Chapter 281: This Can't Go On!

"This can't go on, we must think of a strategy." Taking advantage of a gap, Lin Xuan shouted, "Does anyone have information about these bugs? Do you know what their weakness is?"

While maintaining the protective barrier, Xiao Qing recalled, "According to the archives, these black beetles belong to a species that is active underground, likes dark and damp places, and is very afraid of light..." Suddenly, her eyes lit up, "Right, I remember it being mentioned before that strong light can irritate their eyes and make them lose their sense of direction."

Upon learning this information, Lin Xuan immediately decided to change tactics. "Got it, prepare to use flash grenades!" He shouted to Wang Zhenqiu, who then took two small but powerful grenade-type devices from his backpack and threw them toward the denser areas on both sides.

The light produced by the explosion was blindingly bright; just as expected, it caused many beetles to fall into a state of temporary blindness, and their movements began to become chaotic. Taking this opportunity, the three coordinated tacitly and quickly broke out, hoping to leave this danger zone as soon as possible.

Just when they thought victory was in sight, a duller, rumbling sound came from behind...

"What's going on? What's wrong again?" Xiao Qing, who had just let out a sigh of relief, couldn't help but become nervous.

Turning around to look, they saw a monster far larger than any black beetle they had seen before slowly walking toward them. Its eyes were blood-red like fire, and every step caused the earth to tremble. Clearly, everything they had faced just now was merely an appetizer...

Wang Zhenqiu swallowed hard, "Folks, it seems today's challenge is far from over."

Lin Xuan clenched his fists firmly, "No matter what, we will not back down. Let's go, let's go see what this uninvited guest is capable of!" The three nodded in silent agreement; although the situation remained grim, the trust between them gave everyone the strength to continue forward.

The three moved forward along the narrow, dark secret passage, the air filled with a nauseating stench. Lin Xuan frowned, "The feeling here isn't right." He said softly, his gaze cautiously scanning the surroundings.

The torch in Wang Zhenqiu's hand flickered with a faint light in the wind, bringing a little brightness to this gloomy space, "Indeed, it's not right. I feel the aura here is very strange, like the smell of something rotting."

Before the words had faded, a roar suddenly came from ahead, followed immediately by cold, bone-chilling water rushing in, instantly filling the passage. Lin Xuan reacted quickly, immediately grabbing Xiao Qing and Wang Zhenqiu beside him and retreating backward, "Everyone, be careful! A flood!" They saw the water flow mixed with unknown substances rising continuously, and there seemed to be signs of unidentified biological activity within it.

"This water is poisonous..." Xiao Qing sniffed the air, her expression changing slightly, "We'd better not let our bodies come into contact with it."

Wang Zhenqiu nodded, "Understood, I will use Elemental Power to form a shield to protect everyone." As he spoke, a translucent blue light barrier expanded rapidly in front of him, just in time to block the oncoming torrent. "Hurry!"

With the help of the light wall's defensive effect, the three struggled to find a way out in the narrow space. Just when they thought they were temporarily safe, the ground suddenly shook violently, and then several huge, thick tentacles suddenly emerged from the water, launching an attack on the group!

Facing the sudden threat, Lin Xuan's eyes were firm, his hands gathering powerful Yuan Power: "Are you ready? It's our turn to fight back."

"Of course." Wang Zhenqiu smiled slightly, his whole body shrouded in a dazzling blue glow, ready to launch an offensive at any time; while Xiao Qing beside him closed her eyes, chanting incantations as if communicating with some kind of power—she was going to use the power of Nature to deal a fatal blow to these unidentified creatures.

A few seconds later, the giant creature that had been lurking silently in the darkness finally revealed its full appearance: a giant octopus with a pitch-black body covered in suction cups! It was seen using its tentacles to flexibly control the water flow, while simultaneously spraying suffocating green poisonous mist from its mouth. "This guy can actually manipulate the surrounding environment... it's not easy to deal with," Wang Zhenqiu analyzed.

Just a moment before the poison gas was about to spread to the entire space, Xiao Qing opened her eyes, and ripples of lush green energy radiated from her body, instantly filling the air with a fresh breath of life, dispersing that extremely dangerous mist completely. "Hmph, you think mere poisonous mist can affect us?" The girl sneered as she looked at the enemy before her.

Seeing this, the giant octopus clearly became more violent and restless. It opened its massive mouth, let out a low roar, and once again waved its countless tentacles, attempting to entangle the three brave youths. At this very moment, Lin Xuan and the others had already prepared for battle:

"Since you want to fight, then come! Let's see who is tougher!" Lin Xuan roared and was the first to rush forward;

"I will also lend you a hand." Wang Zhenqiu followed closely behind, gathering scorching fireballs in his hands;

"Let us join forces to defeat this disgusting thing!" The last figure was Xiao Qing, who summoned a sky full of vines and flowers as both a barrier and a weapon.

The intense confrontation began immediately...

After a bitter battle, when the last tentacle was completely destroyed, the situation in the secret passage gradually calmed down. However, just as the three wanted to catch their breath and relax for a moment, another even more eerie sound came from the depths...

"What... is that thing? It seems even more terrifying than the last one." Lin Xuan turned his head to ask the other two.

Wang Zhenqiu clenched his fists, his eyes flashing with determination, "No matter what it is, we'll just face it together. As long as the three of us think as one, there is no obstacle we cannot overcome."

Lin Xuan, Wang Zhenqiu, and Xiao Qing slowly moved into the depths of the cave; they knew that even more sinister enemies might be waiting for them ahead. The surroundings were quiet, with an occasional echo, making one shiver involuntarily.

"This aura... is so cold." Xiao Qing frowned and said in a low voice.

Lin Xuan nodded, "It seems we need to be even more careful."

Wang Zhenqiu gripped his weapon tightly, his eyes showing determination, "No matter what monster it is, it must get out of our way!"

Not long after the three continued forward, a strong tremor suddenly struck, followed by a hissing sound coming from afar. The three looked at each other, and a bad premonition arose in their hearts.

Immediately after, a group of yellow figures began to emerge from the darkness, silent and soundless like ghosts. As the first creature revealed its full appearance—it was actually a strange Giant Yellow Octopus!

"What kind of bizarre life form is this!" Lin Xuan exclaimed.

These Giant Yellow Octopuses possessed massive bodies, their skin covered in glowing spots, which were particularly striking in the dim environment. Even more terrifying was that they seemed to possess very fast speed and powerful strength.