Chapter 1368: The Spirit Monster Strikes

This Jade Balance Master is a legendary figure in the demon hunter community, someone who commands respect even at the headquarters of the demon hunting department.

Yet, in front of Mr. Wu, he dared not even breathe heavily, humbly positioning himself as a junior. Even so, he seemed anxious and uneasy...

Xu Rong watched with a complex expression, her heart stirred by waves of emotion.

The atmosphere grew somewhat awkward, and the old Taoist also appeared uneasy and ashamed.

Wu Tao, however, had never paid attention to such matters and did not put on an air of superiority. After understanding the reason for the man's visit, a look of appreciation appeared in his eyes.

"Rare indeed."

"To have such a heart for vanquishing demons and upholding the Dao, traveling far and waiting patiently, is truly commendable. This righteous Daoist heart is more precious than anything else."

"As for your cultivation, you need not be overly concerned. With the sparse spiritual energy on Earth, achieving even a small success in cultivation is enough to stand above millions."

"However, if you wish to exterminate the spirit monster in the lake..."

"Ah..."

At this point, Wu Tao sighed lightly as he looked at the old Taoist.

Hearing these words of encouragement, Jade Balance Master was deeply moved. He also knew that his cultivation was no match for the spirit monster in the lake. The fact that this senior could be so tactful filled him with gratitude.

He quickly bowed, his eyes filled with solemn concern.

"My cultivation is limited, and I am truly ashamed."

"That spirit monster is so formidable. Does the senior have a way to deal with it?"

Even though he understood his own limitations, his heart for vanquishing demons and upholding the Dao remained unchanged. This person truly possessed a righteous Daoist heart, which was rare.

Wu Tao also felt a touch of compassion and nodded slightly in response.

"Wait quietly by the side."

As soon as the words fell, Jade Balance Master was overjoyed and quickly bowed, obediently standing by the side, not daring to utter another word.

Although his talent was limited, he could still grasp the deeper meaning behind the senior's words.

The senior was going to take action himself, allowing him to observe from the side. Although he didn't know what level the senior had reached, he was certainly stronger than himself. This kind of opportunity might never come again in his lifetime. As for how much he could understand and gain from it, it all depended on his own fortune.

The small boat gently rippled the water, and the surroundings fell into silence once more.

This time.

Both Xu Rong and the newly arrived Jade Balance Master waited patiently by the side, their eyes filled with tension and anticipation.

Not far away on the shore.

The demon hunting team, who had been waiting for a long time with frustration, approached in another small boat.

Seeing Wu Tao and Xu Rong still fishing in the center of the lake from a distance, some couldn't help but mutter impatiently.

"Why is the captain still fishing with that person?"

"What kind of situation is this?"

"We're here on a secret mission, and it's turned into a sightseeing trip?"

"This doesn't seem like the captain's style at all!"

"Ah, who knows..."

Li Weiwei, who was piloting the small boat, also looked frustrated. Hearing the comments about the captain, she turned around and interrupted with dissatisfaction before continuing to steer the boat closer.

"The captain has never made a mistake before. Why are you all talking so much?"

Although she said this, her heart was also filled with doubts.

In the few years since joining the demon hunting department, every mission the captain undertook was swift and decisive. Never had there been a situation like today, where they were leisurely fishing as if they had all the time in the world.

Moreover, today they were supposed to be on an urgent mission.

The more she thought about it, the more something felt off.

Could it be that the captain had really put aside official duties to pursue a romance?

The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she became.

After just a few minutes of piloting the small boat, Li Weiwei's expression had turned somewhat displeased.

Only when they approached the small boat in the lake did she notice that there was an unfamiliar Taoist priest on board. The few of them sat quietly on the boat, as if they were divining fortunes...

The team members also looked puzzled, whispering among themselves.

At that moment.

Li Weiwei cut the engine and pulled up beside them, unable to resist quietly signaling to Xu Rong with her eyes.

"Captain..."

"Captain."

"What are you all doing here? When are these two idlers going to leave? Do we still need to complete our urgent mission?"

Idlers?

Hearing Li Weiwei's blunt whisper, Xu Rong, who was on the other boat, felt her heart skip a beat.

This girl really has no filter.

Mr. Wu is an existence of terrifying power.

His methods are beyond the comprehension of ordinary people, and even the headquarters treats him with utmost respect.

As for Jade Balance Master...

He is, after all, a founding figure in demon hunting. Even if he dared not act out in front of Mr. Wu, he was still not someone the demon hunting team members could casually criticize.

Xu Rong felt her blood pressure rise, her usual temper barely contained. She wished she could immediately reveal the identities of these two individuals and make her subordinates behave.

However, the abilities of these two were too extraordinary, and today's mission was of great importance. It was not something that could be explained in a few words, nor could it be casually disclosed.

She had no choice but to endure her frustration and glare at her subordinates, sternly instructing them.

"Remember the rules of the demon hunting department. Don't ask questions you shouldn't. Just follow orders!"

Seeing her usual authoritative demeanor, Li Weiwei and the others felt a sense of familiarity and quickly composed themselves, sitting quietly on the adjacent boat.

But watching the captain obediently accompany Wu Tao, they couldn't help but feel that something was off.

Xu Rong, the cold-faced Asura, a renowned and capable talent in Pingjiang City, was now being so considerate and gentle. It was as if her entire persona had crumbled.

The once formidable captain had been ruined by a love-struck mind!

Li Weiwei secretly glanced at Wu Tao, her eyes filled with resentment. The more she looked at his lazy demeanor, the more displeased she became.

"Really..."

"What's so great about this guy..."

"I don't even know how he managed to tag along here."

Before she could finish her whispered complaints.

The calm surface of the lake suddenly began to ripple, spreading from the center outward. The ripples grew more and more pronounced, and soon the entire lake surface began to shake!

Before anyone could react, the spreading ripples had turned into waves!

"Splash!"

The sound of water echoed by the lake, making everyone feel as if they were in the middle of the sea!

Both small boats were pushed by the waves, rocking back and forth. Li Weiwei and the team members' expressions changed drastically as they nervously looked toward the center of the ripples, where the fishing line was, just a few meters away from the boat.

At that moment, bubbles the size of washbasins began to emerge, as if the lake water was about to boil!

Instantly.

The demon hunting team members tensed up, ready for battle, and couldn't help but shout out!

"Look!"

"Something seems to be coming out!"

Jade Balance Master's eyelids also twitched, his face filled with tension. His old eyes were fixed on the ripples and terrifying bubbles emerging from the lake surface, and he seemed unable to sit still.

In just a few moments.

An unknown instinctive fear began to spread across everyone's faces.

As the situation grew more chaotic, some instinctively stepped back in shock. Even the battle-hardened demon hunting team members had never encountered such a bizarre scene. The sudden change seemed to have frightened them.

Wu Tao, however, remained as steady as an old dog, watching as the bubbles grew larger.

Only when he could see the massive shadowy outline beneath the lake surface did he slowly stand up and look at the group.

"Don't move around recklessly."

Hearing this sudden command, Li Weiwei, who was already frightened, finally couldn't hold back and stood up to retort, glaring at him!

"I can't stand you anymore!"

"There's no telling what kind of danger this is, and you think you can just order us around? You..."

Before she could finish, Xu Rong's glare silenced her.

Wu Tao paid no attention to these trivial matters and continued to issue instructions. He took out a talisman from his pocket and stuck it on the adjacent boat, then casually drew a circle in the air around the group.

"Stay on this boat, no matter what. Don't move around or step out of this circle, and I'll ensure your safety."

As he finished speaking, Wu Tao signaled with his eyes, and Xu Rong and Jade Balance Master quickly jumped onto the adjacent boat.

First came the strange instructions, and then everyone obediently followed.

Not only did Li Weiwei look suspicious and resentful, but the other team members also stood up with questioning expressions, all turning to Xu Rong as if trying to figure out what was going on.

At that moment!

A loud bang echoed, and water shot into the air like a waterfall, reaching several zhang high!