Chapter 166: Chapter 166: With a Flick of the Wrist, the Knife Drops, She is... (Please Subscribe to the Entire Book)
Lu Luo’s figure kept approaching. His advance put a great deal of pressure on Zhou Qingyu.
If it were a normal time, Zhou Qingyu certainly wouldn’t fear a Second Tier Transcendent, even if this Second Tier was very special. But in the end, he was still just Second Tier.
But now, Zhou Qingyu was truly too weak; Ganmu had inflicted severe enough damage on her.
With a large amount of blood lost, several bones fractured, and her Dark Energy nearly depleted, she was already struggling immensely just to escape with Lin Zhiming.
Facing Lu Luo, such an odd Transcendent, was something she really felt unsure about now.
Zhou Qingyu’s silence made Lin Zhiming grow anxious. He grasped her arm, shaking it continuously.
"Zhou Qingyu, what are you hesitating for? Can’t you deal with a guy like this?
He’s just a Scavenger! My brother spends so much money on you every year. Are you now telling me you can’t handle a Scavenger?
Speak, Zhou Qingyu!"
Zhou Qingyu wasn’t as assertive as Li Tanya; she was more silent and restrained.
Actually, she hadn’t given up. She was just waiting—waiting for Lu Luo to draw a bit closer so she could seize the chance and kill him with a single blow.
Such a person from the Fourth Ring, lacking combat experience against high-tier Transcendents and clearly a melee fighter, will definitely try to get close.
Zhou Qingyu’s judgment was correct.
Lu Luo was still drawing nearer, getting closer and closer. The opportunity had arrived.
Good. As long as he’s within the attack range of the Flame Blade, I’m confident I can kill him with one strike.
Just as Zhou Qingyu had this thought, she suddenly noticed Lu Luo stop at a point just on the edge of her ideal range.
[High-intensity Dark Energy fluctuations detected from the opponent, now converting towards thermal energy. Please, Host, maintain a safe distance.]
[Steam pressure is building up...]
[Steam pressure is building up...]
[Steam pressure is building up...]
Lu Luo’s skin gradually turned reddish, steam rising from his body in wisps, giving him a somewhat eerie appearance. Zhou Qingyu couldn’t help but start to feel tense.
Why has this guy stopped? What is he waiting for?
Lu Luo also found it strange. Why didn’t Zhou Qingyu take her shot? Were the experts of the Inner Ring so useless?
Something’s off. Li Qingshu was also Fourth Tier, and he was very powerful. Although a bit arrogant, his combat methods and thinking were correct.
But what’s with this Zhou Qingyu? I’ve been charging up for so long. How can she actually pretend not to see it?
Even though you are Fourth Tier, such disdain for me is still too arrogant, right?
The more Lu Luo thought about it, the more indignant he became. He finally spoke up.
"I’m waiting for my cooldown. What about you? Waiting to die?"
"What?"
In the moment of Zhou Qingyu’s stunned silence, Lu Luo’s stance had already changed.
Deliberate Bombardment Fist—Penetration.
A searing, pressurized shockwave pierced through. The range of this attack was even greater than Zhou Qingyu’s Flame Blade.
Zhou Qingyu had not expected that Lu Luo, a melee-type Transcendent, could unleash such a long-range attack.
In her surprise, all she could do was disperse her thermal Dark Energy and once again condense an Ice Barrier to defend them both.
BOOM!
The center of the ice barrier was shattered by the shockwave, and numerous cracks appeared around the ice. Zhou Qingyu’s fingers were trembling.
She was too weak, and Lu Luo’s assault was just too explosive. She had barely blocked the strike.
This person’s power! Is he really human? A Second Tier human?
Normally, she would have been confident in taking Lu Luo’s Deliberate Bombardment Fist, but now, seriously injured, she felt enormous pressure.
Just as Zhou Qingyu had dissipated the ice barrier, Lu Luo’s figure had already appeared before her, his speed so incredible it astonished her even more than his strength.
"How are you so fast?"
"Bullshit! I’m the most enduring!"
[He’s getting anxious! He’s getting anxious! Lu Xiaoluo’s getting anxious!]
BOOM!
Lu Luo landed a punch on Zhou Qingyu’s arm. The Ice Barrier that had just formed shattered once more, and the vast force caused Zhou Qingyu’s arm bones to bend.
She had always followed the path of energy manipulation, making her what could roughly be called a Wasteland Mage.
Her original plan for killing Ganmu was to have the mecha and her team trap him, then she would carry out an energy bombardment.
There was no problem with this; it was a very reasonable tactic.
But unexpectedly, Ganmu had become more agile, and her combat advantage vanished.
And the Lu Luo before her was astonishingly fast! He completely denied her any chance to cast spells.
This kind of close-quarters, fist-to-flesh combat was not her forte at all. The moment she managed to create some distance from Lu Luo, his Crab Sword, imbued with Qi He, pierced through her Ice Barrier and into her chest.
THWACK!
"Ugh!"
As Zhou Qingyu’s blood spilled on the spot, Lin Zhiming, beside her, was petrified with fear.
He knew that if Zhou Qingyu was no match for Lu Luo, then he was undoubtedly doomed.
So, he had to run!
Lin Zhiming immediately ran towards the valley entrance, while Lu Luo, who was fighting Zhou Qingyu, didn’t even glance at him.
Because he hadn’t come alone.
Gu Fangyi adjusted the gas mask on his mouth and spoke to Qi Xinzhu beside him,
"He’s here. Do you need me to act?"
The gas mask obscured most of Qi Xinzhu’s expression, but her eyes still showed an unprecedented determination.
"No need. It’s always been because of me. This time, I should grow a bit too."
Gu Fangyi nodded approvingly and stepped back, his gun cradled in his arms.
Qi Xinzhu, however, pulled out her handgun and walked towards the valley.
Her rare use of firearms didn’t mean she couldn’t use them.
As an exceptional Believer of Light, she needed to handle all tactical equipment proficiently.
Due to her exceptional circumstances, Qi Xinzhu could even operate energy-powered armor. Hiding her abilities and actually lacking them were two different things.
Lin Zhiming’s footsteps gradually became clearer, and he saw Qi Xinzhu’s figure.
Seeing the gun in Qi Xinzhu’s hand, he first froze, then terror overtook him. He stopped his steps and pleaded in an ingratiating tone,
"Hey, hey, don’t be like this, don’t be like this. I was just joking that night. We keep to ourselves; there’s no need for this!
"Your man has already punished me enough. I am, after all, a top citizen of the Wasteland. Can you let me go? I’m begging you, okay?"
My man? Not quite yet! Qi Xinzhu thought.
She looked at the continuously pleading Lin Zhiming and found it somewhat laughable.
Taking off her gas mask, Qi Xinzhu revealed her true face and calmly said,
"You wanted to see my face, right? Now that you have, I’m sorry, but I cannot let you go."
When Lin Zhiming saw Qi Xinzhu’s face, his first reaction was that this woman was beautiful.
But his second thought was, Isn’t this woman the Church’s Flagbearer, the Believer of Light?
If you’d told me earlier you were with the Church, I wouldn’t have been so presumptuous.
"Wait, wait..."
Lin Zhiming attempted to explain further, but Qi Xinzhu did not give him the chance.
After all, Qi Xinzhu was a soft-hearted person. If she gave Lin Zhiming too many chances to explain, it was quite possible she would relent under his sweet-talking.
Letting him go would anger Lu Luo and put the entire Circle Studio in danger. Qi Xinzhu couldn’t let him go.
So, it was better to just shoot!
BANG!
VWOOM!
Suddenly, an energy barrier materialized out of nowhere in front of Lin Zhiming, blocking Qi Xinzhu’s bullet.
Seizing the opportunity, Lin Zhiming quickly began to speak.
"I honestly didn’t know you were with the Church. If I had known you were a Believer of Light, I wouldn’t have provoked you.
"Can an apology suffice? Please, I just want to live.
"I swear that once I get back, I absolutely won’t seek revenge.
"Oh, and I won’t retaliate against Circle Studio, I beg you, Believer of Light..."
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Qi Xinzhu walked while shooting, having put her gas mask back on, her expression turning grim.
Her intention to kill Lin Zhiming was never for herself, but to clear obstacles and dangers for Lu Luo; this was what a Believer of Light should do.
CLICK! CLICK! CLICK!
The pistol had run out of bullets, yet Lin Zhiming’s shield had not been breached—its defensive power was truly extraordinary.
With such defensive capabilities, it could probably even defend against a sniper rifle’s surprise attack.
"Forget it!"
Qi Xinzhu drew her sword, her right hand rotating slightly.
Sword Heart technique, Spiral Sword—Sacred Brilliance.
THWACK!
The energy shield did not disappear, but its energy defense structure was simply incapable of handling an attack like the Spiral Sword Qi.
Qi Xinzhu pierced Lin Zhiming, shield and all.
The Spiral Sword’s armor-piercing effect was truly astonishing; the energy shield, which had consecutively blocked bullets, was penetrated by a single strike of Sword Qi.
Gu Fangyi approached. After glancing at Lin Zhiming’s body to confirm his death,
he quickly began stripping him of his belongings, equipment, and clothes.
Gu Fangyi tossed the clothes, phone, and ID tags aside, then set them ablaze.
He then stuffed Lin Zhiming’s body into a small Exotic Species cave in the valley wall, allowing the insectoid and rodent-like Exotic Species within to further decompose the corpse.
The rodent-like Exotic Species would eat the flesh clean from the corpse, and the insectoid Exotic Species would crunch down the remaining bones.
Thus, disposing of the body this way was a completely harmless and perfect return to nature.
After incinerating everything, Gu Fangyi made sure there was nothing left that could identify him.
He then took Lin Zhiming’s few unidentified items and headed towards Lu Luo.
At this point, the fight between Lu Luo and Zhou Qingyu had entered its final phase. Zhou Qingyu was being relentlessly pushed back. Finally, Lu Luo kicked her, sending her flying into a corner.
Looking at Lu Luo, who was within arm’s reach, Zhou Qingyu finally accepted her fate. But she would not die easily here!
A look of determination flashed in her eyes as she suddenly tore open her clothes in front of Lu Luo.
"Spare me, and I’m yours!"
Although Zhou Qingyu was nearly 30, she was undeniably beautiful, like a ripe peach.
Her usual silent demeanor and formidable strength added a unique veil to her persona—aloof and powerful.
She was also aware that many men relished conquering, especially conquering a powerful, cold, and haughty woman.
Such conquest would bring an extraordinary sense of psychological pleasure to a man.
Lu Luo is just a Second Tier from the Fourth Ring. He wouldn’t pass up such an opportunity to conquer the body of a high-tier female expert.
As for shame, Heh, this is outside the Wall, a lawless land, a paradise for outlaws.
Any female Transcendent who has traveled beyond the Wall and survived has a past she’d rather forget.
Survival is the ultimate truth. As for shame and humiliation, those are concerns only fools entertain.
Looking at the young and handsome Lu Luo, Zhou Qingyu surprisingly found herself wishing he would pounce on her immediately.
However, she somewhat disliked the way his eyebrows lifted as he scanned her body.
He must have stopped because he’s captivated by my body. Zhou Qingyu thought.
So she moved her legs suggestively and gestured to Lu Luo with a hooked finger.
"Hurry up, what are you waiting for?"
[Such seduction? Honestly, it feels mediocre.]
Lu Luo nodded, acknowledging the Observer’s assessment.
"Oh, then here I come!"
THWACK!
"Ugh!"
The long sword, crafted from a crab’s leg, instantly pierced through Zhou Qingyu’s chest.
Zhou Qingyu’s first reaction was disbelief; her second was to make a final counterattack.
Just as she was about to raise her hand, Lu Luo’s crab leg sword fell once again.
WHOOSH!
Her palm flew into the air, and Zhou Qingyu’s own blood splattered onto her face.
She wanted to beg for mercy, but Lu Luo wasted no more words. With one stroke of his sword, he decapitated Zhou Qingyu, ending the life of this Fourth Tier Transcendent.
Villains die from talking too much. So, to avoid dying, I barely talk when I’m fighting.
Then he did something similar to what Gu Fangyi had done: he searched Zhou Qingyu’s body.
But just as he was about to dispose of the body, a voice made him stop.
"Lu Luo."
At that moment, Qi Xinzhu and Gu Fangyi also arrived. She looked at Zhou Qingyu’s disheveled corpse, then at Lu Luo with a surprised expression.
"Lu Luo, what are you doing?"
"Looting the body, what else?"
"She’s a woman!"
"She’s a corpse!"
"Shouldn’t I be the one doing this? Have you been repressed for so long that you’d do this to a corpse?"
"What did I even do?!"
Lu Luo’s expression crumbled. What on earth is this woman, Qi Xinzhu, thinking?
While Lu Luo wore a peculiar expression, Qi Xinzhu suddenly embraced him.
"Don’t do this again in the future."
Lu Luo was numb. He no longer wanted to explain.
"Take care of the body. We’re preparing to leave."
"Yes!"
Just then, five or six Human-Faced Spiders suddenly rushed from the direction of the valley entrance. They paid no attention to Lu Luo but instead headed straight for the depths of the valley.
Watching these Human-Faced Spiders, Lu Luo suddenly had a new idea.
"I think we have a better option."
He threw Zhou Qingyu’s body towards the Human-Faced Spiders. One of them immediately bit into the corpse, gave Lu Luo a strange look, then continued towards Ganmu’s location, carrying the body.
"Brother Luo, why did you throw the body to them?" Gu Fangyi asked.
"To make it look like an accident—that these two were killed by the Human-Faced Spiders that rushed in, and that it has nothing to do with us."
Behind the rocks in the depths of the valley lay Ganmu’s garden. The battle there was still ongoing.
From this position, Lu Luo could even hear the roars of giant beasts and the screams of humans.
Lu Luo didn’t want to join in for a share of the loot. The energy and Sequences from a Lord-level Exotic Species were indeed tempting, but the danger was just as great.
Rather than risking entering the valley and fighting Ganmu, he preferred to stay in the marsh outside and continue wandering. Maybe he’d find two more Ghost Crabs and find some blood sacs, though the probability was low.
Since he didn’t plan to join the fight in the valley, Lu Luo had to consider the risk of exposure from this operation.
Zhou Qingyu had already fled with Lin Zhiming, something everyone inside should know.
Lu Luo knew very well that if this group didn’t survive, it would be fine. However, if they did manage to kill Ganmu or escape his grasp, they would grow suspicious about Zhou Qingyu and Lin Zhiming’s disappearance once they returned inside the Wall.
Should such a situation arise, Lu Luo’s trio, who had had conflicts with Hongtu Armaments, would become prime suspects.
Although they had no evidence to prove that the three of them had killed the pair, sometimes, those in power don’t need evidence to make a judgment.
Therefore, Lu Luo felt it necessary to ensure everything that followed was perfectly concluded, so that everyone involved would feel the matter was settled.
Zhou Qingyu’s body could make the whole affair seem much more complete.
Next, he wouldn’t go further into the deep valley. He would choose to wait at the entrance with Gu Fangyi and Qi Xinzhu.
Normally, if the people from Hongtu Armaments didn’t emerge within three days, they could almost certainly be considered dead.
Lu Luo planned to wait for five days to ensure the matter was foolproof.
"Let’s go. We’ll wait at the entrance first and see if they can make it out."
"Okay!"