With three-quarters of their comrades instantly gone, the mercenaries were stunned, a wave of despair washing over them.
"Damn it, let me!"
The mercenary captain, refusing to believe it, snatched a rocket launcher. He took a final drag from his cigar, then aimed and fired… and fired again!
Two consecutive shots, aimed at Zhujiuyin's eyes, erupted in a shower of sparks and a mushroom cloud.
"Screech—"
The shells struck Zhujiuyin's eyes, and for the first time, a pained howl escaped it!
A look of excitement flickered across the captain's face. He'd guessed correctly; those scarlet eyes were the behemoth's weak point!
"Listen to me, everyone! Focus all fire on the monster's eyes!"
The captain roared, aiming for a desperate comeback. His men, following his command, unleashed their remaining firepower on the colossal creature's eyes.
*Bang bang bang—*
*Rumble—*
After the deafening barrage, the behemoth's eyes still glowed with a scarlet light. The concentrated fire, while causing it some discomfort, posed no fatal threat.
"Screech—"
With a shriek, it lunged, its serpentine head striking with lightning speed and snatching the captain.
To the horrified gaze of the mercenaries, the captain was flung high into the air, falling freely… before landing squarely in the behemoth's maw.
*Crunch!*
*Crunch!*
*Crunch!*
This time, the behemoth didn't swallow him whole. It chewed his body savagely several times before spitting him out…
As the mangled remains of their captain, now an unrecognizable mass, were spat onto the ground, the remaining mercenaries finally broke.
This monster was not only incredibly tough and ferocious, but it also held a grudge!
In an instant, the mercenaries could no longer hold their ground. Dropping their weapons, they scattered in a panicked, instinctual flight.
As fate would have it, the foul substance Zhujiuyin had just spat out landed directly on Zheng Aoqiu.
He jolted awake, immediately cursing, "Damn it, who's disturbing my sleep? Are you tired of living?"
Clearly, he hadn't grasped the situation. As he slowly regained his senses, he felt a sticky, foul sensation on his body. Looking down, he saw a dislodged eyeball staring at him!
Terrified, he screamed. Glancing up, he saw the towering behemoth…
A person cannot withstand a barrage of shock, especially not the horrifying terror of Zhujiuyin. Zheng Aoqiu fainted once more, never to awaken.
However, in the surrounding chaos, one man's death was insignificant. Even the son of the richest man in Jiaonan City was as cheap as grass!
He Xinyi stood there, her eyes vacant, her gaze unfocused. Having been born into privilege and living a life of comfort and wealth for over two decades, she had never imagined she would experience such horrors. She swore that if she ever had the chance to choose again, she would never set foot on Icefire Island. But now, with so many having died because of her, did she have the right to regret? Let alone the chance to choose again.
"Miss He, what are you waiting for? Run!"
As He Xinyi lost herself in thought, Master Lin's shout brought her back.
"Miss He, don't just stand there, run! Get to the shore, get on a boat, and you'll be safe. You must live!" Master Lin grabbed her shoulder and shouted.
He Xinyi, hearing this, felt a chill. "Then, Master Lin, what about you…"
"Don't worry about me!"
With that, Master Lin turned and left, not looking back.
"Miss He, don't hesitate, run! I'll buy you some time!"
"Master Lin, no!" He Xinyi cried out.
"I told you, I'll protect you with my life!"
Master Lin charged towards Zhujiuyin without hesitation.
"Beast, I will uphold justice today!" Master Lin roared.
"Slay demons and monsters, uphold righteousness!" These were the teachings his master had instilled in him since childhood. Had he truly lived up to them all these years? Perhaps not. The decadent and materialistic life had long corrupted his true nature. But in this final moment, he suddenly remembered his childhood promise to his master!
Master Lin bit his tongue, spitting out a stream of vital blood. He then formed a hand seal and unleashed a pale beam of light! The white light, like a fluffy dandelion, struck Zhujiuyin. It spread instantly, freezing the surrounding scales and flesh. Moments later, the frozen section, scales and all, tore away, taking flesh and blood with it.
"Screech—"
Zhujiuyin let out an unprecedented scream of agony. Those still alive felt a surge of renewed spirit. This was the first substantial damage the monster had sustained since its appearance.
He Xinyi's spirits suddenly lifted. "As expected of Master Lin! It seems this monster isn't invincible!"
"Go, Master Lin, kill this monster! I'll give you anything you want!" He Xinyi shouted.
Master Lin froze for a moment. He was sacrificing his life to buy her time, yet she wasn't running, but cheering him on. A bitter smile touched his lips. Perhaps this was fate. He had done his best!
Master Lin had indeed done his best. The cold energy he unleashed with his vital blood had only frozen a few meters of Zhujiuyin's flesh. The behemoth was thousands of meters long; even if Master Lin bled himself to death, he wouldn't freeze even a third of its body.
Master Lin had already accepted his death. Now, with so many cheering him on, his chest swelled with courage. He channeled more power, spitting another beam of white light towards Zhujiuyin.
However, Zhujiuyin had clearly been caught off guard last time. This time, it opened its massive maw and unleashed a stream of dark purple flames, instantly engulfing and neutralizing the white beam. The dark purple flames, undiminished after dissolving the light, struck Master Lin.
*Boom—*
After a burst of fire, Master Lin turned to dust.
He Xinyi stood frozen, her hope, which had just ignited, now utterly extinguished.