After being hurled backward by the beast, Zhang Zhi crashed heavily to the ground, unable to get up for a moment. Panic-stricken, Lin Wan'er rushed over to help him to his feet.
"Zhang Zhi, are you alright?" Lin Wan'er's voice was filled with concern and worry, tears welling up in her eyes.
Enduring the intense pain, Zhang Zhi gritted his teeth and said, "I'm fine, Wan'er. Don't worry about me, go help the others." His face was pale, but his gaze remained resolute.
Seeing his stubbornness, Lin Wan'er felt a mix of heartache and helplessness. "You're in this state and still trying to act tough."
Meanwhile, the middle-aged man and the young man were still locked in a bitter struggle with the beast. The middle-aged man's blade technique grew increasingly fierce, every strike carrying a desperate, do-or-die momentum. "Beast, I'll definitely slaughter you here today!" he roared, sweat soaking through his clothes.
The young man's flame spells were also pushed to their absolute limit, scorching the surrounding air. "I refuse to believe I can't subdue you!" Yet, their attacks caused negligible damage to the beast, while its counterattacks grew increasingly savage.
Just as everyone was feeling despair, Zhang Zhi struggled to his feet. "We can't just give up like this! Everyone, follow my lead!" Though weak, his voice was filled with strength.
"Zhang Zhi, what do you have in mind?" the middle-aged man asked while parrying the beast's attacks.
With a steadfast gaze, Zhang Zhi said, "We must pool our strength and attack the beast's eyes together—it's our only chance!"
Zhang Zhi's gaze was resolute as he said, "Listen to me, everyone. The current situation is extremely unfavorable for us. This beast is immensely powerful, and our previous attacks were too scattered to deal it fatal damage. But I've noticed that every time we get close to its eyes, it becomes exceptionally nervous and guarded. This proves that its eyes are its weakness and the key to our victory. We must concentrate our strength and attack its eyes together—this is our only chance!"
Pausing to catch his heavy breath, Zhang Zhi continued, "Middle-aged man, your blade technique is powerful and fierce. Later, you will be responsible for drawing the beast's attention from the front, trying your best to pin down its attacks and create an opening for us. Young man, your flame spells pack a strong impact; at the critical moment, attack the beast from its left flank and use fireballs to disrupt its vision. Lin Wan'er, your spells are more versatile; find an opportunity on the right and strike when the moment is right. As for me, I will seize the moment when the beast's attention is divided to charge with all my might and strike straight for its eyes."
Looking around at everyone, Zhang Zhi's eyes were filled with determination and expectation. "We must coordinate closely without the slightest hesitation or error. As long as we pull together, we have a chance to defeat this powerful beast. Does everyone understand?"
Hearing Zhang Zhi's arrangement, the others nodded one after another, the flame of hope reigniting in their eyes.
The battle resumed. Following the plan, the middle-aged man brandished his long saber and charged at the beast. Blade light flashed as he engaged the beast in a fierce frontal clash. Attracted by the middle-aged man's valor, the beast launched continuous attacks, attempting to defeat him.
On the left, the young man deployed his flame spells, sending massive fireballs flying toward the beast, forcing it to divide its attention.
Lin Wan'er also executed agile spells from the right, firing beam after beam of light at the beast, leaving it overwhelmed and scrambling to cope.
Under their tight coordination, a flaw appeared in the beast's defense. Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Zhi shot toward the beast's eyes like an arrow from a bow.
The others nodded in agreement, pulling themselves together and reviving their spirits.
Lin Wan'er took a deep breath and said, "Alright, let's stake everything on this!"
They launched another assault on the beast. Taking the lead, Zhang Zhi brandished the sword in his hand, drawing the beast's attention. Enraged, the beast lunged frantically toward him.
"Now is the time!" Zhang Zhi shouted at the top of his lungs.
Seizing the chance, the middle-aged man and the young man charged at the beast from both flanks, while Lin Wan'er prepared to provide spell support from the rear.
Dark clouds hung heavy in the sky above, with rolling thunder echoing as if cheering on this fierce battle. Howling gales whipped everyone's clothes into a violent frenzy.
Just as they were about to close in on the beast's eyes, it suddenly sensed their intent, whipped around abruptly, and spat a stream of black flames from its maw.
"Watch out!" Zhang Zhi shouted in warning.
The group scrambled to dodge, but a few of them were still scorched by the flames.
"Damn it, this thing is too tough to handle!" the young man cursed.
Frowning tightly, Zhang Zhi rapidly turned over countermeasures in his mind. "We mustn't lose our footing! Keep attacking!"
They launched another charge, and the beast refused to give ground either, plunging both sides into a life-or-death struggle.
They charged forward once more, unyielding flames burning in every person's eyes as they resolved to fight this beast to the death.
Gripping his sword tightly—its blade trembling slightly in the wind—Zhang Zhi let out a roar and charged out ahead. His strides were firm and powerful, every step kicking up dust from the ground. Lin Wan'er followed closely behind, her hands dancing as she chanted under her breath, preparing to unleash a powerful spell. Gritting his teeth with veins bulging on his hands, the middle-aged man gripped his long saber tightly and shouted, "Let's stake it all!" The young man was not to be outdone; flames ignited once more in the palms of his hands as he cried out, "Show this beast what we're made of!"
Facing their charge, the beast refused to back down either. Its massive physique stood tall, its eyes filled with a murderous glare as it unleashed wave after wave of roars. Its thick limbs slammed hard against the ground, causing the earth to tremble and the surrounding trees to shiver under its aura.
Zhang Zhi leaped into the air, thrusting his sword toward the beast's head. The beast lunged forward with a swipe of its claw, and Zhang Zhi sidestepped just in time to narrowly avoid the strike. Seizing the opportunity, Lin Wan'er cast a spell, sending a beam of light shooting toward the beast, but it agilely spun around and dodged the attack.
"Everyone, watch out!" the middle-aged man shouted. "Don't give it a breather!"
"Understood!" the young man replied. He amplified the power of his flames once again in an attempt to pin down the beast.
Trading blows back and forth, the two sides fell into a fierce life-or-death battle. Every moment was fraught with peril, and every move was a matter of survival. Yet not a single person retreated; there was only a single conviction in their hearts: defeat the beast!
Just as the battle reached its white-hot climax, a mysterious radiance descended from the sky, enveloping the beast.
Looking up in astonishment, the group saw a white-robed old man appear in midair.
"Who is this now?" Lin Wan'er said in surprise.
The old man smiled faintly. "I am here to lend you a hand."
Yet, would the appearance of this mysterious old man turn out to be a blessing or a curse? Could they ultimately defeat the beast? Everything remained unknown, leaving behind a massive cliffhanger.