The multitude of parasitic spiders had taken effect, wreaking havoc within the Five-Faced Monster’s body.
Coupled with Bai Feifei’s formidable attack power, barring any mishaps, this battle would undoubtedly end in their victory.
Perhaps seeing triumph within reach, Bai Feifei and the others attacked with even greater vigour.
After all, defeating the gatekeeper would grant them the gatekeeper’s treasure chest, a considerable temptation.
The Five-Faced Monster let out shrill wails, visibly growing weaker, its wounds multiplying.
The snake head was completely smashed, and the wolf head was barely hanging on.
The other three heads also bore varying degrees of injury.
Naturally, Ling Xiao, Bai Feifei, and Tantai Lingzi played the pivotal roles, with the others merely assisting.
Ling Xiao’s control and plague caused the Five-Faced Monster the most trouble.
Bai Feifei’s powerful attacks were key to inflicting wounds on the creature.
Tantai Lingzi’s parasitic spiders, like Ling Xiao’s plague, were crucial in weakening it.
In desperation, the Five-Faced Monster entered a frenzied state, attempting to carve a bloody path to escape.
Yet, with Ling Xiao’s control techniques, every attempt failed, wasting vast amounts of its true energy.
Finally, after a quarter-hour of relentless assault, the dejected Five-Faced Monster collapsed. In its dying moment, it launched a furious strike at Ling Xiao.
But it was futile.
Though powerful, the enraged attack lacked precision.
Ling Xiao, anticipating this, had already dodged, and the attack blasted a tunnel dozens of metres long into the cave.
“Success!”
“I can’t believe we actually did it!”
“Fantastic!”
Killing the gatekeeper Five-Faced Monster boosted everyone’s morale, their excitement palpable.
Though the process was exhausting.
But what was a bit of fatigue compared to defeating the Five-Faced Monster, the greatest victory?
Ling Xiao stepped forward to check, confirming the Five-Faced Monster was truly dead.
Then he said to the group, “Take a rest, everyone. Killing the Five-Faced Monster means the second stage is essentially over!”
“Brother Ling, you’re incredible! Honestly, without you, not a single one of us would’ve passed this stage!” Leng Hao said excitedly.
“Hmph, your contribution is significant, but that’s an exaggeration,” Bai Feifei scoffed, believing she could have passed.
“Honestly, Junior Brother Leng is right. Without Junior Brother Ling, even you, Sister Bai, wouldn’t have made it,” Tantai Lingzi shook her head. “Tell me, how could you survive the encirclement of five king-level monsters and thousands of beasts while fending off the Five-Faced Monster’s attacks?”
“Well…” Bai Feifei wanted to retort but found no grounds to do so.
In truth, the biggest challenge of this stage wasn’t the Five-Faced Monster but the overwhelming tide of monsters. If Ling Xiao hadn’t dealt with the others early, they couldn’t have focused on the Five-Faced Monster so calmly.
To be fair, without Ling Xiao, they’d have been wiped out in the second stage, with no one passing.
But Bai Feifei would never voice gratitude, even if she knew it to be true, as it would mean admitting she owed Ling Xiao a favour.
After a brief rest, the group pressed on, each filled with excitement, knowing no further dangers awaited, only rewards.
The Yuehua Pagoda was placed here to train Yuehua Sect disciples, so the opportunities within were prearranged.
This was undeniable, unlike some ruins in the outside world where you’d toil to the end only to find nothing.
Here, there would definitely be something, and of good quality.
After about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, the group suddenly saw a dazzling array of treasures before them.
Upon closer inspection, they found piles of gold, silver, and jewels before the sealed exit of the second stage.
Ordinary people might have jumped for joy.
But Ling Xiao had little interest in such things, nor did the others. Entering the Yuehua Pagoda, everyone sought treasures to enhance their cultivation and strength, not these mundane items.
Since they weren’t interested, Ling Xiao happily took them.
His Divine Sword Sect needed vast funds to expand, and these treasures, worth over a million taels of gold, were no small sum.
“That’s not all there is, is it?” Bai Feifei said, disappointed.
No one could answer her, but suddenly, a figure darted out.
It was Wang Nan!
His speed, astonishingly, matched Ling Xiao’s!
The sight left everyone stunned.
Only Ling Xiao, staring at Wang Nan’s back, let out a cold smile.
“Hahaha, the treasure’s mine!” Wang Nan’s voice echoed from deep within the lair, holding a small box, likely the treasure chest prepared for the trial disciples in the Yuehua Pagoda.
In the outside world, such convenience might not exist, but in the Yuehua Pagoda, treasure chests were guaranteed.
“Kid, hand it over, or I’ll kill you!” Situ Jun roared, lunging forward.
Tantai Lingzi didn’t stop him.
Treasures were for the strong. Wang Nan, daring to claim it all, was dreaming.
However—
“Boom!”
A loud explosion rang out, and Situ Jun’s body shattered in midair.
“Ten survivors remain!”
Wang Nan had merely waved his palm lightly!
“You hid your strength!” Bai Feifei frowned.
She thought Ling Xiao was the only cunning one, but Wang Nan was also deeply concealed.
“So what if I hid it? I’m stronger than all of you. This belongs to me,” Wang Nan said calmly.
“Hmph, let’s see if you’re capable!” Bai Feifei snorted, thrusting her sword with lethal intent, its power formidable.
She was truly out for blood. She couldn’t deal with Ling Xiao because he had leverage, but who was Wang Nan?
Bang!
Her sword, capable of wounding the Five-Faced Monster, was blocked by Wang Nan’s palm wind, exploding in midair.
The air carried a hint of deathly fireworks.
“How is this possible!” Bai Feifei was shocked.
Tantai Lingzi had planned to act, but seeing Bai Feifei unable to harm Wang Nan, she froze.
“Ling Xiao, join me to kill this guy! We can’t let him take it all!” Bai Feifei shouted, turning to Ling Xiao.
“Sorry, I’m no match for him, and I’m not interested,” Ling Xiao said with a profound smile.
