Chapter 172: Medusa's Perception
Pfft! A mouthful of blood sprayed out as Mo Tianxing, truly enraged this time, coughed up blood from sheer fury. Gong Heng's question was one he couldn't answer. The two of them already had significant grudges, and to suggest they bury the hatchet in the Black Corner Region or even here? What a joke! Impossible!
Lu Bu stood in the distance, casually twirling his sword, occasionally pointing its tip toward Mo Tianxing's vital spots with a sinister grin and eerie laughter.
But honestly… Lu Bu didn't hold out any hope of taking down Mo Tianxing this time. He had no relationship or alliance with Gong Heng why would Gong Heng help him?
Even if Gong Heng did want to help, Lu Bu wouldn't dare to agree. The three of them harbored their own agendas, mistrusting one another. It was impossible for two of them to genuinely cooperate to eliminate the third. If Su Qian were here, however, things might be different.
If Su Qian were involved, Lu Bu wouldn't hesitate for a second to call upon Medusa and her companions to join forces and take Mo Tianxing down.
So naturally, Lu Bu's true goal was always the Tian Yao Huang's skeletal remains at the bottom of the deep pit.
Watching Mo Tianxing clutch his chest, coughing up blood in anger, Gong Heng's face betrayed a hint of surprise. That didn't seem fake.
Could it be… this kid really was a hidden expert?
The thought flashed briefly through Gong Heng's mind but was quickly dismissed.
Impossible! Absolutely impossible!
If a mere Dou Wang could rival him, a Dou Zong, then why even bother cultivating? He might as well go home and shut himself indoors forever!
With that, Gong Heng steeled his resolve, circulating his Dou Qi, his face growing colder as he prepared to seize this opportunity to crush Mo Tianxing.
Mo Tianxing's eye twitched as he cursed Gong Heng in his heart for being such an idiot. He had considered capturing Zi Yan to threaten Lu Bu, but… after seeing that puppet, he knew it was impossible.
In a battle between experts, the outcome was often decided in an instant. He couldn't guarantee he could destroy the puppet quickly enough. If the fight dragged on, he would have to face Lu Bu's relentless, storm like attacks a fight to the death.
"What should I do…" Mo Tianxing muttered to himself, pressing his thin lips together. This time, he had gained nothing, lost Elder Feng, and was left in utter despair. If he stayed any longer, the consequences would only worsen.
"Lu Bu! Gong Heng! You bastards better watch out! I'll settle this debt with you one day!" Mo Tianxing wiped the blood from his mouth, spat out a curse, and with a tap of his toes, flew off, disappearing from their sight.
"Just like that?"
Gong Heng was stunned. This was the first time he had seen Mo Tianxing take such a huge loss and retreat without further resistance. He had lost not just any ordinary asset but a Dou Huang expert!
Someone like that could easily dominate and crush the so called fourth and fifth ranked Black Rankings, yet Mo Tianxing had fled just like that?
Doubt crept into Gong Heng's mind again. Could that kid really have some hidden strength?
"Mr. Gong Heng, Mo Tianxing has retreated. This matter is resolved. I'll be taking my leave." Lu Bu sheathed his sword, scooped up Zi Yan, and with a flap of his cyan flame wings, began to back away slowly.
"Goodbye, Mr. Gong Heng!"
Zi Yan, cradled in Lu Bu's arms, gave Gong Heng a polite wave, her lips curling into a soft smile. Her manner was so proper and respectful, nothing like the fearsome powerhouse ranked number one on the Inner Academy's Strong Rankings.
Gong Heng stood there speechless. Regardless, dealing with Mo Tianxing was the right thing to do. However… Gong Heng failed to notice Zi Yan's other tiny hand forming a seal.
Down in the pit, the black puppet stealthily crept toward the Tian Yao Huang's skeletal remains.
…
Still… should I test his strength?
Gong Heng's gaze flickered as he watched Lu Bu and Zi Yan gradually fade into the distance. He was tempted. To be honest, he was quite interested in this young man who had repeatedly clashed with Mo Tianxing and still managed to survive.
But before Gong Heng could make a decision, a dull rumble of thunder flashed, and Lu Bu, carrying Zi Yan, vanished from his sight.
"Forget it…" Gong Heng shook his head and dismissed the idea for now. He turned to inspect the magical beast's remains in the pit, hoping to reap some rewards.
However, as he glanced over, his expression froze. The skeletal remains were gone.
Gong Heng turned sharply, only to see a cloud of dust in the distance. A black puppet was carrying the massive remains of the magical beast at full speed, leaving nothing but a trail of destruction in its wake.
"That sneaky little brat!" Gong Heng couldn't help but curse in frustration. He had worked for nothing!
"This kid definitely has some tricks up his sleeve…" Gong Heng muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming. He resolved never to speak of this incident.
No way would he be the only one to fall for this. He needed to drag someone else into this pit, someone like Elder Ying Shan, for instance!
…
Elsewhere, Zi Yan wrinkled her nose, glaring disdainfully at the Tian Yao Huang remains the puppet was hauling through space.
"I don't know what this thing is, but it stinks!" Zi Yan shouted.
"This is a treasure!" Lu Bu beamed as he stored the remains into his storage ring. "Once we're out of here, I'll help you carve its teeth and claws into a pair of gauntlets for you."
"Really? That sounds amazing!" Zi Yan's face lit up with delight.
Although she disliked the magical beast, her instincts told her it was no ordinary creature. Using its remains to craft a weapon would be incredible.
"So, where to next…" Lu Bu asked.
Before Zi Yan could respond, Lu Bu suddenly froze, his expression turning serious. A cool, slippery sensation trailed along his arm. A tiny seven colored serpent slithered from his chest onto his palm.
But this time, Lu Bu's brows furrowed. The serpent's once clear, innocent eyes were now replaced with a pair of enchanting, bewitching ones.
"Your Majesty?" Lu Bu asked, astonished.
"It's me…" Medusa, still in her seven colored serpent form, nodded gently. "Head east. I sense something unusual in that direction."
"Uh… I get that," Lu Bu replied, nodding slightly. "But in that form…?"
"Hmph, it's perfect for sneak attacks!" Medusa wiggled her tiny snake head proudly. Who would expect that this palm sized serpent was actually a three star Dou Zong?
"As expected of you! I couldn't agree more!" Lu Bu gave her a thumbs up, grinning.
Zi Yan leaned closer, her curious eyes fixed on the serpent in Lu Bu's palm.
"Is this Sister Medusa?" Zi Yan asked, astonished. She couldn't believe the towering Medusa could shrink down to such a size!
"Zi Yan." Medusa waved her small tail in greeting before urging Lu Bu. "Hurry. Whatever's over there is important… I think."
"Got it. Let's move!" Lu Bu picked up Zi Yan and, with a little laugh, dashed toward the direction Medusa had pointed, carrying not one but two beauties one large and one small.
Zi Yan frowned slightly. She didn't sense anything in that direction…
As she mulled it over, Lu Bu lightly tapped his toes against the soft yellow sand, using his Three Thousand Lightning Movement to speed forward. Before long, a small hill came into view.
"What… what is that?" Zi Yan gasped, her eyes widening in shock. Atop the hill lay a massive, white skeletal frame long and narrow, its head flat, and its body without limbs.
It looked like an unimaginably enormous serpent!
"Is this… the remains of a Seven Colored Swallowing Python?" Lu Bu murmured, stunned. Aside from Medusa, this was the first time he had ever seen another of its kind.
"Look at its jaw," Medusa, still lounging in Lu Bu's palm, gestured with her tail. "There seems to be something there."
Lu Bu followed her gaze and saw a faint rainbow light emanating from the spot, making his eyebrows rise in excitement. Sure enough, there was treasure to be had!
"And that's not all, Lu Bu!" Zi Yan tugged on Lu Bu's robe, giggling. Her pale finger pointed to the foot of the hill, where two palm sized, bright green stones peeked through the yellow sand.
"That… that's Heavenly Jade Essence?!" Lu Bu exclaimed, overjoyed.
(End of Chapter)
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