The Naughty Senior Sister
The Illusionary Forest Trap
Still in the forest, far from the location of the First Master they had followed, those followers went deeper and deeper but never found a way out.
Their surroundings were filled with a gray mist, the sound of a savage beast resembling an insect in summer and full of a dark aura but had no interest in their group at all.
"We ... It's on the right track, isn't it?" yueqin asked ascertaining to the others.
While paying attention around with his divine consciousness, Jiqing gave a code not to talk.
Everyone became more alert than usual, it was because they were taking turns to spy around and now it was Jiqing's turn. When he gave a signal, it meant that something was about to arrive.
Sure enough, the fog was getting thicker but there were also those slowly fading from their northwest direction. A two-and-a-half-foot-tall demon tiger came out from the fog, staring at them with its four fiery red eyes.
As the leader, Jiang Nalan immediately assessed the opponent's abilities using the eyes of truth. In just a moment, Jiang Nalan's two beautiful eyes bled and he immediately closed his eyelids.
"What's going on?" tanya Ahn took a position in front of Jiang Nalan who was temporarily blinded to protect him.
Jiang Nalan who was treating his eyes gasped for breath while saying, "The beast— haaah ... Huft ... — he is at least at the intermediate level. Everyone, careful!"
Listening to Jiang Nalan's warning, everyone took a position.
Five people surrounded Jiang Nalan, while Yueqin and Ahn took the vanguard as attackers. Jiqing secured the position at the back along with the rest of the members, while preparing for long-range attacks and preparing traps to reduce the opponent's speed.
The average of them was still at the peak realm of Foundation Formation. Against medium-level ferocious beasts, it would at least take one to three casualties regardless of how careful they were.
The demonic tiger began to run around them, as if exerting pressure for its prey to become confused.
Jiang Nalan who noticed the movements of the opponent through his divine consciousness gave a warning to the other members, "Don't be fooled! The characteristic of this one beast is that it is a pleasure to play tricks on its opponent, you all loosen up a bit of guard and let him attack first! Yueqin, Ahn, you guys get ready to make a quick defense from all directions to open a counterattack! Jiqing, prepare some traps and formations to lock in his movements, also prepare some healing pills for first aid if they are both heavily injured while resisting his first attack!"
" "Understand!" "
Everyone answered in unison excitedly. This was one of the advantages Jiang Nalan still lacked by the other top rankers. He can act and make decisions quickly according to circumstances, regardless of how his body is now.
"Grnr ...."
The demon tiger growled, exerting more pressure on them. In accordance with Jiang Nalan's instructions, some people deliberately raised their vigilance and put on scared faces with trembling legs unable to move.
Enjoying their fake show, the demonic tiger smiled to the point of revealing its fangs.
"Come!"
Jiqing who had divine thoughts felt a new movement from the demon tiger. With his speed to predict the enemy's movements, he immediately gave a warning to the others as the demon tiger started lunging towards them.
Sure enough, shortly after Jiqing's warning, the Demon Tiger leaped nimbly towards Jiang Nalan who was the weakest according to him.
The peng!
The huge claw of the Demon Tiger floated to Jiang Nalan's neck, but was immediately stopped by Yueqin and Ahn using their extremely powerful physical defense techniques. The sharp claws scratched the skin of the immortal robes up to their skin, giving a deep enough wound to their bodies.
"Give healing to them, the rest follow me activating the chain formation, the protective squad of Jiang Nalan prepare a counterattack immediately!" Jiqing immediately took command.
Everyone followed him immediately. They were aware that when the chain of command switched, it meant that Jiqing's divine thinking had been active and would be more effective in decision-making, while Jiang Nalan could focus on healing his two eyes immediately.
"Gaaawwr!!!"
The Demon Tiger roared loudly, wanting to take some distance back. However, it was already too late because Jiqing's decision-making was faster than his actions.
"Enable chain formation!" shouted Jiqing.
The golden chains bound the entire body as well as the entire foot of the Demon Tiger, rendering it helpless and floating in the air. They would not allow the Demon Tiger to touch the ground in the slightest, locking the movement of the savage beast completely.
Before the chain was destroyed, their group immediately took some distance. When their distance had already been assessed Jiqing was quite safe, he immediately gave his next command order.
"Now, use the attack formation!" shouted Jiqing.
Protector Jiang Nalan started activating the combined attack formation. A wide variety of flashes of light, fire, water, metal and tree root tendrils attacked the Demon Tiger.
"Gaaw!!!"
The roar of the Demon Tiger hindered their attack, then he was able to break free of the binding chains and move to dodge. The savage beast immediately entered and disappeared into the increasingly thick fog, eliminating its existence that was already assimilated with the fog.
"Yueqin, Ahn, how are you?" jiang Nalan asked who had finished healing his two eyes.
"The injuries we suffered were quite deep. If we receive one more full attack, it seems still possible. However, after that we have to do a complete healing in order to fight back," replied Ahn who had assessed the condition of the two of them.
Jiang Nalan nodded, then he used his righteous eyes back, tried to trace the trail of the Demon Tiger then said, "We will use the defensive formation to keep Ahn and Yueqin from accepting a direct clash, you no longer need to protect me. Jiqing keep the rear formation, the front let me set."
"Alright," Jiqing replied.
They rearranged the position where the vanguard was filled by five people which included Jiang Nalan, Yueqin, Ahn and the two other top ten members who had the strongest physique among all the followers. The rest of the protecting Jiang Nalan stood in the middle as an advanced counterattack specialist and aided in the healing. Jiqing and the few members who were with him remained in the back position guarding the group's back, providing assistance for frontline and long-range attacks.
Looking around while aided by his divine consciousness, Jiang Nalan managed to trace the trail of the Demon Tiger.
"He hides among the fog, still going around and waiting for a small mistake in our movement. While he waited for the opportunity, Ahn set up some traps while the back row, using this free time to cast spells of binding and healing techniques separately. Yueqin, you come with me to attract the attention of the Demon Tiger."
"Okay, I'll be here soon!" Yueqin rushed off to break away with Jiang Nalan.
The two of them entered into the mist, then Jiang Nalan held onto Yueqin's slender arms to keep them from separating.
"Is something wrong?" asked Yueqin who was confused about Jiang Nalan's actions.
Jiang Nalan's small voice came from beside him, "Sorry, it doesn't seem like all of us will return safely. During that time, we have to hide in a safe place first."
"What?! Is this your real plan, letting Ahn, Jiqing as well as the other members allow themselves to be bait, while we are the ones running from the battle?!" yueqin asked angrily at Jiang Nalan's decision.
Jiang Nalan immediately gestured for Yueqin to lower her voice. Yueqin who did not know what to say, bowed silently with her hardened fist. He knew that they could not possibly defeat the ferocious beasts through the first try, which was why Jiang Nalan took the best decision by leaving them, while the two of them would survive.
Just by combining the abilities and blessings of Yueqin and Jiang Nalan, they were already on par with the other thirteen members. However, Yueqin still thought there might be an opportunity other than Jiang Nalan's choice. Unfortunately, the other party's opinion was more realistic than his thinking so he had no right to blame Jiang Nalan.
...
While the two top ranks had entered into the fog to hide, those who stayed had learned of the plans from Jiang Nalan and were preparing for their final execution as loyal followers of First Master. They knew this day was coming, but still could not believe that it would happen this fast when their faction had just formed. Based on mutual trust, they had set a priority whereby when the group faced danger, the lives of Jiang Nalan and Yueqin would be prioritized over the other members because their positions were irreplaceable.
"They're gone" said Jiqing.
"Yes, it should be. After all, the existence of the two of them is enough to fill the empty position we left, just ... It feels pretty empty when we think of getting here just our fight for First Master."
"Yes, you have a point Ahn. I hope that in the next life, we can follow the same Master again, just like today," Jiqing replied with a resigned smile.
"Haha! Sure is! Just like today, I will also give everything I have for the sake of serving First Master!"
Welcoming the spirit of Ahn, everyone agreed and there was warmth among the cold that was threatening their lives.
'Throw away the fear, their opponents are proud to have been useful to First Master!'
Everyone has united their goals.