Su Bai and the others continued walking through the tunnel, which was getting darker the deeper they went. However, this was not so much an issue since everyone in the Hunting Team was carrying torches.
The tunnel was very quiet, with only their footsteps and the sound of dripping water.
They walked in the tunnel for a full ten minutes. After gradually moving away from the entrance, only torch light remained.
At first, when they were not far from the entrance, sunlight still shone in, But now, there was only torch light.
The remaining torch light was not bright, but it was enough to see the path ahead.
Going deeper into the tunnel, they found it increasingly maze-like, with many intersecting paths and forks. Sometimes, turning a corner would reveal two or three more paths. However, the Hunting Team only took one specific path each time.
This tunnel was like a true maze, with many possible routes, but only one path led to their actual destination.
The boy, afraid of getting lost, stayed close to the group and dared not wander off.
If it was in the past, he would have explored the cave looking for interesting things.
The other Warrior Trainees were the same, sticking close to Cheng Shi, not even daring to whisper to each other, just walking quietly.
*Thump thump thump…* Twenty minutes later, after walking a long distance, they came to a corner with two split paths.
“We’re almost there. We’ll take the left path to reach our other Hunting Ground.” Cang Shi said.
But as luck would have it, both paths were blocked by creatures. As the torch light drew closer, they could see the blocking creatures looked something similar to cockroaches.
But they were not quite cockroaches. They also resembled mantises. Overall, they looked like a combination of the two. What was unsettling was that these creatures had no eyes, probably because they had lived so long without sunlight in the tunnel that their eyes had completely degenerated.
Cang Shi immediately held everyone back, warning. “Everyone be careful, these are Eyeless Insects, they’re very lethal.”
“Team Leader, they have no eyes, so they shouldn’t be able to see us, right?” Cheng Shi asked.
“They can’t see us and they can only sense sounds, but you still need to be very careful. If their claws catch you, you’ll be instantly cut apart.” Cang Shi gravely said.
Su Bai frowned, examining the creatures ahead. To him, these Eyeless Insects were just a disgusting combination of cockroach and mantis. He turned his eyes and ordered. “Everyone bring the torches closer to them. Having lived in the tunnel so long without sunlight, they must fear fire.”
This was his analysis: first, insects fear fire; second, living in this tunnel, they must fear heat.
“Yes!” The Totem Warriors nodded, all bringing their torches closer to the Eyeless Insects.
*Rustle rustle…* The Eyeless Insects, feeling the heat of the flames, began backing away, making unpleasant rustling sounds.
“Everyone be very careful. Though they can’t see, I suspect their hearing is very sensitive.” Su Bai cautioned.
Just as he finished speaking, an Eyeless Insect leaped into the air, raising its sharp claws to slash at Su Bai.
It all happened in an instant. Even before Su Bai could fight back, in a flash, Ye Jiu wielded her long Crocodile Blade and perfectly blocked the Eyeless Insect’s two claws, instantly throwing it back.
She swung down again, and the insect that had just lunged was torn to pieces. Afterwards, the wolf eared girl stayed protectively beside Su Bai.
“Thank you.” Su Bai nodded.
Ye Jiu’s face reddened instantly. She dared not look at him right now, only keeping her sharp gaze on the Eyeless Insects.
Cang Shi breathed a sigh of relief. He had been too far from Su Bai, and though he had reacted, he would not have reached in time.
Fortunately, Ye Jiu was very quick. If something had happened to the Shaman, he would have much to answer for.
Following the first Eyeless Insect’s attack, the others became restless. Instantly, four more leaped into the air but Cang Shi would not let them act as they pleased.
He activated his Totem Mark and slashed down two with his Crocodile Blade.
Sha Hong did the same, swinging her Crocodile Blade to deal with the other two airborne insects.
*Rustle rustle…* As there were many Eyeless Insects blocking both paths, more and more began leaping up.
From their perspective, it had been long since they had a feast. Now, with so many people appearing, they could not possibly let this chance pass.
Yan Hua, Sha Hong, and the five Warrior Trainees were not idle either, all drawing their longbows and taking aim at the leaping insects.
*Whoosh whoosh whoosh…*
Though the tunnel was dimly lit, the Eyeless Insects’ large size made them easy targets when they leaped.
Ye Jiu and Shu Feng kept Su Bai protected behind them, maintaining a defensive formation.
The remaining Totem Warriors began a killing spree, slaughtering all the Eyeless Insects blocking the paths.
With help from arrows and the sharp Crocodile Blades, cutting down the Eyeless Insects was like slicing through mud. Almost every swing of their blades took down an insect, while the Warrior Trainees’ arrows hit with perfect accuracy.
In just minutes, all the insects blocking the paths were killed. However, they did fill the tunnel with a strong smell of blood.
It was a stench unlike normal blood. Closer to rotting vegetables, making them feel the urge to vomit.
“Let’s quickly leave. The smell here is too awful.” Cang Shi led the way, protecting Su Bai.
As they went deeper, light eventually sipped in, lightning up the place, becoming more dazzling.
The Hunting Team extinguished their torches, knowing they were almost there.
Su Bai kept looking back at the Eyeless Insects, the scene still fresh in his mind.
He could not help but admire the wolf eared girl’s fast reaction speed. Though he had already prepared Blessing Shaman Technique and Divination Shaman Technique, and he could have struck down the lunging insect or quickly dodged at the time, he was still very impressed with her.
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