Chapter 265 - 224: 2 Years Later, a New Tier 2 Demon Beast

Chapter 265: Chapter 224: 2 Years Later, a New Tier 2 Demon Beast

Lu Zhao sensed something, but he didn’t immediately interrupt his cultivation. Three days passed before he finally opened his eyes, having completely refined and absorbed the last trace of the Pill’s medicinal power. The Magical Power within his Dantian had grown denser and purer.

His gaze swept across the stone chamber and landed on the Jade Scroll. Lu Zhao extended his Divine Sense into it, and the information within instantly flooded his mind.

A moment later, the corners of Lu Zhao’s mouth slowly curved into a rare smile.

The Jade Scroll was from Zhao Xiaoshu, its contents concise and crucial: an exploration team had successfully discovered the clear tracks of a Tier Two Demon Beast!

Not only had someone witnessed the Demon Beast’s form with their own eyes, but more importantly, they had brought back a scale that had fallen off its body as proof!

And the team that discovered these tracks wasn’t one of Cultivators, but the special squad composed of Grand Martial Artists!

’It really works!’ Lu Zhao thought. The smile wasn’t just because of the new lead on a Tier Two Demon Beast. It was also because his bold idea—of having mortals control Puppets to substitute for some Cultivators—had finally shown its first signs of success.

In a way, this was just as significant as finding a Tier Two Demon Beast.

He immediately stood up and pushed open the stone door.

"Zhao Xiaoshu." Lu Zhao’s calm voice carried out from the cave residence.

Zhao Xiaoshu heard him and rushed over at once. "Senior, what are your instructions?"

"Is that squad of Grand Martial Artists still in the castle?" Lu Zhao asked.

"Yes, Senior," Zhao Xiaoshu replied respectfully. "They returned three days ago and are resting now. After they brought back the scale, I followed your instructions and had them remain in the castle on standby."

"Have them come see me," Lu Zhao ordered.

"Yes!" Zhao Xiaoshu acknowledged the order and departed swiftly.

Before long, eight figures led by Zhao Xiaoshu arrived in front of Lu Zhao’s cave residence.

It was indeed the Grand Martial Artist squad, though their numbers had dwindled from the original ten to just eight.

Each of them bore scars and a travel-worn appearance, but their gazes were sharper and steadier than they had been two years prior.

The Sword Box Puppets on their backs and the Long Blade Puppets they held also bore numerous new scars from battle, adding to their grim, deadly aura.

Upon seeing Lu Zhao standing with his hands clasped behind his back, all eight knelt on one knee in unison. Clasping their fists, they saluted, their voices resounding, "Greetings, Immortal Master!"

Lu Zhao’s gaze swept over them with understanding. The Wilderness was treacherous, and casualties were to be expected.

He raised his hand slightly. "How did you discover that Tier Two Demon Beast and obtain this scale?" His gaze fell on Luming Mountain, who was standing at the very front.

Luming Mountain took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement and the hint of awe he felt before Lu Zhao. He reported in a deep voice, "Immortal Master! On the Steward’s orders, we ventured deep into the Wilderness to investigate."

"About a month ago, approximately fifteen hundred miles northwest of Broken River Castle, we discovered a massive underground ant nest."

A flash of lingering fear crossed his eyes. "The nest was immense. Its entrances and exits were scattered across several hills. It was home to a species of giant ant-like Demon Beast, entirely crimson with a hard carapace."

"Their numbers were impossible to count. They were packed so densely, it was like a crimson tide! The moment we got close, we were viciously attacked by several swarms."

"Individually, these giant ants were about as strong as the weakest Tier One Early Stage Demon Beast, but there were just too many of them, and they cooperated seamlessly, fearless of death."

"That’s how Brother Wang and Brother Li got surrounded. They fought to the death..." At this, Luming Mountain’s voice grew somber.

Lu Zhao’s expression was calm, unsurprised by this outcome. Mortal Martial Artists, even equipped with Puppets, were still at a clear disadvantage against an organized swarm of Low-Tier Demon Beasts.

Luming Mountain quickly composed himself and continued, "...We were trapped in a hopeless situation, ready to make our last stand, when we suddenly sensed an incredibly terrifying aura approaching at high speed!"

"The aura was cold and tyrannical, carrying a pressure that made one’s very soul tremble!"

"A moment later, we saw a terrifying Demon Beast shaped like a giant Anteater appear near the ant nest!"

"This beast was nearly fifty feet long, its entire body covered in thick, Dark Gold Scale Armor. Its limbs were as stout as pillars, and its sharp claws glinted with a sinister, cold light."

"The strangest part was its head. It was long and tapered like a cone, but the tip of its snout wasn’t a soft, long tongue. Instead, it was a sharp, spiraling bone spike!"

"The Demon Beast seemed to be a natural counter to the giant crimson ants.

"It let out a single, low roar, and an invisible pressure washed over the area. The giant ants, which had been so ferocious, suddenly cowered and refused to advance."

"The Demon Beast didn’t seem interested in us, so we took the opportunity to hide in a rock crevice."

"We watched as it walked to the nest’s entrance and violently thrust its sharp bone spike deep inside! Then, with a flick of its head, an impossibly dense mass of giant ants came out, stuck to the spike!

"It opened its massive, tooth-filled maw and, like a whale, inhaled the giant ants, chunks of the nest and all! In just a few short hours, it had devoured the entire massive nest!"

Luming Mountain’s description was vivid, his eyes still reflecting the shock and terror of the event. "Once sated, the Anteater didn’t linger. It turned and headed even further northwest, moving so fast it vanished into the forest in the blink of an eye."

"We remained hidden in the crevice for several more hours, only daring to emerge after we were sure it was safe. While it was devouring the giant ants, a Dark Gold scale had broken off its body and fallen next to the ruins of the nest."

He carefully took a small beast-skin pouch from his robes and presented it with both hands. "Immortal Master, this is the scale."