The ground outside the city began to shake continuously as Tian Ming sprinted rapidly across it, a dense horde of Devourers chasing close behind.
Tian Ming was stunned by the sheer number of pursuers. Was this the first wave? Run!
According to the plan, he needed to lure the Devourers to a designated ambush point. Meanwhile, Wang Chen would intermittently appear beside the Devourers' heads as they chased, severing their heads with a swift blade before vanishing.
Stealth was his specialty; he excelled at guerrilla tactics and concealment. After taking down a few, Wang Chen slowed his pace. Moving too quickly could arouse suspicion, but with so many enemies, no one noticed him dispatching them one by one.
Wang Chen could perfectly conceal his aura, making him undetectable even to the Devourers. Tian Ming, still running, watched Wang Chen's actions before flinging his hands, unleashing several beams of light that streaked towards the Devourer horde. Explosions erupted, and Tian Ming shouted, "Chase me! Come and chase me!"
His taunting demeanor was infuriating, and the Devourer horde sped up. Tian Ming was momentarily taken aback. Damn, they're fast! Run!
He bolted without hesitation. Wang Chen watched, shaking his head in resignation. Tian Ming was too playful; he'd really angered them this time.
He followed at a slower pace, continually beheading the Devourers. The Devourers' greatest weaknesses were their heads and hearts, but they usually targeted the head. Their bodies were protected by a black shell that rendered them immune to all decomposition abilities. The head, however, was not covered by this shell. The shell around their hearts was also relatively weaker, a fact they had discovered in previous battles.
However, the Devourers' hearts were not located where a human's would be. They were situated in their dantian, the center of their abdomen.
Because of this location, the shell around their hearts was not as strong. High-level Devourers were an exception, as their shells became stronger with their level. High-level Devourers could be invulnerable, with even the insides of their heads protected by shells.
Of course, they hadn't encountered Devourers of that caliber yet. On a plain, several figures lay prone, their backs concealed by grass, blending in as if they were part of the terrain.
Hearing the ground tremble, Locke asked, "Is the trap secure?"
"Don't worry! I've never failed at making traps since I was a child. And with so much equipment, they'll have their hands full," Nick replied confidently. While his combat skills weren't exceptional, his trap-making abilities were second to none.
The ground then vibrated as Tian Ming and the dense horde of Devourers appeared on the plain.
"Commence the attack!" Locke commanded.
The figures rose, and countless blades shot out from the ground beneath the pursuing Devourers, piercing their heads. Simultaneously, countless beams of light, like a torrential rain, struck the Devourers' dantians from the plain.
With a series of sickening thuds, Tian Ming turned, a wicked grin spreading across his face. It was his turn to vent his frustration.
Their speed erupted as six figures appeared on the battlefield. After the ambush, only a little over a hundred Devourers remained, a number that six individuals could handle.
Tian Ming wielded twin blades, his steps swift, a cold glint flashing as he severed countless Devourer heads.
Wang Chen moved like a phantom, attacking from different directions. Occasionally, he would protect his teammates, mercilessly eliminating any Devourer that tried to flank them. He was their rearguard, the most solid shield, and also an assassin, striking from the shadows.
Locke drew his twin pistols, unleashing a barrage of blue bullets that rained down on the Devourers. While the bullets merely pushed them back upon impact with their shells, Locke's lips curled into a smile. Nick then yanked a lever, and a massive pit opened beneath all the Devourers. Countless spearheads lined the pit, and the Devourers plunged downwards towards them.
"Success!" Nick exclaimed.
The first wave had been successful, but Locke slowly said, "Not quite."
Their coordinated attack seemed perfect, but the pit remained silent, indicating the battle wasn't over. With a deafening roar, a black beam of light shot out from the pit, piercing the clouds.
Locke's eyes widened in alarm. "Bad! These creatures have merged! Retreat! Initiate Plan B!"
The six nodded and scattered. As the black beam dissipated, a figure resembling a demon king appeared in the sky.
It was a man with black demonic wings, a pair of long black horns atop his head, sharp teeth, and hollow eyes. His hands and feet were like black demonic claws, appearing twisted and ethereal.
The man spread his wings and declared, "You wish to escape? Did you ask me first? You dare defile my Demon Spirit clan! You seek death!"
He then lunged towards the six figures. Locke, remaining calm, said, "Execute Plan B! Wang Chen, you are tasked with delaying him. Our safety and lives are in your hands."
"Understood! I will not fail your expectations! May hope be with me!"
"May hope be with you!"
With that, Wang Chen turned alone to face the demon king. The demon king, seeing one person sent to stop him, deemed it an act of overconfidence. The other five figures sped towards five mountain peaks beyond the plain.
These five peaks represented their last hope. They believed Wang Chen would hold the demon king back. They trusted him.
The five figures raced towards the mountain peaks, while Wang Chen stood alone against the demon king. The demon king sneered, "Do you think you can stop me? This is suicide!"
"I believe in my teammates. We are a team. Besides, they trusted me to face you alone. Do you think I came here to die?" Wang Chen stated with firm resolve before vanishing in a blur.
The demon king was momentarily stunned. Complete invisibility; what a congenital ability. No wonder the opponent was so confident!
Indeed, he couldn't detect complete invisibility. However, such an ability had its limitations; it couldn't be sustained for long. He wouldn't be able to keep the demon king occupied for an extended period.