"Whatâs going on with Li Zhan? Itâs been three minutes, why hasnât he come back?"
Deep within the cave, Wen Feiyan glanced towards the pitch-black cave, her delicate brows furrowed.
Ordinarily, at their level of combat, they should exchange several blows within a second. Evenly matched opponents typically decide the outcome within a few minutes.
Unless one partyâs combat strategy is built around defensive endurance, like the professions of the [Royal Shield Guard (A)] or [Imperial Forest Iron Guard (A)], or combatants of [Heroic Spirit] rank or higher where both sides have immense energy levels, it shouldnât take too long.
Wen Feiyan was well aware of Li Zhanâs strength. He possessed exceptionally strong combat instincts and had consistently honed his fighting skills. After marrying into the Zhang Family and obtaining ample resources, his last shortcoming was remedied, making him an extremely versatile Hexagon Warrior.
Moreover, Li Zhanâs mindset was excellent, and he wouldnât spare his enemies, let alone the renowned Dark Night Monarch. Even against a Mortal Tier Awakened, he would go all out.
Thatâs why he, and not Wen Feiyan, was sent to hunt down the Dark Night Monarch.
Wen Feiyan initially estimated it would take only twenty to thirty seconds for Li Zhan to catch up and defeat the Dark Night Monarch, even considering the rare talentâs hidden trump cards.
Telling Qin Xiang one minute was already a generous overestimation.
But now, a full three minutes had passed!
"Strange, could something unexpected have happened, trapping him?"
"That doesnât make sense. Even if the Dark Night Monarch possesses some rare spirit artifacts, Li Zhan has the means to counter them. The Zhang Family style emphasizes balance; their disciples would have methods for any combat style."
"Strange, itâs really strange..."
"He couldnât have been crazy enough to take that commission, could he..."
Wen Feiyan looked at the dark cave entrance, then at the motionless Qin Xiang nearby, a hesitant look crossing her eyes.
She wanted to catch up to see what had happened, but she couldnât just leave Qin Xiang unattended.
The poison in Qin Xiang was from an Outer Realm Demon {Ultimate} artifact, effective even against a top-tier King Tier like him.
A mage with low Constitution wouldnât find it surprising to be instantly incapacitated.
Qin Xiang reacted quickly, his combat instincts honed, managing a response rapidly, so the poison was not deep. Thatâs why he still had the ability to resist, which also made Wen Feiyan unwilling to confront him.
This type, just one step away from a [Heroic Spirit] and a government official at that, had too many trump cards. No one wished to provoke him.
Using a nuclear explosion to clear the scene was the optimal choice.
But right now, Wen Feiyan could sense that the poison in Qin Xiang was dissipating rapidly, faster than she expected. In less than a minute, he could recover fully.
At that point, he really might escape.
And if Qin Xiang survived, sheâd be forced to live like an underground rat, even the Mountain View Building couldnât protect her.
"What is Li Zhan up to, unable to handle even a Fierce Tier? No, itâs impossible. Whatâs he doing? Has he got his own plan? Playing some double agent game?"
For a moment, Wen Feiyan couldnât help but succumb to wild thoughts.
"Iâve told you before, that kidâs talent is far more terrifying than you imagine." Beside her, Qin Xiang observed Wen Feiyan, whose expression was fluctuating, and sneered.
Wen Feiyan was already in a foul mood; Qin Xiangâs mockery only worsened it. Of course, she knew Qin Xiang didnât genuinely believe the Dark Night Monarch could escape Li Zhan. His words aimed to disrupt her mental state.
Just as she was about to retort, Wen Feiyanâs expression changed, and she looked towards the cave entrance, appearing relieved.
A familiar aura was swiftly approaching.
Qin Xiangâs eyes dimmed, while Wen Feiyan sneered, preemptively raising her voice before Li Zhan arrived: "Why did it take so long to capture a Fierce Tier? Donât you realize that every minute delayed could create variables? A few more minutes and..."
Yet before she could finish, her voice abruptly stopped, her eyes widening in disbelief!
A figure rushed out from the depths of the corridor, indeed it was Li Zhan, but now he was no longer the composed King Tier Awakened he once was. Instead, he appeared utterly disheveled, covered in injuries, with most of his armor broken, and his entire left side turned a deep black, seemingly poisoned by some toxin.
He fled towards the Buddha Statueâs location like a rat on the run, in utmost chaos and disarray.
This scene was beyond Wen Feiyanâs comprehension, and even Qin Xiang appeared astonished!
What... is this situation?
Is there another powerhouse here capable of cornering Li Zhan like this?
Could it be Mu Wu?
No, that doesnât add up, as Qin Xiang knew Mu Wuâs strength well. Even accounting for hidden trump cards, Mu Wu was primarily a defensive Awakened. Even if Li Zhan was at a disadvantage, he should retreat calmly!
While the two were perplexed, heart-wrenching roars echoed from deeper in the passageway, and the next moment, ten extremely powerful creatures charged out!
Each creature possessed a General Tier, and the two King Tiers recognized that under some unknown Secret Technique, their strength now rivaled even King Tiers! And not the lowest level of King Tiers!