Chapter 39: Unexpected
The blood mist monster's skull split open, and dark brown tree roots sprouted from the gaps in its cranium. The sight of these roots parasitizing every corner of its body was enough to send chills down one's spine just by looking at it.
Judging by the blood mist monster's current state, the tree roots of the Flourishing Frenzy had likely not yet spread throughout its entire body, but they were close. Although the blood mist monster was formidable, it had not yet reached a level where it could contend with the Flourishing Frenzy.
Due to the influence of the alchemical array earlier, the sand and soil on the surrounding ground had drastically transformed into a substance resembling bleached rock.
Su Xiao stood on a raised mound of rock. Although he had once traded with the Flourishing Frenzy, he remained extremely cautious toward this void entity. Not only did he know too little about it, but the entity itself represented danger, madness, and distortion.
Neither Wood nor Zuiyasi stepped forward, clearly sensing how dangerous the Flourishing Frenzy was.
The blood mist monster froze in place as tree roots emerged from the gaps in its skull. Its body visibly withered and shrank, becoming gaunt and skeletal. Though it remained ferocious, it had lost some of its unstoppable momentum from before.
Just as everyone believed the blood mist monster would be annihilated by the Flourishing Frenzy, eventually reduced to ash after having its life energy and soul energy drained completely, the tree roots growing from its skull gradually faded into the air and disappeared.
The Flourishing Frenzy's assault ceased. Seeing this, Su Xiao felt puzzled. Had the Flourishing Frenzy left? Moments ago, it seemed determined to absorb the blood mist monster into ash, yet for some unknown reason, it suddenly departed—very abruptly.
"Bai Ye, get ready to fight."
Wood's shout came through. Hearing this, Su Xiao sensed a premonition that this place was no longer safe. However, he dismissed the thought. Wood and Zuiyasi had not yet realized that the blood mist monster's target was him. If they discovered this, these two good teammates might not turn and flee, but they would hang back during the fight.
Defeating the blood mist monster was the only way to leave the Endless Desert. This was also why Wood and Zuiyasi would not make a strategic retreat. If they chose to withdraw now, leading to Su Xiao being chased to his death by the blood mist monster, Wood and Zuiyasi would eventually die in this desert anyway.
Su Xiao glanced sideways at Wood. He sensed something was off about him. Although this demon clan member was strong, he rarely chose to strike first or step forward in battles.
This time, Wood was the first to step up, even seeming to take the lead. This must mean he had some ulterior motive.
The current situation appeared to be eight against one, but that was not the case. Bubu Wang was providing an aura from over 300 meters away, while Baha was on high alert for any abnormal spatial fluctuations, in case someone had set up a trap. Baha would not easily join the fray until the battle reached its climax.
Yueshitu was acting strangely. Throughout the whole ordeal, she had only summoned a single speed-type moon deer and no other summons. In this situation, an eighth-rank contractor like Yueshitu would be so weak in a one-on-one fight that even Bubu Wang could make her cry.
Lilim, who had not entered her awakened state, plus Molei, counted as one combat force. The current situation was four against one.
Besides dealing with the blood mist monster, the Flourishing Frenzy's sudden departure gave Su Xiao a vague premonition that something significant was about to happen. Coupled with Wood's eagerness to eliminate the blood mist monster, things were becoming complicated.
"Bai Ye, how about... we retreat?"
Zuiyasi, who was diagonally behind Su Xiao, spoke up. He was the closest to Su Xiao, clearly sensing that something was wrong.
"No chance."
Su Xiao certainly would not retreat. If he did, the blood mist monster would immediately chase after him, potentially leading to a one-on-one fight with it.
The arrow was already on the string; it had to be fired.
"Roar!!"
The blood mist monster let out a roar. The exoskeletal mask on its face split open at the mouth, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth. The monster's physical form was becoming more and more complete. Earlier, its head had still been somewhat ethereal, but now it had solidified to this extent.
A delicate knife, seemingly made of silver moonlight, appeared in Su Xiao's hand. It was the [Silver Moon Blade]. He used the Silver Moon Blade to cut his right palm, but instead of drawing blood, brilliant moonlight surged forth and gradually merged into his hand. The dual effects of Moon Oath and Moon Blade were successfully activated.
Moon Oath Effect: True Strength +4 points, True Agility +4 points, Willpower +10 points, Health Points increased by 4200 points.
Moon Blade Effect: Increases weapon sharpness by 135 points, increases weapon attack power by 20 to 32 points (minimum to maximum).
The [Silver Moon Blade] transformed back into a ring. Su Xiao gripped the hilt of his blade and drew Dragon-Slaying Flash from its sheath.
"Bai Ye, let's make a deal."
Molei spoke in a low voice, her eyes fixed on the blood mist monster.
"..."
Noticing that Su Xiao did not respond, Molei continued, "Let Yueshitu go meet up with Bubuteni. Your demon hawk is protecting Bubuteni, right? Yueshitu's combat power is too weak right now. Let your demon hawk, Baha, also watch over Yueshitu. In return, if there's any danger, Yueshitu has a life-saving item that can take Bubuteni along and escape. Due to some special reasons, Yueshitu's combat power is very weak right now. Otherwise, I wouldn't have become her partner this time. I'm not here to fight, but to protect her."
Yueshitu made her stance clear. She too was ready to fight the blood mist monster to the death. Although she was a silly girl, she clearly understood that if the blood mist monster was not eliminated, she would not be able to leave the Endless Desert either. Now, they had to fight together.
"Deal."
Su Xiao naturally would not refuse this deal. First, Bubu Wang could blend into the environment, so there was no fear of Yueshitu pulling any tricks.
Second, a summoner like Yueshitu, who seemed to be a little rich girl, would definitely carry escape-type scrolls on her. If something unexpected happened, Bubu Wang could bite her calf and hitch a ride.
"Pleasure doing business."
Dense crimson blood droplets appeared around Molei, gathering behind her to form a phantom figure.
The phantom held a large bow, with several arrows nearly five meters long on its back. This was Molei's ability: Energy System: Ultra-Precise Control. Despite the phantom behind her holding a bow and arrows, this was not a ranged ability. The closer the distance, the stronger the power. If she fired an arrow from just a few meters away, the power would be extremely impressive.
On the pale, rockified ground, the blood mist monster hunched its upper body, its head drooping. Black-red blood smoke drifted from its body like wolf smoke, rising high into the sky.
"Watch for the opportunity."
Zuiyasi strode forward, positioning himself ahead of Su Xiao. He intended to charge first, as his immortality made him suitable for testing the enemy's abilities.
With a thunderous boom beneath his feet, Zuiyasi shot straight toward the blood mist monster, sending fragments of rock flying. Such boldness—truly worthy of someone from Doom Star.
"Strong! Charging in like that."
Molei watched with blood boiling, ready to follow suit. But in the next moment—
Pfft!
The war scythe swept through. Zuiyasi's head flew into the air, his headless body losing all sense of direction before crashing to the ground with a thud.
Molei, who had never cooperated with Zuiyasi or seen his abilities, was stunned by the scene before her. She wanted to say, "Tentacle bro, why are you feeding the enemy a kill?"