Wood Style And Sharingan

"Violent Pangolin?!"

The moment the massive silver-scaled beast emerged from the cracked mountain, panic swept across the group.

Its presence was overwhelming, emitting an oppressive aura that signaled its classification — a fourth-level, primary-stage monster. For many of them, this was the highest-ranking beast they had ever encountered in person.

The executors sprang into action. They drew their weapons, kept their distance, and focused their spiritual senses entirely on the beast. Even though some of them had reached the beginner stage of the fourth level themselves, no one dared to be careless.

"ROARRRR!"

Before they could formulate a strategy, a deafening rumble echoed from the opposite side of the clearing. In the forest behind them, the ground cracked open once again—this time, dozens of gleaming black beetles poured out of the earth.

They were enormous, metallic, and tightly packed—forty or fifty at least, swarming over trees and flattening anything in their path.

"A group of deadly beetles?!"

Horrified gasps echoed through the clearing. Faces turned pale. Just moments ago, the appearance of a single fourth-level monster had sent chills down their spines. Now, a swarm of third-level monsters had joined the chaos.

> "Over thirty monsters in a pack... This is no longer a random attack. This is a small monster tide," someone muttered grimly.

"Why are there so many monsters here?" Wei Lin asked, gripping the short blade on his back as he watched the swarm encircle them.

Zhao Mei's face had gone ghostly white. "We don't have a single fourth-level psychic on our side..."

Yan Yue, her expression grim, added, "This is supposed to be a high-security mining zone. With how vital these ore fields are to the surrounding cities, any nearby monsters should've already been cleared out."

She paused, her gaze sharpening.

> "Unless... they're here specifically for us."

It was a terrifying thought, but not an impossible one. This wasn't the first time something like this had happened. The Burning Fire Clan had used similar tactics in the past.

If this was another of their ploys...

Her heart sank.

"Form up! Get into defense positions!" one of the executors barked.

There were eight executors total, split between the two teams. They spread out in different directions, taking defensive stances and watching for the beetle swarm's advance.

Click-click-click!

The deadly beetles' armored shells scraped against each other, producing a sharp metallic rasp that cut through the air.

Then, like a signal had been given, the entire swarm suddenly rushed forward in unison.

> "Attack!"

The executors responded in sync. Streams of colorful spiritual energy erupted from their hands—flames, wind blades, lightning bursts—colliding with the front lines of the beetle horde.

But the beetles were relentless. Their silver, steel-like shells absorbed most of the impact. They barely slowed down.

"Hit their underbellies! Their shells are too tough!" one squad leader shouted.

Two earth-type psychics dropped to the ground, slamming their palms into the dirt.

"Earth Spirit Shift!"

BANG! BANG! BANG!

Jagged stone spikes erupted from the ground beneath the beetles. Some were flipped into the air, legs flailing. Others were crushed outright.

But most kept coming, crawling forward with terrifying force.

The executors had no choice—they switched to close-quarters combat.

Meanwhile, the eight freshmen, all below third-level power, watched with dread as a group of deadly beetles bypassed the frontline and rushed toward them.

"Sacred Water Shield!"

"Wood Bind!"

Zhao Mei and Wei Lin acted immediately. Water whips and thick vines burst from their hands, wrapping around the two lead beetles.

CRASH!

But their defenses were too weak. The deadly beetles tore through them like wet paper.

"Breath of the Divine Wind!"

"Earth Wall!"

"Wrath of the Fire Spirit!"

"Thunder Pulse!"

"Holy Water Strike!"

The other students unleashed everything they had. Beams of light, waves of energy, all collided with the beetles—but they were barely scratched. Against third-level monsters, most first and second-level abilities were ineffective.

The swarm pushed closer.

"Click-click!"

Several beetles split their backs open, revealing razor-sharp blades. With a high-pitched screech, they launched forward, slashing at the students.

"Holy Light!"

Yan Yue stepped forward, golden light pouring from her body. It surged from her palms, forming a radiant golden wall of holy energy in front of them.

CLANG!

The beetles slammed into the holy wall but failed to break through immediately.

"Pull back!"

Just as the wall trembled under the second impact, a wind-type executor dashed in. He transformed into a gust of wind and summoned a five-meter-high green tornado, blowing away the attackers.

Despite being outnumbered, the executors held the line. Their combat experience was unmatched. Most of them could handle three or four deadly beetles each. A few even began slaying their opponents.

Yan Yue, Zhao Mei, Wei Lin, and the others didn't remain idle. They supported the frontline with coordinated attacks and well-timed distractions.

The battle raged.

But they had forgotten one thing—the Violent Pangolin was still watching.

---

Now it moved.

Its enormous tail swept across the ground, sending debris flying. A dozen jagged stones rocketed toward the combatants.

BOOM!

Two executors were caught off guard. The stones smashed into them, knocking them back as they coughed up blood.

The Violent Pangolin hissed, scales clicking open and shut, releasing a sound that grated like knives against metal.

Then—

CRACK!

A blinding flash of silver lightning exploded from the sky, striking the pangolin. But it didn't hurt it.

Instead, the electricity spread across its armored body like a living net, and in the next instant, the electric arcs lashed out in all directions.

ZAP!

ZAP!

The arcs jumped through the air, targeting everything alive.

"Look out!"

Everyone dove to the side.

But they weren't fast enough.

The lightning crashed into them, spreading through their bodies like white-hot tendrils.

"AAAAH!!"

Several fighters screamed as their muscles convulsed under the electric surge. They collapsed, twitching violently.

Before they could recover, the pangolin curled into a massive spiked ball, electricity still crackling across its body, and rolled straight toward them like a thunder-charged wrecking ball.

Its target: Yan Yue.

Øóffer going on for diamond tier

pàtreøn (Gk31)