Chapter 42: Section 43: Great Victory


    The members of the exploration team, in their panic, were all drawn to Zhenjin’s laughter.


    Zhenjin immediately shouted, “With me here, what are you panicking for? No matter how many flying squirrels there are, they will only be our food. Follow my command, reorganize the formation, and kill all these flying squirrels.”


    “Yes, Lord!” Everyone responded thunderously.


    The line was quickly restored.


    Zhenjin concentrated and looked into the distance, his pupils involuntarily contracting. His physical fitness surpassed others, enabling him to see more clearly. At a glance, he saw seven flying squirrel leaders, and hundreds of common flying squirrels swarming out.


    “Could it be that all the flying squirrels have mobilized?”


    ...


    “Indeed, the nature of beasts is unpredictable.”


    Zhenjin had no intention of retreating; this situation had been expected.


    Before the hunt began, Zhenjin and the others had anticipated many scenarios.


    The worst-case scenario was: the first time Lan Zao attracted the flying squirrels, it alerted the entire colony.


    Now, Zhenjin had achieved a minor victory, enhanced his prestige, solidified his position, and improved the morale of the entire team.


    After a previous minor victory, the team was completely revitalized compared to before.


    This was already good enough.


    “Ready, fire,” Zhenjin called out.


    Upon hearing the command, everyone’s face became stern as they took arrows and drew bows.


    A thin screen of arrows enveloped the area, and immediately several flying squirrels fell to the ground. The attacking flying squirrels were numerous and densely packed, so this round of simultaneous shooting had the highest kill count in history.


    However, the group of flying squirrels was quite large; not a single leader among the flying squirrels died, which seemingly sparked even more ferocity in them. They issued sharp, chaotic shrieks, and their charging speed seemed to increase.


    Many people turned pale.


    After this round of simultaneous shooting, they clearly saw the situation. There were many flying squirrels; even if they shot seven or eight times, it might not be enough to kill them all.


    Moreover, given the distance and the attack speed of the flying squirrels, it was impossible to manage even five or six rounds of simultaneous shooting.


    Soon, the second round of simultaneous shooting.


    Then the third.


    “Fight freely!” Zhenjin then ordered.


    The arrow screen compensated somewhat for the lack of precision, but with the distance greatly reduced, the archers’ accuracy greatly improved, and simultaneous shooting only limited their performance, especially for notably skilled individual shooters.


    Swish, swish, swish.


    Arrows streaked across the sky, shooting into the swarm of squirrels.


    The swarm chirped wildly and was fiercely aggressive, seemingly not having lost much in number.


    The swarm was now close at hand, bringing immense pressure. Many people couldn’t help but have their hearts race and their actions deform, losing their usual standard. Some fumbled several times just to nock their arrows, others dropped their arrows, shooting only empty strings. Huang Zao, frustrated, inadvertently used too much force and broke the bow arms of his short bow, angrily throwing the broken bow away.


    “This damn bow!” he cursed, immediately pulling out another short bow.


    Considering that the short bows were poorly made, each person was equipped with a spare.


    As for the crossbow, its shooting speed couldn’t compare with the short bow. When the battle started, there was no time to restring, so it was set aside.


    Zhenjin kept shooting arrows, hitting his targets without fail!


    But the short bow lacked power, the draw weight was too low.


    After several shots, Zhenjin clearly felt his short bow loosen, so he immediately discarded it and switched to another spare.


    In a short time, Zhenjin had switched three short bows. He alone had killed more than twenty flying squirrels.


    But the remaining number of flying squirrels was still very large, at least fifty.


    The ordinary flying squirrels were one thing, but the crucial issue was the seven flying squirrel leaders, none of which had died, which was troubling.


    The powerful iron bolts fired from the crossbows couldn’t harm these flying squirrel leaders, let alone the short bows.


    Zhenjin felt as though there was a massive stone pressing on his heart; he was very clear: once this swarm of squirrels broke through, the exploration team would suffer heavy losses.


    The leading flying squirrel leader entered Zhenjin’s flying dagger range.


    In an instant, fierceness flashed in the young man’s eyes, and his arm vibrated sharply.


    The dagger pierced through the air with such speed that everyone saw only a flash of light.


    The beam hit the Flying Squirrel leader accurately. Initially flying, the leader was speared by a dagger and hurled away even faster, crashing to the ground far away and lying motionless.


    Everyone was shocked by the scene but had no time to cheer.


    That’s because the swarm of squirrels didn’t pause for even a moment; the other Flying Squirrel leaders fiercely charged into the frontline.


    They were all Bronze Level Magic Beasts and, after crashing into the bodies of the “exploration team members,” clawed and bit with their large front teeth.


    The members of the “exploration team,” who were being brutally massacred, fell to the ground, covered in leaves and branches but no blood or Gore.


    It turned out, the ones at the front were all puppets.


    These puppets were stuffed with straw and shaped like humans, then camouflaged with potions hastily made by Zi Di to fool the squirrels’ senses of smell.


    Cang Xu had discovered through dissection that Flying Squirrels’ vision was not exceptional; they primarily relied on their sense of smell.


    The intelligence of the Flying Squirrels was also low, so these puppets successfully attracted their attack.


    A large number of ordinary Flying Squirrels also pounced on these wooden puppets. Some puppets attracted as many as a dozen Flying Squirrels, others at least five or six.


    Seeing the swarm gather together, Zhenjin quickly ordered, “Set fire!”


    Zi Di had prepared for this moment well before the battle. She immediately acted, throwing pharmaceutical bottles.


    The bottles shattered on rocks, their contents spilling onto the grass and mixing with previous potions. In moments, faint flames appeared, and suddenly expanded into fire serpents, swiftly spreading, instantly igniting the frontline into a wall of fire.


    The puppets caught within the firewall burned intensely and emitted thick smoke.


    Some Flying Squirrels screamed in agony; more were choked by the thick smoke, causing their tears to flow and their acute sense of smell only added to their suffering.


    Almost all the Flying Squirrels panicked and scattered in all directions.


    The pressure on the exploration team drastically dropped.


    Even though some squirrels still charged at them, there weren’t many left, and those were mainly fleeing from the flames.


    They were met with arrows.


    Almost half of the Flying Squirrels were struck mid-flight and fell.


    Bai Ya, Huang Zao, and Lan Zao all performed steadily.


    However, Zhenjin did not strike; he was as still as a statue.


    Suddenly, a Flying Squirrel leader burst through the firewall coming into his sight.


    Without any hesitation, almost at the same moment, Zhenjin’s Flying Dagger was shot, striking the leader right in the eye sockets.


    The Flying Squirrel leader hit the ground, rolling several times before dying instantly.


    But just as this leader fell, the remaining leaders surged through the firewall.


    They were unscathed by the fire; ordinary flames could not harm them, and even the thick smoke only caused discomfort.


    The Flying Squirrel leaders charged wildly.


    Seeing this, both Cang Xu and Zi Di’s faces turned pale.


    There were still four leaders left!


    These were all Bronze Level Magic Beasts.


    Although Lan Zao and Huang Zao were also Bronze Level warriors, facing a Flying Squirrel leader one-on-one was perilous.


    Humans and wild beasts are different.


    The combat power of Human Race Transcendents mostly came from using Fighting Energy and magic.


    But in this environment, they couldn’t activate their Fighting Energy.


    Although Fighting Energy could subtly enhance a Transcendent’s physical condition, it was poor compared to that of Magic Beasts.


    Humans’ inherently delicate skin and fragile bones were no match for wild beasts.


    Lan Zao and Huang Zao, relying only on their natural ability, certainly couldn’t surpass these Flying Squirrel leaders. Notably, even ordinary swords couldn’t slash through these leaders’ skin and bones after death.


    If Lan Zao and Huang Zao were in such a plight, the ordinary members were no match for the leaders at all.


    “If Flying Squirrel leaders broke into the crowd, massive casualties would result. Our only hope lies in Zhenjin, to see if this Holy Temple Knight can quickly eliminate these leaders!” Cang Xu’s eyes flashed with worry as he grasped the situation thoroughly.


    “Now isn’t the time to keep hiding your strength, my lord,” Cang Xu internally urged Zhenjin.


    He was a wise man, understanding that in such circumstances on the island, survival depended on aligning with the powerful.


    That’s precisely why he had actively planned and pushed for the entire exploration team to side with Zhenjin.


    Lord Zhenjin took a deep breath.


    He knew everyone was waiting for him to perform.


    But he couldn’t summon his fighting energy!


    The battle situation was urgent, and Lord Zhenjin’s time was running out—he had only one chance for a flying dagger.


    “I will finish you all at once.” Lord Zhenjin’s gaze was sharp and resolute.


    He reached into his bosom with both hands, each hand holding two daggers.


    The next moment, his arms vibrated simultaneously, and four daggers burst out!


    The force of the flying daggers far exceeded that of a crossbow.


    Meanwhile, each flying dagger was extraordinarily precise, hitting their targets almost in the blink of an eye.


    “Ah!” Cang Xu had just opened his mouth to scream when he saw the Flying Squirrel leaders fall to the ground in unison, and Lord Zhenjin had secured the victory!


    “It’s done.” Lord Zhenjin was thrilled, his expression still as steely and unflinching.


    His arms muscles were faintly trembling non-stop.


    This strike had exhausted all of Lord Zhenjin’s strength, fully utilizing the exquisite skills that came with the recovery of his memory.


    A strong sense of numbness and soreness soaked through his arms.


    Since the start of the battle, Lord Zhenjin had first shot numerous arrows, then thrown the flying daggers.


    To kill the Flying Squirrel leaders, Lord Zhenjin had exerted all his strength in each throw.


    By now, he had essentially reached his body’s physical limits.


    These flying daggers were ordinary weapons. The reason they could kill the Flying Squirrel leaders was due to Lord Zhenjin’s incredible precision in hiting vital weak points, as well as the terrifying speed and power brought by his furious throwing.


    “Is it over?”


    “One strike, four hits!”


    “These Flying Squirrel leaders couldn’t even force Lord Zhenjin’s real strength. He is truly too strong…”


    The morale of the people was greatly boosted. Just as they began to cheer, one of the dead Flying Squirrel leaders on the ground suddenly “came back to life”!


    It sprinted on the ground, so fast that faint afterimages trailed behind it.


    At the same time, its life breath burst forth, no longer Bronze Level but Black Iron Level!


    “Careful!” Zi Di screamed.


    This was a very cunning Flying Squirrel, its real strength was Black Iron Level, but it had disguised itself with a Bronze breath.


    It had a unique method to conceal its own breath, deceiving Lan Zao’s surveillance!


    It was the leader of this Flying Squirrel colony!


    At this moment, Lord Zhenjin felt the breath of death once again.


    Indeed, he had dealt with many magic beasts.


    Silver Level Blue-haired Evil Wolf, Monkey-tailed Brown Bear, and Blade Spider.


    But he had defeated the Blue-haired Evil Wolf because the timing was just right, taking advantage of the mad green vines in the river.


    The Monkey-tailed Brown Bear was taken advantage of when it was severely injured, and even then, Lord Zhenjin almost died, barely escaping with his life.


    Killing the Blade Spider was also because the spider let its guard down, and Lord Zhenjin happened to undergo a mutation that struck the spider’s vital spot. If it really came down to strength, Lord Zhenjin was no match for the Silver Spider.


    The human body is quite fragile.


    Compared to fierce beasts, humans lack sharp claw-like teeth, thick fur, extremely strong physiques, and bones as hard as iron.


    Usually, humans can’t even outrun a dog, they can’t breathe underwater like fish, nor can they fly in the air like birds.


    In terms of strength, Lord Zhenjin being able to suppress the Bronze Level leader was enough to greatly surprise Cang Xu, who speculated that Lord Zhenjin might possess Golden Level cultivation.


    Man’s greatest advantage is his own intelligence.


    Humans can use their intelligence to create and utilize tools.


    Although humans forge swords to rival the claws and teeth of fierce beasts, humans also develop magic and fighting energy to enhance their own strength.


    However, on this island, low-level magic and fighting energy are prohibited.


    Magic beasts can’t use their talent abilities but still retain their robust and fierce physique. Without fighting energy and magic, the inherent frailty of humans is clearly revealed.


    So, a Black Iron Level Flying Squirrel leader could indeed pose a lethal threat to Zhenjin.


    “Its speed is much faster than mine and extremely agile!”


    “Ordinary blades, even if they strike it, cannot cause effective damage. However, I have weapons made from Spider Blade.”


    “Yet what’s truly terrifying is not its agility, nor its flesh and claws, but the horrendous electricity it can release.”


    Zhenjin furrowed his brows deeply.


    With the crisis on hand, he discovered that he possessed a certain excellent quality of a seasoned warrior—the more critical the situation, the faster he thought and the clearer his mind became. Sёarch* The N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Flying dagger had already been tried and could not harm the Black Iron Level Flying Squirrel leader.


    The Spider Blade in Zhenjin’s hands was the best weapon to kill it, but at the same time, the electricity released by the Flying Squirrel could instantly claim Zhenjin’s life.


    “Unless I can muster Fighting energy in an instant! Only with Fighting energy shielding my body can I withstand the electricity.”


    A fierce gleam flashed in Zhenjin’s eyes.


    Fighting energy, he desperately needed Fighting energy.


    “Holy Emperor, my God! Listen to Your believer’s prayers, let me awaken my past memories, let me regain control of Fighting energy!”


    Zhenjin shouted in his heart.


    But the deity still did not respond.


    “Damn it,” Zhenjin clenched his teeth harshly.


    Without Fighting energy, he could not defend against the electric shock. Both fighting parties were strong in offense but weak in defense; it was all about who could first successfully launch a fatal attack on the opponent.


    Closer.


    Even closer.


    “Roar.”


    Just as Zhenjin was preparing to charge, he suddenly heard a mysterious beast roar.


    “Are there other Magic Beasts?!”


    “Wait, this roar sounds somewhat familiar.”


    The next moment, Zhenjin suddenly froze.


    Zhenjin sensed—in the depths of his heart, a small, round sphere was hidden.


    This small sphere was only the size of a thumb, but it was bright red and not smooth, resembling an exquisitely crafted little walnut with extremely intricate crisscrossing lines. Yet, in terms of material, it carried a vague transparency, like crystal, seemingly radiating light from within.


    The bright red sphere trembled slightly, bursting forth with waves of invisible power.


    These strong powers permeated into his blood, rapidly spreading throughout Zhenjin’s body, continuously shaking his heart and chest.


    The blood light of the sphere was quickly fading.


    Zhenjin’s arms had been extremely sore, but with the influx of this power, his arms rapidly recovered, and his muscles swelled, expanding swiftly.


    Zhenjin’s clothes and arm guards creaked under the strain. Although clothed, Zhenjin clearly felt dark, dense hair.


    Bones, muscles transformed from human arms into bear arms!


    In just an instant, not only had Zhenjin’s arms recovered as before, but they had also become several times stronger!


    “This feeling?!” Zhenjin’s heart trembled violently.


    This feeling was exactly like when he had originally ambushed the Silver Spider, and his hands mutated.


    But this time, it wasn’t his hands that mutated, but his arms.


    Without pausing to experience it further, Zhenjin pulled out his dagger and threw it with all his might.


    Bang.


    A slight explosive sound as the movement of the swinging youth’s arm was too fierce, directly bursting the air!


    The Flying dagger pierced through the air, emitting a sharp whistling sound.


    Everyone saw a beautiful silver line flash briefly through the air, accurately piercing the Black Iron head squirrel and then slowing down significantly, deeply embedding into the ground.


    The onrushing Black Iron head squirrel fell backward, landed on the ground, and remained motionless.


    Its entire head had been penetrated, and blood quickly soaked the surrounding grass.


    The battlefield fell silent.