The sky grew darker and darker. The churning, rolling black clouds also appeared increasingly thick, making breathing progressively more difficult.
The "Hyourinmaru" placed nearby flowed with an icy blue neon light. It wasn't too bright, yet enough to illuminate Xiao Wanqing's charming face, making it appear warm like jade, her autumn-wave eyes shifting, her soft body pressed tightly against Li Jiayu, a faint fragrance wafting over.
Li Jiayu's eyelids fluttered, and he suddenly opened his eyes, letting out a breath of turbid air:
"Did I sleep for a long time?"
"No, only about twenty minutes. You should sleep a little longer," Xiao Wanqing smiled faintly.
"No need! I've recovered quite well."
Li Jiayu had once snatched a certain spiritual meditation method from a Bone Demon, which could rapidly restore mental power and had five times the effect of normal sleep!
In other words, Li Jiayu had effectively slept for nearly two hours!
Coupled with Xiao Wanqing's Holy Light, both Li Jiayu's stamina and mental power had recovered by seventy to eighty percent, enough for the time being!
Moreover, they had to act quickly; otherwise, it would be troublesome once the sky completely darkened.
"Prepare to move out! The Red Beetles on the lower three floors have probably washed their necks clean waiting impatiently, right?"
Li Jiayu stood up from Xiao Wanqing, refreshed, his gaze sharp, once again bursting with astonishing battle intent and coldness. With a stretch of his large hand, he grasped the Hyourinmaru beside him, lightly flicking the cold blade with his finger, producing a clear "ding" like a dragon's cry.
"Let's go."
Li Jiayu took Xiao Wanqing's smooth, slender hand. Soft as if boneless, where their palms met, it felt like an electric current shot through.
In fact, Li Jiayu also knew that Xiao Wanqing's continuous release of Holy Light must have left her quite exhausted. But Li Jiayu couldn't help it; Xiao Wanqing was a Light Priestess, destined to be a figure on the battlefield in the future. She had to learn how to face various dangers. So Li Jiayu needed to start cultivating her combat qualities now. Even if it was a bit tiring, it didn't matter; she had Li Jiayu protecting her, so there shouldn't be any danger.
He opened the classroom door, only to see the other teammates waiting right outside. However, when they saw Li Jiayu holding Xiao Wanqing's hand, their expressions changed slightly, but they said nothing, simply pretending not to see. Only Ran Hongxia coughed softly, as if reminding Li Jiayu that a certain someone was already married and shouldn't be touched casually.
"Sorry, I caused a bit of a delay. Let's move out."
Li Jiayu led the team down to the third floor. The number of Red-Crested Beetles on this floor was slightly higher; judging by the sounds, there were probably five or six. Dealing with them would be very strenuous. The fear was alerting the nest and attracting them all at once.
However, Li Jiayu wasn't too worried because he had a newly acquired treasure!
Patting the "Sand Gourd" tied around his waist, Li Jiayu said:
"The highest form of strategy is to attack the enemy's plans. When the enemy is numerous and we are few, naturally we divide and conquer. So, first, we need to attract the attention of two insects, lure them over, then launch a thunderous attack, a blitzkrieg to take them down within five seconds. Only then can we calmly face the remaining four and slowly take them down!"
"Easier said than done... The problem is how to lure just two over. What if we lure three or four? Can you accurately control the number of monsters pulled?" Ran Hongxia asked.
"Naturally. I know the Red-Crested Beetles like the back of my hand... Plus, with this Sand Gourd of mine, it's definitely in the bag!"
Saying this, Li Jiayu guided his mental power out of his body, connecting with the Sand Gourd at his waist. The next moment, strands of yellow sand flew out. With a slight thought from Li Jiayu, the yellow sand scattered and swirled in the air, constantly combining and tumbling, almost as if alive.
"Eye of Sand!"
Li Jiayu uttered a low shout. The yellow sand actually condensed into a ball, then the center of the sand ball suddenly indented, finally revealing a pale white eyeball.
Everyone watched, startled. An eyeball actually grew on the turbid yellow sand as if it were flesh and blood?
This was too contrary to biological science...
"Hmm? Didn't expect it to actually succeed."
Li Jiayu felt a slight joy. He felt as if he had gained a third perspective, his field of vision greatly increased!
Heavens, this Sand Gourd truly has endless miraculous uses!
Just this Eye of Sand alone was incredibly sharp; Li Jiayu could practically switch careers to become a scout!
Now wasn't the time for career changes. Li Jiayu took out the corpse of the Golden Ladybug from his pocket and had the yellow sand wrap around it. It danced and twirled in the air, leaving everyone's sight and flying into a certain classroom.
The Golden Ladybug held a fatal attraction for Red-Crested Beetles. They dreamed of possessing such a companion insect. Even though this Golden Ladybug was dead, they were still incredibly excited, their attention completely captured. They scuttled on their six legs with terrifying speed, closely chasing the Golden Ladybug.
The Golden Ladybug tantalized the Red-Crested Beetle, deliberately flying high. No matter how fast the Red-Crested Beetle ran, it couldn't reach it, only able to follow closely as the Golden Ladybug entered another classroom. That classroom also contained a Red-Crested Beetle, which became extremely excited as well and joined the chase!
Leading them along, the Eye of Sand carried the Golden Ladybug to the corner of the staircase. The two Red-Crested Beetles naturally appeared quickly at the corner as well. However, Li Jiayu, Chu Xiang, and Ran Hongxia, who had long been lying in ambush, suddenly leaped out. With lightning speed, they blew up one Red-Crested Beetle. The other was simultaneously controlled by the Dark Octopus. Before it could struggle much, it was quickly silenced by Li Jiayu and the others!
In less than five seconds, two Red-Crested Beetles died just like that!
No need for head-on clashes like before, employing tactics like containment or control. Just use sneak attacks!
Sneak attacks truly were the most effort-saving tactic.
But all this was thanks to the Sand Gourd. Without this wonderful treasure, how could it be so easy?
The cries of their two companions dying naturally alerted the other four Red-Crested Beetles. Realizing the situation had changed, they immediately darted out from the classrooms where they were playing or resting, roaring as they charged towards the staircase corner. However, just as they emerged into the hallway, they saw a Golden Ladybug, which made them drool with desire, floating above their heads!
The four beetles froze, stopping in place!
"Screech screech—"
A slightly smarter Red-Crested Beetle issued a warning cry, reminding its companions to chase down the enemies first and avenge their fallen comrades. But before its cry finished, a small clump of yellow sand separated from the mass above its head, carrying a turbid yellow talisman and sticking it onto its forehead!
This Red-Crested Beetle paused, apparently mistaking the talisman for an ordinary leaf. But why would this "leaf" catch fire?
The next moment, with a loud "BOOM," crimson flames erupted. A fierce explosion detonated right on its forehead! Accompanied by thick black smoke, this Red-Crested Beetle's entire head was blown half off, revealing scorched black brain matter. Its body swayed, then crashed heavily to the ground, deader than dead!
The explosive power of the Detonation Talisman was considerable. The explosion also triggered a very fierce shockwave, blasting the Red-Crested Beetle next to the target away, sending it tumbling to the ground!
At this moment, Li Jiayu and the others launched another surprise attack, killing one Red-Crested Beetle that had fallen over and was struggling to right itself, flailing its six legs. The Dark Octopus controlled another, while the last one was handled by the Sand Gourd!
The Sand Gourd released its Eye of Sand state, transforming into a whip composed of yellow sand. Exceptionally nimble, it slithered out and bound the last Red-Crested Beetle's four legs!
Thus, the remaining two Red-Crested Beetles were helpless, only able to wait obediently for death!
With the Sand Gourd, the speed at which Li Jiayu and the others killed Red-Crested Beetles increased greatly. Combined with the Detonation Talismans, they could face four Red-Crested Beetles simultaneously. They quickly cleared the second floor, and even faced the ten Red-Crested Beetles on the first floor without fear!
"Boom!" "Boom!"
Two explosions from Detonation Talismans announced the complete liberation of the entire academic building. All invading insects were eliminated, not a single one left!