283: The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

The assault team was small but elite: Chu Yixing, Ji Linghan, Lin Feng, Piao Jinhao, Alice, Magma Core Mage Yan He, and Xu Bai, a total of seven people.

Their goal was not to engage in direct combat, but to infiltrate the Lava Fire Demon' floating island, which was currently engulfed in war, and seize the "Race Banner" amidst the chaos.

"Stargate coordinates set, energy shield activated, warp window time is three minutes," Xu Bai reported quickly, his bone staff touching the faintly glowing Stargate.

This transmission was not through a public channel, but a short-distance, covert jump carried out by Xu Bai and others, utilizing previously researched Starlight technology and their understanding of the Stargate.

Its purpose was to bypass the main battlefield and directly reach the rear of the Fire Demon island.

"Go!"

The seven figures, along with Shadow Claw, were instantly swallowed by the Stargate's light.

After a brief moment of dizziness, a scorching wave of heat, mixed with sulfur and a burnt smell, rushed towards them.

Chu Yixing and his team appeared in a secluded canyon covered in black volcanic rock.

This location was on the side-rear of the Fire Demon island, far from the front lines, but they could still hear the earth-shattering shouts of battle and explosions in the distance.

"According to intelligence, the Fire Demon's banner should be near the largest active volcano in the center of the island," Alice whispered, her cat ears swiveling vigilantly, catching vibrations and scents in the air.

"The main battlefield has drawn most of their firepower, but there must still be a defending force in the core area."

"Your Excellency Flame Core, we're relying on you," Chu Yixing said, looking at the Magma Core Mage.

Flame Core didn't speak, but extended his magma-formed hand and pressed it against the black rock beneath his feet.

A moment later, he withdrew his hand and pointed in a direction: "The energy flow points that way.

There aren't many guards, but there's a... big one.

The energy signature is close to a Level 59 elite; it should be a Lava Behemoth of the Fire Demon race."

"Level 59 elite..." Lin Feng frowned slightly, "That's a bit tricky."

"No matter," Chu Yixing's eyes were calm.

"Our goal is the banner, not a head-on fight.

Piao Jinhao, Alice, you are responsible for scouting and marking all overt and covert sentries and patrol routes.

Your Excellency Flame Core, please simulate the high-level energy fluctuations of the Fire Demon race to provide cover for us.

Ling Han, Lin Feng, Xu Bai, prepare for a quick assault with me.

Once we succeed, retreat immediately by the original route."

The division of labor was very clear, and the team immediately moved silently through the scorching canyon.

With Flame Core's disguise as a master of the same origin, their energy fluctuations perfectly blended with the surrounding environment.

Guided by Piao Jinhao and Alice, they easily avoided several scattered patrol teams.

Soon, they reached the edge of the volcano.

Looking down from the crater, in the center of the churning magma lake, stood an obsidian platform.

On the platform was a battle flag burning with fierce flames; that was the Lava Fire Demon' Race Banner.

The platform was connected to the shore by only a narrow magma bridge, and at the bridgehead, a massive beast made of cooled magma and hard rock lay prostrate.

It exhaled sparks with each breath, exuding the pressure of a Level 59 elite, and around it were eight Level 58 Fire Demon guards holding flaming spears.

The defensive strength was even greater than anticipated.

"We must succeed before the battle on the main front is decided," Chu Yixing knew time was tight, and he made a gesture.

Piao Jinhao and Alice, like two wisps of smoke, silently circled to the flank.

A moment later, a signal came: all visual blind spots and patrol gaps of the guards had been marked.

"Move!"

At Chu Yixing's command, Flame Core was the first to act.

He did not attack, but pressed his hands down, and a pure, violent magma energy erupted from him, instantly disrupting the energy field of the entire volcanic area.

The Lava Behemoth and the Fire Demon guards were visibly startled, seemingly puzzled by this sudden burst of energy, which seemed to come from a strong member of their own race.

It was in this brief moment of confusion.

"Lightning Lock!" Ji Linghan pointed his war hammer at the magma bridge, and several thick purple lightning bolts, like shackles, instantly wrapped around the Lava Behemoth at the bridgehead.

Although it couldn't be restrained for long, it successfully immobilized it temporarily.

"Wind Bind!" Lin Feng's sword fingers continuously pointed, and invisible wind ropes wrapped around the eight Fire Demon guards, slowing their movements.

Xu Bai, meanwhile, directed Shadow Claw and several newly summoned Flame Phantoms to pounce on the guards, launching harassing attacks.

And Chu Yixing, seizing this fleeting opportunity, his Azure Lotus Boots glowing brightly, transformed into a sapphire sword light that tore through the heatwave.

Following the marked safe path, with a speed almost like a spatial jump, he rushed directly across the magma bridge and appeared on the obsidian platform.

"Roar!" The Lava Behemoth finally broke free from the Lightning Lock, letting out an angry roar, and its huge rocky palm slammed towards the platform with immense force.

The eight Fire Demon guards also broke free from the Wind Bind, throwing their flaming spears, blocking all of Chu Yixing's escape routes.

Facing a pincer attack from front and back, Chu Yixing's eyes were cold.

Without even looking behind him, he swung his sword backward.

Countless sword qi instantly appeared, weaving into an impenetrable shield around him, shattering all the thrown flaming spears.

At the same time, his left hand, as fast as lightning, snatched up the burning flame battle flag.

The moment the battle flag left the ground, the entire Lava Fire Demon' floating island seemed to tremble.

All Fire Demons, whether fighting on the front lines or guarding this place, felt a weakness originating from their bloodline.

"The banner is secured, retreat!" Chu Yixing placed the battle flag into a specially made storage ring and shouted, his figure not pausing, retreating rapidly along the original path.

"Trying to leave? Stay!" The Lava Behemoth was utterly enraged, opening its massive mouth, and a scorching lava breath swept towards Chu Yixing and his teammates who were covering the retreat.

Just at this critical moment, Flame Core, who had been accumulating power, finally displayed his terrifying strength as a Level 59 expert.

"Magma Core Barrier!"

He roared, and a thick wall made entirely of solidified dark red magma instantly rose from the ground, forcefully blocking the path of the lava breath.

"Boom!!!"

The lava breath crashed into the barrier, erupting with an earth-shattering roar, and scorching magma splattered everywhere, but the barrier remained unmoving.

While Flame Core held the line, Chu Yixing and the others quickly rushed back to the canyon, reuniting with Piao Jinhao and Alice.

"Stargate rendezvous!" Xu Bai immediately activated the pre-arranged portable Stargate beacon.

A small spatial vortex unfolded in the canyon.

"Go!"

The seven of them, without hesitation, rushed into the vortex one by one, disappearing from the scorching volcano, leaving behind the furious Lava Behemoth and the panicked Fire Demon guards.

When Chu Yixing and his team reappeared on the Stargate platform of Blue Star Island, in the distant starfield, the battle between the Lava Fire Demon and the Swamp Lizardmen also seemed to be drawing to a close.

Deprived of the Race Banner's blessing, the morale of the Fire Demon side completely collapsed, and their defeat was like a landslide.

---

New author, new book, welcome everyone to catch bugs, give suggestions, advice, inspiration, etc.!

First time writing a book, please be gentle with criticism, and please leave comments, collections, recommendations, and add to your bookshelf!

Seeking supporting characters and villains, you can send me names and background information via private message or write them in the comment section!

Seeking future plot ideas, everyone can write down activities, plots, conflicts, etc. that you wish to see in the book review section!