Chapter 35: Escape and Internal Strife

Near Wu Li, Shi Xiu, wearing alloy gauntlets, moved around the Cannon Dragon Lizard.

His figure flickered and leapt, seeming to look for a chance, yet he did not launch an attack.

Seeing Wu Li, who was giving his all, draw the Cannon Dragon Lizard's full hatred, he was chased madly.

Fortunately, the Cannon Dragon Lizard is a relatively weak among fourth‑level Demon Beasts, otherwise the Xuánwǔ Shòuliè Tuán would have been wiped out long ago.

The Cannon Dragon Lizard's hind claws slammed the ground, its forelimbs leapt into the air, continuously clawing at Wu Li.

The claw attacks were extremely fast, leaving streaks of afterimages.

Soon, Wu Li's body was covered in bloodstains, looking as if bathed in blood; his clothes were torn, and no patch of skin remained intact.

Shi Xiu watched everything, and calmly said, "Leader, that's going too far; it's not like I haven't contributed—didn't you see I've been looking for a chance to strike its vital points? Moreover, my strength is nearly exhausted, so give me some time to recover!"

"To hell with you, aren't you just looking for a chance to run away?"

Wu Li trembled with anger, and his long sword in hand nearly slipped away.

He glared, roaring at Shi Xiu, "You looking for a chance like that? If you slack off again, I'll drag you even if it kills me!"

Wu Li was extremely angry; if he could create space, he would definitely cut Shi Xiu first.

Originally, he and Shi Xiu, both Third‑Realm Martial Artists, plus Guan Yulan and Liu Kuanglong, two Second‑Realm Martial Artists, faced essentially no danger hunting on the outskirts.

The journey had been fairly smooth; except for the Shadow Wolf, all other quest materials had been collected.

But Shi Xiu, for some reason, picked up two human‑head‑sized lizard eggs along the way.

Wu Li initially tried to stop him, saying not to pick up unknown eggs in the Huāngshén Cónglín.

Because a Demon Beast that can keep eggs in its nest must be the dominant one in this area.

A comfortable, safe environment is an essential prerequisite for bearing offspring.

The same applies to humans.

Yet Shi Xiu was determined to eat boiled eggs.

He even produced a map, claiming this was a gathering place for second‑level Demon Beasts, so none above that could appear.

After saying that, he boiled the eggs on the spot and ate them.

Because the eggs were huge, he later gave some to Wu Li.

Coincidentally, just as Wu Li was about to eat the egg, the returning Cannon Dragon Lizard that had been hunting caught him dead on the nose.

The Cannon Dragon Lizard went berserk, raging on the spot and attacking Wu Li like a mad beast.

Guan Yulan and Liu Kuanglong tried to help, but were severely wounded by a single strike.

Moreover, the Cannon Dragon Lizard was swift; now they could not outrun it and could only fight to the death.

"It's about to unleash its innate skill!"

Wu Li kept retreating, his long sword swirling densely.

The next moment, he rolled to the side, trying to dodge the attack.

The Cannon Dragon Lizard's mouth flashed red claws, and a fireball spewed out.

"Boom!"

Wu Li barely evaded the fireball, but Liu Kuanglong, lying behind him, was not so lucky.

He watched the fireball draw nearer, powerless.

"Ah~!!"

The fireball devoured Liu Kuanglong, instantly turning him to black charcoal.

"Kuanglong!"

Guan Yulan stared at Liu Kuanglong, whose body was burned beyond recognition, fear filling her eyes.

"Brothers, while the Cannon Dragon Lizard is in its skill cooldown, let's split up and run; meet at the temporary material stash!"

Seeing the chance, Shi Xiu ran while shouting.

"Damn Shi Xiu!" Wu Li shouted angrily, sheathing his long sword, rushing toward Guan Yulan, reaching out to help her, "Yulan, let's go too!"

Splitting up to flee now was indeed a once‑in‑a‑thousand‑years opportunity.

"Wu Ge, you run yourself, I'm just a burden..."

Guan Yulan wept like rain‑soaked pear blossoms, not wanting to further burden Wu Li.

Wu Li said nothing, hoisting her firmly onto his shoulder.

As a Third‑Realm Martial Artist, carrying a person while running was like having no load, barely affecting his speed.

The reason he took Guan Yulan with him was not because he was a good person, nor because of any sense of duty to the leader.

It was to plan that when the Cannon Dragon Lizard caught up, he could drop Guan Yulan to buy time.

Poor Guan Yulan, moved to tears.

Wu Li surged forward at full speed, his stamina maxed out, never pausing until he reached the spot where they had stored the Demon Beast materials.

"Huff—"

Wu Li suddenly halted, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood.

He then gasped heavily, greedily inhaling air.

"Wu Ge... that Demon Beast doesn't seem to have followed..."

Guan Yulan whispered.

Wu Li glanced back, indeed seeing no sign of the Demon Beast, and collapsed onto the ground, cursing, "This Huāngshén Cónglín is truly wicked!"

"A fourth‑level Demon Beast appeared on the outskirts; I've been hunting here for over a decade, and this is the first time I've seen such a case."

Demon Beasts generally have a strong sense of territory; high‑level ones won't go to the outskirts, and low‑level ones dare not enter the interior.

It can be called the survival rule among Demon Beasts.

Recently, something strange seems to have happened deep within the Huāngshén Cónglín; some high‑level Demon Beasts have left their domains, reshuffling the territorial distribution.

And the reason that fire cannon dragon lizard didn't pursue them is very likely that it encountered a more terrifying demon beast.

But none of that matters now.

What matters is that they survived.

Wu Li and Guan Yulan had barely rested when they saw a figure walking not far away.

It was Shi Xiu, the one who had led the escape.

Wu Li angrily cursed: "That damned bastard, still has the nerve to come back!"

Guan Yulan quickly held back Wu Li, who was about to act, and whispered in his ear: "Regiment Leader, you're not in good shape; now isn't the time to settle scores—let's talk after we get out."

Wu Li nodded at her words and sat down again.

"Regiment Leader, Yulan, great, you're alive!"

Shi Xiu ran over, his face beaming with joy, though he felt a bit disappointed inside.

Wu Li has plenty of good stuff on him; if he died, it would definitely be a sizable gain.

Wu Li steadied his heaving breath and sneered: "Heh, thanks to you, I barely managed to survive."

Shi Xiu's eyes scanned around; upon seeing the pool of blood Wu Li had spat on the ground, his heart stirred.

This guy is badly wounded!

Should we make a move?

After careful consideration, he still chose to give up, for fear that if Wu Li had a hidden trick and they ended up in a mutually destructive fight, it would only let Guan Yulan benefit.

"Regiment Leader, come, let me help you walk; we need to leave quickly, lest that lizard chase after us and ruin things."

Shi Xiu eagerly stepped forward to support Wu Li, a smile on his face.

But Wu Li shook off Shi Xiu's hand, refusing his kindness: "No need, I can walk on my own; you'd better save your strength to carry the demon beast materials."

"Alas, what a pity; this mission only lacks the shadow wolf's materials to be completed......"

Hearing Wu Li's words, Shi Xiu's gaze turned somewhat cold.