Chapter 7: Spores (4)
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The crackling flames blazed around, filling the air with the putrid stench of burning corpses. After two sweepings by the giants and the Muscle Man, it was safe to say the city’s survivors were dwindling.
Even the once-crescendoing screams had gradually faded into an eerie hush.
Without targets, the giants roamed about like stray dogs in the wilderness. Upon catching a whiff of humans, they’d gather like a pack until they devoured their prey, transforming it into a new Muscle Man—only then would they rest easy.
But to Jing Feng’s surprise, the Taixu Sword Sect’s encampment in the east of the city remained shrouded in darkness.
Logically speaking, encountering such large-scale turmoil, they would at least poke their noses out, if only to mock those guilds wasting food. After all, Sky Void City was their foundation; if it were to be turned to rubble by these monsters, where would the Taixu Sword Sect stand?
Yet, not a single soul from the sect had shown up.
And strangely, neither the giants nor their henchmen had invaded the eastern area, as if they were intentionally avoiding something.
Very odd indeed.
Jing Feng shook her head, kneeling beside Li Xiaocong, who was bleeding out at an alarming rate. She hastily cast another healing spell.
If it weren’t for her, Li Xiaocong would’ve definitely kicked the bucket before those three core entities settled their score.
Si Yan’s eyes were glued to Li Xiaocong, her lips muttering prayers for blessings.
She simply couldn’t fathom how she’d manage in the days ahead without him.
Once the star of Yihong Courtyard, burdened by her duty as a spy, she’d anticipated a bleak, lonely life. Yet here she was, wrapped up with a man who loved her wholeheartedly, grudges and all.
Sure, he had his own share of spoiled rich kid quirks, but his unwavering sincerity toward her had never wavered.
“Hang in there, Li Lang! If you d*e, your lady and our future child are going down with you!”
Si Yan’s resolve was set as she looked into Li Xiaocong’s agonized face, her eyes shimmering with determination.
Three circular protrusions danced around Li Xiaocong’s body, and after a chaotic clash, it became impossible to distinguish which one was the true core.
As one circular protrusion was swallowed whole by another, both Si Yan and Jing Feng gasped.
Li Xiaocong, still on his knees, emitted a muffled groan and sprayed a fountain of black bl**d.
After swallowing a core, the larger protrusion suddenly doubled in size and began to madly chase down the remaining core.
Tension mounted among the onlookers.
They had no idea who was really Li Xiaocong’s core—the predator or the prey.
Whichever one won or lost would leave their hearts racing in suspense.
“What do we do? What do we do?! Who are we cheering for?” Si Yan was in a complete tizzy, her fists clenched tight against her chest like a flustered teenager.
Jing Feng tossed Si Yan a calming buff but couldn’t help feeling frazzled herself, avoiding the outcome of that final showdown.
Suddenly, a loud bang echoed through the air.
Si Yan’s heart dropped as she turned to see Li Xiaocong smash his own shoulder blade, reaching deep into his flesh to grab the larger core. The core, which had been relentlessly pursued, suddenly opened its gaping maw and swallowed its larger foe whole.
In that moment, Li Xiaocong trembled in pain, bl**d gushing out like a fountain.
If it weren’t for Jing Feng continuously casting intense rejuvenation spells, his self-inflicted action would have been nothing short of s*icide; just the act of self-harm could’ve killed him several times over.
However, the core that devoured the larger one finally stabilized and slowly disappeared from his body, hiding who knows where.
“Thud…”
Li Xiaocong collapsed into a pool of bl**d, gradually reverting to his original form.
This caused Si Yan to burst into cheer, disregarding the sticky bl**d that coated her, as she leaped into his arms, unwilling to let go.
Jing Feng sighed.
That whole ordeal had nearly drained her stamina, but thankfully, Li Xiaocong was finally safe and sound.
Though, why amidst all those giants, was only Li Xiaocong able to retain his original essence?
Even stepping up to the plate when Si Yan was in danger.
But this wasn’t the time to delve into that mystery.
Jing Feng gazed toward the Extermination of Immortals Guild, wondering how the Demon-Slaying Squad was faring. Surely, once that dog-headed guy filled Little Musashi in on the giant core business, they’d handle the giants just fine.
Just as she’d predicted,
Upon learning about the giants’ core secret, the weary morale of the Demon-Slaying Squad revived and surged.
The core could freely circulate within the giant’s body, dodging enemy attacks.
As long as the core remained undamaged, even if the giant’s limbs were all severed, it wouldn’t affect subsequent healing and regeneration.
Thus, the Demon-Slaying Squad devised a plan: they wouldn’t split up for one-on-one fights.
Instead, they pooled their strength to focus on a single enemy, while the remaining five did their utmost to hold off the other giants’ attacks.
As long as they could take down the giants one by one, the enemy’s power would continue to wane.
Without a doubt, during the first giant’s takedown, the task of distracting and defending fell hardest on the squad member assigned; one even had his stomach punched through, his life hanging by a thread.
Fortunately, Cold Little Rain knew a thing or two about Flowerless Palace’s healing spells. She quickly cast the highest-level status solidification spell, keeping him stable for a good ten minutes.
If Jing Feng could return in time, he’d have a shot at survival.
The first giant was shredded apart by the collective strength of six, leaving the core with no escape route, which consequently burst into fragments.
Once the giant fell, it didn’t revive.
The morale of the Demon-Slaying Squad soared. Little Musashi felt like a weight had been lifted, stopping the panicked Bald Man from making a run for it.
“Hey, hey! Where do you think you’re going? Weren’t you just boasting about capturing me and giving me a taste of my own medicine?”
The Bald Man smirked. “Little Musashi, don’t get greedy. Sky Void City isn’t as simple as you think.
If I were you, I’d make myself scarce. The longer you stick around, heh, the harder it’ll be to leave Sky Void City.”
“Stop with the scare tactics!”
With a swing of her twin blades, the shining arcs cutting through the night resembled a grim reaper harvesting lives, sending chills down everyone’s spine.
“d*e!”
Little Musashi was determined. This bald guy was the ringleader behind the giants. If she didn’t capture him alive, how could she unravel the whole situation?
She remembered the Witch had personally advised before setting off. If she encountered anything bizarre, she must tread carefully and, if possible, investigate the situation thoroughly.
Now, the opportunity was right in front of her—how could she let it slip away?
