I Became the Alchemy Master by Picking Up Trash-Chapter 48 - 47: Mad Goblins (Part 1)

The three continued forward under Li Xing’s guidance, moving towards the area where the Spirit Fruit grows.

In the afternoon, Li Xing perked up and led Ye Qingting and Cui Tianxiao through strategic maneuvers, specifically choosing paths dominated by aggressive and poisonous Spirit Plants. Because Spirit Plants are troublesome, Star Beasts tend to avoid them.

Li Xing was well-acquainted with the habits of these Spirit Plants, testing their boundaries without crossing them. Thus, despite the lurking dangers, the three of them did not suffer any substantial attacks.

As a result, Ye Qingting and Cui Tianxiao’s stamina recovered immensely. They were now approaching the central area of Datang Forest, surrounded by high-level Star Beasts. Conserving even a fraction of Elemental Power afforded them a greater chance in battles with the Star Beasts.

At dusk, they arrived in front of an open area, their guide Li Xing suddenly stopped and gestured for silence to the two behind.

This open space appeared abrupt within the dense woods. The ground was covered with short thorny bushes, with about twenty stumps scattered across. Each stump had a smooth-cut surface the size of a bathtub, which seemed unnatural for naturally fallen trees. What’s odd was that there were only stumps without any sign of tree trunks, as if someone intentionally cleared this open space.

There were no dangerous Spirit Plants in this open area, but it gave her a bad feeling. Li Xing trusted her sixth sense and pointed to the side, signaling everyone to detour.

The three retreated into the dense forest, ready to leave, when suddenly a Wind Blade shot from the direction of the open area, heading straight towards Li Xing’s face.

Ye Qingting grabbed Li Xing and leaped to the side, barely avoiding it. Immediately after, more Wind Blades were hurled at the three. Ye Qingting drew his Longsword, shielding Li Xing, as the Primordial Spirit erupted into a blue Ice Dragon from the sword’s edge, opening its maw to devour all the incoming Wind Blades, turning into ice crystals that vanished into the air.

While the Ice Dragon swallowed the Wind Blades, Cui Tianxiao’s Longbow was fully drawn, Elemental Power condensed into Thunder Arrows, which he shot towards the center of the open space.

The Thunder Arrows landed, sending crackling electric currents spreading across the open space.

"Kekekekekeke—!" The places the current touched erupted with a chorus of wailing.

The stumps were pushed aside like manhole covers, and from within, ugly Star Beasts emerged one after another, resembling dwarves. Their fierce eyes and malicious fangs clearly indicated these dwarves were far from peaceful.

"Mad Goblins!"

Ye Qingting’s expression shifted slightly. Mad Goblins are high-level Star Beasts, adept at wind manipulation. Originally called Wind Goblins, their unpredictable, eccentric, and irritable nature, coupled with a strong sense of vengeance and communal living, earns them the nickname Mad Goblins. Even Star Beasts of higher ranks tend to avoid them when they go crazy.

Mad Goblins are incredibly vindictive, and Cui Tianxiao’s earlier arrow offended all of them, making escape without a fight today unlikely.

"Ah Xiao, cover me!"

Ye Qingting gripped his sword with both hands, and without hesitation, rushed into the goblin nest for close combat, while Cui Tianxiao stood on the perimeter, firing Thunder Arrows to prevent sneak attacks on Ye Qingting.

The Mad Goblins were too fast; Cui Tianxiao’s gaze could not stray from the battlefield for even a moment, constantly condensing Thunder Arrows. Amidst the chaos, he did not forget Li Xing: "Li Xing, stand behind me!"

Obediently, Li Xing moved behind, her eyes burning as she watched the battlefield. She was encountering Mad Goblins for the first time, their human-like appearance, high intelligence, and superior combat abilities surpassing Star Beasts of the same level.

Mad Goblins advance to high-level for good reasons. Their small size, rapid speed, and ability to teleport using wind elements make long-distance attacks difficult to hit them. If Cui Tianxiao’s arrows weren’t thunder-attribute, scattering electric damage even when missed, Ye Qingting would likely have been beset on all sides.

Ye Qingting swung his Longsword, severing one transparent and intangible Wind Blade after another, without any lapse in concentration.

Taking advantage of a gap open after dodging a Wind Blade, Ye Qingting launched an Elemental Attack at an isolated Mad Goblin,

"Ice Tornado, capture!"

Minute ice particles engulfed the goblin in a miniature tornado. As Ye Qingting twisted his wrist, the tornado swiftly spun tight; amidst blood-curdling screams, a mist of blood erupted. The tornado vanished, leaving the mangled body of the goblin lifeless on the ground.

"Ke—!"

Mad Goblins dwell in close-knit clans bound by blood. Witnessing the death of a kin, they flew into a furious rampage, intensifying their attack on Ye Qingting.

The goblin closest in kinship to the deceased recklessly ignored the damage from Thunder Arrows, charging at Ye Qingting with claws swinging in madness, turning the fight chaotic.

"Qingtian, hold on, I’m coming!"

Cui Tianxiao had been executing long-range attacks for quite some time but hadn’t hurt many Mad Goblins; realizing his comrade might soon be overwhelmed by goblins, he could no longer hold back. Grasping the middle of his Longbow, he shook it vigorously, causing the bowstring to retract into the bow, transforming it into a two-headed staff, narrow in the middle.

Cui Tianxiao stormed into the battlefield wielding the staff, swinging it fiercely. His bow, passed down through generations, was a rare transformable weapon, adept for both ranged and close combat, ranking favorably in the arsenal of Qianyuan Continent.

Finally feeling the impact, Cui Tianxiao let out some pent-up frustration. Executing the Meteor Chasing Moon, he sent two Mad Goblins flying, finally reuniting with Ye Qingting.

With support, no longer beset on all sides, Ye Qingting could finally snatch a moment to recover. Even Heavenly Armor-class Primordial Spirits cannot continuously assault using Elemental Power. Just like a fist needs to retract to deliver pain, Elemental Power must ebb and flow to unleash maximum force.

The two stood back to back, Ye Qingting employed Ice Protection Skill, adding a thin layer of Ice Helmet to both. Mad Goblins’ Wind Blades were truly formidable, already tearing several gashes into Ye Qingting’s advanced Battle Suit in a short span.

The discontinuous talisman weakened the Battle Suit’s defense; getting struck by Wind Blades seeped pain into their bones.

Mad Goblins understood tactical cooperation: they split into two groups, one attacking from afar with Wind Blades while the other engaged in close combat, viciously clawing and biting the duo.

Unfortunately, most bites were blocked by their weapons, and the occasional success revealed their inability to penetrate the ice layer protecting the duo, providing less harm than Wind Blades.

Initially, they acted with caution, aware that one of the duo had effortlessly killed their comrade, biting before quickly retreating. However, after prolonged assault, the duo hadn’t unleashed further Elemental Power attacks. Becoming less vigilant, the Mad Goblins started encircling Cui Tianxiao and Ye Qingting.

The outer circle goblins gradually abandoned long-range attacks, joining the close combat. To these Star Beasts, employing fangs and claws was instinct, satisfying their intrinsic thirst for blood and cruelty far more than Elemental Power attacks.