4: Evolving beyond its rank! A strange mantis.

As the white light dissipated, Xie Ning's vision returned.

[Ding! Evolution successful! Bladed Mantis (Common) has mutated into Supersonic Mantis (Excellent)! Obtained 5 evolution value.]

[Ding! Completed the first Yao Beast evolution, rewarded with 100 evolution value.]

A crack split open on the dull, grayish-white shell of the Bladed Mantis, and a brand-new mantis stepped out from within.

"Hiss—so cool!"

Xie Ning sucked in a breath of cold air and blurted out those words.

At this moment, Little Mantis had undergone an earth-shaking transformation.

It stood one meter tall, its entire body having turned silver-white. A long, curved horn grew from its triangular head, extending backward. Its two blade-arms were longer, thinner, and sharper than before evolution. Its once-rigid long neck had shortened significantly, appearing more natural, and four wings like cicada wings, yet shimmering with a metallic luster, had grown on its back.

What delighted Xie Ning the most was that the originally bloated lower abdomen had shrunk to just a small segment after evolution, resembling a slender human waist. Below the abdomen, the four long legs had become two, and the feet had transformed into eagle-like bone claws.

Currently, Little Mantis looked almost humanoid, its body covered in silver armor that possessed both metallic beauty and a sense of power. Anyone who saw it couldn't help but marvel; in fact, if not for those blade-arms, others would find it difficult to recognize it as a mantis.

After his initial amazement, Xie Ning called up Little Mantis's attribute page.

[Yao Beast Name] Supersonic Mantis

[Yao Beast Grade] Excellent High Grade

[Yao Beast Rank] Bronze Rank 1

[Yao Beast Attribute] Metal Element

[Yao Beast Weakness] Lightning Element

[Yao Beast Status] Joyful

[Yao Beast Talent] Sound Kill (Bursts at supersonic speed for a one-hit kill; places a heavy burden on the body, resulting in a weakened state after use)

[Yao Beast Introduction] A mutated semi-mantis form possessing incredible explosive power. Equipped with supersonic capabilities, its entire body has been comprehensively enhanced to withstand the pressure of supersonic speeds. Even without using its talent, it has few rivals within the same Rank.

[Evolution Paths] 15

These attributes were insanely strong!

Its grade had jumped from Common, skipping over Elite, to the Excellent level, and its Rank had risen from Black Iron Rank 8 to Bronze Rank 1. Even more incredible was its possession of a talent.

Talents were something only a very small number of exceptional evolved species possessed, and they usually only awakened during a Gold Rank evolution. Yet, the current Supersonic Mantis had awakened its talent two stages early—this was unheard of.

After evolving into a Supersonic Mantis, Little Mantis also curiously examined its own body. It tapped its blades, producing a piercing sound, and flapped its wings to fly into the sky. Although it couldn't speak, its excitement was clearly transmitted into Xie Ning's mind.

After flying around for a while, Little Mantis calmed its excitement and dove down in front of Xie Ning, spreading its arms to gently embrace him, its two antennae on its head swaying slightly.

"I know you're happy, and so am I," Xie Ning said, stroking its cold, hard head. "From now on, let's get stronger together and become top-tier Demon Tamer partners!"

Just then, the sound of hurried footsteps accompanied by croaking reached them.

"Huff... huff... huff... oh no!"

Xie Ning looked up and saw a female student who had stepped into a trap and was hanging from a tree by a rope. Below her, three Black Iron Rank 9 Venom Toads were croaking at her. Then, with a rustling sound, more and more Venom Toads hopped out, totaling twenty-two in all.

"Why are you chasing me? I didn't attack you!"

The Girl was crying from fear, looking utterly aggrieved. As she was hanging upside down, her tears flowed toward her head. She tightly clutched a rabbit in her arms, which was also shivering with fear.

Xie Ning looked at the group of toads and exchanged a glance with Supersonic Mantis; both felt a bit awkward.

Last time he fought Venom Toads, he hadn't had time to check their attributes. He later learned that these Venom Toads were social creatures; provoking one was like poking a hornet's nest.

Because of this, while these toads were decent in the outer forest and weaklings in the inner forest, they were actually beings that even Bronze Rank Yao Beasts were unwilling to provoke.

Seeing the Venom Toads puffing out their cheeks, Xie Ning didn't dare hesitate.

"Little Mantis, go!"

Receiving the command, Supersonic Mantis's wings vibrated, and it blurred through the air. In the blink of an eye, Xie Ning saw it dash over a dozen meters away.

What incredible speed!

Supersonic Mantis flew over the group of Venom Toads. While they were staring up in confusion, it dove down. Its blade-arms flashed, and two Black Iron Rank 7 Venom Toads sprayed blood and collapsed to the ground.

An instant kill!

Before evolution, Little Mantis needed five or six rounds to deal with one Venom Toad. After evolution, a single casual strike took one out.

The group of Venom Toads was instantly incensed. Their croaks indicated they had recognized this as the Yao Beast that had killed their companions.

They all turned around and spat venom at Supersonic Mantis.

Supersonic Mantis made several sharp turns, dodging the venom sprays, and flew into the distance.

"Quack quack quack!"

The toad swarm abandoned their previous target and chased after Supersonic Mantis.

Xie Ning then approached the tree, untied the rope, and let the Girl down.

Xie Ning helped the Girl up and asked, "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine, I'm fine. Thank you so much," the Girl hurriedly wiped away her tears and nodded vigorously, looking at Xie Ning with gratitude. "Thank you for saving me, otherwise I surely would have died here."

"...It's good that you're okay."

The Girl then remembered something and said through gritted teeth, "I don't know which bastard provoked these vengeful Venom Toads. They started spitting at me the moment they saw me; I almost got poisoned to death by their spit."

Xie Ning's expression became even more subtle. Fortunately, the Girl didn't dwell on the issue and instead watched the battle between Supersonic Mantis and the Venom Toads.

"What a cool Demon Tamers Beast! Not only is it strong, but it's also so handsome! It's so flashy to take out in public!" The Girl's eyes sparkled as she watched Supersonic Mantis.

Xie Ning was also watching the battle.

In the time it took to speak, another three Venom Toads were cut down by Supersonic Mantis. At this moment, it was like a dancer in the air, darting up and down and releasing arcs of blade light. With its absolute speed, the rain of venom couldn't even touch its body.

Catching the moment when the Venom Toads had just finished spitting and were between breaths, Supersonic Mantis folded its wings and dove. A cold light flashed, and four Venom Toads fell.

It no longer took flight. While dashing, it swung its two blade-arms in succession, harvesting the lives of the Venom Toads like the scythe of a grim reaper.

Over twenty Venom Toads, ranging from Black Iron Rank 6 to Black Iron Rank 10, were completely slaughtered by Supersonic Mantis in less than thirty seconds.

"So... so strong!" The Girl watched the scene, dumbfounded. "I've never seen a mantis Demon Tamers Beast like this!"

Supersonic Mantis's combat power also exceeded Xie Ning's expectations. He was now full of confidence for his upcoming duel with Li Zhi.

The only pity was that these Venom Toads were too low in Rank, so he didn't gain any evolution points.

After killing the Venom Toads, the Girl bid farewell to Xie Ning. As for where she was going, Xie Ning didn't ask.

Once the Girl had gone far enough, Xie Ning dismantled all the traps he had set up in the area.

After everything was settled, he led the brand-new Little Mantis back the way they came... After parting with Xie Ning, the Girl, traveling alone, was currently searching for something in another Yao Beast area.

"This time, I must help Sister find a good Demon Tamers Beast. We can't always rely on those guys who exploit people."

The rabbit she held in her arms also nodded along.

"Keep it up, Mo Yu! Don't be afraid. For your sister! For freedom!"