As the Xuanshao Sect disciples fought desperately to delay the Yunxiao Sect team, a faint buzzing sound arose from afar, growing louder by the second. Soon, a black figure sped toward them. Wang Quan focused on the figure, recognizing the approaching cultivator clad in a black robe, skeletal in build, with ashen skin and piercing, cold eyes. Around him swarmed countless black mosquitoes, forming a dense wall of insects.
"A Blood Mosquito Beast Master!" Xiao Fei whispered, tension edging his voice. This figure was a Jindan-stage elder from Xuanshao Sect's poison division, renowned for wielding swarms of poison mosquitoes in deadly assaults. His blood mosquito beasts were among the most feared weapons in Xuanshao Sect's toxic arsenal.
Su Meng's eyes sharpened as he took a step forward, his body erupting in a wave of spiritual power. Muscles tensed and bulged, and his stance was as imposing as a mountain. Coldly, he challenged the Beast Master. "Blood Mosquito Master, you dare stand in Yunxiao Sect's way? You're seeking death!" With that, Su Meng launched himself forward, fists primed with thunderous energy, ready to strike.
The Beast Master sneered, flicking his fingers, and instantly, a dense swarm of black mosquitoes surged forward. Countless venomous mosquitoes filled the air, an ominous black cloud that buzzed like a dark thunderstorm. Their toxic hum was sharp and unnerving.
Unfazed, Su Meng punched through the swarm, spiritual energy emanating from his fists like a fiery wall, scattering the front line of mosquitoes. Yet, the creatures swarmed back immediately, attacking in relentless waves. Their venomous stingers struck Su Meng's spiritual shield, raising wisps of corrosive smoke as layer after layer of his protective aura eroded.
"Break!" Su Meng bellowed, his fists smashing forward like twin hammers, dispersing the mosquitoes once more. However, the Beast Master remained unaffected, manipulating his fingers in the air to guide the mosquitoes forward in wave after wave.
Meanwhile, Wang Quan and his teammates found themselves blocked by a swarm of larger blood mosquitoes. Each was the size of a human hand, its body a vivid red, and its beating wings emitted a suffocating toxic aura. Wang Quan's expression grew grim; he could sense that these creatures held a power near the Foundation Establishment level, clearly formidable enemies.
"Stay alert! Don't let these blood mosquitoes bite you!" Xiao Fei called out as he unsheathed his spirit sword, sending waves of sword energy slicing into the mosquito swarm.
Wang Quan focused, channeling his Five Elements Technique. His sword shone with a blue-green flame, infused with fire spirit energy. With a swift motion, he released a flaming sword slash, cutting through several blood mosquitoes, which crumbled into ash.
The blood mosquitoes buzzed furiously, grouping together to form a crimson wave that swarmed toward Wang Quan. As he summoned more energy, his sword flared with even greater intensity. With each swing, flames interwove with sword energy, felling the advancing mosquitoes. However, the unceasing onslaught was quickly draining his spiritual energy.
Nearby, Xiao Yan clasped his hands together, and with a cry, summoned a wall of fire that swept through the blood mosquitoes, reducing them to ashes under the fierce blaze.
"A fiery purge!" Xiao Yan laughed grimly, his gaze sharp. Despite the fiery barrier, an even larger wave of mosquitoes surged toward them, infused with toxic energy. The surrounding temperature plummeted as the blood mosquitoes closed in again.
"Damn! Their venom is too potent; if this goes on, we'll be overwhelmed!" Xiao Fei shouted, slashing desperately to keep the blood mosquitoes at bay. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he fought to hold his ground.
Wang Quan tightened his grip on his sword, summoning every ounce of his power as his spiritual energy flared to its limit. His shield glowed with shifting colors, and the flames on his sword grew brighter as he merged fire spirit energy with his five-element technique. Swinging his sword, he unleashed a fiery spiral, sweeping the mosquitoes from his path.
"Wang Junior Brother, your technique is impressive! Combining the five elements with your swordplay like that is truly remarkable," Xiao Fei remarked, surprised.
While fending off the mosquitoes, Wang Quan replied between breaths, "These mosquitoes seem endless! We need to eliminate the Beast Master quickly if we're to have any hope."
As the squad members began to tire, Su Meng's battle with the Beast Master intensified. The Beast Master commanded swarms of mosquitoes, battering Su Meng's defenses without end. Summoning his strength, Su Meng jumped and punched, sending waves of energy through the swarm. Mosquitoes were blasted away only to regroup, attacking like a relentless tide.
"Poison insects won't stop me!" Su Meng roared, channeling all his energy into his fists. His punch created a powerful wind blade that cleaved through the swarm. But the Beast Master's eyes narrowed as he muttered an incantation, regrouping the mosquitoes in a vortex around Su Meng, closing in from all sides.
Seeing himself surrounded by layer upon layer of mosquitoes, Su Meng's brow furrowed. He lashed out, breaking through the swarm only to find more mosquitoes swarming in. Their poison pressed in on him from every side, blocking his movements.
On the other side of the battlefield, Wang Quan spotted an opening in the blood mosquito swarm. With a surge of elemental power, blue flames engulfed his sword as he swept through the last wave, incinerating the blood mosquitoes in his path.
"We broke through!" Xiao Fei called out, relief evident on his face. Gasping for breath, Xiao Yan looked at Wang Quan with newfound respect. "Wang Junior Brother, that five-element technique is extraordinary! I didn't expect it would be enough to drive off the Foundation Establishment blood mosquitoes."
While Wang Quan caught his breath, he kept his eyes fixed on the ongoing battle. Su Meng was still engaged with the Beast Master, who seemed to have an endless supply of blood mosquitoes to entrap him. Realizing the gravity of the situation, Wang Quan knew they had to intervene quickly. If Su Meng fell, their entire squad would be in mortal danger.