Chapter 343 - 261: Finally Took the Bait

Chapter 343: Chapter 261: Finally Took the Bait

"Or are they trying to draw us out?"

"The enemy is a kilometer away, it’s hard to tell!"

"..."

The one launching the attacks was Tang Wen.

His reasoning for doing so was very simple.

First, to probe their strength.

Second, to farm experience.

Currently, his [Throwing Hidden Weapons] Skill was at the Grandmaster Level [12987/18000].

The people on the receiving end were the Fifth-Grade experts from the Huang Family and the Boat Gang.

Given their Level and abilities, every time Tang Wen forced them to block a Flying Locust Stone, he gained over a hundred Experience Points.

For a Grandmaster Level Skill, this was a rare opportunity.

"It’s confirmed. There are only two Fifth-Grade experts in the enemy team," Shi Lei said to the White Tigers while hiding behind a large tree. "A desperate Fifth-Grade is no small matter. If we’re not careful and even one of them escapes, our identities will be exposed."

"It would be best if we could lure one of them over."

"That will depend on how cautious the enemy is!"

Even though Tang Wen’s group had seven Fifth-Grade powerhouses, if their opponents fought with their lives on the line, it was entirely possible one could escape.

If they could take one out first, it would be seven against one. There would be no way for the last one to get away.

Shi Lei explained, "I know both of the Fifth-Grade experts on the other side. One is at the Peak of Fifth Grade from the Wind Department, and the other is a Senior Fifth Grade from the Water Department. If we’re going to kill one, we should target the Wind Department expert from the Huang Family first."

The White Tigers and Forbidden Guards had no objections.

The Wind Department had several Ultimate Skills for escaping, making them hard to chase. The Water Department’s speed was relatively much slower.

When Tang Wen heard their plan, he just shook his head.

’Those two Fifth-Grade experts on the other side aren’t fools. There are only two of them, so why would they split up to check on me?’

’Since I haven’t shown myself to be a sufficient threat, they’ll definitely prioritize defense.’

As for Bai You Ruo, although she was Miss Bai from the Bai Family, her Realm was simply too low. Not to mention whether she had a say in the matter, her own experience fighting Fifth-Grade experts was practically zero, so there was really nothing for her to say.

Bai You Ruo couldn’t get a word in, but she didn’t stay idle either. She followed the Fifth-Grade expert, Hu Qi, all over the mountainside gathering stones for Tang Wen.

"Young Master Tang, you have to find a way to trick them into coming over!"

"Easier said than done. Even if I can do it, it requires a slow setup. You’ll have to wait!" Tang Wen said, continuously launching fist-sized Flying Locust Stones while using Instant Step. He would sometimes appear in the air, and other times on the distant horizon.

Shi Lei watched, amazed. It was just one person, yet he single-handedly created the feeling of a group assault.

’Not long ago, when Tang Wen fought the Tiger Race’s Saintess, he didn’t seem to know this move, did he?’

’It’s only been a few days. Not only has he learned Instant Step, but he’s using it so naturally and fluidly.’

’It doesn’t look like a newly learned Skill at all; it’s as if he’s been honing it for many years.’

An occasional [Shadow Concealed Blade] would send the two opposing Fifth-Grade experts into a flurry, but other than that, he couldn’t inflict any real damage.

However, the two Fifth-Grade experts were not having an easy time either.

Tang Wen’s ranged Hidden Weapons, launched one after another, definitely had the power of an Initial-Stage Fifth Grade.

Even an expert at the Peak of Fifth Grade needed to be on high alert to deal with them.

But the impact didn’t stop there.

The two Fifth-Grade experts weren’t afraid, but the other members of their party lacked both the strength and the mental fortitude.

This was especially true for the people from the Bai Family’s exploration team. They had personally witnessed Bai Ningbing use an outsider to kill a Sixth-Grade expert from the Bai Family.

Already uneasy, they became even more terrified when faced with this situation.

"The two elders are holding the front, and we can’t help. Why don’t we leave first?"

"What nonsense! No one’s stopping you from leaving. But you just try it!"

Bai Ningbing was very clear-headed. "The opponent’s strength is clearly above the Sixth Grade. We can’t leave so easily. Otherwise, the moment we’re out of the two elders’ protection, we’ll be sitting ducks."

No one spoke of leaving again.

Bai Ningbing was right, but the team’s atmosphere inevitably grew oppressive.

The rumbling was incessant.

The two Fifth-Grade experts were also feeling incredibly frustrated. More than once, they wanted to charge out and tear the hidden enemy to shreds.

But they didn’t dare.

’Is there really only one person on the other side?’

’If so, how can he launch so many vicious attacks?’

’With such high frequency, and from such varied angles and approaches?’

’It completely defies common sense.’

"Elder Huang? What do you think?" With the team’s morale low, Bai Ningbing had no choice but to speak up.

The Huang Family’s Fifth Grade expert smiled confidently. "Miss Bai, if the enemy was strong enough and had multiple Fifth-Grade experts, would they still be trying to wear us down like this?"

Everyone’s eyes lit up. ’That’s right!’

’If the enemy really had several Fifth-Grade experts, wouldn’t they just charge over and wreak havoc? Why bother with all these fancy, pointless tricks?’

The logic was sound.

But who could have guessed that Tang Wen was actually getting something out of launching all these Flying Locust Stones.

And his gains were substantial.

He gained over a hundred Experience Points with every strike he launched.

A Fifth-Grade opponent who only defended and didn’t attack was a godsend.

Of course, he had to fleece this sheep for all it was worth.

HUFF!

A quarter of an hour passed. Tang Wen was panting heavily, drenched in sweat. It was obvious this was not easy for him.

He stopped to catch his breath and poured two drops of Sixth Grade Blood Marrow into his mouth.

A surging medicinal power filled his entire body, and he suddenly felt an inexhaustible supply of strength.

"The speed of the Hidden Weapons has slowed."

"Yeah, it’s slower!"

Bai Ningbing and the others were ecstatic.

"Quiet! When the opponent stops, we’ll find a chance to retreat."

The two Fifth-Grade experts also took the opportunity to rest and exchange opinions:

"As far as I know, no one in Ganshan City possesses such Hidden Weapon techniques."

"Mmm, perhaps it’s really a local tyrant!"

"Is this local tyrant some kind of madman? He doesn’t ask for gold or silver, nor does he want any benefits. He just attacks right away. And even after discovering we’re Fifth-Grade, he’s still relentless. What’s he after?"

The Huang Family’s Fifth Grade expert heard this, fell into deep thought, and after a long moment, said, "Do you think... he might be using us for practice?"

"What?" The Boat Gang’s Fifth Grade expert’s eyes widened, his face full of disbelief.

"Keep your voice down! It was just a wild guess." The expert from the Huang Family wasn’t sure himself and felt he was just guessing blindly.

VMMMM~

"Damn it! He’s back! Is this ever going to end?!"

After taking the Sixth Grade Blood Marrow and a short Meditation, Tang Wen was fully restored.

The sound of bombardment by Flying Locust Stones began once more!

This cycle repeated, and a night passed.

By dawn, the Boat Gang’s Fifth Grade expert had shattered over a hundred stones. As if he couldn’t take it anymore, he suddenly shouted, "Which friend from the martial world is this! Even if you’re just toying with us, there should be a limit! Why are you so relentless? If we have offended you in any way, we are willing to offer compensation!"

Tang Wen didn’t believe a single word he said.

However, he was also nearing his limit, his entire body looking as if it had just been pulled from the water.

After the other party finished shouting, he took the opportunity to stop, close his eyes for a short nap, and eat some more Blood Marrow. He immediately felt full of life and energy, as if he could take on ten more without a problem!

"VMMMM!"

The stones trembled slightly and came again.

Bai Ningbing and the others were numb to it.

Even the Fifth-Grade Powerhouses on their own side, like Shi Lei, felt a chill run down their spines.

By noon, the ground was covered in stone fragments.

After the attacks stopped again, the Boat Gang’s Fifth Grade expert sneered and sent a voice transmission to his group: "The enemy is definitely not alone. There are at least three to five of them, all Hidden Weapon masters! But even so, they’ve probably exhausted all their energy."

The Huang Family’s Fifth Grade expert said, "Correct, my assessment is the same. The increasing interval between their attacks is proof! Next time, as soon as it stops again, I’ll stay put, and you charge out!"

The Boat Gang’s Fifth Grade expert: ...’Why isn’t it you going, while I stay put?’

He complained inwardly but didn’t say a word.

The rest of the group, however, perked up, their faces showing delight.

After the ordeal of a night and a day, everyone had come to believe that the enemy’s actual combat power was not high.

The two Fifth-Grade elders’ countermeasure was very likely to succeed.

Bai Ningbing: ’Is this nightmarish day finally over?’

BOOM!

After another clash, Tang Wen stopped.

He rested as usual.

Just a few seconds later, a figure from the opposing side shot over like a shadow.

His body swayed and split into three.

The Mirror Image Clone from the Water Department Technique, when cultivated to a high level, was enough to fool the eye.

However, that depended on who the opponent was.

He might be able to handle Tang Wen, but he definitely couldn’t handle a Fifth-Grade White Tiger born with Heavy Pupils.

Seeing this figure appear, Tang Wen let out a heartfelt sigh of relief. ’They finally fell for it!’

’It wasn’t easy!’

SWOOSH!

In an instant, four White Tigers surrounded him.

PFFT!

A rain of blood fell from the sky.

The body of the Water Department’s Fifth Grade expert was instantly torn to pieces.

"The White Tiger Race?! Damn it!" The Huang Family’s Fifth Grade expert shouted, turned, and fled without a second thought!