The couple previously had no intention of hunting these eight demon beasts together. What had drawn their attention were the four brown Jackals.

The four were spotted by the pair while doing their usual recognizance on Hammerhead's back. At the time it seemed as though it would be a routine operation.

They would battle a bit with the Jackals before disposing of them then leaving with their cores in hand. Who would have known that all of this was seemingly a ruse?

The four gorillas then came charging out through the gigantic trees to the surprise of the two. They were not the type to careless hunt without surveying the surrounding. However, these beasts had somehow camouflage their presence.

" To think all this time they had the ability to set traps. May let's dispose of them quickly. I can't put my finger on it but something seems quite off. There seems to be more to this ruse. I have a feeling we might be facing those at the peak soon"

Taf uttered before he cried out internally...

☆ Elemental Art ( Earth) Metallic Bones☆

A brown rustic glow then took shape around Taf as a hammer three feet in length was summoned in his hands. His dark brown pupils were now glowing light brown.

" I also have that feeling that something peculiar is taking place. If they could think to such a degree previously, why didn't the other 7th and 8th stage demon beasts showcase any of this? Guess we were bound to face them anyway"

Swishhh!!!!

An arrow was then shot at the brown jackal at the 8th stage as May conversed with Taf.

Howl!!!!!

The Jackal countered by its howl. Slight ripples could be seen in the air as the arrow was shredded to bits.

" Sound technique? So that's their inherent art"

A slightly stunned May uttered as she tried to formulate a plan within her mind.

" May jump..."

A cry came from Taf. Not wanting to ask why she took her most powerful leap. As she jumped in the air she felt a hand below her feet. She was then launched a hundred feet within the air by Taf.

Screech!!!!

An eagle bellowed before nestling itself under May's body.

" Let's attack from two fronts. I'll be on the ground while you and Hammerhead will attack from the skies."

Taf then stated as he shot off to Melee with the beasts that had charged.

" Ok that might be best"

May hastily agreed as she knew what each of their weakness were. Her's was close combat at the moment.

Though she had no qualms if she had to do hand to hand with cultivators. These beasts could not be defined in the same bracket. Each having tough skins and furs, it can be said their exteriors were similar to metals.

Booom!!!

A gorilla's chest plate was smashed to bits by the brutal strike force of a hammer. It growled in pain before its head was crushed by a descended leg.

" One down...."

Taf chuckled as he dodged a gigantic hand that aimed to crush him to paste. The flat terrain where he once stood was nothing more than rumble dust at the moment.

Swish!!!!!!!!

An arrow pierced a jackal that sought to flee through its skull as Taf unleashed his onslaught.

" Hammerhead scorch"

May shouted while Hammerhead descended with its beak slightly open. Soon it unleashed its onslaught on the white and black gorilla at the 8th demon stage.

The gorilla then did the unexpected as it seemingly became one with earth descended within the ground to avoid the attack. It then once again ascended but this time there was a metallic sheen that covered its body.

it's eyes burnt with rage as it saw the youth with dreads crushing another one of its comrades under its feet.

" That's five and you'll be my sixth. Growl if you agree.."

Taf grinned while dragging his hammer that dripped with jackal and gorilla drops of blood on the broken and crumbled ground. It can be said that these grounds bore witness to the most savage of battles.

Growlll!!!!!

The enraged metallic armoured gorilla then charged at Taf wishing to crush his spine where he stood with that stupid grin on his face.

" Now that inherent art i have to say I quite like. On a good day, i might have even been tempted to add you to my collection of pets. Unfortunately for you today is not such a day."

Boooom!!!!

The two finally unleashed their attacks on the other. The metallic gorilla gripped both hands moulding them into a gigantic fist which only purpose was to smash Taf into meat paste.

It was then countered by the hammer which unleashed its full force on the incoming strike.

Boooom!!!!

The collision of both attacks brought forth gayle force winds that shredded all the leaves and small limbs within the circumference of the battle.

" A level jumper, huh. You just keep giving me surprises, don't you? These are the battles i relish the most but lass it must come to an end"

Taf spoke once more while dodging a fist which blasted the nearby trees to bits. He then eyed parts of the shattered armour of the beast.

☆ Elemental Art ( Darkness) Quintessence of the shadows☆

He then became shrouded in black opaque darkness. The metallic bear became seemingly confused by the turn of events.

While it sought for answers as it looked for the murderous wretch that had wreaked havoc through the confined forest.

Puk! Crk!

Blood started to gush forth from its throat. As it struggled to see the culprit a black dagger was shoved and twisted by charcoal black hands.

" You did put up an admirable fight big fellow"

Swisshh!!!

The dagger slashed decapitated the demon beast gorilla. Its head was first to fall which was then followed by its carcass collapsing. Blood continuously seeped within the now cracked ground.

Now only two beasts had remained and both were jackals. Taf had specifically targeted the gorillas after identifying them as the most likely threats.

He then observed as both May and Hammerhead confronted the beasts. It would be an easy feat with his help to dispose of the other two. However, he still had a nagging feeling something was amiss.

These creatures must have known that their deaths were imminent the moment they challenge them. Therefore there is only one answer. They were forced to be nothing but mere pawns.

As both May and Hammerhead battled the last remaining jackal a cry was heard within May's head.

☆ Elemental Art ( Water) Ice spikes☆

Water particles could be seen within the air before instantly freezing. Hundreds of these spikes were now floating within the air.

" May do not expend too much qi i fear these are only the small foot soldiers"

Taf voice then went off within her ear. Hearing his words there was a slight pause in her actions. She then deactivated her art that was now in full force. The ice returned to its previous water state before sprinkling the ground wet.

" So this might indeed be a worst-case scenario, huh"

She then sighed as she spoke having come to a similar conclusion to Taf before.

" Should we flee on Hammerhead back to the abode"

May asked before giving the command to hammerhead to ascended within the skies. She then called forth within her mind.

☆ Elemental Art ( Air) Eye of an Eagle☆

Her eyes then glowed as she looked a the below earth. What came to her notice were two demon beasts close by where the battled had taken place. One was a gigantic fully white gorilla and the other a jackal with black and brown fur.

" So it's as you had suggested previously, a trap within a trap. We knew that beasts at the 9th stage were a qualitative leap in comparison to the 8th. I must admit however their intelligence is far more than i expected."

May then uttered as she observed the two 9th stage demon beast.

" Yeah, they are quite the thinkers, aren't they. Seems we have finally caused a big enough ruckus to get their attention. Let me clear the battlefield somewhat"

Crk!!!

Taf spoke before he pummeled the last remaining Jackal with his hammer. Its bones and flesh turn to mush as it laid lifeless on the ground.

He then harvested all eight cores. As he held the final core within his hands two distinct enraged howls and growls could be heard.

Trees were nothing but tiny leaves in their wake as they were uprooted from the ground. Before being shredded to bits by the furious jackal's howls.

Everything within their path were trampled.

Even a boar at the seventh stage that had sought to benefit from the previous battle was squished under the gorilla's massive feet.

Hurried footstep could be heard moving ever closer leaving complete destruction in their wake.

"May, for the time being, ascend further within the air. Going back now would be the wise thing to do but it would also be the most predictable.

If these beasts were able to set a trap I'm guessing they would have arrive at the same conclusion. Maybe a trap might be set there awaiting our imminent arrival. I'll handle these two"

Hearing Taf's words May didn't try to argue giving the order to Hammerhead to ascend quickly. She knew it was best not to interfere in this battle, as she might play the role of hindrance more than ally. These were beasts she definitely could not content with at her level.

" I need to break through to the 7th stage as quickly as possible.

She clenched her fingers into a fist. They had been clenched so tight that her nails became embedded with her palm. Blood trickled but she remained oblivious as below she saw Taf being circled by both at the 9th qi demon beast stage.