Xu Xuehui finally mustered the courage to swing the baseball bat in her hand, successfully killing an Arrow Snake Beast. After taking down this creature, she realized that these level-three common monsters weren’t that formidable—she could handle them just fine. Her confidence surged, and she began actively attacking the Arrow Snake Beasts that kept pouring in.
Dozens of Arrow Snake Beasts charged forward in succession, but the five of them held them off at the corridor windows. The corpses of the slain beasts fell one after another into the water outside, staining that patch of water an increasingly deep red. This attracted more and more Arrow Snake Beasts, and the undercurrents in the water grew more turbulent. Suddenly, a green-furred monkey burst out—it was a Water Monkey Beast, a level higher than the Arrow Snake Beast.
In that short span of time, Su Li had already gathered 26 spirit sources. When he spotted the Water Monkey Beast, he immediately stepped back and said in a low voice, “Let’s head to the rooftop and lure them up there. These corpses can’t keep falling into the water.”
Based on the pattern they’d observed, the more bodies dropped into the water, the more likely it was to attract even more dangerous monsters. If they stayed here fighting, even though they were safe inside the windows and could handle these monsters easily, the corpses would keep piling into the water, eventually inviting big trouble.
“Alright!” Ding Longyun, obedient to Su Li’s orders, was the first to retreat toward the stairwell at the end of the corridor.
Xu Xuehui followed next.
Xu Haishui, gripping his short spear, came right after.
Though Xu Haishui seemed timid and weak, he fought bravely when killing Arrow Snake Beasts, taking down four of them with quick, precise thrusts of his spear—no less impressive than Ding Longyun.
The group began retreating along the corridor toward the stairwell. One by one, the Arrow Snake Beasts finally broke into the corridor, skimming low along the ground. The Water Monkey Beast that had emerged was much faster on land than the Arrow Snake Beasts. With a nimble leap, it overtook the others and charged ahead.
Gong Xiao deliberately stayed at the rear, wanting to kill as many monsters as possible to gather spirit sources and break through sooner.
The Water Monkey Beast’s attack method was primitive—it relied on simple biting, with razor-sharp teeth and immense strength. It moved swiftly on land, closing the distance in an instant.
Gong Xiao’s phoenix eyes gleamed with calm calculation. Holding a military spike in her right hand and using her left hand’s “Entangling Vine,” she first bound the beast’s attack with the vine, then struck with the spike, quickly dispatching the charging Water Monkey Beast and claiming one spirit source.
“Don’t get carried away. Head to the rooftop first.” Su Li stood at the stairwell, calling out to Gong Xiao.
Gong Xiao saw more Water Monkey Beasts and Arrow Snake Beasts surging through the corridor windows. The massive pile of corpses that had fallen into the water earlier had clearly stirred up a commotion, drawing in many spirit source beasts.
“I know,” Gong Xiao replied, turning and sprinting up the stairs.
The Water Monkey Beasts and Arrow Snake Beasts followed them up the stairs. On the outer wall of the building, a few Water Monkey Beasts climbed up as well. They were adept at scaling walls, moving along the exterior almost as fast as on the ground—even beating Ding Longyun, who was in the lead, to the rooftop.
The moment Ding Longyun burst out of the rooftop exit, he was attacked by a Water Monkey Beast.
This green-furred beast swiped its claws, nearly catching his abdomen.
“Bastard!” Ding Longyun cursed, reacting quickly and smashing his steel rod into it.
With a dull thud, he crushed the Water Monkey Beast’s skull.
Right behind him, Xu Xuehui and Xu Haishui emerged one after another.
A Water Monkey Beast lunged at Xu Xuehui. She couldn’t keep up with its speed, her face tense with anxiety.
As a level-three spirit source user with little combat experience, she was no match for this level-four Water Monkey Beast.
Without a word, Xu Haishui thrust his short spear, piercing the beast’s chest, then kicked it, sending it tumbling away.
“Thanks,” Xu Xuehui said, still shaken, glancing at Xu Haishui with gratitude.
Xu Haishui paused, then offered a shy smile, as if her thanks made him feel embarrassed.
Su Li and Gong Xiao soon reached the rooftop as well. Behind them, several Water Monkey Beasts and a swarm of Arrow Snake Beasts charged up the stairs.
On the rooftop, at the far edge, even more Water Monkey Beasts were swarming in.
The group found themselves surrounded by Arrow Snake Beasts and Water Monkey Beasts.
“Everyone, form a circle. Xuehui, stay close to me,” Su Li said calmly, immediately turning his back to Ding Longyun. Xu Xuehui obediently moved to his side.
Among them, Xu Xuehui was the weakest. Staying near Su Li meant he could rescue her at any moment if danger arose.
With his “Spider Walk” ability, Su Li wasn’t afraid of the monsters before him. To him, they were just spirit sources waiting to be collected.
Gong Xiao, Ding Longyun, and Xu Haishui quickly gathered together, forming a circle with Su Li and Xu Xuehui, facing outward to fight the advancing Water Monkey Beasts and Arrow Snake Beasts. With no need to worry about attacks from behind, they could focus solely on the monsters charging at them.
Gong Xiao let out a sharp cry, continuously casting “Entangling Vine” with her left hand while striking out with the military spike in her right. She could handle both Arrow Snake Beasts and Water Monkey Beasts.
Ding Longyun and Xu Haishui were on par with her, managing to hold their own. Only Xu Xuehui struggled, panicking at the sight of the swarm and unable to match the Water Monkey Beasts’ speed. Fortunately, Su Li was beside her, stepping in to save her whenever danger arose.
In just a short time, Su Li had killed five Water Monkey Beasts and four Arrow Snake Beasts, making him the fastest hunter among them. By now, he had gathered 35 spirit sources, needing only 15 more to break through.
Gong Xiao was second in kills, having collected six spirit sources, bringing her total to 14.
Ding Longyun and Xu Haishui each gained five spirit sources, with Ding Longyun’s total reaching 24.
“Roar—”
Suddenly, a beastly growl echoed from ahead. At the rooftop’s edge, a massive monster climbed up. With a single swipe of its giant paw, it sent a nearby Water Monkey Beast flying sideways through the air before it plunged into the water below.
This creature was a grotesque fusion of crocodile, lizard, and human—a crocodile’s body, a lizard’s head, yet able to stand upright like a human, reaching an astonishing three meters in height.
Its skin was translucent, revealing the blood vessels, heart, and even bones beneath the flesh and muscle.
On its back trailed a long, thin tail, its vertebrae visible through the semi-transparent tissue.