Chapter Fifty-Five: The Skill of Vital Blood

Zhao Bai, too, drew his straight blade and swiftly finished off the stragglers who had escaped from Xiao Zhang's earlier slaughter. Because of Stone Tiger, the three members of the Tornado Cross Squad were locked in a brutal struggle; Marcus swung his massive club with all his might to fend off Stone Tiger, while Vanessa wielded two daggers to protect Giggs and hold back the swarming bats. Giggs himself was sprawled on the ground, rolling and howling in terror.

Qi Guanbei had already leaped into the air, his giant sword in hand, charging straight toward Stone Tiger. Gripping the sword tightly with both hands, he descended like a great bird, delivering a mighty overhead strike. The white tiger received a blow so fierce that half its head was chopped off, yet Stone Tiger staggered back two steps and instantly lunged again.

Xiao Zhang and Zhao Bai joined the fray, helping Qi Guanbei clear the bats encircling them, though these small creatures seemed endless. At that moment, Marcus suddenly let out a piercing scream; Xiao Zhang watched as Marcus transformed, his body doubling in size. With one swing, Marcus smashed off one of Stone Tiger's claws.

"Well, damn, he can transform!" Xiao Zhang exclaimed in admiration.

Marcus's strength surged tenfold, and even Stone Tiger was immobilized under his relentless blows. Seizing the opportunity, Qi Guanbei unleashed a blade wave, decapitating Stone Tiger.

Suddenly, Zhao Bai seemed possessed, shouting, "Run! Run!"

Before Xiao Zhang could react...

Bang! Bang!

The stone shells of the remaining three divine beasts shattered. All three beasts charged at the group!

Vanessa was the first to suffer. When the Black Tortoise barreled toward her, her daggers failed to block its assault. The impact sent her flying into a pile of bats; as she landed, she was torn apart by the swarm.

Giggs met a worse fate, his head crushed under the Black Tortoise's foot.

Marcus was locked in combat with the Azure Dragon, while Qi Guanbei battled the Vermilion Bird.

Seeing the Black Tortoise advancing toward Qi Guanbei, Xiao Zhang executed a triple slash, diverting its attention. Zhao Bai used his abilities to forcibly restrain the beast, yelling, "Run, Xiao Zhang!"

Xiao Zhang enveloped his blade in flames and unleashed a blazing explosion combined with a ghostly chain slash, shattering the Black Tortoise.

Zhao Bai coughed up blood from the exertion, but was otherwise unharmed. Xiao Zhang, having spent too much of his own life force, collapsed to the ground.

Seeing this, Zhao Bai hoisted Xiao Zhang onto his back and began to flee without a word.

After sprinting just a few dozen meters, Xiao Zhang's energy had recovered enough for him to jump down from Zhao Bai's back.

Watching Xiao Zhang intent on returning, Zhao Bai frowned. "You want to go back?"

"Yes," Xiao Zhang replied, his expression grim.

Zhao Bai sighed. "All right, I'll go with you."

Xiao Zhang looked into Zhao Bai's eyes. "You wait here for me!"

With that, Xiao Zhang shouted and raised his Spider Cutter, charging back into the fight. Zhao Bai followed, shouting, "Like hell I'll wait for you!"

Qi Guanbei and Marcus had already managed to defeat the Azure Dragon together, but Marcus had reverted to his normal size and lay unconscious, his fate unknown.

Only Qi Guanbei, wild-haired and exhausted, remained fighting.

Another ghostly chain slash and blazing explosion—this time, instead of finishing off the Vermilion Bird, it seemed to heal it.

Zhao Bai rushed to Qi Guanbei, ready to carry him to safety. "Captain!"

Qi Guanbei gritted his teeth. "Take Marcus and go!"

Then, sword in hand, he charged at the Vermilion Bird.

Zhao Bai, holding Marcus, began to retreat, realizing he had no mana left and could only run.

Xiao Zhang and Qi Guanbei together suppressed the Vermilion Bird. Suddenly, Qi Guanbei shouted, "You go first!"

"Qi Guan, what about you?"

"I have my own way! Go!"

Qi Guanbei struck a heavy blow, blocking the Vermilion Bird.

Xiao Zhang prepared to unleash another skill, but heard Qi Guanbei's voice again: "Go already! I have my own escape plan!"

Gritting his teeth, Xiao Zhang turned and ran...

A flicker of murderous intent flashed across Qi Guanbei's previously calm face.

No sooner had Xiao Zhang left than he heard a rapid series of explosions behind him!

Looking back, there was no fire, only stone chips flying, thick smoke billowing, and the Vermilion Bird blown apart.

"Qi Guan?!" Xiao Zhang cried out in alarm.

No sooner had he shouted than Qi Guanbei's long howl echoed from within.

Out of the smoke, Qi Guanbei soared into the air, leaping with agility to catch up to Xiao Zhang.

The Vermilion Bird chased after them; Qi Guanbei had barely cleared the platform when he spun around and tossed something like a handful of steel beads.

"Run! What are you standing here for, sightseeing?" Qi Guanbei shot Xiao Zhang a glance. "Go!"

Xiao Zhang still didn't see what Qi Guanbei had thrown.

"Farewell then!" Qi Guanbei laughed heartily, chasing after Zhao Bai. A thunderous explosion erupted behind them, shaking the platform and filling the air with the terrifying sounds of collapse and shattering. A cloud of dust and smoke swept toward them...

"Hahaha! That was close! So close!"

Xiao Zhang struggled to his feet, pulled Zhao Bai up, and checked the unconscious Marcus. "Qi Guan, what's wrong with Marcus, Captain?"

"No worries, he'll wake up soon."

"Qi Guan, I think I saw you throw a handful of steel beads at the Vermilion Bird," Xiao Zhang asked curiously. "What were those?"

Qi Guanbei glanced at Xiao Zhang, replying coolly, "Hand grenades. My skill—Wireless Compression—shrinks them to the size of steel beads."

Wireless Compression? Xiao Zhang stared wide-eyed at the steel bead Qi Guanbei handed him.

What a peculiar skill.

Qi Guanbei looked at Xiao Zhang. "By the way, what's up with you? That flame—was it your skill?"

Xiao Zhang thought for a moment, then replied with a wry smile, "Yes, but it consumes my own life force."

Qi Guanbei's expression changed oddly at that. "Life force?"

Qi Guanbei looked at the lively Xiao Zhang, his mind buzzing.

Seeing Qi Guanbei's skeptical gaze, Xiao Zhang repeated, "It really does consume my life force."

Qi Guanbei looked at him deeply but said nothing more. Xiao Zhang seemed to want to explain further, but couldn't find the words, and Qi Guanbei made no move to pursue the matter. He stood up, dusted himself off, and patted Marcus's face.

Marcus remained unconscious, his body streaked with blood.