Chapter 1140: Hey!
Su Shan was taken aback, and she looked at Song Qi.
She felt that he might have misunderstood her meaning. Sending someone who could ignite themselves into Xuanwu’s body sounded like dropping a bomb of terrifying power into that unknown space.
“I just wanted to explore… maybe…” Su Shan tried to say more, but Song Qi shook his head.
“We don’t have time to explore,” Song Qi said. “This kind of absurd act—burrowing into Xuanwu’s body—we might only get one chance. Even if you manage to find out something, not to mention whether you can get out of her body, we at least won’t be able to get in again.”
“But…” Su Shan still felt that the situation was unreliable.
“Our goal is to kill Xuanwu,” Song Qi continued. “Even if that space holds countless treasures waiting for us, we cannot afford any mistakes in this matter.”
“Alright…” Su Shan nodded. “Where is this person who can set themselves on fire…? Can I say a few words to her before she enters Xuanwu’s body…?”
“You can.” Song Qi nodded, bent his index finger, and put it to his mouth to whistle.
Qiu Shiliu, the “Crimson Flame,” standing on the ground, turned her head to look at the rooftop upon hearing the sound. She gave Song Qi a look that said “order received,” then turned her gaze to Su Shan.
After confirming her target, Su Shan grabbed a nearby rope, slid down quickly, approached Qiu Shiliu, grabbed her arm, and led her aside. The two began whispering to each other.
The others who were engaged in close combat with Xuanwu saw this and realized that Song Qi had assigned a special task to Qiu Shiliu. All they had to do now was buy time until Qiu Shiliu was ready for the next round of surprise attack.
Unfortunately, the ground combat team’s attacks could barely be considered “buying time,” because Xuanwu wasn’t making any moves at all. She simply let all their attacks land on her body.
“You…” Xuanwu spoke slowly amidst the chaotic attacks. “Are you already resorting to these kinds of tactics now?”
“Oh ho.” Luo Shiyi wiped the sweat off his face and forced a smile. “Aren’t we just giving you a halftime break?”
“I’ve endured too many attacks like this.” Xuanwu took a step forward, forcing the people in front of her to take a step back. “I thought your strength would be more than this. Do you have no countermeasures left?”
The group naturally found it hard to answer such a fatal question. If they admitted that they really couldn’t hurt Xuanwu, then according to the rules set before the battle, it would be Xuanwu’s turn to act.
“Actually, we’re preparing other tactics,” Luo Shiyi said truthfully. “We were afraid you’d get bored and the atmosphere would get awkward, so we pretended to fight you a bit. Why are you taking it seriously?”
“I told you, don’t try to stall me,” Xuanwu advanced again. “If you can’t come up with something more effective to kill me, then it’s my turn.”
Jiang Shi, crouching nearby, felt that something was off. It had been off from the start.
Although Jiang Shi was present in this brawl, his only function was to block damage for the others. Now that Xuanwu wasn’t attacking, Jiang Shi had lost his purpose.
If Xuanwu didn’t make a move and he couldn’t take a beating, then he had become the biggest burden on the field.
As the number one tank of the “Land of Finality,” he now seemed completely useless.
At this rate, who could buy more time again…? Wouldn’t it have to be him?
“The kylin in the heavens has its seed; how can the ant in its hole escape? When peace is restored and I await the summons, Emperor, I shall…”
Jiang Shi slowly stood up and clapped his hands together, as if striking a gavel.
“…remove your battle robe.”
Xuanwu slowly turned her head, using her non-existent eyes to look at the small, skinny boy in front of her.
“Xuanwu, I’ll make a bet with you,” Jiang Shi said. “You take out my heart, and I won’t die.”
The Turtle was stunned for a moment, then turned to look at Jiang Shi. “Little Jiang Shi… you spoke too soon. It’s not time yet!”
“Tenth Bro!” Luo Shiyi also said, “Fifth Bro hasn’t arrived yet. You’re not supposed to…”
“Ah… it’s fine.” Jiang Shi waved his hand. “This is my duty anyway. Everyone, step back. I’ll hold the rest of the time alone.”
“This…” Luo Shiyi and the Turtle exchanged glances, then looked up at Song Qi on the rooftop.
“Don’t bother looking at Seventh Bro,” Jiang Shi said. “After I hold for five minutes, Seventh Bro can hold for another five. Isn’t ten minutes enough?”
“Has it come to this point already…” Luo Shiyi frowned. He knew there was no better option now.
They could only hope that Qiu Shiliu’s unconventional move could hurt Xuanwu. Otherwise, they would run out of stamina before killing Xuanwu, let alone the upcoming kill of Zhuque.
Xuanwu was clearly intrigued by Jiang Shi’s claim.
“Remove your heart, and you still won’t die?” she confirmed.
“Exactly!” Jiang Shi agreed. “You Bright Moon fiend, don’t get cocky! Just watch me—”
Before he could finish his sentence, Xuanwu raised her left hand. In the span of a single breath, a small heart was already pinched between her fingers.
“Strange… I’ve met two people today who don’t die even without a heart.” Xuanwu’s face turned toward the heart in her hand. “Could it be that I can no longer kill anyone…?”
Jiang Shi paused for a second, then instantly spat out a mouthful of blood.
The people nearby were all startled and quickly reached out to support him, but he waved them off.
“Cough…” Jiang Shi coughed a few times before coming back to his senses. “How could this be… I hadn’t even finished my tough talk before my heart was taken. You really don’t take me seriously at all…”
“Strange.” Xuanwu nodded. “You really are still alive… What’s going on?”
“Hey! Cough, cough, cough…” Jiang Shi shouted between coughs. “You fiend, you’re way too arrogant! Now you see my power, don’t you?! Even if my heart isn’t—”
Before he could finish, Xuanwu reached out and crushed his heart.
Jiang Shi instantly writhed in pain on the ground, all his earlier momentum vanishing in an instant. His childish screams echoed across the silent plaza.
“Eleventh Bro…” Cui Shisi, the “Tresspasser,” spoke up. “Do you want to use ‘Forget Sorrow’ to help Tenth Bro…?”
“No!!” Jiang Shi rolled three times on the ground, then tremblingly reached out to stop them. “This was my own decision… Don’t use other people’s beliefs!”
Jiang Shi gritted his teeth and stood up. He pressed his hand against his chest, his eyes filled with tears.
“Tenth, Tenth Bro…” Luo Shiyi smiled awkwardly. “Are you really okay? You look like you’re about to cry…”
“Don’t talk nonsense. What would I cry for…?” Jiang Shi denied through tears. “I just yawned!”