Translator: CinderTL
Buzz!
The fierce wind swept by, the azure and golden hues fading away.
The shrubs and woods rustled as a figure landed by the lakeside, stepping on dried leaves.
Crack, crack, crack, crack!
The sounds resembled the creaking of bones and muscles, as if flesh and skin were searing hot.
Chen Feng silently felt the changes within himself, having fully absorbed the energy transformed from the Serpent Spirit Fruit.
[Strength: 40.2]
[Agility: 35.4]
[Constitution: 48.3]
[Willpower: 38.5]
The four attributes had completely stopped increasing, or more accurately, they had exploded to their limits in one go before halting.
"The Gate of Essence."
He clenched his fist slightly, feeling the immense power surging within.
Chen Feng knew that he had likely completed his so-called metamorphosis and truly stepped into the realm of a Grandmaster.
Even without relying on the Azure Armor and Steel Bones, he could now handle any fully-fledged Titanium-grade Cyborg with his own strength.
"And my physical strength..."
Sensing it carefully, a blade of Steel Bones extended from his palm.
Chen Feng swung it forcefully at his ordinary, flesh-and-blood arm.
Clang!
The sound of metal clashing echoed, and a small nick appeared on the blade's surface, visible to the naked eye.
"Stronger than ordinary Titanium-grade, at least by thirty percent."
His eyes brightened, Chen Feng suspected that he was stronger than other Grandmasters who had also achieved the Gate of Essence.
Because he thought of that Giant Elephant Grandmaster.
The other's Force techniques were clearly inferior to Lu Xinglong's, yet his body was exceptionally sturdy, likely having also gone through this barrier.
But even so, barely matching Titanium-grade was the other's limit.
"Is it due to the Steel Bones' innate body enhancement?"
"Or is it because of the Serpent Spirit Fruit?"
Thoughts flashed through his mind, and he had some guesses.
But he didn't delve too deeply; after all, this was a good thing.
It could be said that the Serpent Spirit Secret Realm was indeed a treasure trove, allowing him to break through the Gate of Essence and complete his metamorphosis much faster than an ordinary person.
Besides that.
[Azure Armor LV4: 35/100]
[Heart of Glory LV2: 93/100]
The Huorong Tribe was also a great place for nurturing innate abilities.
Chen Feng guessed that he only needed one more victory in a Grandmaster-level battle to allow the Heart of Glory to break through and level up.
However...
"Some things can be done once or twice, but not thrice."
"Yellow Sand City shouldn't be revisited anytime soon."
His eyes flickered. Though confident, Chen Feng wasn't arrogant.
The Huorong Tribe was, after all, one of the Eight Great Clans of this world, and they surely had some hidden depths.
Moreover, the tribe seemed to have a Great Priest who was above the fourth tier and had ignited the bloodline of the Serpent God. If he were to be intercepted by such a figure, Chen Feng had no confidence in victory.
Not to mention, the Serpent God Temple had likely already noticed his re-entry into the secret realm and might send even stronger pursuers after him.
"However..."
Chen Feng looked up at the blazing sun and the sky.
If the Huorong Tribe wasn't an option, he could just change his target.
This would also be a good opportunity to see if this world had any high-grade metals to nourish the growth of his Steel Bones ability.
With that thought, his mind stirred.
Buzz!
White light interspersed with golden patterns solidified once more, casting a shadow on the ground as the Holy Shield Colossus appeared before him.
Its body bore few injuries, most of which were slowly healing.
Chen Feng guessed this was likely one of the Holy Shield Colossus' abilities, akin to the enhanced self-healing brought about by a powerful physique.
Then, the giant hand of the colossus reached out.
A six-meter-tall, burly figure with arms like stone pillars.
Its palm spread open like a shield formed by five fingers. Chen Feng stood atop it, being lifted like an elevator to its shoulder.
"Head south."
Giving the command, Chen Feng patted the colossus' neck, his goal clear.
The Huorong Tribe had surely issued a warrant for his arrest, and the Serpent God Temple might send pursuers again at any moment.
Naturally, he had to get far away from this place.
Whoosh!
The stone wings flapped, and the silent Holy Shield Colossus answered with action.
In an instant, the fierce wind howled.
The gray-white body soared into the sky, and the vast expanse of the heavens came into view.
---
Two days later.
Amidst a stretch of greenery, swamps sprawled everywhere.
Rotten branches and leaves decayed within, as poisonous snakes slithered and crocodiles with gray-brown scales lurked beneath the water.
A dozen or so figures moved in disarray, some supporting each other, others holding spears and scimitars, alternating between vigilance and exhaustion.
They pushed aside leaves and hacked through obstructing vines.
Swoosh!!!
A green venomous snake lunged from a branch. The leader, holding a spear, paled slightly.
Swish!
At the critical moment, a scimitar flashed.
The silver blade light vanished in an instant, and with a thud, the snake was severed in two, falling onto the dried leaves.
"Are you alright?"
"Y-yes, thank you, Master Molly."
The spear-wielding man, pale-faced, expressed his gratitude with relief.
The curly-haired woman with yellowish skin shook her head, though her eyes were filled with concern as she glanced back at the group.
Originally numbering around twenty-seven or twenty-eight, their group had dwindled by a third, leaving only a dozen or so.
Some were injured, their linen robes stained with blood and bandages, supported by their companions as they limped along.
"I wonder if they'll make it to the Holy City."
Molly sighed, and the spear-wielding man she had saved also looked disheartened.
"Those Black Blade Tribe people still won't let us go."
"If it weren't for you, Master Molly, we would've died long ago..."
Many among them cast complex looks at the curly-haired woman, filled with gratitude and hope.
They knew well that without her guidance, they would have perished halfway.
But even so, some of them were pale-faced and uncertain.
Could they really make it to the Holy City like this?
"Let's not talk about that. The Black Blade Tribe might still be on our trail. We need to hurry."
Molly suppressed her negative emotions and encouraged the group, "I've heard that once we cross this swamp, we'll see the Holy City."
"Once we reach there, even the Black Blade Tribe won't dare to act recklessly..."
Her words lifted their spirits, and they nodded before continuing forward.
This scene fell into Chen Feng's eyes as he stood high above on the Holy Shield Colossus' shoulder.
"What a coincidence..."
He hadn't expected to run into this group of ordinary people.
Moreover.
From the vantage point of the Holy Shield Colossus' back, the endless expanse of greenery and swamps seemed boundless.
He didn't know the locations of the other tribes, and this journey south had been a matter of luck.
This world was sparsely populated, and he hadn't encountered many other Serpent Spirit tribes along the way.
Hearing the fleeing group's conversation, he began to form some ideas.
"The Black Blade Tribe..."
Another of the Eight Great Clans, no weaker than the Huorong Tribe.
Thus...
His eyes flickered, and he had some plans.
If he couldn't find other tribes, he could wait here like a fisherman, letting the Black Blade Tribe's strong come to him, and seize the glory.
Moreover, he was curious about the power within Molly.
It wasn't Serpent Spirit Power, nor was it martial Force, yet it allowed her to rival the level of Force, even approaching True Intent.
With his mind made up, he dismissed the Holy Shield Colossus and descended into the green swamp.
Roar!!
A mutated, massive crocodile leaped out of the water, its gaping maw revealing terrifying fangs.
Boom!!
His foot stomped on the armored flesh, and it exploded into a bloody mess.
He used the momentum to leap onto solid ground.
"Hmm?"
Molly, leading the group, suddenly turned her head to look back.
The others were startled and instinctively followed her gaze.
Immediately, they saw a flock of birds startled into the air, fleeing.
"Master Molly, is it the Black Blade Tribe?"
The spear-wielding man, lean and wrapped in a short linen robe, asked gravely.
The other lookouts with bows and arrows also wore the same expression, scanning the swamp.
"It doesn't feel like it."
Molly shook her head, her face serious but dismissing their fears.
"The swamp is full of beasts; it's probably just something hunting."
"Anyway, it's best to leave quickly."
She urged the group to move, instructing the adult men to stay vigilant.
But soon.
Rustle, rustle!
Unhidden footsteps sounded from the side.
Everyone tensed up, and Molly gripped her scimitar tightly.
Crude arrows were nocked and aimed, and then the low bushes were pushed aside as a tall figure wrapped in a brown linen robe emerged.
"Hmm?"
Molly's gaze sharpened.
The others were also stunned.
"You?"
Her wariness was unmistakable as Molly frowned, standing her ground.
The spear-wielding man was puzzled at first but quickly recognized him.
"It's you again!"
His face turned cold and cautious.
Without hesitation, he led the others to surround Chen Feng.
Blades and swords were raised, the air thick with hostility.
Chen Feng remained calm, not making a move, and simply looked at the curly-haired woman.
Perhaps sensing his confidence or fearing Molly's soft heart, the spear-wielding man quickly warned, "Master Molly, this man is definitely suspicious."
"We've been traveling for six days; how could he run into us again?"
"Brother Wu is right, Master Molly. We were ambushed by the Black Blade Tribe just two days ago. Maybe he's the one who tipped them off and revealed our trail."
"Yes, we should kill him!"
Voices of agreement rose, but Molly remained silent, her eyes filled with doubt as she studied Chen Feng.
That night by the lake, she had sensed that this man was extraordinary, which was why she had let him stay.
Now, her intuition told her that he had grown even stronger, more terrifying than the swamp crocodiles here.
This was the heightened sixth sense brought by the seed of life, her trump card that had saved her from deadly dangers multiple times.
"Wait."
The thought flashed through her mind, and she quickly raised her hand to stop them, stepping forward over the dried leaves and vines.
"Master Molly?"
The spear-wielding man and the others were surprised and confused.
"Who are you, really?"
Molly's tone was grave, not answering but instead gripping her scimitar tightly as she looked at Chen Feng.
She was certain there was no trace of the Serpent Spirit on him.
Could he be like her, someone who had activated the seed of life?
"..."
The atmosphere was tense, and Chen Feng shook his head.
He couldn't communicate with the people of this world, only understand their words.
Their eyes met, and he met her gaze calmly, simply pointing south.
The spear-wielding man and the others were already filled with confusion, while Molly's eyes flickered.
Swoosh!!!
At that moment, a sharp whistle sounded.
The fleeing group's faces turned pale, as if they had encountered a predator, fear written all over them.
Even the spear-wielding man and the others who had surrounded Chen Feng were panicked, looking toward the source of the sound.
Rustle, rustle, rustle.
Chen Feng narrowed his eyes, looking toward the green jungle to the left.
Countless black snakes emerged, hundreds upon thousands of them.
Then, three black pythons, each four to five meters long, slithered forward, with seven or eight figures atop them, most of whom were half-serpent beings.
Their scales were black, their faces marked with totems.
Their limbs, revealed beneath their black robes, were hideous, not human at all.
Among them, one had fully transformed into a serpent-being, with black scales and a snake's head, its vertical pupils coldly scanning the group.
Anyone who met its gaze shivered, their faces pale.
Even Molly was no exception.
"Ren Luoduo."
She took a deep breath, gripping her scimitar tightly, her expression grim, her arm slightly trembling.
That was a third-tier serpent-being, a core member of the Black Blade Tribe.
Even if she burned her seed of life, she might not be able to drive him back.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk, you've run quite far."
The half-serpent beings atop the black pythons leaped down, spears in hand, surrounding the group.
The serpent-being named Ren Luoduo remained atop the python's head, looking down at them.
"To think that you lowly scum could repel the Black Blade Tribe's slave-hunting team."
"Let me guess, who's the one causing trouble?"
His cold, vertical eyes swept over the group, passing over Chen Feng and the spear-wielding man, before stopping on the curly-haired Molly.
"Oh, it's you."
"The lowly one who luckily awakened the seed of life..."
"Tell me, should I kill you and offer you to the Divine Tree, or turn you into a sacrifice for the ritual?"
Buzz!
The moment he finished speaking, Molly gritted her teeth and drew her blade.
Her figure became a blur, a white flash cutting through the air.
An invisible force enhanced the scimitar, a strike approaching True Intent, aimed directly at the serpent-being atop the python.
But.
Clang!!
A half-serpent being on the ground leaped up, blocking with his spear.
Sparks flew, and another half-serpent being seized the opportunity, swinging his fist.
Boom!!
Molly's body was sent flying, her feet plowing through the ground, breaking four or five green vines as she slid back several meters.
Her yellowish face quickly turned pale, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth as she staggered.
"Master Molly!"
The spear-wielding man and the others cried out in alarm, rushing to support her.
Unfazed, the black-scaled serpent-being atop the python shook his head mockingly.
"So weak..."
His snake-like tongue flicked out as he surveyed the group.
"Kill them all, except for her."
"Yes!!"
The half-serpent beings nodded, their human faces filled with bloodlust and coldness as they looked at the fleeing group.
Despair filled the group, and the spear-wielding man's face turned ashen.
Molly clenched her teeth, ready to burn her seed of life and make a desperate attempt.
But in the next moment.
Thud!!!
A dull explosion sounded, and a drop of blood splattered before her eyes.
The half-serpent being remained standing, a bloody hole in his chest gushing blood.
Molly and the others froze, and the serpent-being atop the python narrowed his vertical pupils.
A calm breath sounded behind him, and he hadn't even noticed when the other had stepped forward and appeared behind him.
Shock and anger filled him, and a chill ran down his spine.
He quickly mobilized the Serpent Spirit Power within his bloodline, trying to escape.
Squelch!!!
A large hole was punched through his back, hot blood splattering onto the python's scales beneath him.
A thick hand held his heart, and Chen Feng looked indifferently at the faint fear in the other's eyes.
"You're so weak that you can't even provide nourishment anymore."
Muttering words no one could understand.
Boom!!
The serpent heart exploded, but before the blood could splatter onto the brown linen robe, it was blocked by the powerful aura of his physique.
The faint fear remained, but the progress of the Azure Armor was minimal.
Looking at the half-serpent beings below, Chen Feng lost his patience.
(End of the Chapter)
---
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