Chapter 33

(PS: Our third place index is 9,000, the second place is 10,000, with only a 1,000 index difference. Can we burst the top one's ass?)

In the lush forest, which seemed to have no end, after walking for half a day, Zhuge Xiang and Niu Geng still couldn't see the edge. Moreover, as they went deeper, the trees became denser and taller. In the vast, ten-thousand-mile-long mountain range, the terrain was naturally not all mountains. In this continuous mountain range, large marshes, forests, plains, canyons, and various other terrains could be seen.

Zhuge Xiang's choice was indeed correct. Since entering the forest, they hadn't seen any beast chasing them for half a day, nor had they heard any screams. However, in the forest, turning left and right, Zhuge Xiang and Niu Geng found that they were both lost, not knowing where they were.

On the way, they occasionally encountered low-level beasts, and Zhuge Xiang and Niu Geng easily killed them, gaining some experience. However, nothing dropped, clearly indicating that killing beings of a lower level not only weakened the experience gained but also reduced the drop rate of items.

The five reward items for the first place in the competition: the storage belt did not help in battle, the certificate for upgrading the quality of magical weapons had to be obtained at the sect headquarters, the Yin Gu Hu and the Five Poison Palm were given to Niu Geng, so for the current Zhuge Xiang, the only useful item was the cloak.

Flowing Cloud Cloak (One-star magical weapon): Defense 8-12, Special Effect: If not attacked or using skills for thirty seconds, a shield that absorbs 20 points of damage can be obtained, Durability 28/35, Weight 3.

This was the attribute of the Flowing Cloud Cloak, increasing defense and having a shield skill. As long as there was no attack or skill use for thirty seconds, a shield that absorbs 20 points of damage could be obtained.

Although the shield wouldn't activate during combat once it was gone, having such a state before combat was equivalent to having 20 more hit points, a very practical state. With this Flowing Cloud Cloak, Zhuge Xiang now had five magical weapons, a number that would surely make other disciples envious.

Blood Refining Blade, Parry Blade, Flowing Cloud Cloak, Frost Headband, and Star Chasing Boots. With Zhuge Xiang's third-layer Qi Cultivation, and the enhancement from these five magical weapons, even without using the Bloodthirsty Technique, he could match a fourth-layer Qi Cultivation being, of course, assuming the opponent didn't have powerful magical weapons or skills.

After fleeing for half a day, it was almost evening. Zhuge Xiang and Niu Geng carefully searched for a place to take shelter. This was, after all, the depths of the vast mountain range, where the presence of beasts was not like the outer areas. Here, high-level beasts were numerous, and once it got dark, the forest would become even more dangerous. Therefore, finding a safe place before nightfall was very important.

However, not long after, a sound of battle suddenly came, with roars and intermittent shouts, the voices very familiar.

Zhuge Xiang and Niu Geng exchanged glances and nodded, then cautiously moved toward the direction of the battle sounds. After walking about two hundred meters, Zhuge Xiang and Niu Geng finally saw the combatants.

A huge python, colorful and as thick as a thigh, about thirteen to fourteen meters long, its mouth open, emitting a foul wind. Just by its appearance, it was clear it had a terrifying poison. The python was fighting Hua Nongying and Lu Yuling.

Hua Nongying, with her Ghostly Steps at the Fusion Realm, moved around the python at high speed, her short blade continuously attacking, drawing the python's attention. The short blade was the prize she won in the competition, a one-star magical weapon.

Originally, with Hua Nongying's speed and short blade attacks, she had a chance to kill any beast below the two-star level. However, this colorful venomous python, though not reaching the two-star level, had scales as large as fingernails, making it highly resistant to attacks. Hua Nongying's short blade could only barely cut through the snake's scales.

Lu Yuling's Clear Wave Palm, combined with Ice Silk, significantly slowed the colorful venomous python. Her mechanical puppet also assisted Hua Nongying's attacks, but the damage to the python was minimal. Moreover, it seemed the colorful venomous python was about to break through to the one-star upper-level beast realm, with strength comparable to a sixth-layer Qi Cultivation cultivator.

"Oh, what a coincidence, I didn't expect to meet you here," seeing Hua Nongying and Lu Yuling, Zhuge Xiang and Niu Geng walked out, Zhuge Xiang casually greeting them.

"Zhuge Xiang?" Seeing Zhuge Xiang walk out, Lu Yuling and Hua Nongying's eyes lit up, clearly not expecting to meet him here.

However, this was just right. The colorful venomous python's speed was affected by Lu Yuling's Clear Wave Palm, and the only thing causing them trouble was the python's highly resistant scales. In terms of attack power, Zhuge Xiang was naturally strong.

"Come and help," seeing Zhuge Xiang walk out and his relaxed demeanor, Lu Yuling was furious.

"Of course," Zhuge Xiang's hand swept over his storage belt, and the Blood Refining Blade appeared in his hand. He crouched slightly, channeling qi into the Blood Refining Blade, a crimson qi emerging, the ghostly face sinister. As he prepared the Blood Thunder Slash, Zhuge Xiang's aura grew stronger.

Seemingly sensing the threat from Zhuge Xiang, the colorful venomous python began to hiss restlessly. However, Zhuge Xiang's attack was too fast.

The Bloodthirsty Technique activated instantly, the Star Chasing Boots increased his speed, and with the Burst Step, this Blood Thunder Slash was accompanied by thunder and wind, terrifying to behold. A blood-red blade of light flashed, capable of slicing through steel as thick as a thigh. Although the python's scales were highly resistant, it was still made of flesh and blood.

"Such a sharp attack..." Hua Nongying was deeply impressed by Zhuge Xiang's attack.

Although Zhuge Xiang had used the Blood Thunder Slash against Ji Wuxue in the competition, at that time he was only at the second-layer Qi Cultivation and didn't have the Burst Step skill. How could it compare to the shock it caused now? A near one-star upper-level beast was killed in one strike, and Zhuge Xiang's pure attack power had reached a very high level.

"Ding, killed a one-star mid-level venomous python, gained 212 experience, obtained a Detoxification Pill."

As the colorful venomous python was killed, the system's mechanical voice sounded. 212 experience points? This made Zhuge Xiang slightly stunned. He had gained 200 experience points for defeating the fourth-layer Qi Cultivation Lu Yuling, and this python, equivalent to a sixth-layer Qi Cultivation, only gave 212 experience points?

However, looking at Lu Yuling and Hua Nongying, Zhuge Xiang realized that while over-level battles had experience bonuses, when in a team, the experience was naturally less than when killing alone.

Moreover, the 200 experience points from Lu Yuling's battle were hard-earned, while these 212 experience points were gained with just one Blood Thunder Slash. Although team experience was reduced, in terms of efficiency, teaming up was clearly much faster. At least, working with Lu Yuling, her Clear Wave Palm and Ice Silk restraint gave him time to prepare and use the Blood Thunder Slash.

Reaching into his waist, a black pill appeared in Zhuge Xiang's hand. Notably, when Zhuge Xiang obtained the storage belt, all items he obtained appeared in the storage belt. The storage belt was not very large, with only twelve slots. If the items were the same, they could stack in the same slot, like the Qi Recovery Pills. However, equipment could not stack.

Twelve slots, such a storage belt seemed strange to Zhuge Xiang. Previously, he had asked Lu Yuling about her storage belt on the Asura Warship, and hers was just a fixed space. Zhuge Xiang didn't say much, but it seemed the Super Game System had changed it.

Detoxification Pill (Special Consumable): Can remove all poisoning states below the three-star level.

A simple description, but Zhuge Xiang was very satisfied. In the vast mountain range, with countless venomous snakes and fierce beasts, being poisoned would be very troublesome. Having a Detoxification Pill clearly made things much safer.

Meeting Lu Yuling and Hua Nongying, Zhuge Xiang and Hua Nongying had a good relationship with Lu Yuling, so naturally, the four of them joined together. Gathering together increased their safety. Zhuge Xiang, Hua Nongying, and Lu Yuling were all undeniably strong, but Niu Geng was just a disciple who had just grasped qi, with no martial arts skills, making him a burden.

"Would it be inappropriate to bring him along?" Hua Nongying, though lively, directly raised this question.

Although Hua Nongying's question seemed inhumane, it was understandable. In the demonic sect, they were direct and decisive, even capable of killing fellow disciples for benefits. In this extremely dangerous escape, bringing Niu Geng, a burden, clearly made Hua Nongying unhappy.

Zhuge Xiang, though uncomfortable with Hua Nongying's statement, understood. After all, he and Hua Nongying didn't have a deep relationship. If Hua Nongying were bringing a burden, Zhuge Xiang would also be unhappy.

"He is my friend, and I will not abandon him. If you really think it's inappropriate, we will leave," Zhuge Xiang said seriously, looking at Hua Nongying.

Lu Yuling remained silent, though she had some relationship with both sides, this was a matter of life and death, and she didn't want to interfere, as it could ruin friendships. Friends help each other in times of danger, not place each other in difficult and dangerous situations.

Zhuge Xiang's words deeply moved Niu Geng. Not wanting to cause Zhuge Xiang any trouble, Niu Geng walked to the colorful venomous python, took out a small knife, and skillfully removed the venom glands from the snake.

Waving the venom glands in his hand, Niu Geng said, "Although I have just grasped qi and haven't learned any martial arts, I have a deep understanding of poisons. If you are poisoned, I believe I can help. Moreover, I can refine the collected toxins and apply them to your weapons."

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