C30 – Earth Elemental Shield
“Everyone, take cover! The Screeching Hedgehog is on a suicide mission and it looks like it’s about to detonate its spines. Find some shelter, quick!” Qin Hongyu yelled, alerting the others urgently.
But it was too late. Before they could reach the safety of the nearest trees, a “swoosh” filled the air as hundreds of steel-like spines rained down on them like petals scattered by celestial maidens.
Instinctively, Qin Hongyu shielded Bo Miaojiao with his body, turning his back to the incoming barrage of sharp spines.
The sound of metal striking metal rang out, “Dang, dang, dang…” Yet, Qin Hongyu felt no pain.
“What’s happening?” he wondered aloud, easing his hold on Bo Miaojiao and turning to discover a thin, pale yellow shield before him.
“That was close!” Fu Tian breathed out, visibly relieved.
From a short distance away, Rip ambled over to Fu Tian, nudging his pant leg as if to claim credit for the save.
“Is this shield Rip’s battle spirit skill?” Qin Hongyu speculated.
With a smile, Fu Tian lifted the Tortoise Spirit affectionately and stroked Rip, who was nestled in his arms. He nodded, confirming, “Absolutely! Rip must have used his Earth Elemental Shield on his own initiative.”
“We owe Rip big time for this one. Make sure you treat him well from now on; he’s our lifesaver!” Qin Hongyu said with a chuckle, giving Rip a gentle pat on the head.
“Wouldn’t dream of doing otherwise. My battle spirit deserves the best!” Fu Tian declared, thumping his chest in assurance.
“Should I spill the beans to Rip about how you took down the Screeching Hedgehog?” Qin Hongyu teased with a mischievous grin.
Before he could say another word, Fu Tian clamped a hand over his mouth. “Please, not in front of my battle spirit baby. We don’t want to traumatize him!” he implored.
“Fine, fine… I’ll keep quiet,” Qin Hongyu agreed, grinning.
“Hey, what’s that floating above the Screeching Hedgehog?” Bo Miaojiao suddenly cried out.
Both men immediately turned their attention to the fallen creature. Hovering above the Screeching Hedgehog’s body was a shimmering silver-grey light, within which a card of the same color could just barely be seen, enshrouded in its glow.
Upon witnessing the scene, the trio quickly approached the Screeching Hedgehog and took a closer look at the curious spectacle.
“This must be a Spiritual Card,” Qin Hongyu stated with composure.
The card was enshrouded in a silver-grey glow, making it difficult to discern clearly, but having seen one before, Qin Hongyu was hardly taken aback.
“Exactly! It’s a Gray Iron Rank Spiritual Card. Who would have thought our first Demon Beast hunt would yield a Spiritual Card? We’re really quite fortunate!” Fu Tian exclaimed with a hint of excitement.
Bo Miaojiao reached out, plucked the Spiritual Card from the air, and scrutinized it intently.
Soon, the card’s glow faded, revealing its true form—a Demon Beast identical to the Screeching Hedgehog they had just encountered.
“Screeching Hedgehog—Spike,” Bo Miaojiao recited the details from the Spiritual Card.
“This card seems to be more beneficial for Little White House. My Tortoise Spirit isn’t inclined to attack, so it doesn’t offer much help. And the Fire Spirit, being a ranged battle spirit, doesn’t seem all that useful either,” Fu Tian pondered aloud with earnest consideration.