Chapter 28: Unique Killing Methods

Zax moved fast and stealthily through the meadows of the first Savage Cave and then the group of mountains where the entrance to the second Savage Cage was.

His Soul Sense inspected every millimeter of the surrounding, detecting many bird type savage beasts and couple of experts who preferred to cultivate their souls in the cavities of the tall mountains.

'Is this the second level Core Master big sister Hagen found?' Zax found a skinny man with lemon skin tone lurking not far from the peak where the entrance to the second Savage Cave man. The man did not give any indication of training and so Zax assumed that he is one of the five he searched for.

'And that should be the first level Core Master'. The two were not far from each other and their hiding spots, although not bad, also not good against those with superior surveying capabilities.

'The other second level Core Master ... he is hiding a bit farther from the other two. Is it because he is stronger?' The other Core Master was in the Intermediate phase of the second level, in comparison to the first one who was in the Beginner phase of the second level.

'And the remaining first level Core Masters are staying in the same spot... '

Zax did not think about it, but little did he know that the five escort members were not using formation for concealment or defense for three good reasons.

First, the Yellowtailed tribe lacked such formations, a high class formation that could make a difference against the sort of enemies they quietly ambushed and hoped that will not appear.

Second, erecting formation is the Savage Cave is very arduous. Unless one possess an attribute supported soul that is already powerful, maintaining a formation which requires constant upkeep would be impossible.

Third, the most important spot the five had to make sure no one will approach, the area with the strong gravitational force, where the entrance to the tunnel that leads to the second Savage Cave, is almost corrosive dead zone to most external mist usages. A strong cultivator might be able to unleash a long range mist attack at thirty to fifty percent of the original power, but erecting a formation? Unless it is A class formation or higher it will not hold for long.

Finding all five, Zax turned around and got back to the restless Mess and somewhat still calm, Hagen.

'You got all five?'

"Yes". Zax used a finger to draw on the ground a sketch of the four hiding spots of Ginlin's escort members in the mountains area. "Here two level one Core Master are staying. Both of them are the Beginner phase of the first level. In this spot the strongest second level Core Master is watching over the entrance to the second Savage Cave and the other four. He is also at the Intermediate phase of the second level. Here are the two you probably saw".

'Mm... ' Hagen mused for a second. 'Little brother Zax, I've been told that you managed to beat a second level Core Master in the past. What do you think your chances would be against the weaker second level Core Master?'

"Big sister Hagen, everyone among the five is on high alert and due to past encounters and the last several months, the household's enemies should have by now a description of me, however not an idea of my strength. To answer your question, if you'll manage to hold up the other second level Core Master, it would help me getting close enough to this one", Zax pointed on the spot in the sketch where the Beginner phase second level Core was. "And counter him along with the close by first level Core Master".

Zax believed that with his unique soul, the Beginner phase Core Master will not detect him in time to properly deflect a sudden attack and with the faintest touch he would be able to transmit a Soul Binding formation to the enemy, momentarily incapacitating him before landing the killing blow.

'Then this one your target. Finish him and then deal swiftly with the Core Master close to him'. Hagen did not argue with Zax or try to get a better understanding of his abilities. She trusted her Martial uncle, Kartius, for electing him, knowing perfectly well how important the mission is.

'Mes, can you handle the two first level Core Masters?'

"Yes, but if you want it to be done fast, I'll have to transform into my animalistic form. The problem is that by then it will also be troublesome to conceal my mist energy from the others". Mes answered honestly and seriously.

'If that is the case ... Little brother Zax, can you tell me how five looked when your Soul Sense detected them, that is, in what form they were?'

"Sure. All the five are in human forms. They also all have the same yellowish complexion".

'Fine then, Mes', Hagen shifted her hawk head back to him. 'It is fine for you to transform. By little brother's observation everyone Ginlin brought is truly from the same Yellowtailed tribe, which is known for its many members rather than their type as beasts. At most, and this is an exaggeration, the five can be Zhihui type beasts. And since they are in their human form, they probably want to conserve their strength for the unexpected, which we alternately can use for our favor if we indeed strike fast enough'.

"Got it". Receiving Hagen's permission, a deep, poisonous looked appeared in Mes's eyes. His predatory instinct was ready to home on the two first level Core Masters.

'Good, Hagen spread her two sliver wing arms and brought Zax and Mes closer to her. 'Engrave this in your heads! If Ginlin happens to return before we reassemble, the two of you must run away and pose as savages. Don't try to help each other, don't try to pose as cultivators and definitely don't think of escaping from the first Savage Cave! Understand?'

"Yes".

Zax and Mes replied unanimously.

'Then we are ready to move. Little brother Zax, remember, after I'll strike first you will have a short window to surprise your target. Little brother Mes, you are not to transform until you'll hear two explosions. One created by me and the other by little brother Zax. Lastly, don't let any of the five make a crazy maneuver for the second Savage Cave to warn Ginlin. Go!'

Hagen's aunty like voice resonated in the two's heads. It possessed the sound of someone you do not want to disappoint, regardless how long you knew or met her.

Allowing the two to set out before her, Hagen waited for the right distance and the right timing to move.

WHOOSH!

Zax was faster than Mex. After the distance between him Hagen got to seventeen hundred meters and about twelve hundred meters from his target, Hagen soared and transformed to her animalistic form.

Her body expended to a silver tail, silver wings hawk figure with a height of eight meters and wingspan of twice her size, a bit over sixteen meters.

Stiffening a compulsive hawk's war cry, Hagen stretched her wings and flew above the treetops in anticipation for the moment when Zax would be a second away from his target.

WHOOSH!

With a flap of wings, an azure aura explosively let loose from Hagen's body. A streak of azure light flickered and then subsided as two flattering shines, fiery red and icy blue, swirled around the accelerating hawk figure. Hagen's comprehension of the Radical Fiery Icy Provocation Qi refining technique was not far from its pinnacle.

A lone human figure with lemon like skin tone and short blond hair turned its head in shook. He was Hagen's target and the strongest of the escort members. "Who-"

Before the sound of his voice finished pronouncing the question, a shadow covered his head. One hawk's leg pierced his upper body with incomparably sharp talons. The other hack's leg pierced with its talons the lower body. A shiver ran through the body of the strongest escort member, yet as the first sign for yellow fur sprouted from his transforming body, the two hawk's legs pulled and severed the upper and lower body.

"Graah!!"

BOOM!

The strongest escort member uttered a miserable scream in his last living moments, before the hawk's leg holding his upper body squeezed, crushing his head.

...

"Elder brother?!"

Not far from the bloody scene of slaughter, a skinny man yelled in confusion and heart pumping. He was the other second level Core Master and Zax's target.

"Not good!" A foreboding feeling aroused in the skinny man's heart. Releasing his Soul Sense, beads of cold sweat formed across his slim back.

BOOM!

Seven meters from his target, the skinny man began to turn around. Zax was forced to utilize the Kinetic Force through his feet to close the distance with a burst of speed, before his target would have the change to retaliate.