This was a monster that stood a full eight meters tall. Its entire body was covered in earth-colored chitinous armor. Its mouthparts were grotesque and terrifying, packed densely with razor-sharp teeth—and on either side of its jaws, two massive fangs gleamed with a chilling light.
It was none other than the A-class disaster: Deathland Rampage Insect!
"So it really is this bug… but it looks…"
Mr. Dai frowned slightly as he stared at it.
He once heard a saying: any insect, if enlarged a hundred times, would become a natural-born monster.
And this—was no ordinary insect. It was a true creature from the insect realm.
Its aura was violent and terrifying. From the Deathland Rampage Insect, one could only feel a savage, beast-like brutality.
Its massive size alone created overwhelming pressure—but what puzzled Mr. Dai was that the rear half of its body bore a bloody wound.
Yes.
The Deathland Rampage Insect was injured!
"They're actually this capable?"
Chen Jun was also shocked, looking toward Li Qiancheng and the others gathered cautiously in front of the monster.
At this moment, they were all in miserable condition—many already wounded.
"They won't be able to deal with this creature. It's far too difficult."
Mammon's crimson eyes swept across the group, briefly pausing on Li Shiqian beside Li Qiancheng.
He wasn't mocking.
He was simply stating a fact.
"ROAR!"
Perhaps due to its injuries, the Deathland Rampage Insect became even more ferocious. It raised its grotesque head and let out a violent roar.
Then, its two massive forelimbs slammed heavily into the ground, pouring dense magical power into the earth.
The Deathland Rampage Insect originated from a place in the insect realm known as the Abyss of Death. Even among insect-kind, its species was infamous.
What made them feared was their savage nature, resilient bodies, and powerful earth-element magic!
As its magic surged underground, the ground began to tremble violently. Rocks and trees started collapsing one after another.
"Scatter!"
Li Qiancheng and the others' expressions changed drastically, immediately dispersing.
The instant they left their positions, the ground beneath that area rippled like water—turning into a swamp!
"ROAR!"
Another roar followed.
The land in front of Li Qiancheng twisted violently. A wall of mud rose from the ground, blocking his path.
At the same time, several earthen spears tore through the air and shot straight toward him!
"Damn it!"
Li Qiancheng's expression darkened. He raised his right hand—the temperature of the air surged rapidly, and a flame ignited in his palm.
With a swing of his arm, the flame expanded instantly into a blazing fire serpent, colliding with the incoming spears.
The fire serpent coiled around the earthen spears mid-air, then exploded—neutralizing the attack.
"Not bad… I've long heard that the City Lord of Yang City is an extremely powerful fire-type user. Looks like it's true."
Watching from the hillside, Chen Jun clicked his tongue in admiration.
To unleash such a strong flame attack in such a short time—it proved Li Qiancheng's reputation wasn't undeserved.
"Such a powerful ability user… I wonder how he tastes."
A trace of hunger appeared on Chen Jun's face. The flesh and blood of someone like Li Qiancheng—he truly wanted to try it.
"You'll get your chance eventually. But for now… it seems they're completely outmatched."
Mr. Dai smiled faintly, though doubt flickered in his eyes.
From what he could see, Li Qiancheng's group was entirely on the defensive. They didn't even have a chance to counterattack.
So how did they manage to wound the insect?
"They're not going all out. It seems they're wary of something… or rather, they're holding back."
Ming Nü's gem-like eyes focused on a certain spot outside the battlefield.
Her Blood Demon Art belonged to the spatial category—her perception was extremely sharp.
She could sense it.
Something cold, sinister… was hiding.
A white-robed ability user barely dodged the earthen spikes erupting from the ground—but suddenly, a sharp spike shot up from behind him.
Rip—
He gasped sharply.
The spike pierced straight through his shoulder. Blood poured down endlessly.
"Damn it! City Lord—Tianqi is injured!"
A blade-wielding ability user rushed over, cutting the spike apart and shouting.
Tianqi was their healer.
If he died… they would truly be finished.
"City Lord Li, we should retreat. We need to reconsider. Staying here will only increase casualties."
Li Shiqian's eyes glowed with a deep golden light. With a punch infused with that power, he shattered the mud wall ahead and retreated beside Li Qiancheng.
"This beast's magical power is too overwhelming. If we can't fight freely, dragging this out is meaningless."
"And there's another monster hiding in the shadows. That crawler definitely hasn't left."
His tone grew heavier.
The situation was becoming increasingly dire.
If they stayed—
they might all die here.
Because aside from the Deathland Rampage Insect…
there was another A-class monster present.
And that… was never part of the original intel.
Li Qiancheng's deep eyes flickered as he struggled with the decision.
But at that moment—
A massive shadow suddenly shot out from the forest beside them.
A horrifying, blood-stinking wind swept in.
"AAAAAH—!"
One of the ability users was instantly bitten by the shadow.
Amid a scream filled with despair that chilled the bones—
he was swallowed whole in a single bite.
Li Qiancheng and the others' expressions changed drastically.