Chapter 25: The Plan Has Gone Awry

Watching as Wei Ban’s Treading Crossbow Machine unleashed its full might, Wang Liang, concealed behind, felt a wave of relief, not to mention the men in white robes standing at the front lines.

But their relief came too soon. Just as it seemed Wei Ban’s contraption would win the day, a massive head emerged from behind the monstrous beast. Wang Liang had seen such a blocky head before—among the beasts stampeding earlier, there were those with odd, square-shaped skulls, huge hind legs, but forelimbs so small they seemed almost useless. Whether this was their natural form or the result of some deformity, he could not say.

Yet the creature before them was far larger than those he’d seen before. Its gaping maw revealed row upon row of dagger-like fangs. With jaws wide open, the colossal beast lunged at the Treading Crossbow Machine. Wei Ban reacted swiftly, abandoning the beast he was grappling with. From his back sprang rocket-like devices, propelling him into the air.

At that moment, the Crying Maiden charged in atop her warhorse. Her rouge-colored steed was as swift as a streak of red lightning, bringing her right to the monster’s side. Wang Liang watched as she swung her halberd, cutting a wound across the long-necked beast’s throat.

To his astonishment, however, no blood spurted from the wound. Instead, the creature rammed its head toward the Crying Maiden. Seeing the danger, the Ghost-Headed Lady hurled her twin silks, intercepting the oncoming blow.

Meanwhile, the airborne Treading Crossbow Machine came plummeting down, crashing squarely onto the block-headed monster’s skull. This creature, well aware of its useless forelimbs, relied solely on its jaws for attack. Struck by the machine, it braced itself on its powerful hind legs, twisted its short neck, and snapped at the contraption.

The machine was in retreat, but with a single bite, the beast tore off its arm. The entire camp was stunned. Until now, their encampment had held firm—thanks in no small part to Wei Ban’s contraption, aside from Niu Xuanguang and his team drawing most enemies away. The three-meter-tall machine had borne the brunt of the onslaught, granting those within the camp a measure of security.

Now, that hard-won confidence crumbled. The white-robed archers all took a step back; it was clear they no longer wished to fight. If the enemy pressed further, they might abandon everything and flee.

Fortunately, Niu Xuanguang returned at that moment. Following close behind the Crying Maiden, he delivered a finishing blow, severing the long-necked beast’s head. With it gone, the block-headed monster found itself surrounded by Niu Xuanguang and his four companions.

For all its size, the beast was manageable—so long as one avoided its jaws, there was little to fear. Niu Xuanguang, well-practiced in such matters, coordinated with his team to drag the creature outside the camp. Wei Ban even found time to disengage from his machine and begin repairs on its lost limb, all while secretly sending a private message to Niu Xuanguang.

“This one should be the boss. Let’s stall until the Paladins arrive.”

“Agreed. We got lucky this time—the first wave was Wind God Wyverns, the second a dinosaur stampede, and now, though the Brachiosaurus and Boss Tyrannosaurus aren’t too formidable, our allies will trust us more for the losses. Once the Paladins return, we’ll disengage and let them have the T-Rex.”

“We must act convincingly. Don’t let them see we’re withdrawing on purpose.”

“Understood. Leave it to me…”

As they conferred, their movements quickened, yet the Tyrannosaurus felt its burden ease. None could have guessed they were merely biding time for the Paladins’ return.

But the longer Niu Xuanguang fought, the more uneasy he became. He had already lured away a portion of the dinosaurs—so why hadn’t the Paladins returned?

Just then, a roar echoed from afar. Niu Xuanguang looked toward the sound and saw a dinosaur even larger than their current adversary pursuing the Paladins. This beast towered over the T-Rex, its jaws longer, and a sail-like ridge ran along its back.

“Damn it, a Spinosaurus. That’s impossible…”

Though Niu Xuanguang could scarcely believe it, the Spinosaurus was all too real—bearing down on the retreating Paladins. Their leader held the rear, but the Spinosaurus, cunning as it was, avoided him, weaving unpredictably to harass the withdrawing knights.

The Paladins’ heavy armor might as well have been eggshells against the Spinosaurus; though formidable in appearance, a single squeeze could shatter them. This Spinosaurus boasted powerful forelimbs, and as it charged, it would lash out, catching any Paladin who was too slow to escape—and crush them as easily as one breaks an egg.

Witnessing this, a flash of panic crossed Niu Xuanguang’s eyes. The situation was slipping beyond his control.

“Hold the Spinosaurus back!” he shouted. “We can’t let it break through!”

Wei Ban, repairing the Crossbow Machine, knew only he could stand against the Spinosaurus head-on. He turned to Zhao Gongming. “Cover me!”

“Don’t worry,” Zhao replied, pulling a host of oddities from his pack and tossing them to the ground. With each object thrown, a strange, monstrous apparition sprang forth. Under his command, these creatures charged the Spinosaurus from multiple directions, clearly hoping to draw its attention.

Just then, the Spinosaurus let out a thunderous roar, startling every horse and camel in the camp.