Chapter 146: Mutated Creatures
The first wave of corrupted creatures charged in a coordinated assault. The massive whale charged directly at Ao Shun, its multiple rows of teeth gleaming in the golden light, while smaller creatures charged right behind it.
Ao Shun met the charge head-on, his claws extending as he shifted partially into his dragon form. The impact when they collided sent shockwaves through the ancient stone beneath their feet, but the whale-creature’s enhanced intelligence showed immediately—instead of trying to overpower the Dragon King, it used its momentum to grapple him, wrapping those unnatural arms around his torso to prevent him from moving too much.
"Father!" Lin called out, but she had her own problems. The school-of-fish amalgamation had split into three separate writhing masses, each attacking from a different angle. She created barriers of crystalline ice, but the creatures’ enhanced teeth chewed through them faster than she could form new ones.
Grim found himself facing the multi-headed turtle, which moved with frightening speed despite its size. As it lunged toward him with snapping jaws, he drew his sword and channeled his mana.
"Celestial Mist: Ethereal Mist," he whispered, his body began seeping out mist on the battlefield. Grim moved quickly onto the turtle’s side to strike.
But there were too many of them. Even as Grim engaged the turtle, two more creatures—what appeared to be corrupted stingrays with barbed tails and far too many eyes—circled around to attack him from behind. These Stingrays were about the size of a small car.
Suanni roared, golden flames erupting around his mane as he faced off against the enhanced octopus. Each of its eight limbs ended in razor-sharp claws that moved independently, forcing him to dodge and weave while trying to get close enough for his fire to be effective. One of the claws ran down his back, drawing blood. An angry snarl came from Suanni in response.
"These things are too smart!" Bi’an called out, grappling with what looked like a corrupted shark that had somehow grown arms and legs. It fought with techniques that seemed almost martial in nature, using leverage and joint locks that no normal sea creature should know. "They’re using actual combat strategies!"
Xu Wu was struggling against a group of smaller but numerous creatures—corrupted fish that moved in perfect formation, striking in waves that kept him constantly on the defensive. His ice magic formed barriers and weapons, but the creatures changed tactics to each technique almost immediately.