After searching for a long time, Linda Cooper suddenly cried out, “There’s a box here…”

In fact, even without Linda Cooper saying anything, once the fire crystals were sorted out one by one, everyone saw that strange black box, about a foot square.

It was perfectly square, like a black stone, with obvious signs of artificial workmanship. Anyone with common sense would immediately judge that this was a box.

The entire box was seamless, with a texture like black crystal, deep and mysterious. Its ancient, square appearance revealed its long history. Everyone who saw this box couldn’t help but be drawn to it. It wasn’t the shape of the box, but a special attraction that seemed to come from the depths of their souls.

Although the fire bear was powerful, it was clearly not intelligent. The appearance of such a box in its lair inevitably sparked wild speculation.

Everyone was drawn to the box and unconsciously gathered in front of it.

“What is this?” Susan Baker’s eyes shone with excitement, unable to suppress the trembling in her voice.

Edward Reed was unusually calm, with a half-smile as she said, “Looks like a treasure chest!”

A murderous intent surged in Susan Baker’s heart, and she had to narrow her eyes to hide it. To gain Edward Reed’s trust, Susan Baker hadn’t retrieved her twin swords. Fighting at close range, her combat power was greatly reduced. However, Henry Clark was right beside her, holding the twin swords. As soon as the fight started, Susan Baker could get her weapons.

With Edward Reed’s strength, at most she could prepare a single triggered protective spell. At such close range, if the three of them attacked Edward Reed together, they had at least a seventy percent chance of success.

Susan Baker’s mind raced, and she decided to act immediately. She pretended to scoff, “A treasure chest? As if it’s some immortal’s rare treasure! Wake up, it’s already daylight outside by now!”

As soon as she said this, Linda Cooper and Henry Clark understood her intent and attacked Edward Reed at the same time.

Linda Cooper stood in front of Edward Reed, performing a move called “Giant Python Turns Over.” Her body twisted like a thick, fat python, using the powerful strength of her waist to suddenly spin and punch, both fists raised above her head like ox horns, striking straight at Edward Reed’s chest and abdomen.

Edward Reed was a third-rank spellcaster, and in close combat, she might not be as strong. Moreover, Linda Cooper’s Earth Fiend Fist was known for its heavy force—at full strength, even a fourth-rank spellcaster couldn’t withstand it head-on.

Most importantly, with others coordinating at the same time, Linda Cooper’s fierce punches were meant to force Edward Reed to retreat; she didn’t want to risk a direct fight with a third-rank spellcaster.

To Linda Cooper’s surprise, Edward Reed, caught off guard, didn’t dodge. Instead, she stood there with a charming smile. Her crescent-moon eyes shone with an indescribable pride. Linda Cooper felt a sense of dread, but with the arrow on the string, she had no choice but to let it fly.

Facing Linda Cooper’s fierce double fists, Edward Reed gave a light shout: “Swift!” The talisman in her hand turned into a flash of cold light and shot out, hitting Linda Cooper squarely on the forehead. Linda Cooper felt a chill pierce to the bone, his body stiffening as a layer of frost quickly covered him from head to toe. Although he could still move forward by inertia, his fists had lost all strength.

This move was the same “Frozen Rain Arrow” that Edward Reed had just used against the fire bear. If even a fourth-rank fire bear was affected, Linda Cooper stood no chance of resisting.

Though surprised, Linda Cooper was not afraid. “This move is powerful, but it can’t kill. No matter how strong Edward Reed’s spells are, she can’t cast another one in a short time. With William Grant and Susan Baker attacking from both sides, she won’t have another chance to strike at me!”

Standing behind Edward Reed, Susan Baker also showed a look of delight. With Edward Reed’s protective spell gone, she was no longer a threat. At the same time, Henry Clark charged at Edward Reed from the side like a wild bull.

This move, “Iron Mountain Lean,” was a basic boxing technique, using the knee, hip, elbow, and shoulder to drive forward with a sidestep. In real combat, it was hard to threaten a fighter of the same level, but for a fragile spellcaster like Edward Reed, it was perfect.

Henry Clark executed it with great momentum. Even better, as he charged, he threw the twin swords in his hands.

This was a clever use of the technique—attacking and delivering the swords at the same time, seamlessly connected.

“This William Grant isn’t so stupid after all; he’s quite talented in boxing! It’s just that he threw the swords too far apart!” Susan Baker thought with some regret. The swords weren’t close enough together, so Susan Baker had to spread her arms to catch them, which affected her follow-up attack.

A split-second gap could decide victory or defeat. Susan Baker moved and caught the twin swords. At that moment, Henry Clark’s charging body suddenly froze in place.

As a third-rank fighter, Susan Baker was extremely sensitive to breath and movement. Any subtle change in Henry Clark’s body, so close at hand, could be detected. Henry Clark’s sudden stop was obvious—his upper body was in a ramming posture, but his feet hadn’t moved.

“Something’s wrong!” Henry Clark’s strange change immediately put Susan Baker on alert.

Chapter 007: Killing and Harvest

Years of battle had made every disciple of Red Lotus Temple extremely sensitive to threats. Any hint of hostility or movement would arouse suspicion.

Although Susan Baker was young, she was a battle-hardened genius cultivator. Henry Clark’s sudden change made Susan Baker instantly sense that something was off.