Chapter 266 - 224: 2 Years Later, a New Tier 2 Demon Beast
Chapter 266: Chapter 224: 2 Years Later, a New Tier 2 Demon Beast
Zhao Xiaoshu stepped forward to receive the Beast Hide Bag. He opened it and respectfully handed Lu Zhao the scale from within. It was about the size of a palm, a uniform Dark Gold, and its surface was covered in profound, natural markings.
Lu Zhao reached out to take the scale. It felt heavy and cold to the touch, and its texture was incredibly hard, far tougher than ordinary Refined Iron.
He channeled a trace of Magical Power into his fingertip. The patterns on the scale’s surface shimmered with a faint light, and he could feel a subtle force pushing back. He flicked the scale with his finger, and it let out a crisp, metallic ring—ZHENG!—that echoed softly.
"Not bad. It’s definitely a scale from a Tier Two Demon Beast," Lu Zhao said, a glint in his eye confirming its authenticity. "And it contains traces of Gold and Earth Element auras. Its Defense Power is quite impressive." He put the scale away. "Continue."
Hearing this, Luming Mountain continued, "We didn’t dare to linger. After taking the scale, we followed the faint aura and tracks the Demon Beast left behind.
"Eventually, on the edge of a forest, we found the entrance to an underground cave. It was impossibly deep and gave off a thick, pungent, earthy stench."
"The aura was identical to that of the Demon Beast we’d seen earlier! The cave was dark and deep, and we couldn’t tell what was inside. With our meager strength, we didn’t dare enter recklessly, fearing it would be a one-way trip."
"And so, after confirming the location of the entrance, we immediately returned to the fortress to report to Immortal Master Zhao."
"You’ve done well." Lu Zhao finally spoke. His voice was level, but his words lifted a great weight from the hearts of Luming Mountain and his men. They even felt an indescribable surge of excitement—they had earned the approval of the Immortal Master!
"This intelligence is quite valuable. The fortress will compensate the families of the two Grand Martial Artists who fell."
He looked toward Zhao Xiaoshu. "Little Shu, take this down. For their service on this investigation, reward each of them with one Concentration Pill and thirty Minor Merits. The fallen will receive the same compensation, to be delivered to their families by the squad."
"Yes!" Zhao Xiaoshu responded.
Hearing this, Luming Mountain and his men trembled with excitement. They dropped to one knee again, their voices choked with emotion. "Thank you, Immortal Master, for your generous reward! We are willing to lay down our lives for you!"
Thirty Minor Merits! To ordinary Grand Martial Artists like them, struggling at the bottom of the hierarchy, it was an astronomical sum. Not to mention the precious Concentration Pill! This was an Immortal Pill capable of accelerating the cultivation of the Spirit Storage Technique. The reward far exceeded their expectations.
Lu Zhao waved his hand. "Rise. Go and rest for now. Replenish your supplies. Later, draw up a map with the detailed information about the Anteater and its nest, and give it to Little Shu."
"Yes!" the eight men replied in unison, withdrawing with hearts full of excitement and gratitude.
When only Lu Zhao and Zhao Xiaoshu were left in the residence, Zhao Xiaoshu looked to Lu Zhao, his eyes full of questions. "Senior, this Anteater..."
’A Tier Two Demon Beast is no easy opponent, especially one that seems to have powerful defense and a devouring ability.’
Lu Zhao’s gaze seemed to pierce through mountains, fixed on that deep, subterranean entrance. He mulled it over for a moment before speaking slowly. "Based on the aura from the scale, this Demon Beast should be at the Tier Two Middle Stage."
"However, this beast preys on insectoid Demon Beasts, so its carapace defense must be extremely strong. Besides, its nest is underground in a complex environment. A frontal assault is not the best strategy."
’Should I use Puppets to lure it out? Set up a Trapping Array? Or should I figure out its hunting patterns and ambush it in the open?’
"I need more detailed intelligence," Lu Zhao said finally. "Have Luming Mountain and his men draw up the map and their observations as quickly as possible."
"Also, notify the Cultivator squads to suspend their searches in other areas. Their new priority is to monitor the periphery of that valley with the cave entrance. They are not to get close. They only need to observe from a distance and record the beast’s movements—when it comes and goes."
"Yes, Senior!" Zhao Xiaoshu acknowledged.
Lu Zhao turned and walked back into his residence as the stone door sealed shut behind him. He sat down cross-legged but didn’t immediately begin to cultivate. Instead, he submerged his Heart Spirit into his Sea of Consciousness and began running through simulations of the potential battle.
He focused on how to use his existing Puppets and personal techniques to hunt the heavily armored Tier Two Middle Stage Demon Beast.