Chapter 39: Joining Forces in Battle to Suppress the Fire Rat!

"Geng Xiao?!"

Fang Wensheng was stunned at first, his voice rising in surprise. Upon confirming it was indeed Geng Xiao, his heart was filled with a mix of astonishment and relief.

He quickly composed himself and called out urgently, "Brother Geng, please, save me!"

"Yuesu, go control the conversion unit. Xiao Ling, provide long-range fire support. Everyone else, hold your positions!"

Geng Xiao did not hesitate. The Fire-Bristled Demon Rat he had punched away was already rising to its feet, roaring at these uninvited guests. It had been moments away from finishing off the humans who were causing it so much trouble!

Humph!

Geng Xiao let out a low snort. Flames erupted from his fists, engulfing his arms as he leaped down from the heights like a human fireball.

Instead of charging directly into combat with the Fire-Bristled Demon Rat, he maintained a safe distance and shouted to Fang Wensheng, who was scrambling to his feet, "Old Fang, if you don't want to die, fight with me! I can't take this beast down alone!"

Fang Wensheng swallowed his final dose of healing medicine. "Fine! I'll be the primary attacker, you support, and Su Chi, provide cover from the side!"

The limping Su Chi nodded. Aside from Fang Wensheng, he was the only member of the Leichi Squad still capable of fighting; the other four were severely injured.

Geng Xiao glanced up to see Ling Xiao, already in a sniper position, signal him with a gesture.

At that moment, the Fire-Bristled Demon Rat made its move. Its target was neither Fang Wensheng nor Geng Xiao, but the gas conversion unit. If it could stay near the unit, it could draw a constant stream of energy to fuel its combat, making itself effectively invincible.

But this time, it failed.

Ling Xiao, positioned high above, had already locked onto the beast with his Owl-Eagle Crossbow Cannon. The moment the rat moved, the sound of a screeching owl echoed through the air, the sheer vibration causing the overhead structure to rattle.

Bang!

A projectile—or rather, a shell, given its caliber—landed right in the path of the Fire-Bristled Demon Rat. It was a predictive shot based on Ling Xiao’s observation of the beast’s speed, and the rat, having just begun its movement, essentially ran directly into the blast.

Crack, crack!

The flames surging over the creature’s body began to flicker and die as a thin layer of frost coated its skin.

An Ice-Condensation Shell!

The ground around the beast froze, but the creature merely shuddered, and the frost melted away instantly.

When Ling Xiao had introduced himself to Yu Le and the others, he mentioned that his Owl-Eagle Crossbow Cannon could injure a First-Bone Realm beast. That referred to its raw lethality. As a mechanic, his weapon was far more than a simple sniper rifle; it could utilize various types of ammunition, allowing him—a non-Heaven-Blessed individual—to unleash diverse attacks.

Naturally, the requirements were demanding: the mechanic had to withstand the immense recoil, possess the professional instincts of a sniper, and, most importantly, master marksmanship and battlefield judgment.

Ling Xiao lacked none of these.

Mechanical weapons might lack high growth potential, but at lower realms, they were sometimes even more powerful than the Life-Weapons of the Heaven-Blessed!

Using the Ice-Condensation Shell was a tactic designed to suppress the creature's fire-based power. While he succeeded in landing the hit, the gap in their strength was vast—this was a formidable Fifth-Bone Realm beast. Even with a critical hit, the rat was only restricted for a fleeting second.

In the next moment, the beast opened its mouth in fury, firing a beam of flame toward Ling Xiao’s sniper nest. But the spot was already empty.

Ling Xiao knew he couldn't gravely wound the beast; his goal was merely to restrict it. Once the shot landed, a sniper's priority was to relocate immediately. Within that single second, Ling Xiao had already vanished.

While the rat was still searching for him, Fang Wensheng, having completed his quick treatment, had caught up. He had no other thoughts now—only the singular focus of taking the beast down.

"Thunder Seal: Wrathful Strike!"

Crackling electricity surged!

The Fire-Bristled Demon Rat, still damp from the melted ice, was struck by Fang Wensheng’s technique. Its massive body exploded outward, sent tumbling across the floor.

"Incinerating Fist: Burst!"

As captains of their respective squads, their combat experience was immense. They gave the creature no time to breathe as Geng Xiao followed up with his own attack.

Before the power of the lightning could even dissipate, the beast was hammered by the familiar force of fire. It was a pathetic sight.

The creature let out a series of sharp, shrill squeaks.

*Squeak, squeak!*

At this moment, Su Chi, who was closest, made his move. His Life-Weapon was a pair of battle boots called the Cloud-Treading Shoes. It seemed that, as brothers, their Life-Weapons were polarized; Su Rui used the Gold-Breaking Knuckle Dusters for his fists, while Su Chi focused on his legs. However, since his right leg had been injured and the corresponding shoe destroyed, he now used his hands to support himself on the ground, his left leg stretched straight out.

"Gale Kick!"

Accompanied by the whistling wind, Su Chi’s left leg acted like a blade, slicing through the air and landing squarely on the belly of the beast, which was still reeling from the combined thunder and fire.

Bang!

Caught off guard, the Fire-Bristled Demon Rat was kicked flying, its massive body slamming into the wall!

The four of them had successfully suppressed the beast. Meanwhile, Han Yuesu had reached the gas conversion unit as Geng Xiao previously ordered.

Her task was to freeze the unit, stopping the flame conversion and cutting off the rat’s energy supply!

Ice energy radiated from her palms. The unit began to cool, and the scorching temperature in the area plummeted.

*Roar!*

The Fire-Bristled Demon Rat scrambled up from the floor, its eyes filled with hatred. Seeing Han Yuesu’s actions, it became even more enraged, letting out a roar that sounded nothing like a rodent.

Despite being beaten by the four of them, the beast had not suffered any lethal wounds. The physique of a Fifth-Bone beast was simply too resilient!

As the roar echoed, the flames covering its body surged once more. It didn't go for Han Yuesu, who was farthest away, but instead targeted the hobbled Su Chi.

"Su Chi, retreat!"

Fang Wensheng’s shout made Su Chi’s heart skip a beat. He tried to hop away on one leg, but he was too slow, and a wave of heat was already closing in behind him.

"Damn it!" Fang Wensheng cursed and charged toward the rat, aiming to interrupt its attack on Su Chi.

Just as Su Chi’s face turned pale with fright, a fiery red shadow flashed before him, followed by the sound of flames colliding and exploding behind him.

"Why are you just standing there? Run!"

It was Geng Xiao, saving Su Chi from what would have been a fatal or at least crippling blow.

"Thank you!" Su Chi didn't hesitate, pulling back to a safe distance with lingering fear.

Fang Wensheng and Geng Xiao closed in from left and right, sealing off the beast’s movement. At the same time, Ling Xiao, having repositioned, opened fire again. It was impossible to predict what type of ammunition he would use next.

In the central hub of the gas plant, the two squads joined forces, engaging the powerful Fifth-Bone beast in a fierce battle.

Meng Huai, whose severed arm had only recently been reattached, poked his head out to observe. With the four working in unison, the rat’s maneuvers and offensives were being suppressed.

He looked at the Wind-Rising Spear in his hand, feeling an urge to join the fray.

A hand tapped his shoulder. He turned around, puzzled, to see Yu Le, who was breathing somewhat heavily. "You and Su Rui, go and keep an eye on the members of the Leichi Squad."

"Hm?"

Meng Huai was startled, and the other two turned to look with surprise.

Yu Le whispered, "One must always be prepared for betrayal."

Meng Huai understood and nodded. "I'm on it!"