Chapter 20: Water Buffalo Battles Wolf, Gu Han Brings Up the Rear

Many Combat Soldiers happily picked up the corpses Gu Han had discarded.

They took joy in it, never tiring, as they were about to complete the mission.

Gu Han, meanwhile, ventured deep into the mountains, relishing the increase in his own strength.

This palpable sense of his strength growing made Gu Han unable to hold back a long, skyward whistle.

However, at that moment, a tremendous collision sound suddenly came from ahead.

Amid the collision, the low bellow of a buffalo could be heard.

Could it be that demon beasts are fighting over territory?

Wherever demon beasts clash, there is surely opportunity!

Gu Han's heart stirred, and he cautiously headed toward the source of the sound.

At his present speed, even if he meets an enemy he can't beat, running away should be no problem.

Soon, Gu Han came upon a broad lake.

The lake was mirror-smooth, save for occasional waves that sent ripples across its surface.

At the lake's center, a pristine lotus bloomed.

In the lake, a buffalo and a pale‑blue‑furred wolf beast were locked in fierce combat!

They fought to the death, clearly vying for that blooming lotus.

Is this a Phantom Water Wolf?

From the wolf beast's striking fur, Gu Han immediately identified its kind.

Though the Phantom Water Wolf can control water, it is still far weaker than the Surge‑treading Ox.

The Phantom Water Wolf can barely manage water control.

But the Surge‑treading Ox is a water buffalo that has lived in water since youth; its prowess far surpasses that of the Phantom Water Wolf.

Furthermore, the Surge‑treading Ox's thick hide renders it nearly impervious to the Phantom Water Wolf's attacks.

It actually dares to pick a fight with the Surge‑treading Ox—what nerve!

Gu Han chuckled and shook his head; if the Phantom Water Wolf weren't swift enough, it would have been defeated long ago.

But precisely because of that, they are barely holding their own, neither giving an inch.

But if the Surge‑treading Ox were a little more single‑minded, always staying by the Water Element Lotus, the Phantom Water Wolf would have no recourse.

However, Gu Han realized that perhaps to avoid harming the Water Element Lotus, they had inadvertently damaged its potency.

Both the Surge‑treading Ox and the Phantom Water Wolf kept their distance from the Water Element Lotus.

This sight moved Gu Han's heart.

Although he could gain attributes by slaying demon beasts,

but who would turn down more of a heavenly treasure like the Water Element Lotus?

In the lake, the Phantom Water Wolf sensed the Water Element Lotus nearing maturity and let out a loud howl.

Aooo—

Instantly, its aura burst forth, creating two phantoms identical to itself.

The two Phantom Water Wolves surged forward at breakneck speed from both sides, seeking to crush the Surge‑treading Ox.

Meanwhile, the Phantom Water Wolf itself slipped away into the distance.

The Surge‑treading Ox bellowed in anger and slammed its hoof onto the lake surface.

The lake surface instantly rose two waves that surged toward the two Phantom Water Wolves.

Bang!

In the heavy impact, the lake water flung the Phantom Water Wolf away.

Just as the Surge‑treading Ox was about to unleash a victor's howl,

it suddenly realized that, hidden by the waves, the Phantom Water Wolf had silently crept up beside the Water Element Lotus!

This made the Surge‑treading Ox feel cheated!

This Phantom Water Wolf, full of tricks, knows how to dupe this honest ox!

The Surge‑treading Ox roared, harnessed the waves to surge forward, and charged at the Phantom Water Wolf like a tank.

The Phantom Water Wolf, knowing there was no time to hesitate, readied itself to swallow the Water Element Lotus whole.

But the moment the Water Element Lotus entered its mouth, the Phantom Water Wolf was hit as if by a heavy blow and blasted away by a terrifying impact.

The Water Element Lotus also flew from its mouth, landing on the lake surface near the shore.

Moo! Moo!

The Surge‑treading Ox's eyes turned blood‑red; it ignored the Water Element Lotus and went berserk, slamming into the Phantom Water Wolf's body.

It appeared to be venting the fury of having been deceived!

Even heard from afar, that heavy impact made Gu Han's scalp tingle!

This Phantom Water Wolf really can take a beating!

Gu Han bared his teeth, yet his eyes remained fixed on the Water Element Lotus drifting with the waves on the lake surface.

The Water Element Lotus had drifted to the lake's edge, but perhaps intimidated by the Surge‑treading Ox and the Phantom Water Wolf, no wild beast dared come near.

The Phantom Water Wolf is likely around one‑star sixth rank, while the Surge‑treading Ox is probably one‑star seventh rank.

The Phantom Water Wolf is faster, so I might not outrun it, but the Surge‑treading Ox is suppressing it so hard that it likely can't spare any strength to chase me.

Gu Han conceived the idea of taking the lotus from the ox's mouth.

However, this scene felt somewhat familiar.

Right!

Those novel protagonists, when they were weak, weren't they all waiting for two powerful demon beasts to wound each other, then sitting back to reap the rewards?

Or perhaps they sneakily steal treasures while the demon beasts fight?

Gu Han's mouth twitched; it seemed his idea really coincided with those of the novel protagonists he'd read about before crossing over.

Gu Han suddenly understood.

This time stealing food will definitely succeed!

Gu Han patiently waited a bit, not rashly rushing out, but hiding in the shadow, using the tree's cover to slowly approach.

When the Phantom Water Wolf was almost on its last breath.

Gu Han suddenly exerted all his strength, bursting forth at his fastest speed, his target pointing straight at the Water Element Lotus that had drifted to the lakeside!

"Got it!"

Gu Han snatched up the Water Element Lotus; that refreshing feeling sent a cool shiver through his body, almost making him involuntarily moan.

But just then, he suddenly noticed a pair of eyes staring fixedly at him from beneath the water.

Gu Han looked and saw it was a water snake that wanted the water buffalo to fight the wolf, with another water snake behind it.

The water snake that had its food stolen by the snake's mouth became enraged, hissing, and shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.

This water snake was extremely thick; coiling around Gu Han's body, it tried to strangle him!

"You dare try to steal my stuff? You've got guts!"

In Gu Han's eyes, any heavenly treasure he saw that was ownerless belonged to him!

If it was raised by others, Gu Han wouldn't go so far as to rob it.

This water snake not only wanted to steal his things, but also to kill him—so it must die!

Gu Han seized the water snake's head that lunged to bite him, and instantly his hands burst with terrifying power.

"Hiss!"

The water snake's body was actually torn into two pieces by Gu Han!

"Absorb attributes."

"Congratulations, host, for absorbing 10 Qi Blood, 10 speed, and 10 strength from the water snake's corpse."

This water snake is merely equivalent to a Fourth Stage Martial Trainee; precisely because it's no match for the Treading Wave Bull and the Phantom Water Wolf, it thought to profit from the chaos!

But he didn't expect that waiting for him was Gu Han, the oriole behind the scenes.

Just then, an angry bull's roar suddenly came from afar.

Gu Han looked up and saw the Treading Wave Bull abandon the dying Phantom Water Wolf, charging at him in fury.

"Damn, it's not written like that in the novels!"