When they slaughtered the second wave of green-patterned apes, they finally attracted the attention of the Foundation Establishment-level beast.
Losing over thirty green-patterned apes at once, the beast leader quickly sensed something amiss and led the group in pursuit.
"Run!"
Seeing the ferocious beasts charging at them with killing intent, the group immediately activated their Wind Riding Technique and dashed toward the valley.
They were only thirty miles from the valley, and with their cultivation levels, it would take them just two incense sticks of time to reach it. However, the beast leader's speed was incredible. They had only covered a little over ten miles when the Foundation Establishment beast caught up, its eyes red with fury as it lunged toward them.
The physical strength of a Foundation Establishment-level beast was comparable to refined steel. If it got close, the group would undoubtedly be torn apart.
In this life-threatening moment, the second elder summoned the Nine Deflection Bell, forming a protective barrier of light around them.
"Clang—"
A deafening crash echoed as the beast slammed into the barrier, only to be sent flying a hundred meters back.
The second elder's face flushed as he suppressed the backlash and shouted, "Keep running!"
Without a second thought, the group took advantage of the moment to increase the distance between themselves and the beast, heading straight for the valley.
In the back-and-forth chase, the beast caught up with them several times, but each time, it was repelled by the Nine Deflection Bell. At last, the group reached the valley.
"Quickly, inside!"
The group dashed into the valley, leading the beast in.
At this moment, they realized that the Foundation Establishment-level beast had outrun the first-tier apes by a considerable distance.
"This is the chance!"
Exchanging glances, they quickly activated the Fiery Sun Heavenly Fire Flags. Six formation flags were placed in their hands, summoning a raging sea of flames that transformed the valley into a fiery hell.
To increase the formation's power, they had spread dry wood throughout the valley. These usually insignificant items now amplified the flames' intensity, reducing the beast to howls of anguish as it thrashed about in the fiery pit, disoriented.
"Push harder; let's burn it to death!"
Seeing the effect, the group became excited and increased their efforts, driving the formation to incinerate the beast.
The second-tier formation was immensely powerful, disorienting the Foundation Establishment beast as it struggled in vain. After about a quarter-hour, reinforcements of green-patterned apes arrived. Hearing the leader's cries of agony, they recklessly charged into the flames to rescue it, only to perish in the inferno.
"These apes…"
Elian's expression shifted slightly. They had underestimated the beast leader's resilience and the sheer numbers of the apes.
Although the Fiery Sun Heavenly Fire Flags was formidable, burning so many beasts at once severely drained their spiritual energy.
Elian, with his unusually dense spiritual energy, was still holding up, but the others were pale-faced, clearly nearing their limits.
The second elder, who had borne the brunt of defending against the beast's assaults earlier, looked particularly ghastly. His repeated activation of the Nine Deflection Bell had triggered internal injuries, leaving him visibly weak.
Noticing this, Elian quickly handed a Qi Restoration Pill to the second elder.
"Take this quickly."
"A Qi Restoration Pill?"
The second elder, his breath still labored, accepted it gratefully and swallowed it. The pill instantly restored seventy percent of his spiritual energy, significantly alleviating his condition. However, the previous strain had been severe, so his face remained pale.
The flames continued to rage for another half-hour. The group consumed pills and absorbed spirit stones to maintain their energy, finally managing to eliminate most of the green-patterned apes.
"Just a bit more effort. Only the Foundation Establishment beast and a few others remain," someone exclaimed, a gleam of hope lighting their faces.
But just as they were about to celebrate, Elian's expression changed drastically.
"Watch out!"
The Fiery Sun Heavenly Fire Flags trembled violently as the Foundation Establishment beast in the flames spat out its inner core. The immense power of the beast's core clashed with the formation, its brilliance overshadowing the flames and shattering the formation's boundaries.
The core's power dimmed significantly after this, but the beast had succeeded in breaking free. With a furious roar, it leapt out of the valley, charging straight at the group.
Faced with the beast's wrath, the group's morale wavered. Fear flashed across their faces.
"Don't falter!"
The second elder roared, his voice cutting through the fear.
"The beast has exhausted its energy from the flames. Now it's relying solely on physical strength. This is our best chance to kill it!"
Spurred by his words, the group rallied. The second elder activated his trusty Crimson Copper Demon-Slaying Dart. Though only a first-tier high-grade artifact, its sharpness was renowned. However, it managed only to leave a shallow cut on the beast's hide, unable to penetrate its muscle.
The others launched their own attacks, but the beast's steel-like body rendered their weapons almost useless. One elder's high-grade sword even sparked against the beast's skin, leaving barely a scratch.
"Even high-grade artifacts can't hurt this thing!" someone exclaimed in despair.
"Watch out!"
The beast ignored the minor injuries, lunging at the group.
At the critical moment, the second elder stepped forward again. "Behind me!"
Summoning the Nine Deflection Bell, he created a large phantom bell to shield everyone.
"Clang—"
The beast slammed into the bell with terrifying force, shattering it in a single blow. The second elder collapsed, blood spurting from his mouth as his injuries worsened.
The beast, however, had overexerted itself. Its body flew backward, several ribs fractured from the impact.
"Now's our chance!"
With a sharp cry, Elian seized the opportunity. The Crimson Iron Blade Embryo shot forward as a scarlet arc, targeting the beast's throat.
At the last moment, the beast twisted its body, avoiding a fatal blow, but the blade severed one of its arms cleanly.
Roaring in pain, the beast turned and fled.
"We can't let it escape!"
...
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