Chapter 508: Testing the Waters (Part 4)
Ahead is a molten lava pool several hundred meters in diameter, the scorching red lava constantly churning, spewing forth thick black smoke. The sky is dark, the heat waves billow, and the air is filled with the pungent smell of sulfur.
"Monster!"
Lu Yunhai pointed to the center of the volcano, where an island lay. On the island, an obsidian-built crude bird's nest housed a fierce bird over twenty meters in length. Its feathers were dark red, its expansive wings burned like flames, emitting wisps of poisonous black smoke.
This Bright Level Monster heard the sound, turned its head to see the crowd, and was momentarily dumbfounded.
An ear-piercing screech exploded.
Hundreds of Monster birds perched on the high edges of the volcano flew out of their nests and rushed into the sky.
They all noticed the sudden appearance of enemies.
Flames roiled, the sky filled with dark smoke.
Zhong Ming and the others gasped at the scene, almost breathless, as nearly the entire flock of Monster birds launched an attack, like a volcanic eruption, leaving nowhere to escape.
Rumble!
The sky suddenly lit up.
Deafening thunder reached their ears, at the same time, Zhong Ming and the others felt a heavy weight on them, as if a thousand-jin burden pressed down on their shoulders, rendering them immobile. All the flying Monster birds were also frozen.
They were bound by an invisible yet incomparably powerful magnetic field, like insects trapped in amber, their vibrating wings slowed to a snail's pace.
Even the poisonous fire spewed by the Monster birds was frozen.
It was as if time had stopped.
Everything in the twisted magnetic field was in a state of stasis, except for one person, Ji Xinghuo.
His eyes lit up with electric light.
A thick lightning bolt struck from the sky, instantly splitting into dozens, then splitting again, first hitting thirty or more of the airborne Monster birds, with the lightning continuously jumping, connecting all the Monster birds in an instant.
The lethality of each bolt of lightning was just right.
Whether they were Superior, Elite, or regular Monster birds, it was enough to kill them, without damaging the corpses, allowing the Alien Species to be collected.
Lightning split the thick black smoke, illuminating the volcano, allowing Zhong Ming and the others to see the entire process.
This scene would be unforgettable for them for the rest of their lives.
Rumble...
As the thunder subsided, more than a hundred Monster birds turned into corpses. Ji Xinghuo made a grasping motion with his right hand, and the bodies of the Monster birds flew over, piling up in front of the crowd, saving them the trouble of collection.
At the same time, the Bright Level Monster bird was also dragged over, crashing to the ground in front of them with a sharp, miserable scream.
Its body was bound with chains of lightning.
A slight movement caused an electric shock that caused intense pain.
"Is it captured just like that?"
Chi Zhonglin looked in disbelief at the Bright Level Monster bird so close, and the heat emanating from the Catastrophe creature made his heart race.
If it were a battle, he could only run away.
The others exchanged looks, feeling as if they were dreaming.
Such a terrifying Monster bird, Ji Xinghuo captured it with just a wave of his hand, effortlessly, almost as if it were nothing.
Could a Heavenly King really do this?
"I said it wouldn't be so troublesome." Ji Xinghuo maintained a calm demeanor, as even if it were a Meteor Level creature, he could easily handle it. Monster birds weren't particularly strong creatures; they were dealt with by a single twisted magnetic field.
Zhong Zhong sighed, "Xinghuo, you're now so strong I can't even fathom it."
"It's beyond fathom..."
Zhuo Lige Tu didn't finish his sentence, feeling a sense of fear.
"Who wants this Monster bird?" Ji Xinghuo glanced at Zhuo Lige Tu and asked the group.
Zhong Ming was about to speak when Ji Xinghuo's voice sounded in his mind: "Second Brother, let this Monster bird go to someone else. If you want a mount, I'll get you a better one later. How about a Meteor Fire Dragon?"
Meteor Fire Dragon?
Zhong Ming's heart skipped a beat, wasn't that a Sky Dragon Species?
He reacted quickly and immediately said, "Yunhai is a Hunter, the one with the best creature-taming ability among us. He still lacks a flying war pet with reconnaissance abilities, so let's prioritize Yunhai. Does anyone have any objections?"
The Monster bird, as a flying war pet, could also scout from the sky, and its combat power was impressive, serving as a mount as well.
Moreover, it was a Bright Level Monster bird.
Anyone here, besides Ji Xinghuo, who got it, would see a huge boost in strength.
Immediately, everyone looked at Lu Yunhai.
"For me?"
Lu Yunhai was startled. As an Advanced Mutant, he never imagined it would be his turn, and hastily shook his head anxiously, "Brother Ming, this war pet is way too strong for me. You should consider giving it to someone else first."
Even as he said this, the gleam in his eyes as he looked at the Monster bird was apparent, unable to hide his pounding heart.
Ji Xinghuo's heart was slightly moved as well.
Second Brother's arrangement was clever, this Monster bird suited Yunhai well.
First, as a Hunter, Yunhai could tame it more easily; second, they were reliable friends for years; third, Yunhai's potential was limited, and if he got a better war pet, others might covet it, bringing trouble instead of fortune.
Chi Zhonglin was very envious but still nodded in agreement, "Since you say so, Zhong Ming, let's prioritize Yunhai."
Zhao Cangming and Jiangnan Caiyi also agreed.
Wu Qifeng's eyes were full of envy but he didn't oppose, and Zhuo Lige Tu hesitated for a few seconds before he also agreed.
It was clear that Zhong Ming's influence was strong within the team, and his teammates respected him.
"Yunhai, go and try to tame it." Zhong Ming said, "You don't have to rush, you can try several times, good luck!"
Ji Xinghuo also said, "I'll help you."
"Okay!"
Lu Yunhai took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and walked toward the Monster bird to begin communicating.
In the Hunter's Professional Template, there was a skill called Alien Coexistence, which Lu Yunhai had already fused but never used.
He also possessed an Imperial Decree accessory with "Beast Speaker" abilities. Beast Speaker wasn't just for communicating with animals; it allowed establishing a mental connection with any unintelligent monster, to pacify, entice or reason with them, making them submit willingly.
The stronger one's power, the more likely and easier it was to subdue a monster.
Lu Yunhai was an Advanced Mutant, three Ranks below the Bright Level Monster bird, so under normal circumstances, it was nearly impossible to succeed.
He tried several times but couldn't even communicate.
"It won't work."
Lu Yunhai looked troubled, turning back to his teammates, "This Monster bird is too aggressive, it won't listen to me at all."
"Let me." Ji Xinghuo walked up to the Monster bird, motioning for Lu Yunhai to step back a bit, and turned his back to the group. He intensified the lightning chains constraining the bird, continuously electrocuting it until its feathers and flesh were scorched, making it scream miserably, glaring angrily at Ji Xinghuo before it.
His pupils turned dark golden, and a faint aura of destruction penetrated the Monster bird's mind.
The Monster bird's cries stopped abruptly, its eyes filled with boundless terror.
"Try again." Ji Xinghuo's pupils returned to normal, as he turned to Lu Yunhai.
Lu Yunhai was at a loss but still reattempted communication with the Monster bird, finding that the previously frenzied bird became as tame as a lamb, quickly accepting his pacification, acknowledging him as its master and becoming a war pet.
"I did it!" Lu Yunhai was overjoyed, jumping with excitement.
Everyone had mixed feelings but congratulated him.
They all guessed it was Ji Xinghuo's doing, but none knew exactly how he achieved it.
"Quickly gather the Alien Species." Ji Xinghuo said with a smile.
Everyone worked together to collect the Alien Species from the corpses of more than a hundred Monster birds, and Ji Xinghuo led them into a Star Realm Jump, reaching near the Sky Falling Cliff in the blink of an eye.
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