"That monster must be even larger than the one we saw before the desolation," Hannah remarked.

Because Arnold Simmons had mentioned that when he was attacked, he had no time to react at all.

This would prove that the monster had emerged from the pool quite easily last time.

But now, looking at it...

The water in the pool soon erupted forth.

Accompanied by splashes, a colossal creature finally appeared before the four of them.

Its long, black body covered with densely packed, glowing scales; when it stood erect, the whole area seemed to be engulfed by a black fog, obscuring the sky.

The daylight before had completely turned into night, with only a wee bit of light seeping through the mist in the distance, barely enough to see.

Gregory Lawrence pointed at the monstrous creature before them, his face etched with shock, "A Jiao... it’s really a Jiao."

The creature before them had the body of a fish and the tail of a snake; the half of its body that stood upright was nearly ten meters, with hard, slender spines sticking up from its back. With a single cry, the row of spines on its back burst open, and with them, a pair of vast eyes also turned into vertical pupils.

Behind it, black mist continued to rise from the pool.

Winds started to howl around them, their origin unknown, bringing with them a strong, nauseating stench.

Apparently, Gregory Lawrence’s shout had angered it, and it swung its tail about, noticeably displeased.

As its tail struck the ground, a crack split open instantly.

Gregory Lawrence didn’t dare to speak anymore, covering his mouth.

Arnold Simmons frowned slightly, stepping in front of him.

The black Jiao moved its head, its eyes scanning over the four people.

"Sheffield Benedict whispered, "Has this Jiao gained sentience?"

Gregory Lawrence trembled, but still struggled to regain his voice, "I once handled an ancient book that recorded ’a snake transforms into a Jiao after a hundred years, and a Jiao into a dragon after a thousand years.’"

Humans fear death, and naturally, animals do too.

Seeking benefit and avoiding harm is instinct.

Thus, in myth and legend, not only humans aspire to achieve immortality and ascend to immortality, but animals also cultivate and develop inner elixirs and gain sentience.

Arnold Simmons couldn’t help but frown, "Has this Jiao lived for a hundred years?"

"Probably more." Hannah said, "Basing on the current timeline, a hundred years is barely adulthood. According to what you said, it should be at least a thousand years."

Gregory Lawrence covered his head, "It’s over, we’re done for. Without our mechs, who can fight against this Jiao?"

Hannah and Sheffield Benedict exchanged glances, both shaking their heads.

Wait to die?

Clearly, that was impossible.

Arnold Simmons gripped his longsword tightly, "I’ll hold it off, you guys run."

Gregory Lawrence looked at Arnold Simmons in astonishment.

Arnold Simmons still wore a hooded black robe, his face obscured.

Hannah shook her head, "You alone aren’t even enough for one bite for it."

"So what do we do?" Gregory Lawrence was sweating profusely.

Meanwhile, the black Jiao had also lost its patience, its midsection arched, mouth agape, with a striking red tongue continuously lashing out, emitting a sharp, piercing cry.

"Run!"

Sheffield Benedict was the first to react, pulling Hannah swiftly to one side.

Arnold Simmons pushed Gregory Lawrence away and then rolled to another direction.

As soon as the four of them evaded, the tail of the black Jiao smashed down heavily.

The primary condition to traverse this white mist was to kill this black Jiao.

But without their mechs, this was almost an impossible task.

However, Hannah refused to believe in the impossible.

*

Sixth Hoffman learned from Sheffield Benedict that Hannah had entered the Blackwood Forest.