"He's gone!"
Chen Shu glanced at the pitch-black sky. The crescent moon that had been hanging high was nowhere to be seen.
Riding his giant slime, he headed straight into the depths of the [Demon's Lair].
Just as he had expected, the entire lair was empty.
Even when he encountered fierce beasts, they were only of the Golden rank, instantly killed by the slime.
"I'm truly a genius among bandits..."
Chen Shu licked his lips, his heart filled with excitement.
Two hours later,
"Damn it! A King-level lord's territory has so many materials! Truly extravagant!"
Chen Shu clapped his hands, looking at the ravaged cave.
The remains of several giant lizard demons were scattered around. They were not large in size, and their strength was only Golden rank.
By now, most of the King-level fierce beasts had already mobilized, leaving behind only the old, weak, and infirm.
As the 'War God of the Retirement Home,' Chen Shu was practically blessed with a buff...
"Next stop!"
Chen Shu mounted the slime at the cave entrance and left with ease.
The [Demon's Lair] was rich in spiritual energy and had nurtured countless rare treasures, making it much more abundant than other alien spaces.
Of course, not all of them went so smoothly. Some fierce beast territories would leave a King-level guardian.
In such situations, Chen Shu would do his best, and if there was any hint of danger, he would decisively retreat...
Although Chen Shu's actions had been exposed, the higher-ranked fierce beasts were too far away for the message to be conveyed and for them to return in time...
His plundering journey continued, while Old Qiao was still in battle...
Another half-day passed.
In the Legendary Battlefield,
"Damn it, are you bats crazy?"
Old Qiao roared, a hint of fatigue in his expression.
The battle had been raging for a long time, and even the endurance of a Legendary contract spirit was starting to falter.
"All my treasures were plundered by you old geezers, so I can only repay you with your lives!"
The Demon Bat Emperor's breathing was erratic, and it was also severely injured, yet it refused to give up.
Its anger had intensified, and some things only became more infuriating the more one thought about them...
The mere thought of that drop of primordial venom made its heart bleed profusely.
It had consumed vast amounts of Legendary materials, with its own venom as a catalyst, to refine it.
As long as it could digest it, its own strength would reach a new level, and it would have a stronger foothold in this chaotic world.
But now, the thought of it being gone forever filled it with such rage...
Old Qiao shook his head, no longer inclined to speak.
These three Beast Emperors had come with the sole intention of taking his life; the stolen treasures were merely an added bonus.
Another round of skill exchanges ensued.
The angel's combat power remained the strongest on the battlefield, serving as the absolute main force, holding its ground against the three Beast Emperors.
However, its aura was now showing signs of decline.
Clearly, the effect of the drop of blood it had consumed earlier was about to wear off.
"It's about time..."
Old Qiao felt no worry and breathed a sigh of relief, saying,
"I've reached home, and you're still chasing me?"
His gaze could faintly see Dark City, and simultaneously, a terrifying Legendary aura emanated from within the city!
Finally, he had held on...
Although all four contract spirits were injured, and a supreme treasure had been lost,
At least the outcome was good; Qiao Na had been rescued...
"Hiss!"
The Demon Bat Emperor hissed, its eyes filled with murderous intent, saying,
"Old geezer, you will die today, and no one can save you!"
"Are you sure?"
Old Qiao raised an eyebrow and pointed with his right finger into the distance.
The Bat Emperor paused for a moment, glancing back, only to see its two teammates already hundreds of meters away.
"..."
The Bat Emperor's heart trembled. Did they really have no loyalty at all?
"Bat Emperor, we can withdraw."
The giant demon with three heads and six arms rumbled, "There's no need to risk our lives."
Their objective had been achieved. Old Qiao's four contract spirits were all injured, and their combat effectiveness had significantly decreased.
The [Demon's Lair] could now launch a larger-scale invasion!
The Bat Emperor's heart was filled with anger, and despite its immense unwillingness, it had no choice but to comply.
If they were to attack with full force now, they could kill the opponent, but they would also pay a price, with at least one or two Beast Emperors perishing.
This was why the fierce beasts had always chosen to gradually erode their opponents, rather than launching a full-scale Legendary life-or-death battle.
"Old geezer, your life is forfeit, and I will come to claim it!"
The Bat Emperor said coldly, spreading its sky-obscuring wings, and turned to leave.
Seeing this, Old Qiao immediately counter-attacked:
"Little bat, better save up more treasures, your grandpa will be back to take them!"
Since he was already home, how could a dignified Legendary like him be provoked by a little bat's empty threats?
"Hiss!"
The Bat Emperor's eyes were cold, but it forcefully suppressed its urge. With a mere glance at him, it disappeared.
"It's finally over..."
Old Qiao sighed, patting his four contract spirits, a look of heartache in his eyes,
"You've worked hard, old friends..."
The four contract spirits nuzzled against Old Qiao affectionately, all shaking their heads.
For those at the Legendary rank, there was no longer any need to worry about the obedience of contract spirits.
The master and their contract spirits had gone through numerous life-and-death experiences together, becoming the most important beings in each other's lives.
Riding his Thunder Beast, he returned to Dark City in an instant.
...
"Chen Shu didn't return?!"
As soon as he returned to Dark City, Old Qiao received earth-shattering news...
His mind buzzed, and he even doubted himself:
"Wasn't I the one covering the retreat? How did I get back first?"
The two Legendary contract spirits guarding the city shook their heads, confirming that no human had returned to Dark City.
"And Dark City is being surrounded by fierce beasts?"
Old Qiao frowned, a thoughtful expression in his eyes.
Due to the Legendary Battlefield, no fierce beasts within tens of thousands of meters dared to approach, so he hadn't sensed the situation outside the city upon his return.
"They're not going to make me fight my way back again, are they..."
His expression was grim. This was utterly ridiculous...
For a moment, he regretted asking Chen Shu for help.
Although the guy's abilities were strong, the problem was that he never followed the script.
Not only were the fierce beasts fooled, but even Old Qiao couldn't predict his next move.
"Hmm?"
Just then, Old Qiao's expression shifted as he sensed that the countless fierce beasts outside the city were actually retreating!
"Are they going to search for that kid?"
He muttered to himself, realizing what was happening.
Clearly, the news of Chen Shu still plundering the fierce beast territories had reached the ears of the Beast Emperors.
The Four Great Beast Emperors, along with their subordinates, were about to settle the score!
Now, the Demon Bat Emperor's hatred for Chen Shu had surpassed that for Old Qiao...
Half a day later,
The fierce beast horde outside Dark City had completely withdrawn, vanishing without a trace.
And in the depths of the [Demon's Lair],
"Yohoyo~~"
Chen Shu sat atop Xiao Huang's head, a bandit's smile plastered on his face.
In less than a day, he felt as though he had found the meaning of life...
"Chen Shu, shouldn't we be leaving?"
Qiao Na's heart was filled with unease. This was practically picking up money at the risk of one's life...
"No need to rush!"
To appease Qiao Na, Chen Shu said, "Actually, Old Qiao asked me to do this."
"Ancestor? Are you sure?"
Qiao Na's expression faltered, a hint of doubt in her eyes.
"Of course!"
Chen Shu smiled slightly and said, "He even specifically instructed me at the time to have you return to the territory as soon as possible."
"And then?"
"Aren't we in the territory right now?"
"..."
Qiao Na's breath hitched, her eyes widening, and she said,
"Is there a possibility that Ancestor meant our human territory!"