Chapter 6: Setting Traps (Part 2)

Guo Shier smiled and said, “Of course. A level-10 Giant Perch Dragon is indeed hard to attract a Guxi Bi. But don’t forget—my Giant Perch Dragon isn’t a wild Spirit Beast; it’s equipped with a Beast Talisman. With the nourishment from the talisman, its spirit becomes extremely delicious. For a wild Spirit Beast like the Guxi Bi, its appeal is immense.”
Luo Zhan expressed concern, “The Guxi Bi is extremely powerful. It won’t hurt the Giant Perch Dragon, will it?”
Guo Shier replied, “It’s fine. I can recall the Giant Perch Dragon at any time.” He was also a bit puzzled, but according to the trap set by Old Shuai, the Giant Perch Dragon was a crucial element.
If he had to exchange the Giant Perch Dragon for a Guxi Bi—even though the Guxi Bi had reached the terrifying level 17—he wouldn’t do it. The Giant Perch Dragon had accompanied him throughout his growth, helping him overcome many difficulties. How could he bear to exchange it? He even hesitated to send it on overly dangerous missions.
He had come to regard the Giant Perch Dragon as his companion. Whether it was the Giant Perch Dragon, the Ancient Flame Sparrow, or the Dark-Winged Demon Scorpion, Guo Shier wouldn’t let them risk their lives. Having nurtured them in his soul for so long, he had developed deep affection for these Spirit Beasts and Spirit Insects.
According to Old Shuai’s plan, the Giant Perch Dragon would face some danger, but Guo Shier could endure that risk. As long as he remained focused, the Giant Perch Dragon wouldn’t die.
Old Shuai said, “That’s about it, kid. Release your Giant Perch Dragon.”
Guo Shier did as instructed and released the Giant Perch Dragon.
Old Shuai continued, “Release the Soul Beads you’ve collected, then crush them… Oh, you guys, leave this place quickly and find a safe place to hide.”
Zhang Yaojin turned and left, saying, “Let’s go! Don’t disturb Shier.”
Eagle Demon hesitated for a moment before saying, “Shier, I’ll accompany you…”
Old Shuai snapped impatiently, “He doesn’t need your company. Go, hurry up!”
Guo Shier replied, “Uncle Eagle Demon, with Old Shuai watching over us, you don’t need to worry.”
Eagle Demon gave a bitter smile and said, “Alright, take care. Don’t fight recklessly.” Then he turned and flew away with Zhang Yaojin and the others.
A large number of Soul Beads appeared in Guo Shier’s hands—those he had collected over time. Aside from using them for feeding, he still had several hundred left. He crushed one after another. Old Shuai chanted a series of spells, which were cast into the shattered spirits. In an instant, those spirits dispersed.

The giant dragon opened its massive mouth, streams of saliva flowing out from between its huge teeth and cascading down. Before they could hit the ground, they turned into mist and were sucked back in by the dragon. The dragon let out a greedy howl but dared not steal the food, knowing that Guo Shier had strictly ordered it not to. So, despite its hunger, it could only watch helplessly.

Hundreds of Soul Beads shattered, releasing a strong scent of essence. With the power of Shuai Lao Tou’s virtual talismans, it gradually drifted toward where Gu Xi Bi was. This scent was a deadly temptation to any Essence Beast.

Guo Shier crushed two or three hundred Soul Beads. Shuai Lao Tou said, “That’s enough. No need to continue. Just stand on Gu Mo Lian and sit down. Leave the rest to me… Hm? What’s that?” He turned to look and was stunned, saying, “Damn it… How come there are Essence Beasts coming over?”

Guo Shier glanced back and saw two giant Essence Beasts rushing toward them. After a quick identification, he said, “Iron-Clad Wild Cows, One-Horned Black Rhinoceroses… They’re around level 15 or 16. They’re almost here!”

Shuai Lao Tou suddenly smiled and said, “Kid, you’re really lucky. Quickly retrieve the giant dragon. Hehe, these ready-made trap baits are much more effective than your dragon!”

Guo Shier already didn’t want to use the giant dragon as bait, so he immediately retracted it upon hearing this.

Shuai Lao Tou laughed and said, “This is getting interesting. Two high-level Essence Beasts have arrived. Hehe, things might go smoothly this time. The chances of catching Gu Xi Bi are even greater. Kid, sit tight!” He cast one hundred thousand virtual talismans in quick succession. Only then did Guo Shier realize how huge the gap between him and Shuai Lao Tou was—one hundred thousand talismans cast in less than two seconds.

With a slight tremor, the entire formation came alive. Guo Shier noticed waves spreading outward from the inside.

Those hiding in the distance, like the Eagle Demons, watched as Guo Shier and Gu Mo Lian disappeared after a series of waves. Strangely, the entire landscape remained unchanged, still looking exactly as before.

Shuai Lao Tou said cheerfully, “Alright, we can activate Gu Mo Lian now.”

Guo Shier smiled slightly. This had to be controlled by him. In an instant, Gu Mo Lian began to grow larger. With a loud roar, it rose above a hundred meters and hovered above the formation. He asked, “It shouldn’t be visible from outside, right?”

The handsome old man said, “If they could see us, wouldn’t all my efforts be in vain? Don’t worry; it’s impossible to see us from outside. This formation is extremely powerful.” He began to accelerate the dispersion of his spirit essence, sending some of it toward the two fighting spirit beasts. “There aren’t enough Spirit Essence Beads—release more!”
Guo Shier continued to crush Spirit Essence Beads without pause. He asked, “How many more are needed? I don’t have many left.”
The handsome old man replied, “Just lure those two spirit beasts over here.”
Hanbing Baiyan and the others kept following the two fighting spirit beasts. Suddenly, the two stopped fighting and looked into the distance. Tian Baiyan wondered, “Why have they stopped fighting?”
Before his words faded, the two spirit beasts suddenly surged forward, racing frantically toward the distance. Hanbing Baiyan shouted, “Let’s follow!”
The large formation set up by the handsome old man extended far beyond the range of the symbol pillars, covering an area at least ten times larger. The power of the formation also grew stronger as it spread.
Thus, when the Iron-Armored Bull and the One-Horned Black Rhinoceros rushed in, they didn’t sense anything unusual. They only felt an endless temptation ahead, as if some particularly delicious food was waiting for them. At their speed, they could have reached Gu Mu Lian’s location in just a few seconds, but after entering the formation and racing nonstop, they still couldn’t reach that tempting place.
Hanbing Baiyan and the others also entered the formation.
Guo Shier could see everything clearly from Gu Mu Lian’s position, as he was at the center of the formation and the controller of the entire array. He was surprised to find that the two enormous spirit beasts began shrinking rapidly just a few steps after entering the formation, appearing no longer than a few meters long. They kept circling Gu Mu Lian, and even more amusingly, several professionals were following behind them.
Upon closer inspection, Guo Shier couldn’t help but laugh. He recognized Hanbing Baiyan and said, “Interesting. They actually chased us here.”
The handsome old man let out a strange laugh. Guo Shier couldn’t help but say, “Old man, why are you laughing? It sounds so ugly!”
This title of “old man” annoyed the handsome old man, who retorted, “You brat! I’m an old man, not an old man!”
Guo Shier laughed and said, “Right, still the handsome old man!”
Only then was the handsome old man satisfied. He snorted and stopped scolding. In fact, Guo Shier already understood that although this old man talked nonsense and liked to curse, he was actually quite kind to him. So hearing him curse didn’t upset him at all; he just chatted with him cheerfully.
Guo Shier asked, “What should we do next?”
The handsome old man perked up and said, “Let’s see what I can do!”

Eagle Demon and the others were in the distance, watching as the two Spirit Beasts rushed into the talisman array before disappearing without a trace. Then they saw Hanbing Baiyan and the others sneak in as well and vanish just as suddenly.
Xian Rudi said in surprise, “What an amazing talisman array!”
Zhou Xiaoling asked, “They’ve all disappeared… Where did they go?”
Xian Rudi replied, “It’s hidden by the talisman array. Truly impressive… To be able to set up such a powerful talisman array in such a short time, that old man is really something.”
Zhang Yaojin said coldly, “They’re coming out!”
The two Spirit Beasts suddenly reappeared. Strangely, they kept circling, seemingly moving around Gu Mo Lian’s position.
Luo Zhan asked puzzledly, “What are they doing?”
No one answered him; everyone was looking into the distance. Luo Zhan exclaimed in delight, “Hey, that big guy is coming out!”
Gu Xi Bi dragged its massive body forward bit by bit, not moving very fast. Everyone felt a strange sensation. Eagle Demon couldn’t help but say, “I have a feeling… Gu Xi Bi acts like a thief.”
Xian Rudi burst into laughter and said, “Aren’t you? It looks exactly like a thief!”
On Gu Mo Lian, the old man waved his hands happily and said, “Haha, it’s here! It’s finally here! I can’t believe it can resist. This scent is a deadly weapon! Any Spirit Beast will be unable to resist it!”
Guo Shier tilted his head and looked at Gu Xi Bi. He could also see how cautious it was. Gu Xi Bi moved very slowly, and its huge body made no sound at all, as if sliding on ice. Its sneaky behavior was frustrating, but he knew it was extremely powerful.
“Strange. With Gu Xi Bi’s strength, it doesn’t need to be so cautious.”
The old man said, “Remember last time when we saw Gu Xi Bi attack? It wasn’t afraid at all and was quite arrogant, right? Hehe, that’s because it was confident it could defeat its opponent. In any situation where things are unclear, Gu Xi Bi will be very cautious. But once it thinks it has the ability, just watch what it does… This thing is extremely cunning.”
Guo Shier sat on Gu Mo Lian, feeling calm. He had full confidence in the old man.
The old man said, “As long as Gu Xi Bi steps into the talisman array, it will be in my hands.”
Guo Shier suddenly said, “What a cunning guy!”
Gu Xi Bi stopped at the edge of the talisman array, with several of its tentacles exploring the perimeter, seemingly hesitant.

The handsome old man said, “Kid, crush more Soul Beads! I don’t believe it can hold back!”
Guo Shier smiled bitterly. “There are only a few dozen Soul Beads left. I’m not sure if we can lure it over.” With that, he kept crushing the Soul Beads one after another.
The handsome old man conjured several phantom talismans, releasing pure beast souls into the air.
A few tentacles shot into the air and waved around. Gu Xi Bi couldn’t help but crawl forward a few more steps. Just then, an armored bull rushed past from not far away. Gu Xi Bi suddenly thrust out a tentacle and stabbed straight at it. But this time, it didn’t work as expected—the tentacle pierced through the air, and Gu Xi Bi instantly became furious.