Everything was deliberate on Xiao Chen's part. It wasn't that he lacked exquisite techniques, but to utterly overwhelm this barbarian expert in momentum, he had to crush him with the very power the man trusted most. Even if he could not kill him outright, he would leave an indelible shadow upon his spirit. There was no need for mercy toward an enemy—the goal was to defeat him forever, even in his mind.
Xiao Chen wanted to shatter Kaiao, to eliminate a future threat. Since they had become mortal enemies, for his own safety the most effective course was to annihilate him completely.
But the ancient beast souls—the Divine Wolf and the Fierce Tiger—circling Kaiao roared continuously, emitting waves of terrifying energy. They formed a protective barrier around Kaiao, like an impenetrable divine armor, and a surging power flowed into Kaiao's right leg, trying to force Xiao Chen's hands away.
While Xiao Chen and Kaiao fought fiercely, Yaluode, the young forest tribe expert several hundred meters away, was also in battle. A master shrouded in faint light had blocked his path at the most critical moment, preventing him from aiding Kaiao—clearly intending to use Xiao Chen's hand to kill the barbarian.
That mysterious figure was a Spellmaster. He harried Yaluode continuously until Kaiao fell into mortal danger; only then did Yaluode wound his opponent and hurriedly rush over—though he himself bore light injuries.
Endless vines and creepers spread rapidly through the forest, rolling toward Xiao Chen like a green tidal wave. The three skeletons, who had been watching from the sidelines, saw someone join the fray. They transformed into three streaks of white light and charged at Yaluode.
The terrible thorned vines and tough creepers momentarily troubled Xiao Chen, but he was not afraid. He simply used Kaiao's body as a weapon, smashing it into the poisonous thorns and vines.
The thorns retreated, but the vines surged madly, engulfing Kaiao. Green light radiated from the long tendrils, containing boundless spiritual energy—the power of Yaluode.
Combined, the strength of Yaluode and Kaiao finally forced Xiao Chen to release his grip. As he let go, Xiao Chen struck viciously, shattering a mass of vines and slamming Kaiao's body into the hard ground, making the forest tremble violently.
Kaiao was saved. He did not recklessly charge again but retreated swiftly with the vines.
On the other side, the three skeletons had reached Yaluode's vicinity. Most of Yaluode's spiritual power had been channeled to the vines near Xiao Chen, almost allowing the skeletons to injure him.
Qin Guang Wang, Yan Luo Wang, and Lun Hui Wang all unleashed dark netherfire. The dreadful yin fire burned away a large portion of the defensive vegetation. Now, with his spiritual power fully returned, Yaluode calmly trapped the three skeletons. But at that moment, Xiao Chen attacked. Yaluode had no choice but to retreat and join Kaiao.
A brief calm settled over the mountain forest as the two sides faced each other. The distant onlookers held their breath, watching intently.
Kaiao growled in low fury, his eyes gleaming with a green light—a bestial awakening. Today, he felt immense humiliation. His pride had been severely trampled. He was about to charge with Yaluode.
But Yaluode stopped him, speaking in a low voice: "We underestimated him. A lesson indeed! We cannot fight him now. There are those in the shadows watching us eagerly. Earlier, someone blocked me from coming to your aid. Now we are both wounded. We must not aggravate our injuries by battling him further. The hidden ones may strike at us. For today, let us retreat."
Xiao Chen stood with his three skeletons, facing the two young experts. He knew he had no chance of victory—both opponents were not much weaker than him, while his skeletal companions were not as strong. Alone, he feared neither, but in a chaotic melee, danger would be great.
In that moment, Xiao Chen's violent aura gradually receded. He stood still, his upright figure exuding an ethereal, detached presence.
Yaluode's expression shifted slightly. It was clear that this opponent was not merely powerful in strength; from the aura he now emitted, 'raw force' was only one aspect of his might.
"Let today's matter rest here," Yaluode said, pulling the unwilling Kaiao away swiftly.
Xiao Chen said nothing, watching them leave calmly. 'I do not trouble others unless they trouble me. But if they bully me, I will strike back with the fiercest retaliation.' That was his principle of survival.
This battle completely overturned Kaiao and Yaluode's perception of Xiao Chen. They had not expected him to be so formidable. Kaiao seethed with anger and felt his pride deeply wounded.
"Never underestimate an enemy!" Yaluode concluded ruefully, and maliciously hoped that Yan Qingcheng and Lande would make the same mistake.
Xiao Chen stood silent for a long time. Only after all covert gazes had withdrawn did he let out a deep breath. He had sustained light injuries, but it did not matter—his life essence was vigorous, and he would recover soon.
Overwhelming force with force—that was true power confrontation. If not for his cultivation advancement after opening the Zhongting acupoint, this encounter might have been dangerous.
After a brief rest, Xiao Chen and the three skeletons continued onward. After advancing a few hundred meters, he understood why Yaluode had been late in rescuing Kaiao. In this area, he found traces of a fierce battle between Yaluode and someone else.
Another expert had hidden nearby, intending to use Xiao Chen to eliminate Kaiao. Xiao Chen frowned slightly. The situation on Dragon Island was growing more complex. The true chaos and slaughter had begun.
The strong live; the weak die. That was the law of survival on Dragon Island!
The mountains rose and fell. After crossing a low hill, Xiao Chen and the three skeletons saw a valley ahead. Here, traces of beasts noticeably diminished, and the surroundings grew quiet.
Xiao Chen began to survey the environment carefully. Even the Blood-Colored Ape had been unwilling to approach this area—clearly, danger lurked. As expected, near the valley entrance, he discovered enormous footprints, each a full meter in length!
No comments:
Post a Comment