Chapter 408 - 270: Retreat

Unlike last time, the Golden Light emanating from Yu Bao was denser and more dazzling. It was clearly no longer just a simple Thick Earth Blessing... but the Earth and Gold Dual Element’s Thick Earth Golden Might!

The new skill, awakened less than a day ago, was quickly put to use.

Under Yu Bao’s control, rolling gravel rapidly formed into a blade, appearing like a divine weapon under the cover of the Golden Light. Golden specks glinted within it—activated metal particles.

Empowered by Thick Earth Golden Might, the Furious Sand Blade, now infused with the Gold Attribute, became incomparably sharp. The enhancement from a dual attribute had a much higher ceiling than that of a single attribute.

Furious Sand Blade—Variant: Golden Sand Battle Saber!

SWISH!

With a thought from Yu Bao, the blade of sand and gold shot out like an arrow from a bowstring, solidly striking the Earthquake Beast.

After infusing the metal particles, the Furious Sand Blade possessed a far more superior cutting power, and the Energy activation elevated the threat of the Golden Sand Battle Saber by a whole level.

With almost no pause, the Golden Sand Battle Saber struck the wound created by the Furious Sand Blade. The second strike blew a large chunk of the Earthquake Beast’s midsection clean off, exposing the murky, viscous tissue within.

The Earthquake Beast’s vitality was also shockingly robust. Despite suffering such a terrifying attack, it still hadn’t lost its ability to fight.

"Clara!" The Earthquake Beast let out an enraged roar.

It slightly lifted its foreleg, a sign it was about to move...

Su Zhi’s eyes widened. "Now! Shan Bao!"

"CHIRP!"

A Golden Light flashed, and in an instant, Shan Bao teleported to the Earthquake Beast’s feet. The earlier Golden Sand Battle Saber wasn’t just for attacking; it was also meant to scatter metal particles around the beast, creating an opportunity for Shan Bao’s teleportation.

’Of course, this was just a safety measure. Since the Earthquake Beast is also an Earth and Gold Element Exotic Beast, using the creature itself as an anchor would have most likely worked anyway.’

"CHIRP!"

Shan Bao appeared beneath the Earthquake Beast’s foot.

The Earthquake Beast, even more enraged, stomped down faster.

THUD!!

A dull thud echoed through the village.

The Earthquake Beast staggered, its massive maw opening and closing, seemingly in surprise.

Shan Bao hadn’t been crushed by its attack... In fact, it was still propping up the beast’s foot with its head, actually lifting it up!

"CHIRP?"

Shan Bao stood disdainfully on one leg, scratching its chin with the other.

’Is that all? Did it even eat today?’

"HMPH!"

Immediately after, another Golden Light flashed—Wu Bao had suddenly appeared!

CRACK!

Its long, hard horn pressed against the Earthquake Beast’s abdomen. Wu Bao then activated its Multiplication Skills, its body swelling back to its original size. The simultaneously enlarging horn exerted instant force, flipping the entire Earthquake Beast onto the ground.

BOOM— Amidst a muffled roar, the mountain-like Earthquake Beast shrieked as it toppled onto its side, all four of its pillar-like legs leaving the ground.

[Assignable Attribute Points (Yu Bao)... 0.10]

"Clara..." The Earthquake Beast struggled with difficulty, letting out a hoarse, unpleasant shriek that sounded like rubbing leather.

Its few thick, giant legs squirmed in the air as it tried to get back up, but due to its inverted-triangle body structure, it failed several times...

"CHIRP." Fearing it might actually manage to get up, Shan Bao gently flew onto the Earthquake Beast’s body and activated Super Heavy Gold Fall at full power.

"..." The Earthquake Beast fell silent.

"Hmph! Hmph!"

"Just as I thought."

Feeling the feedback from Wu Bao, Su Zhi slapped his left hand with his right, looking thoughtful. ’These Earthquake Beasts are definitely heavy, but not as heavy as they look. The tremors they cause when walking must be the effect of some skill. And it seems they can’t use skills or cause earthquakes after they’ve been flipped onto their sides.’

The grandfather, grandson, and little girl, who were cautiously peeking out to watch, were completely stunned.

Wang Baichuan’s eyes lit up with admiration. "To figure out so much from such a short exchange... You’re truly worthy of being called a Beastmaster, sir!"

But Wang Yichuan’s face was filled with terror. "This is bad! The other Earthquake Beasts are all gathering over there!"

"’Clara...’ ’Clara...’"

Shrieks echoed through the village as all the Earthquake Beasts swarmed toward the battle site.

Su Zhi’s brow furrowed. "Come back now!"

"CHIRP!"

Shan Bao pulled Wu Bao and the little girl into its Flash Gold Flash Space.

A Golden Light flashed, and Shan Bao was already back by Su Zhi’s side, placing Wu Bao and the little girl in the courtyard.

"Shh!" Su Zhi motioned for the little girl to be quiet.

’I’m not sure about the status of the other Earthquake Beasts, nor if they will follow us or just trigger an earthquake... But one thing is certain: they can hear.’

To his surprise, the girl was unexpectedly sensible. Though she was trembling all over, she bit down hard on her own hand, trying her best not to cry out.

They all held their breath, their nerves on edge.

For a moment, it seemed the only sound in the entire village was the low roar of the Earthquake Beasts.

In truth, Su Zhi was also tense to the extreme.

’Honestly, drawing the attention of the other Earthquake Beasts just to save one person wasn’t worth it, and it was pretty irrational... But I didn’t think that much at the time. Some things will never get done if you overthink them.’

And now, he had no idea what was going to happen next.

Although the Earthquake Beast that had passed Wang Baichuan’s home had an Energy Value of less than One-star, the one his three treasures had just teamed up to flip was Two-star.

’Considering the number of Earthquake Beasts that have entered the village... if a fight breaks out, I’ll be lucky to escape with my own life.’

’Besides, they’re called Earthquake Beasts for a reason—they cause earthquakes... What am I supposed to do if they just drop an AoE on us?’

The Beastmaster the villager had mentioned still hadn’t appeared. Su Zhi’s intuition told him the person wasn’t likely to show up anytime soon, and distant water can’t quench a present thirst.

Listening to the dull footsteps and roars passing by outside the house, the group’s nerves were stretched to their breaking point.