Chapter 4082: Xiao Yang’s Bait

The three beasts had developed numerous strategies for fighting together during their time accompanying Lin Mu. Some involved all four of them, while others were designed for situations where one or more members were unavailable.

They had practiced these combinations while sparring, hunting, and playing with the beasts they encountered during their travels. Naturally, the strategies possessed names. And naturally, those names had been chosen by Ashy.

The tiny nightingale had insisted that every proper strategy needed a memorable title and a number so that they could identify it quickly.

Unfortunately, her naming conventions were rather peculiar. There were strategies involving dumdums, sneaky snacks, angry rocks, flying fools, and several other categories that made very little sense to anyone outside their group.

The numbering was equally questionable.

Strategy Number Sixty-Seven had not necessarily been invented after Strategy Number Sixty-Six, and some of the earlier numbers had been reused for entirely different combinations.

Only the four beasts understood the system.

Lin Mu had no idea that such an elaborate collection of strategies even existed. He knew that his companions practiced fighting together, but he had never imagined that Ashy had organized their techniques into a bizarre tactical catalogue.

And now, three of those companions were preparing to employ one of their favorite combinations.

’I’ll head to the first position,’ Xiao Yang declared.

’Good,’ Xiao Yin replied. ’I’ll stay behind them.’

’And I’ll wait until they’re distracted,’ Little Shrubby added.

The plan was settled and Xiao Yang immediately released his grip on Little Shrubby’s mane. His slender White body shot forward, moving through the air with remarkable speed before disappearing among the trees.

He quickly overtook the masked cultivators by taking a route through the upper branches. After traveling a short distance ahead of them, he descended into a secluded patch of forest that lay directly along their intended path.

’This should be good.’ Xiao Yang examined the surroundings.

A large fallen tree lay across part of the forest floor, its trunk partially concealed by moss and thick vegetation. Beside it stood a sizable rock, creating a small sheltered space that could easily hide something from casual observation.

The location was ideal.

Xiao Yang raised his head, and the spatial storage gem stuck on his forehead began to glow.

SHUA

A moment later, several objects appeared before him.

There were sparkling crystals, pieces of gleaming metal, and various other valuable materials that he had collected or received during his travels. Some emitted faint traces of Immortal Qi, while others possessed unusual colors and textures.

Even an ordinary mortal would have recognized that the objects were valuable.

Xiao Yang looked at the pile with satisfaction.

Then he frowned. ’Hmm. This looks a bit too obvious.’

The materials were simply lying on the ground. Anyone encountering them might immediately suspect that someone had deliberately placed them there. Xiao Yang considered the problem.

’Oh! I should still have one of those boxes.’ He searched through his spatial storage gem.

A moment later, a wooden trunk appeared beside the pile. At least, Xiao Yang considered it an ordinary wooden box. In reality, it was a specialized mid-grade storage trunk designed to preserve valuable materials.

Its wood had been treated with various spiritual substances, and several discreet formations were engraved into its interior. Such a trunk would ordinarily be used by wealthy merchants or cultivators transporting precious goods.

Xiao Yang had acquired it some time ago in his shenanigans with the other beasts, and had been using it to store miscellaneous treasures. He opened the lid and began placing the crystals and metals inside.

Once he was satisfied, he pushed the trunk behind the fallen tree. Only a portion of its upper edge remained visible. He then adjusted the lid, leaving a narrow opening through which several crystals could be seen. The crystals glittered faintly.

Xiao Yang examined the result. ’Better.’

However, he still felt something was missing.

He looked upward and saw that a narrow beam of sunlight was passing through a gap in the canopy. Xiao Yang carefully adjusted the trunk’s position until the beam struck one of the exposed crystals.

The light reflected off its polished surface, producing a bright glimmer that could easily catch the attention of anyone approaching along the forest path.

Xiao Yang gave a satisfied hiss. ’Perfect!’

The arrangement looked like a forgotten treasure trunk that had been left behind by some unfortunate cultivator. Its position behind the fallen tree and rock provided enough concealment to make the discovery seem accidental.

And because the surrounding wilderness was rarely visited, the possibility of stumbling upon abandoned valuables was particularly enticing.

Xiao Yang contacted his companions. ’The bait is set.’

’Good,’ Xiao Yin replied. ’Assume the position. I’m right behind them.’

’I’m ready too,’ Little Shrubby added.

The liger had settled into a concealed position some distance away. He had reduced his size further, becoming smaller than an ordinary liger while retaining enough of his natural appearance to resemble a powerful local beast.

His fur blended surprisingly well with the surrounding vegetation, especially beneath the dense canopy. More importantly, he had completely suppressed the extraordinary aura that would otherwise reveal his true strength.

To an observer, he would appear to be a beast hiding somewhere within the forest.

Little Shrubby lowered himself among the roots of a large tree and waited. Xiao Yang slipped behind the fallen trunk, concealing himself beside the storage box. And Xiao Yin continued following the masked cultivators from behind.

The trap was ready and approximately a minute later, the six masked individuals approached the area. They were moving at a steady pace when the cultivator leading the group suddenly noticed a faint glimmer near the fallen tree.

He slowed down. "Hmm?"

The others immediately became alert.

"What is it?" one of them asked.

The leading cultivator pointed toward the fallen trunk. "There’s something over there."

The group stopped and several pairs of eyes turned toward the glimmering objects partially concealed behind the rock.

"Crystals?"

"Those look like Immortal Materials."

"Is that a storage trunk?"

Even Taegong was surprised. "Why would something like that be here?"

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