Chapter 104: The Silent Watcher in the Shadows

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A force exceeding two thousand was organized into eight battalions, averaging 250 soldiers each. Huang Kun and his two companions joined later, yet they were assigned the initial assault. Before the battle commenced, many expressed dissatisfaction, convinced this was a suicide mission.

Facing such doubts, Zhao Nan casually selected ten men from the original troops, then allowed the newcomers to pick ten of their own. The two groups engaged in a trial combat, resulting in a decisive defeat for the latecomers.

The contrast in strength was clear. The original troops were the true main force, naturally taking the vanguard and rearguard positions. Before departure, Huang Kun and his two comrades had confidently asserted a high chance of victory, warning that anyone who refused to participate should not regret it once success was achieved, nor expect to share in the spoils after the fact. Should such a thing occur, they would refuse to acknowledge them.

After this brief episode, by noon, the battalions finally reached the square where the Soul Crystal resided.

The eight battalions divided themselves into four teams, standing at opposite ends of the square.

Under Zhao Nan’s command, Olysses propelled himself skyward with a powerful leap, unleashing a dragon’s roar over the square. A vast “Dragon’s Might” spread out, causing many of the mutated elite monsters across the square to shudder and rear up, claws reaching skyward.

Olysses, at level 20, could weaken these mutated elites with his Dragon’s Might but could not fully restrict their movements. Hovering along the edges of the square, he circled continuously, gradually extending the Dragon’s Might’s effect to cover the square’s perimeter. Only beneath the central Soul Crystal did the mutated Soul-Eating Python King lift its head slightly, flashing a hint of suspicion.

Suddenly, a fierce shout rang out, followed by a loud explosion at the square’s edge. Huang Kun shouted orders, and a team of 250 at one end raised their weapons and charged. Simultaneously, the prepared forces at the opposite end also surged forward.

Those held in reserve tensed up, clenching fists in anticipation. After half a moon’s wait, the outcome would be decided in this single clash. Many were already drenched in sweat. Zhao Nan quietly observed the battle’s outset. Besides Finina, Lin Yu, and Fu Yun, twenty others stood erect beside him.

These twenty had surpassed 200 attack power only after a second enchantment on their equipment. Behind them were ten priests and ten sages; including Zhao Nan himself, the group totaled 44.

This was the main assault force against the mutated king.

On the square, the clash was deafening, skill effects flashing incessantly and arrows flying in every direction. The coordination of the first assault team was poor, yet they succeeded in drawing the mutated elites to the square’s two ends, revealing a vast gap where the mutated king stood.

Olysses continued to patrol midair. He did not join the fight against the mutated king directly but was tasked with suppressing the mutated elites.

At this moment, Finina released a small Ice Phoenix. The Ice Phoenix chirped and soared into the sky, following Olysses. Its wings flapped, scattering frost-laden winds that, alongside the Dragon’s Might, further disrupted the mutated elites.

Ten minutes later, the initial chaos began to subside. The two teams held their positions at the square’s edges, having drawn the full hatred of the mutated elites.

“About time…” Zhao Nan said in a low voice. “Begin the attack!”

With that, translucent wings unfurled rapidly from his back, and he led the charge into the square. Finina followed closely. Lin Yu and the others nervously pursued, their varying speeds forming a straight line.

It was like a sharp sword thrust!

Zhao Nan became the blade’s tip. Less than ten meters from the mutated Soul-Eating Python King, he forcefully hurled a brilliantly shining staff. The staff, of blue quality and doubly enchanted, blazed like the sun as it plunged into the circle carved by the serpent’s coils and exploded!

Boom!

A pillar of light shot from the serpent’s coiled body. The powerful blast loosened the tightly wrapped coils but inflicted little damage. Its health bar barely budged.

The mutated Soul-Eating Python King then coiled its massive body, raising its huge head to spew a giant emerald green energy orb.

“Scatter!”

Zhao Nan shouted sharply. The straight line behind him instantly broke into scattered points. As the green orb slammed down, everyone dodged. The orb exploded, leaving a terrifying crater that caused faces to pale.

“All priests prepare for single-target continuous healing!”

“All sages prepare to take turns casting Radiant Light!”

“Finina!”

The cold, emotionless voice echoed as Zhao Nan issued three commands in quick succession, then, propelled by the Swift Wind Wings, he swiftly slipped behind the mutated king.

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Thorny vines * 2

The vines wrapped upwards. Meanwhile, Finina stepped on the serpent’s tail, using it as a springboard to leap up. Eighteen flashes of sword light followed, her body twisting midair before landing and simultaneously severing the remaining two vines.

Her movements flowed like clouds and water. Finina immediately retreated after landing. The 2,000 points of damage caused a slight decrease in the mutated king’s health—barely noticeable unless observed carefully.

Zhao Nan also withdrew. The 2,000 points of threat combined with the earlier staff explosion attack would take time to dissipate.

At this moment, Lin Yu and his team, fully prepared, were covered in a colorful radiance. Seizing Finina’s retreat, they surged forward, attacking the serpent’s head, abdomen, and four sides simultaneously.

Burning Ray * 2

Mind Bite * 2

Mudtrap * 2

Frost Abyss * 2

...

One debilitating skill after another relentlessly hammered the mutated king. No matter how high its defense, its scales began to crack, blood seeping from its body.

Meanwhile, the troops at the square’s two ends began rotating the next group of fighters. Thanks to the assistance of the sky dragon and Ice Phoenix, casualties from the first wave were not heavy.

Zhao Nan glanced at the battle clearing at the edges of the square. Judging by the current rhythm of attack, the mutated king should fall before nightfall.

At this moment, Huang Kun, Qian Sen, and Zhong Jianming arrived swiftly. From a distance, they nodded to Zhao Nan.

This indicated their mission was complete—a group on the “Man-Eater” list had been eliminated.

With their arrival, the strike force against the mutated king strengthened somewhat. The mutated Soul-Eating Python King now merely unleashed green energy waves from its mouth and swept its tail, refraining from other attacks.

Could a mutated king really possess only one mode of attack?

Zhao Nan frowned, pondering.

“Is it switching attacks based on damage phases... or preparing for a burst attack?”

After a brief moment, he spoke sharply, “Sages, cease your skills. Prepare for Mind Purge!”

Even an ordinary Soul-Eating Python wielded mental attacks; this mutated king was surely more formidable.

Sure enough, when its health dropped to ten percent, the serpent opened its mouth, emitting a hissing sound. Anyone hearing it would feel as if their mind were bombarded by thunder, unbearably painful.

Zhao Nan pinched his nose. “Mind Purge!”

The serpent’s hiss persisted. Though the sages could dispel this negative effect, they themselves suffered damage. Zhao Nan grit his teeth, thrusting both hands behind him. Two powerful whirlwinds burst from his palms, propelling him swiftly into midair!

He locked eyes with the mutated king’s burning orange-red gaze. The serpent clearly noticed Zhao Nan’s approach.

A perfect opportunity!

Seizing the moment the serpent realized his presence, Zhao Nan hurled a fully mana-charged staff, ready to explode, straight into its massive maw.

Boom!

Sizzle!

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The staff detonated inside the mutated Soul-Eating Python King’s mouth, sending waves of excruciating pain through its body. It writhed violently on the ground, its tail thrashing wildly like a long whip.

Zhao Nan adjusted his landing angle, touching down as the serpent thrashed in madness, disoriented and unable to mount an attack. Its mental assault had finally been neutralized.

“Take the opportunity to replenish health and mana!”

Most fighters withdrew from the battle circle instantly, leaving only Zhao Nan and Finina to continue pressing the serpent, maintaining combat readiness.

Unnoticed, Lin Yu and the others returned to the fray. Zhao Nan and Finina momentarily stepped back, receiving intense healing spells from two priests.

At the same time, the second wave of attackers at the square’s ends ceased their assault, rotating in the third group. Zhao Nan squinted at the mutated king, judging the current rhythm acceptable.

The sunlight gradually dimmed, and the once thunderous clash had quieted considerably. After several hours, most players holding the mutated elites’ attention were heavily injured, with many casualties.

Yet, watching the mutated king’s dwindling health, victory felt imminent. Just a little longer—hold on!

Hold on!

Hold on!

Victory was at hand!

Zhao Nan exhaled deeply, losing count of how many times he had retreated to recover health. Nearby, Finina gasped for breath. Sensing Zhao Nan’s gaze, she turned, offering a resolute smile. Then she surged forward, silver light swirling around her arm, tracing a crescent moon from the serpent’s abdomen upward with fierce precision.

Zhao Nan clenched his fist, holding a staff in each hand, channeling mana, preparing for what would be the final blow!

“Almost over!”

Though casualties had exceeded expectations, the end was near!

The two priests, seeing Zhao Nan’s recovery, turned back to heal the frontliners. Zhao Nan stretched his neck. Though mentally fatigued, his body was exhilarated.

He stepped forward, passing the staff from right to left, then extended his arm back, bending slightly as if preparing to leap.

Taking a deep breath, just as he readied to unleash his skill, a piercing pain suddenly shot through his back!

Zhao Nan instinctively lowered his head. A short blade had pierced through his heart, twisting inside.

His health plummeted at a terrifying rate.

Disbelieving, he turned his head. Ahead was only a blank void except for the uneven ground beneath him. No—there was a face, materializing behind him.

“Invisible Cloak... it’s you…”

“This snake is about to die. Whether you’re here or not makes no difference. When you go to the Underworld, remember my name—Sun Baoqiang... I told you, I’d be the first to mourn you... hahaha!!!”

The face was crazed and grotesque.

The blade continued to twist inside him.