Chapter 062: The River-Turning Crocodile (3)

If this continued, they wouldn’t survive to see the River-Flipping Crocodile advance—they would become its burial sacrifices first. Even the arrogant Princess Doris now realized the gravity of their predicament.

Zoe frowned deeply; never had he expected this River-Flipping Crocodile to be so cunning. Despite his wealth of experience, he couldn’t, for the moment, find a suitable strategy to counter it.

Just as the high-level Spirit Phantasm Masters were on the verge of exhausting their spiritual energy and falling prey to the low-grade phantom beasts, a cold, clear command rang out—a voice that, in the midst of the chaos and bloodshed, possessed the power to steady the heart.

Those weaker phantom masters, as though grasping at a lifeline, all turned toward the direction of the voice.

Shen Duo’s expression was cold and composed as she spoke, “If you want to survive, do as I say!”

At this moment, no one cared that a girl barely fifteen or sixteen had become their commander in battle; in fact, there was a peculiar sense of trust—this cool and expressionless girl seemed utterly reliable.

Under Shen Duo’s direction, the remaining scattered phantom masters gradually closed ranks, forming three groups back to back. Songyan and Songshi were assigned to the group of independent phantom masters, while Princess Doris, Zoe, Shen Duo, and Feng Jun formed another group. A small legion of phantom beasts—Blackwood Scorpions, Fire Serpents, Crimson Porcupines, and Metal-Eating Mice—pressed closer and closer. Everyone entrusted their backs to their comrades, focusing only on clearing the low-grade beasts approaching from the front, which made things far easier. If anyone ran out of spiritual energy, they could step into the circle formed by their companions for a brief respite, taking turns to rest and greatly increasing their endurance in battle.

With a concrete plan in place, panic subsided and order was restored. Soon, a small mountain of phantom beast corpses was piled before them, and they harvested a bountiful haul. The exhausted scattered phantom masters gradually caught their breath.

Shen Duo wielded her longsword with resolute clarity in her shining eyes. Her movements were swift and precise—almost every strike landed, swiftly killing the venomous Blackwood Scorpions. Beside her, Benyi assisted ably.

Everyone found it strange that she, a phantom master, fought not with spiritual techniques but with an exceptionally sharp sword—yet no one objected, for she dispatched phantom beasts far more quickly than any of them.

After more than half an hour of strenuous effort, only a handful of phantom beasts remained. The group finally exhaled in relief—only for an accident to occur in Songyan and Songshi’s group as they let their guard down.

Two sharp, desperate screams split the air, followed by angry curses from a phantom master: “What on earth were you thinking, letting a Blackwood Scorpion into our ranks?!”

The ones being berated were Songyan and Songshi.

“It was an oversight—we didn’t mean for it to happen!” Songyan’s voice was hoarse, like a dull saw rasping through wood. Though apologetic in words, his eyes betrayed no hint of remorse—indeed, a flash of triumph flickered deep within them.

“Don’t pretend! We all cooperated perfectly until now—why is it only at this moment that a Blackwood Scorpion managed to bite someone?” Clearly, the other scattered phantom masters did not believe Songyan’s excuse.

The more they argued, the more resentful they became; it seemed a fight would break out at any moment. Zoe, weary, interjected, “Enough arguing—I’ll apologize on their behalf.”

In the end, Songyan and Songshi were transferred to Shen Duo’s group, while two other scattered phantom masters took their place.

This brief incident nevertheless split the group into two uneasy factions: one, the suspicious team of scattered phantom masters; the other, Shen Duo’s party.

Shen Duo shot the pair a cold glance—how foolish they were, thinking such petty tricks could eliminate a few rivals. Did they not realize that sowing distrust among the phantom masters would only bring harm, not benefit?

Zoe sighed deeply as well. Those two were far too reckless and eager for quick gain. They failed to realize that the scattered phantom masters were all high-level spirit phantasm users—many of them no less capable than his own team. After all, they were the king’s chosen helpers—he couldn’t simply ignore them.

Lu Qi, her blue gown now stained, rolled her eyes unceremoniously at Songyan and Songshi. “Muscle-bound and brainless!”

“What’s wrong with what they did? Now we have two fewer competitors for the River-Flipping Crocodile!” Princess Doris raised her chin haughtily, only to be sternly rebuked by Zoe. Previously, for the sake of the King of the Bakra Empire and because he was her mentor, Zoe had indulged her—but that did not mean he would allow her to run wild.

Never having seen her usually gentle teacher so angry, Princess Doris could not believe it. She shifted all blame onto Lu Qi.

Shen Duo and Feng Jun exchanged a knowing look but said nothing more.

As the final rays of light vanished beyond the horizon, a deep growl sounded from the River-Flipping Crocodile, hidden in the depths of the purple reeds. The remaining low-grade phantom beasts instantly withdrew, heading for the heart of the reedbed.

Night fell, and the purple reeds glowed with a faint, ghostly light, forming a natural barrier that separated the phantom masters from the soon-to-advance River-Flipping Crocodile.

The crocodile’s pained roars echoed ceaselessly from within, making the group increasingly anxious as they stared into the depths.

Suddenly, a blinding light flared—different from the glow of the reeds—a dazzling array shining beneath the advancing beast, signifying the moment of its evolution.

Unable to wait any longer, the group surged forward. Such a spectacle meant the River-Flipping Crocodile’s advancement had begun; now was when it would be at its weakest. They had to act—if they let it succeed, it would become a one-star divine phantom beast, and then the hunter and hunted might well trade places.

The remaining phantom masters unleashed their techniques upon the purple reeds, trying to carve a path. Even the densest reedbed could not withstand such a barrage.

A road, a full ten feet wide, was forcibly cleared through the middle of the purple reeds. Shen Duo and Feng Jun moved with the crowd, and just as they were about to step into the reeds, Feng Jun halted her. Shen Duo noticed a faint blue aura encircling them—a protective shield condensed from Feng Jun’s spiritual energy.

Even as they secured themselves, screams rang out from the scattered phantom masters ahead. The sap of the purple reeds was corrosive and carried a slow-acting toxin; those at the front had been splashed, and the flesh beneath their thick shoes was visibly eroding.

Warned by this misfortune, everyone hastened to use their spiritual energy to shield themselves with care.

They advanced toward the heart of the reeds, clearing the plants as they went. After a quarter of an hour, exhaustion set in. It was draining to clear the obstructing reeds while maintaining a protective shield—spiritual energy was dwindling fast. At this rate, they would collapse from fatigue before even reaching the advancing River-Flipping Crocodile.