C21 Enticing

"Ye Han, be careful!"

Jiang Xiaoxiao's voice rang out as she dashed forward, eager to assist Ye Han in navigating through the sudden crisis. Unfortunately, she was too far away to reach him in time.

To her amazement, Ye Han seemed to possess an extra set of eyes, evading the ambush of tentacles with flawless precision.

Jiang Xiaoxiao breathed a sigh of relief upon witnessing this, though worry still lingered.

She hurried to Ye Han's side, weapon at the ready, her eyes scanning the surroundings with vigilance.

"What kind of spirit beast is this, and why are there so many attacks?"

Jiang Xiaoxiao, sensing the imminent danger, asked anxiously.

"It's nothing more than a mere beast," Ye Han replied coolly, his sword flashing as he deftly dispatched a tentacle that had lunged for Jiang Xiaoxiao.

Despite her constant vigilance, Jiang Xiaoxiao found herself nearly overwhelmed.

The recent close call had drained the color from her face as she stumbled backward, regaining her balance with difficulty.

She had been completely unaware of the danger, almost ensnared by the tentacle.

"Step back for now; I'll handle this one," Ye Han instructed without looking back, his gaze stern as he surveyed the area.

He softly directed Jiang Xiaoxiao, who was retreating with a ghostly pallor, understanding that her intervention might only complicate matters. It was better for her to withdraw and keep a safe distance.

Initially panicked, Ye Han had managed to adapt and was now formulating a strategy, having discerned the nature of the creature beneath the water. The spirit beast was formidable, but not beyond Ye Han's capabilities. The challenge lay in its concealment within the pond, necessitating a plan to draw it out.

Delaying further would only attract more spirit beasts, complicating the situation considerably.

With a grim expression, Ye Han continued to brandish his sword, engaging in a calculated dance with the spirit beast, alternating between drawing near the pond and retreating.

Jiang Xiaoxiao observed from a distance, her concern palpable, yet she refrained from intervening, knowing her limitations would only hinder Ye Han.

Jiang Xiaoxiao stood silently in the background, watching the scene unfold with a growing sense of worry. She dared not step forward to help, knowing that her own abilities would only cause more trouble for Ye Han. Yet the spirit beast lurking beneath the water's surface remained fiercely aggressive. Its attacks were becoming faster, its strength undiminished as if it were merely toying with them.

As Jiang Xiaoxiao witnessed this, her concern deepened, but she also trusted that Ye Han could handle the situation. "Do you need my help, Ye Han? Should we try to draw it out?" she asked.

She was aware that continuing this way would only lead to endless complications, and as Ye Han's stamina waned, the task of dealing with the spirit beast would become increasingly difficult.

"Alright," Ye Han responded quietly. "Find a way to attract a few spirit beasts over here, and make them bleed!"

Ye Han was fully engaged in fending off the tentacles, which were striking with greater speed and formidable strength. Yet, it was clear that their speed was slightly slower than the first one's, and with more tentacles, their power seemed to diminish, their movements becoming sluggish. This indicated that the spirit beast in the pond was growing weary.

This was their opportunity. If they could just lure it out of the pond, they could finish it off.

With Ye Han's approval, Jiang Xiaoxiao quickly dashed off. She had encountered several weaker spirit beasts in the area but had not killed them. Now, she could use them to their advantage. She quickened her pace and deliberately agitated a young cub.

As expected, the disturbance set the pack of spirit beasts into a frenzy. Jiang Xiaoxiao didn't pause, racing back toward the pond with the sound of furious footsteps echoing behind her. A smile played on her lips; she was finally going to be of help to Ye Han!

She swiftly drew the group of low-level spirit beasts to the pond's edge. Without a moment's hesitation, Jiang Xiaoxiao dispatched the beasts, their blood spilling into the water, their bodies strewn around the perimeter. The air around the pond soon grew heavy with the scent of blood, a stark contrast to the previously crisp atmosphere.

In an instant, the area around the pond was permeated with a variety of pungent, bloody scents. The once crisp air was now thick with the sweet smell of blood. The intermediate spirit beast lurking beneath the pond's surface could sense the growing allure from outside. What were merely two ordinary humans now seemed like a feast waiting to be devoured, stirring a desire within the beast to leave its watery refuge.

Slowly, its body emerged from the water, revealing a scene of carnage. The pond was awash with the scent of blood, and the low-level spirit beasts were still flailing in their struggle, exuding the most enticing aroma of fresh wounds. Greed glinted in the creature's eyes.

Ye Han was stealthily concealed nearby, keeping a safe distance from the pond while maintaining a watchful eye on the surroundings. He was determined to prevent the spirit beast from escaping the area and losing the opportunity to return.

Jiang Xiaoxiao had already taken refuge atop a towering tree, following Ye Han's signals. From her vantage point, she could oversee the entire scene below while remaining out of harm's way.

The massive intermediate spirit beast began to ascend, its enormous frame completely enveloping the pond. After a thorough scan of the surroundings revealed no immediate threats, it slowly made its way toward the severely wounded low-level spirit beasts.

The beast was acutely aware of the tantalizing scents surrounding it, compelling it to move forward. Despite the allure, it remained cautious, ready to spring into action at the slightest rustle or disturbance. As it advanced without encountering danger, it quickened its pace, its eyes fixated on the struggling low-level spirit beasts ahead, their inviting scent signaling a meal long overdue.

The Eight Slashes Beast, which had been concealed within the pond for some time, had not hunted prey in a while. It had something precious to guard within the pond, and opportunities to leave were rare, especially since this territory was generally avoided by others. Driven by hunger, it had abandoned its familiar aquatic home, disregarding its own safety in the process.

Ye Han's anxiety grew as the spirit beast moved further from the pond. It was still too close for comfort, able to retreat to safety should it sense any threat. With this in mind, Ye Han waited patiently for the right moment.

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