Chapter 158: The Monster Wave

The figure beside Chu Jun looked vaguely familiar, but since I could only see their back, it was impossible to be certain. Driven by this, I pushed myself to fly even faster! Those individuals were clearly top-tier experts; even though my strength had suddenly surged to a whole new level, I still couldn't catch up to their pace. The main hindrance was that holding Lan Yue made both flying and running extremely inconvenient. This wasn't due to her weight, but rather balance—when someone starts running while carrying something, no matter how light it is, their speed is bound to drop significantly compared to running unburdened.

Although the Heavenly Eye allowed me to see them more clearly, it couldn't reveal the face of that figure beside Chu Jun, yet that silhouette still felt strangely familiar. Why was Pomegranate running? Given Pomegranate's prowess, she could completely fight Chu Jun to a standstill; coupled with Qin Tian, there was simply no need to flee! Could it be because of that mysterious person by Chu Jun's side?

Throughout the flight, I continuously channeled my inner energy into Lan Yue. Once her stamina recovered, I would be able to fly unfettered. I remembered Lan Yue telling me her ability was around the 1-star level. I wondered if she could fly; even if she couldn't, her running speed should still be remarkably fast. It would be best if she could keep up, but in the unlikely event she couldn't, I wouldn't need to worry too excessively. Mutant beasts within a radius of a hundred miles had already been wiped out, so there shouldn't be many threats capable of inflicting harm on a 1-star powerhouse.

Time ticked away, and the four figures ahead had veered away from the World Alliance. I figured Qin Tian and Pomegranate did this intentionally—after all, no one in their right mind would lead a battle right onto their own doorstep. Pomegranate and Qin Tian glanced back from time to time, and Qin Tian even seized the opportunity to unleash a heaven-shaking strike. The target wasn't Chu Jun, but the figure running right in front of him. With a deafening roar, the ground was instantly blasted into a massive crater, yet that figure evaded it effortlessly. What terrifying reaction speed!

"Brother Li, please stop channeling inner energy into me. Put me down, and go quickly to save your friends! I'm afraid Chu Jun might do something to them!" Lan Yue looked up and said to me. Judging by her voice, she indeed sounded much better. I had been channeling energy into her the entire time, and though I had no idea how much I had transferred, the strange thing was that my inner energy remained as abundant as ever. It felt as though I had been channeling air rather than vital energy, which must have been the effect of the Origin-Solidifying Pill.

Hearing Lan Yue say this, I pondered for a moment and realized it made sense. I asked her, "Are you really alright?"

Lan Yue gave a soft hum, "I'm fine. Please put me down."

I nodded, descended from the high altitude, and set Lan Yue down on the ground. "Be careful. I'm going ahead to see what's really happening. You shouldn't follow; head back to the World Alliance." Just as I was about to set off, Lan Yue suddenly called out to me.

"Brother Li... please don't kill Chu Jun..." Lan Yue said softly.

"Huh? Why?" I couldn't fathom it. For someone like Chu Jun, who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals, what reason was there to shield him? Moreover, it was a girl I regarded as a younger sister pleading for his life! Could it be that Lan Yue had feelings for Chu Jun? No, that was impossible, absolutely impossible. It was probably just this young girl feeling a sense of gratitude—after all, Chu Jun had taken her in.

Lan Yue hesitated for a long time without saying a word. I told her, "Go back first, and I promise you I won't kill him." There was a fifty-percent chance my guess was correct; Lan Yue likely fancied Chu Jun. My current 2.5-star capability was more than enough to take Chu Jun's life, and I had every confidence in that. My promise not to kill him was merely a brush-off to appease her. How could this silly girl give her heart to such a person? In the end, the only one who would get hurt was herself!

Upon hearing my words, Lan Yue nodded and turned to leave. Once she was sent on her way, I once again invoked the Dance of Mountains and Rivers to give chase. After advancing to the seventh tier, the speed of the Dance of Mountains and Rivers was no slower than Wind-Riding, covering hundreds of meters in a single second—almost rivaling a bullet. I figured that if any bystanders were present, they would only see a blurred afterimage flash past.

Right, bullets and arrows—didn't I still have a few explosive arrows left? With my enhanced strength, wielding the revolver and the Dark Iron Bow should prove even handier!

I picked up the pace, pushing myself to my absolute limit; any faster was simply impossible! The figures of the four ahead had already come into view. At a distance of one thousand meters, it was too far for an effective attack. I planned to use an explosive arrow to launch a surprise attack on that mysterious figure. The reason Qin Tian and Pomegranate were running for their lives was very likely because of this mysterious entity.

Just how formidable must they be to force even deities to flee in such a pathetic state? One had to know that combined, Pomegranate and Qin Tian—even with my current 2.5-star strength—were opponents I wouldn't dare claim I could defeat! Could that mysterious person be a deity as well?

Eight hundred meters. The distance between me and the four of them was steadily closing. Under the effect of the Heavenly Eye, every single movement of theirs was crystal clear to me. Now that the distance had shortened, I could truly see that the term "afterimage" applied fittingly to all four. The mysterious person's speed was clearly superior, several times almost managing to grab Qin Tian. Fortunately, Pomegranate was there, dragging Qin Tian along in a frantic sprint with their feet barely touching the ground.

Six hundred meters. Closer. A little closer and I could initiate the attack. With the Dark Iron Bow in one hand and three explosive arrows in the other—these were my final three explosive arrows—I aimed to subdue the enemy in a single strike! While this tactic might lack a certain honor, there was no better alternative at the moment. When dealing with such adversaries, one could not afford to be soft-hearted; winning was the ultimate truth!

Four hundred meters. I nocked the arrows and took aim, loading all three explosive arrows simultaneously. I trusted that the combined force of these three projectiles would be more than enough to give that mysterious figure a hard time! Aiming was impossible while running, so I leaped into the air. Under the state of Wind-Riding flight, my aim wouldn't waver. I locked onto the mysterious person's body, pulled the bowstring to its absolute limit, and released my grip. The three explosive arrows shot forth in unison.

The three explosive arrows struck the mysterious person instantly. Following a burst of white smoke, a crater roughly a zhang in diameter appeared on the ground, with wisps of white smoke drifting from within. The sheer force of the explosion directly knocked Qin Tian and Pomegranate off their feet, while Chu Jun and that mysterious figure tumbled into the pit.

I quickly flew down from the sky, landed, and peered into the crater. Thick white smoke billowed from inside; surely, even if those two weren't dead, they wouldn't have the strength to crawl back out! Stowing the Dark Iron Bow, I said to Qin Tian and Pomegranate, "Why were you running so fast? You made me chase you for ages! Who on earth is that person? You two couldn't beat him?"

"That's Kui Ba, an ancient demonic beast. I'm afraid it won't die so easily! Get away from there quickly!" Pomegranate said to me nervously.

Just as Pomegranate's words faded, my calf tightened, and my body was violently yanked downward, plunging straight into the deep pit.

In 2014, I wish everyone smooth sailing and all your wishes fulfilled in the New Year! This year is also my Chinese zodiac birth year; I wish you all great fortune in the Year of the Horse!