High School of Demon Hunting

Chapter 1945: Chapter 166: Encounter

Splash!

The light blue magic-enhanced environment collided with the rushing river, emitting a series of fine sounds, as if many fish tails were vigorously slapping the water surface.

Inside the magic-enhanced environment, the seven hunters of the Absolution Hunting Team stood at their respective positions, following Xiao Xiao’s directions, continuously adjusting their own positions and magic power to maintain the operation of the Ji su formation.

Unlike the House fire pig of the Xi Suxing formation, which excelled at charging in and out with might, the Ji water leopard was better at lurking and rapid assaults. Being water-elemental, it received a boost in river and lake environments, forming a formation that, even if initially just a First Rank, could display some traces of a Second Rank’s prowess due to the environmental enhancement.

Just like now.

At this moment, the magic-enhanced environment enveloping the seven members of the Absolution Hunting Team had already taken on a vague beast shape. Running across the wide Silent River, it resembled a Ji water leopard in pursuit, silent yet full of murderous intent.

”This is too difficult!”

Xin Fat Man, who was responsible for heavy protection at the rear, grumbled incessantly, ”Relying solely on ourselves, it’s really hard to truly deploy a Second Rank formation... we still need external aid.”

”Where do you expect to find the essence blood of a Ji water leopard at this time?” Zhang Ji Xin, who was supporting on the sides, quietly rebuked, ”Be quiet, don’t disturb the Doctor’s divination!”

The fat wizard shut his mouth and turned his gaze to the core of the formation, where Xiao Xiao was.

Yet after a moment, he couldn’t hold back, whispering, ”Doctor! Have the Getrassi caught up with us? Should we keep running? How much further do we have to go?”

The red-faced male wizard glared fiercely at Xin Fat Man, but ultimately held back on scolding him further.

Because he was also quite interested in the questions Fat Man raised.

Ever since the Absolution Hunting Team dashed out of the hunting grounds and entered the Silent River, they had been moving downstream away from the School Guardian Array for over ten minutes. They even encountered a dragon pig once — luckily, that dragon pig seemed to have just fed, and the young wizards, still exuding an unsettling malevolent aura after their recent battle, passed by without incident, both sides wary but not causing trouble.

”As to whether we should keep running or how much further, that’s for Mr. Zha to answer; it’s not up to me.” Doctor Xiao lazily replied while stroking the crystal ball in his arms.

Zheng Qing heard that codename and immediately glared.

They had barely left the hunting grounds, and the ’Captain’ had turned into ’Mr. Zha.’ If they kept following the river for a while, who knows what nickname he’d come up with next.

Jiang Yu gave him a playful glance, compelling the warlock to stay composed.

”A little further!”

The young team member gritted his teeth, relinquishing any argument over the ’codename’ issue with the others and touched his earlobe, remembering the power of that little green snake, suddenly feeling the need to be even more cautious: ”...It’s still not safe here.”

”There, you heard him.”

The Doctor shrugged and raised a hand pointing in a direction: ”I just did a divination, southwest is very auspicious, let’s head that way... Hmm, I recall there being a secluded river bend over there where we can land.”

The formation adjusted slightly in the direction the Doctor pointed.

The blue magic-enhanced environment swept along, the faint beast shape running swiftly towards the river bend on the trickling river.

...

...

”Hmm?”

Amber tilted its head, suddenly looking toward the dark river bend, its amber eyes gradually losing focus and becoming hollow once more.

”Is something up?” Andrew, who had been watching Julian’s cargo, turned around to look at their diviner.

Iseni cast a curious glance but didn’t pay much attention, only shaking the vertical fin at the back of its neck – even by the river, the humidity in the air was far less than in the water, making it feel a bit uncomfortable.

”An acquaintance.”

The diviner of the Ouroboros Hunting Team answered softly, then paused, realizing perhaps it wasn’t specific enough, adding, ”It’s Zheng Qing... possibly with his team.”

”Tsk, that Trouble Sprite, huh.” Andrew showed no doubt about the diviner’s judgment, frowning slightly.

A small figure suddenly leaped out from the dark, landing next to the diviner.

”How do you know it’s him?” Omega, full of curiosity, looked at Amber: ”I knew a diviner named Nan, she said Zheng Qing was hard to divine...”

”Not by divination, but by sight.”

Amber lowered its eyelids, letting out a gentle sigh: ”Remember what I told you before; he’s quite special? Normally, you’d see many cause and effect lines tangled around people, but not around him, clean and clear... Instead, many are around the people with him. Like now, I can see a narrow dragon tornado of cause and effect lines, flowing along the Silent River, getting closer and soon arriving at the river bend.”

”Should we move elsewhere?” Omega uneasily suggested to their captain in a low voice.

Andrew hesitated slightly, then glanced at Iseni.

The young fishman’s large eyes showed a hint of difficulty—it had not seen Zheng Qing’s figure, so persuading his teammates to leave the safety of the riverside for the forest’s depths carried certain risks.

After all, today’s trade volume wasn’t small.

And outside Lin Zhong Lake, fishmen were not protected by the Wizard’s Code. As inherently cruel magical creatures, retaining many primitive customs, Iseni did not shy from judging these traders with the worst of intentions—even if these wizards were part of its own hunting team.

Just as both sides fell silent, the Ouroboros Hunting Team’s diviner’s calm voice arose once more: ”Don’t worry about it... they’re already here.”

Before the words could fully settle, a silhouette abruptly appeared at the entrance to the distant river bend.

That silhouette emanated a startling mix of malevolent energy and magical fluctuations, with a head, tail, and limbs, although somewhat blurred, it vaguely resembled a feline creature.

”It’s the Ji su formation.”

Amber explained softly: ”It seems they’ve deployed a First Rank battle formation, but with the water environment boost, it carries traces of a Second Rank’s flavor.”

”Tsk.” The captain of the Ouroboros Hunting Team clicked his tongue enviously, looking over at his hunters, feeling disheartened. With Iseni in the team, they could not smoothly utilize complex formations like the Twenty-Eight Mansions.

Perhaps the newcomer joining this year could take Iseni’s place and help practice the moves of those complex formations, Andrew mused, rubbing his chin privately.

Pop! Pop! Pop! Pop!

Sounds echoing like stones skipping across the water.

The Absolution Hunting Team’s formation sped silently across the calm water and came ashore. The formation retracted slightly, with the surrounding light blue magic-enhanced environment slowly dissipating, revealing the seven young wizards within.

”Whoa, it’s lively here!”

Zheng Qing surveyed his surroundings, his gaze gliding over several Ouroboros hunters and landing briefly on Iseni and its companions.

Since the very first day of college, these fishmen had made a very lasting impression on him.

Iseni cast a wary glance at these unexpected guests, the erect fin at its neck slightly flaring. Behind it, other fishmen opened their mouths wide, baring sharp teeth, emitting a threatening hiss from their throats.