three to four slender legs of the insect’s rotund body were severed in an instant.

“SIIIIA!!”

The insect shrieked in pain; its grotesque mandibles, bristling with spines, snapped back at him.

Dodging hastily, Yun Ming tumbled across the ground to a safe angle before launching another swift slash!

Empowered by his Third-Stage abilities, every strike dealt significant damage to the insect.

Meanwhile, the Second-Stage Awakened fighters at the rear unleashed their skills, forcing the pursuing insect to recoil.

Ice Spikes!

Corrosive Acid Ball!

…

A barrage of skills was unleashed, exuding impressive force. Yet when they hit the mutant, aside from a momentary hindrance, the effects were disappointing.

In the high-tension battle, even the middle-aged man armed with a spiritual energy rifle fired desperately.

“Ding ding ding ding”

It was even less effective than the other abilities.

Relying solely on his equipment, his spiritual bullets pelted the giant insect’s exterior feebly, sounding like a water gun’s patter.

“This won’t do… the effect is too weak!”

Unleashing his ability once more, Yun Ming slashed at the insect’s tail. His face grew grim as he continuously evaluated the battle.

The damage from the Second-Stage Awakened’s ranged support was far too limited. They had hoped to remove at least a third of the insect’s joints, but they fell drastically short!

Especially that Second-Stage fighter with the water-gun – the constant ‘ding ding’ of his bullets was maddening.

Damn it, they’re all useless!

“Bang!”

With the insect’s sudden charge, Yun Ming, sheltering at the rear, felt a tremendous force slam into his chest. In close combat, there was no time to dodge.

A searing pain in his chest snapped three ribs instantly, and with a burst of blood from his mouth, he was hurled backward.

“Huang Kai! Hold on!”

Scrambling to his feet after taking heavy early damage, he dared not advance to attack.

“I’m holding on!”

“That idiot keeps messing things up…”

“Tch!”

Before Huang Kai could finish his words, acid spewed from the insect doused him. The hissing corrosion on his shield sent a chill down his spine.

If that acid hit him, no matter how strong his defense, it would eat his bones away!

From the corner of his eye, he watched Yenir buzz around like a fly near the insect, nearly driving him mad with anger!

With Yenir constantly interfering with the insect’s targeting, his defense was rendered useless – every time he tried to fully brace, the creature was whisked away by that little pest.

Before he could adjust his position, the disgusting fly suddenly closed in, causing the monster to shift its focus onto him!

Damn it! I’m going to kill this little pest myself!

Determined to take down Yenir and utterly disgusted, Huang Kai, in a burst of rage, cared little for the battle’s outcome. No matter how wild the monster got, he wouldn’t die – but that damned fly would.

Swiftly maneuvering along one side of the insect, Yun Ming, having heard Huang Kai’s shout, also noticed Yenir’s bizarre antics.

A jab here, a graze there.

In his eyes, Yenir now resembled a defiant fly, persistently prodding the insect with a wooden stick.

That supposedly swift dagger, after merely grazing the insect’s armor and sparking a flash of fire, proved utterly futile.

Worse still, aside from his controlled long-range use of the dagger, this guy even pulled out a Hidden Crossbow midway, firing off a rapid flurry of shots!

Where did a crossbow come from?! Why would a Third-Stage fighter use a commoner’s weapon?!

Is this really Third-Stage combat?! Even a First-Stage fighter would be stronger!

“For God’s sake, use your abilities in close combat!”

Furious beyond measure, he unleashed a string of curses.

Fuming, Yun Ming couldn’t stop cursing. This level of uselessness was infuriating – as if even a butter knife could perform better!

He couldn’t fathom Yenir’s actions; in his view, the guy was edging closer to the barrier even while trying to dodge!

At this rate, they’d end up killing nothing!

Ignoring a despairing Yun Ming, Yenir kept calculating distances in his mind while glancing at Huang Kai advancing toward him.

Hmph.

Does he think that by getting close and then suddenly retreating, the monster will finish him off?

Watching Huang Kai inch closer, Yenir let out a cold laugh and carried on without concern.

The distance was nearly perfect – the giant insect was now only about a dozen meters from the barrier…

He planned to pull it over to shatter the barrier, hoping to hit both mutants at once.

Charge!

Just as Yenir was about to further enrage the insect, Huang Kai – who had been planning a covert strike – suddenly charged and crashed right beside him.

“Bang!”

After colliding with the mutant in front of Yenir, Huang Kai let out a feigned roar and activated his signature defensive provocation skill.

“Attack now!”

“The monster’s been drawn to me! I won’t hold out much longer!”

As a red aura of rage flared, the Third-Stage Mutant instantly erupted into a berserk state, swelling dramatically.

At the same time, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he pretended to be deliberately knocked back by the sand worm while defending.

“Bang!”

Huang Kai was thrown aside by the impact.

Enraged, the insect instantly fixed its gaze on the nearest target – Yenir. Its already blistering pace surged, and it gaped wide, ready to swallow him whole.

Feigning exhaustion, Huang Kai tumbled to the ground and let out a startled cry, his eyes gleaming with a twisted satisfaction. For a split second, as he was thrown away, he noticed a look of sheer shock in Yenir’s eyes.

“No good!”

“Get out of the way! My ability got interrupted!”

To him, Yenir was utterly unresponsive – frozen like a fool. That gigantic, snapping maw was about to engulf the guy.

“Lord Ye Lin! Get out of the way!”

Among the Second-Stage fighters behind, the Middle-Aged Man and Li Ke cried out in horror. They couldn’t tell that Huang Kai had intentionally sacrificed himself, assuming it was an accident. If Yenir couldn’t dodge, he was doomed to die by the monster’s jaws.

Time seemed to stand still.

Yenir stared calmly at the vast maw looming overhead and sighed inwardly.

Too bad – the distance wasn’t enough to also reach the other Third-Stage mutant.

But it no longer mattered.

Before everyone’s eyes, a burst of silver light erupted under Yenir’s feet, and in an instant, he sharply angled himself to break free from the monster’s gaping mouth.

Bolstered by his 10 points of Agility, Yenir, who had been facing the giant insect, suddenly darted behind Huang Kai.

“Dodge!”

A stern shout rang out – and this time, it was Yenir who yelled it.

Turning around in astonishment, Huang Kai looked blankly at Yenir, who had darted less than a meter behind him, utterly puzzled why this useless guy would avoid him.

A split 0.1 second later, as a terrifying aura emanated from Yenir, he instantly understood why.

Unfortunately, it was already too late.

Sword Storm!

As if to block the monster’s renewed charge, Yenir suddenly coalesced nearly a thousand streams of destructive sword energy around him, slicing out like a pair of wings in an explosive burst.

At that very moment, Huang Kai and the monster found themselves aligned in a straight line.