Xiao Chen refined the peerless dragon crystal, the vast majority of its primordial dragon essence condensing into the Shangqiu acupoint in his right foot. Only a small portion of the dragon's vital energy merged into his wounded body, yet even that small amount had done much to heal his injuries.
For three days, Zhao Lin'er had not appeared. But she would never abandon the chance to kill him—they were racing against time, and her thunderous strike could fall at any moment.
Xiao Chen desperately needed time to recover. For days he had sat in unbroken meditation within the primeval forest, regulating his breath.
This island was a place of profound mystery. On the fringes of the tyrant dinosaur's territory, he had found traces of many colossal creatures—most of them primeval savage beasts. He had seen divine leopards capable of tearing elephants apart, ancient crocodiles over twenty meters long, golden centipedes as thick as a bowl… and he had even heard the roars of unknown dragons echoing from deep within the island. Those were certainly not the Eight-Armed Malignant Dragon nor the ancient tyrant dinosaur—they were other, still-unknown draconic beings.
The spiritual essence of the vegetation flowed like a gentle stream. Green light flickered through the mountain forest. Around Xiao Chen, the air grew dense with spiritual energy, a hazy green radiance enveloping his body. Strand after strand of pure wood-element essence poured into him, and the gentle emerald glow steadily nourished his wounded form.
Two more days passed. Xiao Chen's body was in far better condition than before. He decided to scout what Zhao Lin'er was doing. She would not have changed her intention to kill him. The coming confrontation would likely be a storm-like, absolute kill. It was necessary to investigate.
Circling around the areas where the tyrant dinosaurs often appeared, Xiao Chen pushed through the dense primeval forest, avoiding all manner of savage beasts, and finally returned to the edge of the island, to the vicinity of the bamboo hut he had built.
The small lake was as clear as a sapphire, perfectly reflecting the blue sky and white clouds. Around it, vines coiled and intertwined; great clusters of colorful flowers bloomed in profusion, their intoxicating fragrance spreading through the entire woodland.
The bamboo hut was verdant and green, adorned with vines and blossoms. On a vine in front of the hut hung a silk scarf, swaying gently in the breeze.
The bamboo house Xiao Chen had built was now Zhao Lin'er's dwelling—truly a trophy in the most literal sense.
But Xiao Chen did not see Zhao Lin'er. He began a thorough search of the area. Then his pupils abruptly contracted. Deep in the forest, a hundred meters from the lake, stood five newly built bamboo huts! And he saw a stranger.
It was a tall, slender young man, perhaps in his mid-twenties. He had long brown hair and very fair skin, but his eyes were dark and predatory, inspiring no goodwill.
Who was this?
Xiao Chen stood motionless in the dense forest, watching the brown-haired man.
Before long, a flock of seabirds burst up from the woods near the coast. Two figures emerged from the jungle, walking swiftly toward the huts. A man and a woman, both around twenty years old, with the same light-brown hair. Judging by their clothing, they appeared to be servants of the man in front of the bamboo house. Together they bowed to him.
The brown-haired youth waved a hand, signaling them to rise. "Still no sign of them?" he asked.
"No, my lord. There is not a single ship on the sea."
The brown-haired youth frowned slightly. "The Forbidden Sea has been unusually calm. Without the obstruction of mysterious forces, the crossing should not have been too dangerous. Why have they not arrived? Could they have encountered that evil dragon?" He turned to look at the bamboo house by the lake, fell silent for a moment, then murmured to himself, "A beauty unmatched in this world… Even the unicorn sacred beast stays by her side. She is as lovely as an angel…"
The male servant standing beside him said, "My lord, if you like her, why not…"
"Hmph!" The brown-haired man cut him off with a cold snort. "You had better keep such words to yourself. When our people arrive, we will first help her eliminate that enemy. I have my own plans."
From within the dense forest, Xiao Chen quietly withdrew.
Zhao Lin'er. When he spoke that name, a piercing light blazed from his eyes. She had already allied herself with people from the World of Immortality, and she was sworn to kill him.
And now there was this new, powerful enemy. He could not help but acknowledge that beauty was indeed the most formidable weapon. Zhao Lin'er's loveliness had moved this brown-haired man to resolve to aid her.
He had two choices: flee deep into the island, or seize the chance to strike first.
He was a man of decisive action. After brief consideration, he resolved to preempt the enemy, to weaken their strength before reinforcements arrived and left him even more isolated and passive.
Xiao Chen searched and observed carefully. Near the newly built bamboo huts, three more men were hidden, guarding the brown-haired youth. Then, along the coast, he discovered three more figures among the coconut groves. By their dress, they were also servants of the brown-haired man, positioned at different points, scanning the sea—clearly awaiting the arrival of reinforcements.
Having thoroughly scouted the island's edge, Xiao Chen decided to act.
The coconut groves by the sea were thick and verdant. The three guards were each stationed several hundred meters apart. Xiao Chen moved silently through the jungle toward the nearest one.
Without a blade in hand, his body became the best weapon. A cold gleam flashed—one finger to seal the throat! Blood burst forth. Xiao Chen retreated like the wind. A brown-haired servant collapsed onto the forest floor, his throat torn open.
There was no hesitation. If he did not kill the enemy, the enemy would kill him. Only by being ruthless could he survive.
He approached the second target. But when he was still seven meters away, a ripe coconut fell with a soft thud onto the sand, causing the servant to turn and look. Xiao Chen instantly accelerated to his limit, leaped into the air, twisted his waist, and swept his leg toward the man's throat.
It all happened in a flash. The servant was alert; he did not panic at the sudden attack. He instinctively retreated quickly while raising his arms to block.
"Bam!"
Xiao Chen's leg struck with the weight of a thousand jun. The servant's arms shattered on impact. The agony twisted his face, but his consciousness remained clear. He gasped out a cry: "Help—"
Xiao Chen's right palm blazed with divine light, like a heavenly blade cutting through the void. With a flash of dazzling brilliance, the servant's head flew from his shoulders in a spray of blood. Xiao Chen retreated like lightning.
The servant's cry was swallowed by the roar of the waves.
The headless corpse gushed blood and crumpled onto the sand. The smell of blood drifted through the grove. Xiao Chen had already vanished.
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