Chapter 294: Blazing Lion Pack

Chapter 294 The Flaming Lion Pride

Splash!

The sound of splashing water drew nearer, growing louder.

The monster within the hot spring lake approached closer still.

Li Wei's expression grew somewhat grave.

He knew using the Spirit Gathering Ritual would attract fire-type magical beasts, yet he hadn't expected them so soon.

The Spirit Gathering Ritual had barely begun.

"Shadow Servant, intercept it."

Li Wei commanded.

The Shadow Servant dove into the hot spring lake.

It would not be hindered by underwater combat.

Boom boom boom!

In moments, a sheet of water exploded from the lake, followed immediately by a surge of fresh blood upon the surface.

The Shadow Servant emerged from the water, returning to the shore.

"A second-tier magical beast," the Shadow Servant said.

Li Wei nodded.

Currently, only second-tier beasts were drawn; the more Fire Spirits condensed, the stronger the attracted beasts became.

According to the ritual scroll, the Fire Spirit Ritual could attract up to sixth-tier fire-type magical beasts.

Beyond that lay seventh-tier beasts, legendary-class magical beasts.

Attracting beasts of such caliber, Li Wei would not even have time to flee.

Li Wei continued to reinforce the Spirit Gathering Ritual.

The magic crystal grew brighter, the fire elements within seeming ready to ignite.

This was why ultra-high purity fire element magic crystals were required.

Even a speck of impurity.

Would cause it to truly burn.

The result would be ritual failure.

Li Wei sighed inwardly, "Fortunately, the magic crystal poses no problem, otherwise it would be troublesome."

He had purchased high-purity fire element magic crystals from the Aster Consortium.

But during simulation in the dream, it failed.

Later, Li Wei sought Valen, contacting Valen's friend to finally purchase fire element magic crystals of near-perfect purity.

Thereafter, simulations in the dream never failed again.

But this was the first time in reality, and Li Wei felt some tension.

Now seeing the Spirit Gathering Ritual stabilize, he breathed a sigh of relief.

Next was to see how far the Spirit Gathering Ritual could hold out.

On one hand, it depended on the concentration of Fire Spirits around.

Once the Fire Spirits were exhausted, the Spirit Gathering Ritual would end.

On the other hand, it depended on Li Wei's strength.

The longer the Spirit Gathering Ritual lasted, the more numerous and powerful the attracted beasts became.

If Li Wei could not withstand them, the painstakingly condensed Fire Spirits would be snatched away by the beasts.

One hour later.

Li Wei noticed the speed at which the Spirit Gathering Ritual condensed Fire Spirits slowed significantly.

Compared to the beginning, the speed had halved.

Third-tier peak fire-type magical beasts had already been attracted.

Roar!

An earth-shattering roar echoed forth.

A lion engulfed in flames appeared nearby, staring fixedly at the magic crystal beside Li Wei.

Li Wei turned his head, his eyes slightly grave.

This was a fourth-tier fire-type magical beast—the Flaming Lion.

This was not the reason for his gravity.

A mere fourth-tier beast counted for nothing.

Mainly because Flaming Lions moved in prides.

Within the Flaming Lion group, there would inevitably be a Flaming Lion King, whose rank could reach fifth tier.

A fifth-tier fire-type magical beast was not to be underestimated.

Gazing at the Flaming Lion, Li Wei thought: Must achieve a kill in one strike, cannot let it escape.

If the Flaming Lion escaped, it might lead the pride over.

That would not be good news.

Li Wei might defeat the Flaming Lion King, but maintaining the Spirit Gathering Ritual under the pride's siege while protecting the gathering crystal would be difficult.

To Li Wei's surprise, after observing from afar for a moment, the Flaming Lion turned and left.

There was absolutely no intention to approach.

Li Wei muttered to himself that this was bad.

He should have attacked proactively earlier.

He was still waiting for the Flaming Lion to come attack.

He hadn't expected the Flaming Lion to be so timid, turning straight around to leave.

Li Wei gazed at the spirit-gathering crystal still absorbing Fire Spirits, unwilling in his heart to simply depart with the crystal like this. Though the gathering speed had halved, proceeding at this rate.

At least two or three hours remained before the surrounding Fire Spirits would run dry.

Ending the Spirit Gathering Ritual now would waste the gathering crystal somewhat.

He currently held only five magic crystals in hand.

Magic crystals could not be reused.

One used is one less.

"Shadow Servant, go see what the situation is?"

Li Wei commanded the Shadow Servant to pursue the fleeing Flame Lion.

The Shadow Servant swiftly hastened toward the path the Flame Lion had taken.

Over ten minutes passed before the Shadow Servant returned.

"The Flame Lion returned to the pride seeking the Flame Lion King, but the King disbelieved the Lion's words and did not come."

Li Wei's eyes brightened, "Good news."

The Shadow Servant spoke, "The bad news is, that Flame Lion has arrived with three male Flame Lions who trusted him."

Li Wei furrowed his brow, calculating within his heart.

As for four fourth-tier Flame Lions.

Though there was some threat, they could not yet snatch the Spirit Gathering Crystal from his grasp.

Li Wei steadied his resolve and made a decision.

"Shadow Servant, ambush them midway; inflict as much damage as possible upon those Flame Lions."

"Understood."

Twenty minutes later, after Li Wei dispatched several waves of attacking beasts, the four Flame Lions finally arrived.

Their appearance was somewhat pitiable, each Flame Lion bearing wounds upon its body.

All were marks left by the Shadow Servant's assault.

The Shadow Servant paid a price for this as well.

It had returned to the Nightmare Core three minutes prior.

This indicated the Shadow Servant had been slain by the Flame Lions.

The Shadow Servant's return caused the three beasts controlled by its shadow clones to go berserk.

Li Wei was forced to personally eliminate comrades he had fought alongside for some time.

Having lost several aids, his situation grew somewhat precarious.

Sensing the allure of the Fire Spirit, the four Flame Lions all gazed greedily at the Spirit Gathering Crystal behind Li Wei.

They split apart, approaching Li Wei from four directions.

Li Wei cast a glance, thinking silently: Troublesome.

Had the four Flame Lions charged straight at him, Li Wei could have annihilated all four in a single strike.

Now, however, they attacked separately.

Li Wei possessed neither three heads nor six arms, finding it hard to counter assaults from all quarters.

"Roar!"

As the Flame Lions drew near, they emitted low growls.

Intimidating Li Wei into abandoning the Spirit Gathering Crystal.

Fourth-tier beasts possess intelligence akin to humans.

Seeing the corpses of surrounding beasts, they knew Li Wei was no easy foe.

Thus, they sought to claim the treasure unscathed through intimidation.

Li Wei's eyes narrowed, rubbing his palms together.

Two green serpents shot forth from his palms.

Fire serpents forged from cyan flames flew toward the Flame Lions on either side.

The Flame Lions spat crimson flames in an attempt to block.

The cyan fire serpents pierced the barrier of crimson flame, landing upon the Flame Lions and coiling around them.

A scent of charred flesh wafted from the Flame Lions' bodies.

Even fourth-tier Flame Lions could not withstand the cyan flames reaching thirty thousand degrees.

Their superior fire resistance instead became a form of torment.

The fourth-tier Flame Lions were not instantly reduced to ash by the green flames.

They howled in agony amidst the burning green flames.

The two Flame Lions in the center, without hesitation, seized the chance to pounce on Li Wei.

The two cyan fire serpents remained entangled around the Flame Lions on the left and right.

At this moment, Li Wei's defenses were wide open.

To the Flame Lions, this was no different than presenting his back and neck to their jaws.

To decline would be a disservice to themselves.

Yet Li Wei smiled; this fell squarely into his trap.

(End of Chapter)