The waters churned violently as titanic translucent figures began to arrive from all over, swiftly enclosing around the area where Ezra was located. Their numbers were extremely astonishing.

The prince had been suppressing his spiritual energy in the reservoir ever since learning that it would attract duct beasts, to prevent drawing unnecessary attention. But now, he had no choice but to go all out in order to play his part as bait.

However, it would put him in a perilous situation. He was not worried with Sköll and Hati protecting him.

For the sake of the 1000 feet duct beast, he could only risk it on this gamble.

The reservoir waters rippled as countless duct beasts surged towards him, giant eyes filled with greed and desire as they locked onto Ezra Zephyr and two cubs.

~AWOOOO~

Hati jumped off Ezra's shoulder as its body rapidly began to grow. It transformed into its imposing battle form as berserk icy spiritual energy swept outwards like a storm. A terrifying pressure accompanied it, like the king of martial animals

The pressure unfurled, suppressing the countless duct beasts. They stirred restlessly, not daring to advance for a time.

However, as larger and larger duct beasts appeared, the desire in their eyes gradually won over their fear towards Hati. In the end, one of the enormous duct beasts roared as they swarmed towards Hati.

~GRRRR~

Anger flashed in Hati's eyes as if feeling its kingly dignity was being challenged. With a roar, its large mouth opened as an icy spike shot out one after another.

Freezing force spread wherever the icy spike passed, destroying duct beast after beast.

The battle erupted, berserk blast after blast of spiritual energy shaking the depths of the energy reservoir.

***

In the hut atop the cliff. Ella's hand suddenly paused, her clear eyes looking towards the reservoir. Her crescent moon-like eyebrows raised slightly as she mumbled to herself, "Unbelievable!"

Other disciples looked towards the former and curiously asked, "What is it?"

Ella made a grave face and said to her junior sisters, "Get ready."

The other ladies were taken aback, and hurriedly asked, "What do you mean? Has Ezra Zephyr found a 1000 feet duct beast?"

There was some disbelief in her voice. After all, she clearly understood just how difficult it was to find one. Even till now, she was under the impression that Ezra was trying to show off and would not really be able to find a 100p feet duct beast.

However, Ella did not reply and merely stared at the reservoir and said. "Prepare for the spiritual technique."

***

In the depths of the reservoir, the battle was exceptionally brutal. Hati and Sköll guarded the area within a few dozen feet of the prince, their bodies transforming into numerous afterimages as they tore through all of the duct beasts that entered this zone.

As for the prince, he silently sat in the centre of the battlefield without moving. Until a certain moment. He suddenly opened his eyes and looked towards a certain direction where three enormous objects were cutting through the water, their giant shadow looming as it rapidly approached.

Ezra Zephyr's eyes widened. "They were 1000 feet duct beasts at full power, not one but three!"

Ezra Zephyr immediately stood up and shouted, "Sköll, Hati, we're leaving!"

There was no hesitation whatsoever as he turned around and shot away. He could kill these three with Sköll and Hati, but that would be akin to revealing his trump cards.

The cubs immediately followed, their bodies shrinking as they hopped onto his shoulder. Man and cubs swiftly fled.

Behind them, 1000 feet duct beasts roared, their greedy eyes locking onto the three. Though their body was huge, they relentlessly gave chase at an astonishing speed. 

The surface of the reservoir broke open. A figure engulfed in black lightning shot out, an enormous 1000 feet long duct beast right on his heels, its greedy eyes glued to Ezra's figure.

Behind the 1000 feet duct beast were numerous two other similar beasts and behind them were numerous other duct beasts.

On Ezra's shoulder, Hati and Sköll barked at the swarm of duct beasts behind, as if feeling that being chased was a humiliation, and was clearly itching to rumble with them.

"Don't be rash!" Ezra hurriedly stopped them. If they did not first trap the 1000 feet duct beast, even if they ended up defeating it, it could escape into the water, and be nearly impossible to chase.

Although the cubs were somewhat unhappy that they had been stopped, they eventually quieted down.

Only then did the prince breathe a small sigh of relief. With a backward glance towards the pursuing duct beasts, the black lightning abruptly sped up.

***

"There's still no movement from the energy reservoir." In the hut atop the cliff, the disciples gazed at the rippleless surface of the water, before doubtfully turning to Ella Abella. The latter had asked her to prepare, but she had yet to detect anything out of the ordinary till now.

However, Ella paid no heed to the former's doubtful look and began to gather spiritual energy.

The other disciples came back to their senses and started to do the same

~BOOM~

The instant her words sounded, however, berserk undulations suddenly exploded from the reservoir, causing the originally calm water to boil.

This turn of events startled the disciples. Only now did they sense the activity in the depths of the reservoir. As spiritual energy circulated in their eyes, they saw Ezra rapidly approaching, a black mass of duct beasts right behind him.

"So many?!" A girl's expression changed slightly, disbelief in her eyes. Especially when she saw three 1000 feet duct beasts at the front of the pack, causing her usually frosty face to fill with emotion.

"He has actually found three 1000 feet duct beast?!"

By now, even someone like Ella Abella was unable to keep her cool. She knew just how difficult it was to find a 1000 feet duct beast. It had taken them more than half a year to even discover any traces of one.

And yet, this guy had managed to discover one after a few short days in the reservoir. How could this not shock her?