Chapter 14 Everything is all going According to Plan

The beasts emerged one by one from the shadows, their forms diverse yet equally menacing. In the dim light cast by luminous fungi, each creature seemed more dangerous than the last. Zhao Lingfeng's eyes widened as he saw their levels float above their heads.

First came the serpents, their jade-green scales gleaming like polished stone, bodies sinuous and graceful despite being as thick as a man's waist. Their movements were slithery ready to catch prey.

[LV9 Jade-Spine Serpent] x3

Behind them lumbered massive bears, each easily twice the size of their counterparts. Their claws seemed to be formed from living stone, leaving faint scratches in the ancient floor with each step. Rocky growths protruded from their shoulders, humming with earthen power.

[LV10 Stone Claw Bear] x4

From the shadows above dropped two leopards, their fur rippling in an unseen breeze seeming to catch and hold the air itself. Each movement left trailing wisps of spiritual wind, and their eyes glowed.

[LV10 Spirit Wind Leopard] x2

More concerning were the drakes. They were scaled creatures that walked a line between serpent and dragon. Lightning coursed beneath their scales in steady pulses, and their presence alone made Zhao Lingfeng's hair stand on end.

[LV11 Thunder Scale Drake] x4

But it was the last creature that truly commanded attention. An enormous python, its scales bearing patterns that resembled ancient markings, slithered forward with deliberate grace. Each movement spoke of power earned through countless years of cultivation.

[LV12 Black Earth Python]

"Fourteen," Zhao Lingfeng whispered, his grip tightening on his sword. The number felt heavy in his mouth.

Lin Tian's eyes narrowed as he assessed their opponents. His posture was relaxed, but Zhao Lingfeng had seen enough to recognize the coiled tension beneath that calm exterior. "Five mid-tier beasts among them," he murmured, "and the rest... they're not ordinary low-tier creatures. This secret realm may have had some influence for these low-tier beasts to act like this."

The chamber seemed to grow smaller as the beasts began to circle them, their movements displaying an unsettling degree of coordination. The air grew thick with competing spiritual pressures; earth, lightning, wind, and more auras, all mixing into a suffocating show of various power.

The first strike came without warning.

A Stone Claw Bear lunged forward, its hardened stone claws leaving trails of earthen energy through the air. Zhao Lingfeng barely managed to duck, feeling the raw power ruffle his hair as the massive paw swept overhead.

He rolled to regain his footing, only to find a Jade-Spine Serpent's fangs whistling past his ear. The creature's speed was not to be underestimated, its jade scales catching the fungi's light and casting patterns across the chamber walls.

"This makes no sense," Zhao Lingfeng called out, his enhanced reflexes from the Party Formation earning him precious moments to speak. "Why would so many different species band together? Even in the same territory, spirit beasts that mingle together typically—"

A Thunder Scale Drake's tail whipped toward him, crackling with barely contained lightning. Zhao Lingfeng was forced to dive between two pillars, the strike leaving scorched stone where he'd stood.

"—typically stick to their own kind!"

Lin Tian moved like flowing water, his sword describing perfect arcs that kept three beasts at bay simultaneously.

"Something's drawn them to us," he replied, deflecting a Spirit Wind Leopard's charge. The beast's wind-infused claws scraped against his blade with a sound like crying hawks. "Perhaps residual energy from our battle with the wolf?"

The [LV12 Black Earth Python] remained coiled on a higher ledge, its scales shimmering. Its eyes held an intelligence that made Zhao Lingfeng's skin crawl. Not the simple cunning of a predator, but something deeper, more contemplative. Like an elder evaluating promising disciples.

Another coordinated attack forced them back-to-back. The chamber echoed with growls, hisses, and the crackle of lightning as the five mid-tier beasts—four Thunder Scale Drakes and the Black Earth Python—began moving in synchronization with their lesser kin.

"Brother Tian," Zhao Lingfeng panted, his mind racing as he parried a serpent's strike, "I have a brilliant idea."

"Speak."

"Cover me for a moment," Zhao Lingfeng said, his eyes fixed on the Black Earth Python. The ancient beast's gaze hadn't left him since the battle began.

"Whatever you're planning—" Lin Tian had to pause to deflect a Spirit Wind Leopard's wind-blade attack, the spiritual energy dispersing harmlessly against his sword. "—Make it quick."

A Stone Claw Bear and two Jade-Spine Serpents launched a coordinated attack from different angles. Lin Tian's sword flashed three times in rapid succession, each strike precisely measured to intercept the incoming threats. But even as he defended them, a Thunder Scale Drake used the distraction to circle behind.

"Now would be good," Lin Tian said through gritted teeth, his blade leaving trails of silver light as he moved to counter the drake's approach.

Zhao Lingfeng took a deep breath and reached his arm into the air. The familiar sensation of accessing his inventory wrapped around his arm as he began to withdraw the wolf's massive carcass. He could only pray his instincts were right, or this would be a price he was unwilling to pay.

The chamber erupted into chaos.

All fourteen beasts surged forward at once, their combined spiritual pressure making the air itself feel thick and heavy. The Black Earth Python finally uncoiled from its perch, its massive form descending like a waterfall of midnight scales. The Thunder Scale Drakes' lightning intensified, creating a web of crackling energy that threatened to trap them.

And then...

The moment the wolf's carcass began to materialise, every beast in the chamber froze.

Silence.

The sudden silence was almost as deafening as the previous chaos.

The Stone Claw Bears were the first to break form. Their hard stone claws, moments ago poised to rend flesh, retracted as they dropped to all fours. One particularly large one started making sounds that could only be described as whines of excitement, its heavy stone body wriggling like an overgrown dog eager to please its master.

"What in the nine heavens..." Lin Tian muttered, his sword still raised and ready. His eyes darted between the beasts, searching for any sign of deception.

The Jade-Spine Serpents slithered forward, their heads bobbing in an almost hypnotic rhythm. Zhao Lingfeng fought the urge to step backward as they circled his feet, their jade scales brushing against his shoes in what appeared to be an affectionate manner.

Why are you looking at me like that? Zhao Lingfeng's inner voice was reaching unprecedented levels of panic. The protagonist is right there! See? The handsome one with the mysterious ring! Go bother him!

"Ahem," Zhao Lingfeng coughed, trying to project an air of authority he absolutely did not feel. "Yes... this is exactly according to plan."

A Spirit Wind Leopard approached, the wind patterns in its fur now forming shapes that looked suspiciously like wagging tails. It rubbed its head against Zhao Lingfeng's leg with enough force to nearly knock him over.

The Thunder Scale Drakes, despite their fearsome appearance, had arranged themselves in a semi-circle, their heads bowed in what appeared to be reverence. Each time Zhao Lingfeng moved, they adjusted their positions to maintain a ceremonial formation.

Stop that! Zhao Lingfeng wanted to shout as the Black Earth Python fixed him with what could only be described as an approving parental gaze. I'm just a menial outer court disciple who spends most of his time doing chores! I didn't sign up to be some sort of beast king! …Wait that sounds pretty good.

"Brother Zhao," Lin Tian said carefully, watching as a second Stone Claw Bear attempted to present a slightly mangled spirit herb as an offering to him. "Should I... lower my sword?"

"That might be wise," Zhao Lingfeng replied, his voice strained as he tried to maintain his dignified facade. "We wouldn't want to... um... offend our new friends?"

The Black Earth Python's scales rippled and it poked its long tongue out. Its actions looked suspiciously like amusement.

Don't you dare laugh at me, Zhao Lingfeng thought desperately as he stood rigid, surrounded by supposedly fearsome beasts now acting like spoiled pets. This isn't funny at all!

A third Stone Claw Bear flopped onto its back, paws waving in the air expectantly.

"They appear to be waiting for something, especially that one," Lin Tian observed, his tone caught between concern and what might have been suppressed laughter.

They can keep waiting, Zhao Lingfeng thought firmly. I absolutely refuse to give belly rubs to a bear that could crush me like tofu.

The bear's hopeful expression intensified.

The original plan Zhao Lingfeng had conceived was simple: reveal the wolf's massive carcass, let the beasts smell the lingering aura of a defeated predator, and watch them retreat in fear. He had calculated everything. The natural hierarchy of ceding to the strong, their instinctual aversion to the aura of a stronger foe, and the imposing presence of the wolf's remains.

If that did not work, he hoped that the beasts would turn against each other, in order to fight for the wolf's remains. It would be a loss, but it was much better than having Lin Tian use his hidden power or dying here.

What he hadn't anticipated, however, was the exact opposite reaction.

Instead of retreating, the beasts seemed to recognize the wolf's carcass as some sort of trophy or worse, an offering. Their hostile postures dissolved almost immediately, replaced with what could only be described as obedient eagerness.

Now, surrounded by adoring spirit beasts vying for his attention, Zhao Lingfeng began to suspect he'd accidentally stumbled into something far more complicated. Perhaps the wolf wasn't just any alpha predator but a figure of respect or dominance within the secret realm's ecosystem. Now, the prestige was transferred to Zhao Lingfeng.

Lin Tian, who had yet to lower his sword entirely, glanced at Zhao Lingfeng, his expression unreadable. "Brother Zhao," he began, keeping his tone neutral, "did you... know this would happen?"

"Of course," Zhao Lingfeng replied quickly, his voice strained. Recalling many games from the past, he took in a quiet breath, stood tall, and clasped his hands behind his back with his head held high. "As I said before… Everything is all going according to plan!"

Lin Tian arched a brow, somewhat unconvinced despite Zhao Lingfeng's sudden confident posturing, as if he were suddenly a person of royalty. "So what's next?"

"Hm?" Zhao Lingfeng hummed in a regal manner.

"What's the next part of the plan?"

"…"