Chapter 276: How Is This Guy So Fast, He Discovered a Loophole

Jiang Chen's running speed is far behind the Skeleton Warrior's, so he can only let the Skeleton Warrior carry him at a gallop.

Even though his body is jostled and his bones ache, Jiang Chen decides to endure the discomfort.

Qiao Zhixin watches Jiang Chen's pained expression, her face flushing slightly, and says, "Actually, if you're uncomfortable, I can carry you."

Jiang Chen smiles faintly, "It's fine, I'm used to it."

In the whole party, a large group of Skeleton Warriors lead with corpses, Jiang Chen and Qiao Zhixin are in the middle, and the Lich General is at the rear.

Last time the Instance took over half an hour to traverse; this time it was finished in less than three minutes.

Although the corpses are no longer fresh and have lost most of their life force, they're still better than nothing.

As for the Earth Flower's vitality, it remains strong; even after losing much, it far exceeds that of ordinary monsters.

The plant-type boss has formidable vitality. Jiang Chen looks forward to the damage he can deal.

An Ancient Earth Dragon appears in view. The magma has not yet subsided, and the lava from the Ancient Earth Dragon's mouth continues to pour into the magma.

The Ancient Earth Dragon shows little reaction to the arrival of the Skeletons, merely lifting an eyelid lazily to glance.

It sees a huge pile of corpses flying toward it, getting closer.

"What is that?"

A hint of doubt flickers in the massive dragon eye.

The next second, a Curse descends.

Then a violent Explosion rains down from the sky.

The midair Explosion unleashes terrifying force.

Especially, the blast from the flower is so destructive that the Ancient Earth Dragon's Scale Armor shatters, leaving it a bloodied mess.

Amid the Explosion, Qiao Zhixin rushes forward, casts Collecting Technique on the Ancient Earth Dragon, then quickly retreats.

Now the Ancient Earth Dragon has no time to attend to Qiao Zhixin; wave after wave of continuous Explosions daze it.

The injuries keep worsening; if the blasting continues, it will truly die.

Suddenly, it spots Jiang Chen amid the cluster of Explosions.

It's him, that damned ant.

Before it can act, a multitude of Skeletons appear in its sight.

Skeleton Mages immediately focus fire, and Skeleton Warriors, regardless of anything, grab blades and hack.

Some Skeletons keep tossing corpses, and Jiang Chen continues to trigger explosions.

For this attempt, Jiang Chen prepared a full 200 corpses.

Only half have been detonated so far.

Even if your defense is high and damage reduction is severe.

Jiang Chen believes even he can't withstand 200 Corpse Explosions.

The Ancient Earth Dragon lets out a Roar, leaps high, and stomps down on Jiang Chen fiercely.

Skill: War Stomp!

Jiang Chen remains motionless, still methodically detonating corpses.

A single War Stomp still cannot break the Bone Armor.

It's clear the Ancient Earth Dragon has reached its limit and won't hold out long.

1,690 Skeleton Mages focus fire.

Skeleton Warriors leap as if risking their lives to unleash the skill.

For the already exhausted Ancient Earth Dragon, each is a lethal blow.

Under the War Stomp, Jiang Chen's Bone Armor glitters, blocking all attacks.

Jiang Chen taps his fingers repeatedly, detonating several more corpses in succession.

Amid the rumbling booms, the Ancient Earth Dragon's eyes show resentment as it crashes down.

The tiny ant it ignored was only given one chance to use a skill.

"Kill Ancient Earth Dragon, Experience +5,800,000"

"Obtain Earth Dragon Strong Bow"

"Obtain Earth Crystal"

"Obtain Earth Gem"

"Obtain Jade Earth Heart"

"

"Obtain Earth Dragon Strong Bow through Collecting Technique"

"Obtain Earth Crystal through Collecting Technique"

"Obtain Earth Gem through Collecting Technique"

"Obtain Heart of Earth through Collecting Jade"

"Earth Dragon Strong Bow (Archer Exclusive): Platinum Grade Weapon, All Attributes +3500, Bow/Arrow Skill Amplify 90%. Skill: Limit Dodge!"

"Limit Dodge: For 30 seconds, dodge 100% of attacks, take no damage, cooldown 30 minutes."

"Earth Dragon Strong Bow (Archer Exclusive): Platinum Grade Weapon, All Attributes +3500, Bow/Arrow Skill Amplify 90%."

Two Earth Dragon Strong Bows: one comes with a skill, the other without.

Weapons obtained through Collecting Technique carry no skills.

Jiang Chen doesn't know whether it's coincidence or a limitation of the Collecting Technique.

The Limit Dodge skill attached to this Earth Dragon Strong Bow also ranks among the top-tier.

This Skill, for an Archer, is like an entirely separate life.

It can be used both to attack enemies and to escape death.

Qiao Zhixin's pretty face was full of surprise, "Only 37 minutes? So fast."

The first time it took 4 hours, the second time 37 minutes.

The gap between them is huge.

Jiang Chen calculated the remaining time.

There are still 4 hours left, a full 240 minutes.

Even allowing for margin, they can still run it at least five times.

Each run yields at least four Hearts of Earth, and Earth Fragments are abundant.

Counting the first two runs, they have completed seven runs in total.

Altogether 28 to 30 Hearts of Earth.

With this, for at least the next few hundred years, the Human Race will not lack Earth Knights.

Since that's the case, let's run it.

They each equipped themselves and Qiao Zhixin with Bone Armor, while Ding

reminded, "When we teleport out, we may encounter attacks from Abyss Demons and the Dragon Race."

"Don't panic, and you don't need to deal with them."

"All you have to do is select to re‑enter the Instance directly; I'll purge the Instance's cooldown immediately."

"We now need to run it as many times as possible to secure enough Hearts of Earth."

Qiao Zhixin let out a strong hum, "I understand. With Yu Yao Jie here, they'll handle the Abyss Demons and the Dragon Race."

"Alright, let's start the Instance now, go!"

The two left the Instance.

To Jiang Chen's surprise, no one attacked them at all.

Jiang Chen completed the Instance reset within two seconds, and the two re‑entered the Instance.

The Abyss Demons and the Dragon Race wore bewildered expressions.

What just happened?

How did those two members of the Human Race come out of the Instance and then swoosh back in?

They hadn't even spent 40 minutes in the Instance the last time.

Is this a ghost sighting?

The Abyss Demons and the Dragon Race were somewhat unwilling to believe…

It wasn't just them; the Human Race side also couldn't believe it.

They didn't know what had happened.

Ding Genghong muttered, "That fast? What kind of efficiency is that!"

He then became ecstatic, a broad smile spreading across his face, "If it's really like this, we can still run it four to five more times."

"In the coming centuries, the Human Race won't lack Hearts of Earth."

"Earth Knights will inevitably be reborn."

The "Ancient Earth Dragon" fell again before Jiang Chen.

Now in Jiang Chen's hands, there are five Earth Gems and five Earth Crystals each, and the Hearts of Earth have reached thirteen.

Qiao Zhixin looked very excited, "It's 1 minute faster than last time; this time only

took 36 minutes."

Jiang Chen let out a hum.

There are still 3 hours 18 minutes left; if all goes well, another four runs are completely doable.

With good luck, perhaps five runs are possible.

Having Earth Gems, Earth Crystals, and Hearts of Earth in reserve isn't too much.

The two left the Instance, then re‑entered again.

Outside, the Abyss Demons and the Dragon Race still haven't recovered.

Who could have thought that a Instance of this tier could be cleared by two people in under 40 minutes.

It's literally a pipe‑dream.

"Is this guy really a member of the Human Race? He can't be a reincarnated BOSS, can he?"

"Clearing the Earth Core Instance in 40 minutes—has the Earth Core Instance difficulty become this low now?"

"I don't believe it; I think he must have used some special item we're unaware of."

"Anyway, no matter what, we must not let him leave alive."

"Don't worry, we're ready. When he comes out next time, we'll strike; he won't escape."

The Abyss Demons and the Dragon Race conferred, staring intently at the Instance, the murderous intent in their eyes growing ever stronger.

The atmosphere shifted, and Ding Genghong sensed it instantly, shouting low, "They may act now; everyone, be ready."

"We've been ready for a long time."

"Soon we'll kill them thoroughly!"

The tension rose, swords drawn and bows taut, ready for a massive battle at any moment.

If the Demons and the Dragon Race hadn't teamed up, the fight would have broken out long ago.

Even if they join forces, the Human Race isn't afraid; if we fight, we'll fight.

On the fourth entry into the Instance, Jiang Chen and Qiao Zhixin's Compatibility became increasingly proficient.

He swiftly cleared the monsters ahead, using only 30 minutes, and passed the second stage of the Instance.

Stage.

Skeletons unusually proficiently cut off the Earth Flower's Tentacle, carrying its corpse onto the cliff and running toward the Ancient Earth Dragon.

Jiang Chen still lets the Skeleton carry him, enjoying the pleasure of bone striking flesh.

Qiao Zhixin beams, "This time we're faster again; maybe we can break the 35‑minute barrier."

Jiang Chen hummed, thinking about the situation outside.

The Abyss Demon and the Dragon Race should be about to react.

Suddenly his gaze sharpened, pupils contracting, and he saw the Ancient Earth Dragon standing there.

Unlike previous times when it lay sleeping, the Ancient Earth Dragon has fully awakened.

"How did it wake up!" Qiao Zhixin said oddly.

"There is a problem!"

A sense of danger rose spontaneously.

Roar!

The Roar echoed throughout the entire Instance!

The situation seems off!