Chapter 065: Expulsion

Now, by the water’s edge in the violet reed forest, fewer than thirty people remained, discounting those previously slain or wounded. With her wealth of combat experience, Zoe swiftly made a decision: everyone should cluster together, just as before, standing back to back, entrusting their defense to their comrades, so that the wounded could be shielded in the center.

However, due to the earlier treachery of Songyan and Songshi, none of the freelance illusionists wished to join Shen Duo’s group, which led to a clear division. On one side, led by a nine-star Spirit Illusionist, they formed a large circle. Someone suggested that two rings would be even better—a rotating arrangement where those in the outer ring could fall back for rest and recovery of their spiritual energies, while the inner circle moved forward to take their place, ensuring both respite and a chance to restore their power.

Shen Duo’s group, by contrast, consisted only of herself, Feng Jun, Zoe, the arrogant Princess Doris and her four bodyguards, Kang Cheng—the second son of the Lord of Shaker City—and four hired spirit illusionists. Of these, Kang Cheng and Doris’s bodyguards were merely Grand Illusionists, and Doris herself had only just reached the level of a one-star Spirit Illusionist. Among them was also a wounded companion, Hong Zhi.

If this team were to be stationed on the outer ring, they would stand no chance against an attack from a one-star Divine Illusion Beast.

Thus, Shen Duo’s group devolved into a circle where the strong protected the weak. Shen Duo, Feng Jun, Zoe, Songyan, Songshi, and Lu Qi formed a shield around the others.

Everyone watched their surroundings with tense vigilance, not daring to relax for a second.

The advancing light array in the pool where the River-Turning Crocodile was evolving grew ever dimmer, yet no one dared attempt to capture it.

“Yusha, can you sense where that River-Turning Crocodile is?” Shen Duo whispered to Yusha.

“No. That creature’s invisibility is a skill acquired only after its evolution—a mutation distinct from ordinary wood-type stealth arts. If I were outside the beast space, I might be able to predict its movements. But unless absolutely necessary, you must not expose your true strength,” Yusha answered gravely.

On the Sacred Radiance Continent, power was everything. But now, Shen Duo was only at the mid-tier Sword Spirit level. If Yusha revealed herself too much, it would only bring covetous eyes and unwanted trouble.

Feng Jun, cautious and alert, cast a faint blue shield of spirit energy over Shen Duo’s body.

Shen Duo responded with a gentle smile. Usually, her face betrayed no emotion; now, the sincerity shining through her smile was indescribable. Feng Jun, caught off guard, found himself momentarily stunned before hastily returning his focus to the battle.

The night wind rustled through the violet reeds, whispering softly. Silver moonlight spilled down, shrouding the violet reed forest on the outskirts of Niwei City in a veil, like a gossamer purple mist blanketing the upper reaches of the Tianqing River.

Yet in this tranquil night, danger lurked. The deeper the silence, the tighter the tension wound in every heart.

Suddenly, a scream broke out from the opposite team. This time, everyone was prepared and fought back quickly. Still, the River-Turning Crocodile, a one-star Divine Illusion Beast, was cunning beyond compare—vanishing in an instant after its attack.

No matter how sound the strategy, it could not bridge the gap in strength. Most of those present were low to mid-tier Spirit Illusionists, a full rank below a Divine Illusion Beast. The foe was elusive and wily; the illusionist who had just been attacked, though not killed, was gravely wounded in the abdomen and quickly replaced to the inner circle.

Panic spread through both groups—each person desperately hoping they would not become the crocodile’s next target. Some already regretted ever coming here; before long, many lost their will to fight.

The nine-star Spirit Illusionist leading the other team struggled to rally his troops, knowing there was no turning back.

As chaos mounted in the other group, Shen Duo’s team was also suddenly attacked. The sly River-Turning Crocodile singled out Songshi, the weakest of the group, and lunged with lightning speed, sharp steel claws slashing at his vital points.

Both Feng Jun and Shen Duo reacted instantly, rushing to assist.

In a flash, Songshi did not attempt to resist the crocodile. Instead, he grabbed one of Princess Doris’s bodyguards from the inner circle and thrust him in front as a shield. The crocodile’s claws pierced the bodyguard’s chest; in an instant, his still-warm, blood-red heart was torn out and sent flying.

The shift was so abrupt that no one could have anticipated Songshi’s betrayal—sacrificing another’s life to save his own!

Blades of icy blue spirit energy, conjured by Shen Duo and Feng Jun, slashed into the River-Turning Crocodile, sending it flying with a pained howl. The beast vanished back into the violet reeds.

The shock of what had just occurred was overwhelming—more terrifying than even the revelation of Feng Jun’s sky-level power.

Within the inner circle, Princess Doris screamed, her fury twisting her features as she pointed at Songshi. “You used my bodyguard as a shield against the beast! You shameless wretch!”

Songshi wiped the hot blood from his face and kicked aside the corpse, his voice calm but hoarse. “Such people only hold us back. Better they serve as our shields.”

Not a trace of remorse colored his words.

The remaining three bodyguards, faces pale with terror, shrank behind Princess Doris.

Zoe, too, was shaken. Such a man would always serve himself. If he remained in the group, the consequences would be dire.

Shen Duo regarded Songyan and Songshi with cold detachment. Both were frighteningly cold-blooded—willing to cast aside all humanity for their own gain.

“You two should leave. After what’s happened, no one here will have you,” Zoe’s aged voice commanded icily.

Exchanging a glance, Songyan and Songshi quietly left the group. The other side’s team would not accept them either.

Instead of departing or pleading to rejoin, they selected a spot between the two groups—an ideal position to form their own small party. There, at the midpoint, farthest from the violet reeds, the River-Turning Crocodile would be unlikely to attack.

Though everyone despised their treachery, no one dared act against them in this moment—they could only let them be.

The River-Turning Crocodile continued its hit-and-run assaults. Though it was struck several times in return, both sides suffered heavy losses. Fortunately, no one else died, but more than ten illusionists were wounded in the fierce exchanges. If the battle dragged on much longer, it was likely that everyone would fall prey to the twin River-Turning Crocodiles.

Zoe and Lu Qi from Shen Duo’s team were also injured.

Only Shen Duo and Feng Jun remained with their fighting strength intact.

“We can’t drag this out any further,” Shen Duo said, brows drawn in concern.

Feng Jun nodded. In truth, he was fully capable of engaging the River-Turning Crocodile, but out of concern for Shen Duo and a desire not to reveal his beast, Little Blue, too soon, he had refrained from acting.

As they conferred, the tranquil waters of the pool suddenly erupted with a thunderous crash!

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