Chapter 86: The True Strength of Apocalypse Paradise
The Cyan Steel Shadow energy flowed into the Nether Marsh Crocodile through its wounds, causing the massive reptile's body to spasm. In the next moment, a gleaming blade slash struck its back.
Amu was responsible for holding back the Nether Marsh Crocodile and restricting its terrifying jaws. As the team's tank, he naturally could accomplish this.
Bubu Wang, on the other hand, drew aggro at the start by choosing to slap the giant crocodile across the face. After the battle began, he switched between healing and stealth modes, occasionally harassing the enemy.
Su Xiao was responsible for the cutting, as long as he could truly cripple the crocodile.
Muddy water splashed everywhere. The tail-severed Nether Marsh Crocodile thrashed in the mud for a long time before its strength finally waned, to the point where it no longer had the energy to drag Amu along in a death roll.
With its heart pierced, over 40% of its organs damaged, and seventeen stab wounds, the Nether Marsh Crocodile could no longer hold on. Its power weakened further and further until it finally collapsed into the muddy water, ceasing to struggle.
Su Xiao flipped the long blade in his hand and drove it through the Nether Marsh Crocodile's head. He had already stabbed this spot twice; this was the third thrust.
[You have slain the leader-class polar creature: Nether Marsh Crocodile.]
[You have obtained a treasure chest (Legendary).]
[You have slain leader-class polar creatures (1/2). As leader-class polar creatures are a rare species in this world, if the kill count exceeds the limit, the treasure chest reward increases by 150%, while also incurring rejection from this world.]
...
Su Xiao picked up the treasure chest from the muddy water and dragged the crocodile's corpse out of the swamp.
Given this crocodile's combat prowess, obtaining a Legendary treasure chest was not surprising. To successfully kill it, Su Xiao had staked out nearby for two days.
This was the first leader-class polar creature Su Xiao had slain. Previously, he had only wounded them without killing, collecting their flesh and blood before stopping.
Only now did he learn that killing leader-class polar creatures had restrictions. Exceeding two kills would significantly increase the value of the treasure chests, but it came with both advantages and disadvantages.
Su Xiao had been rejected by the Shia World once before. That was a terrifying experience—meteors rained down like hail. If he hadn't chosen to return to Reincarnation Paradise immediately, protected by the Law Destroyer ruins, he would have perished in that meteor shower.
The kill limit for leader-class polar creatures was two. Su Xiao wasn't too concerned about this restriction, for a simple reason: while there were many polar creatures in the Hot Rain Forest, leader-class ones were rare.
Finding the Nether Marsh Crocodile involved some luck. As for a lord-class polar creature above leader-class, Su Xiao hadn't encountered one yet. He had met a stronger overlord-class creature, but that one was an ally—an ally sulking over receiving counterfeit goods in a trade.
He lit a fire, skinned the crocodile, and cut the meat. Half an hour later, the Nether Marsh Crocodile's flesh was roasting over the flames, its former dignity as a leader-class creature completely gone.
Before the fire, Bubu Wang turned his head to look into the distance. The Jungle Cat was always perched on a tree branch far away. Whether out of preference or habit, the Jungle Cat liked to maintain a domestic cat's size. Although this form had weaker overall attributes, its reaction speed was faster—a trade-off.
Bubu Wang raised his head, as if to say, "Little bro, see that? That's how I was going to deal with you too."
The Jungle Cat lifted its head, as if to reply, "That dumb cow? Even if I ran on two legs, it couldn't catch me."
After signing the summon contract, the Jungle Cat hadn't changed much, but its communication with Bubu Wang had become smoother. Who knew why cat language and dog language were mutually intelligible? Their exchanges had become so fluent they could mock each other.
"Woof!"
Bubu Wang barked, meaning, "Amu, let's gang up on it together!"
'Second Dog' Amu was straightforward. He picked up his hammer and charged at the Jungle Cat. The Jungle Cat lifted its two left legs and vanished in a few swift steps, leaving Bubu Wang and Amu in the muddy water.
In terms of speed, the Jungle Cat completely outclassed Bubu Wang and Amu. But if Amu and Bubu Wang caught it, that cat would be in for a rough time.
Watching the Jungle Cat disappear, Bubu Wang stomped his paw in frustration, as if saying, "Wait until we get back to the exclusive room, then see if you're still so cocky."
Noticing Bubu Wang's expression, Su Xiao's cheek twitched. He had a strange feeling that the demolition crew had gained a new member.
"Cats... probably don't damage furniture. Probably not..."
Su Xiao took a bite of the roasted crocodile meat. Bubu Wang could only watch from the side; he couldn't eat this crocodile's meat yet.
After a while, Su Xiao left with Bubu Wang and Amu. Not long after, the Jungle Cat leaped out from the grass. It approached the fire and poked the roasting meat with its paw.
...
Inside the tent camp set up by the Sanctuary Paradise faction, after repelling the Sanctuary Paradise forces, Qing Yan had taken over the area and was fortifying the 30%-completed defensive base.
Within the defensive base built from boulders and logs, Qing Yan lounged in a wooden chair.
"You look bored?"
A female voice came through.
"Of course."
As he spoke, Qing Yan tossed a gold coin in his hand.
"Is scheming against others fun for you?"
This time, as the female voice spoke, light flickered, and a woman in a black dress with a black veil appeared. She had not shown herself during the battle at Rube City or the chaotic fight with Sanctuary Paradise.
This woman had been following Qing Yan all along. She was a charm-specialized contractor, and it was she who helped Qing Yan take down two great divine envoys.
"Of course it's fun. The stronger the enemy, the more enjoyable."
Qing Yan picked up four photos from the table: pictures of Su Xiao, Gulu, Citrus Girl, and Solomon.
The old schemer Qing Yan was bored. He felt like stirring up some internal conflict for entertainment, but the four people capable of such infighting all seemed troublesome.
"I advise you to give up."
"Don't worry, I'm calm." Qing Yan tossed down the photos, pondered for a moment, then looked up and asked, "Are those Apocalypse Paradise people still mining?"
"Mining with great enthusiasm..."
The veiled woman seemed a bit speechless.
"Is that so? Then future world conquest battles will become more and more interesting, with Apocalypse Paradise as a strong enemy."
"Uh—"
The veiled woman looked puzzled. She thought Apocalypse Paradise was quite weak, its only feature being the abundance of cute girls.
"Don't underestimate Apocalypse. I don't know how many paradises there are, but Reincarnation Paradise's contractors will absolutely dominate other paradises in the early to mid stages—that's beyond doubt, just like how we crushed Sanctuary Paradise and Apocalypse Paradise this time.
But don't forget one thing: Apocalypse Paradise initially had 900 people, double our number. A lenient punishment system means more contractors.
If I'm not mistaken, the further we go, the greater the numerical disparity will become, eventually turning into a 3-on-1 or even 5-on-1 fight."
Qing Yan smiled, seemingly unconcerned about this scenario.
"That... does make some sense."
"That's exactly what makes it interesting. What's even more interesting is Sanctuary Paradise—contractors actually believe in gods. Unfathomable..."
...
While Qing Yan was discussing Sanctuary Paradise, at the entrance of a cave in the rainforest, a woman in a golden robe was confronting Su Xiao.
"If I remember correctly, you're Shen Nai from Sanctuary Paradise?"
Su Xiao sized up the woman blocking his path.
"That's right. Do you remember this person?"
Shen Nai opened her palm, and a golden energy gathered in her hand, eventually forming a person's face.
"Are you here to avenge him?"
Su Xiao recognized that face—it was the old man he had captured alive.
"No, I'm here to repay a debt of gratitude to him. So... please die."
Shen Nai's golden robe fluttered without wind, and golden flames seemed to burn in her pupils.