Chapter 130: Cataclysmic Power
Lu Sheng, accompanied by his summoned monsters, darted around the campsite, launching rapid strikes against the invading white-haired monsters. Despite the formidable strength of his minions, they soon began to show signs of strain. Forced to intervene, Lu Sheng descended into the fray himself, positioning his Flame Werewolf as the primary combatant while the other monsters formed a protective perimeter to prevent it from being overwhelmed.
The sheer number of white-haired monsters was staggering; a quick, rough estimate suggested there were at least ten thousand. Even with his full effort, Lu Sheng could not eliminate such a vast horde instantly. Casualties were becoming inevitable, as not everyone possessed high-level combat prowess. Setting aside the members of the Gale settlement, many of the others were merely second or third-tier in strength, with fourth and fifth-tier fighters being a minority. While this level of power was usually sufficient for daily survival, it was woefully inadequate against such a massive, relentless swarm. Weakness was their greatest vulnerability, a reality that only disappears when one becomes truly powerful.
Frustrated but focused, Lu Sheng continued to carve through the enemy until a sudden realization struck him: he possessed an army of his own that was vast in number. While his usual monsters were meant for tougher foes, the white-haired horde contained many weaker specimens. He was thinking, of course, of his Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes. With over two million of them at his disposal, dealing with a few thousand white-haired monsters should be child's play. Furthermore, if this tactic proved effective, he could potentially rake in a fortune in points. He had observed that the light beams were not isolated to their immediate area, implying that the entire world was likely facing a similar infestation. By unleashing his mosquitoes to hunt freely, he could gain both massive points and a wealth of new monster cards. If fifth-tier mosquitoes couldn't handle sixth-tier foes, they could certainly handle the fourth-tier ones.
Excitement stirred within him. He could produce three million fifth-tier mosquitoes in a day and a half, and he wouldn't mourn their losses. If he were willing to push himself, he could generate ten million. However, three million was sufficient; each batch required nearly two hours of his time to nourish, and he couldn't afford to waste his schedule entirely, even with his abundant time.
No longer hesitating, Lu Sheng released a swarm of one hundred thousand mosquitoes.
The sky instantly turned pitch black as the cloud of mosquitoes manifested around him. The onlookers froze, stunned by the sudden phenomenon. Before they could grasp what was happening, the swarm surged toward the white-haired monsters. The mosquitoes descended like a dark tide, latching onto their prey and driving their proboscises deep into flesh. Before the monsters could even react, their blood was drained dry, leaving behind shriveled, desiccated husks that looked as though they had been sun-dried for weeks. After feeding, the mosquitoes’ bellies grew plump and flushed with red.
Against weaker foes, the mosquitoes were devastating. Against stronger ones, they were less effective—a single fifth-tier monster could swat away a few mosquitoes with ease. But the mosquitoes relied on sheer numbers. If three or five weren't enough, they would use thirty or fifty. They swarmed like locusts over a field of grass, leaving a trail of withered, bloodless shells behind them.
Xiong Dabiao and the others watched the scene with creeping horror. While they were relieved to see the monsters falling, they looked at Lu Sheng with profound trepidation. Xiong Dabiao squinted at the creatures and asked uncertainly, "Are those... Blood-Sucking Mosquitoes?"
Were they not mere first-tier pests? How had he managed to raise so many? And how had he turned them all into cards? The logistics of feeding them, controlling them, and the sheer volume of blank cards required—each needing to be imbued with his own blood for capture—seemed physically impossible. Just how many were there? A thousand? Ten thousand?
Even the worldly-wise Xiong Dabiao felt his mind reel. He cast an odd glance at Lu Sheng, wondering if he was even human or perhaps a monster in disguise. The confusion was universal; even Zhang Tiandao, who had prepared himself for anything, was left wide-eyed. Yet, as the locust-like swarm cleared the battlefield, the despair in the camp shifted into a fervent, desperate hope. Lu Sheng became their anchor; in their eyes, he was the savior who could solve any crisis.
Lu Sheng, meanwhile, was monitoring the carnage with great satisfaction. The results exceeded his expectations. The white-haired monsters below the fifth tier had no defense; they were drained of their blood in seconds. Even fifth-tier monsters were quickly submerged and overwhelmed by the sheer, tidal volume of the swarm. Only the sixth-tier monsters were truly problematic, as their hide was too tough for the mosquitoes' needles to penetrate effectively. Lu Sheng decided to leave the sixth-tier threats to his own elite minions, while the mosquitoes focused on the rest. There was a division of labor, and the slaughter proceeded with brutal efficiency. The only downside was that if the mosquitoes drank too much, they would burst—but he considered that a small price to pay.