Everyone present froze upon hearing the monster’s cry.
The Alliance Leader, on the monster, was filled with shock. "You're Hao Duoyu...?"
Besides being covered in scales, the monster also had eyes that bled crimson.
It looked terrifying.
No one had expected this monster to be Hao Duoyu, whose once handsome face was now unrecognizable.
Xiao Ye met the monster's gaze and scoffed, "Hao Duoyu, have you really turned into a fish?"
Hearing Xiao Ye’s words, the monster became enraged.
He turned and stared fiercely at Xiao Ye, this very culprit who had caused him to become this grotesque, inhuman state.
"Xiao Ye, you have wronged me terribly. I've become this way today all because of you!"
In the past, Hao Duoyu, severely wounded, was swallowed by a demonic creature from the seabed.
However, Hao Duoyu survived the ordeal and even symbiotically bonded with that demonic creature.
He absorbed the demonic creature's strength, and was now a far cry from his former self.
Seeing Hao Duoyu’s fury, Xiao Ye spat out a breath of foul air.
The stench was overwhelming, instantly causing the surrounding crowd to cover their mouths, their faces pale.
Hao Duoyu launched a ranged attack at Xiao Ye, spewing foul air accompanied by a sharp spike.
This sharp spike was laden with venom.
The moment it touched Xiao Ye, he would surely die of poisoning.
Xiao Ye now faced Hao Duoyu, and his predicament tugged at everyone’s heartstrings.
Xiao Xi suppressed the tremors of pain wracking her body, unable to comprehend the searing pain in her head.
She pushed down the pain, desperately wanting to help Xiao Ye fight.
Xiao Ye seemed to sense Xiao Xi’s concern, and his gaze shifted towards her.
With a calming intention.
Xiao Xi anxiously watched as Xiao Ye’s black sword sliced through a stream of air.
Hao Duoyu, transformed into a monster, took the blow squarely.
He contorted in pain, unable to escape.
Xiao Ye noticed that Hao Duoyu’s aura was not as powerful as his own, but his defensive capabilities seemed to have increased unprecedentedly.
"Have you become so thick-skinned now?"
Xiao Ye sneered and unleashed several more black energy slashes in rapid succession.
They landed precisely on Hao Duoyu, all hitting their mark.
Hao Duoyu hadn't expected that even as a monster, he would only be on the receiving end of beatings.
Sorrow overwhelmed him, and he reeked of foul air.
"Why? Why am I still not your match even after turning into a monster?"
"Xiao Ye, you are truly my bane!!"
Xiao Ye saw Hao Duoyu’s wild roars. While enduring the blows, he also grit his teeth in pain, wanting to destroy Xiao Ye's city.
He aimed a breath of foul air at the infected populace, intending to harm them all.
However, Xiao Ye would not let Hao Duoyu succeed. His sword energy materialized into numerous protective shields.
The crowd, surrounded by black energy, was repelled when the foul air attacked.
This sent Hao Duoyu tumbling in the air, enraged. Although his defense had reached its peak,
Xiao Ye's relentless slashing still caused him pain.
Several of Hao Duoyu's scales fell off from the agony. His hatred burned to pulverize Xiao Ye.
"Take me away quickly."
The Alliance Leader, now lucid, shouted at Hao Duoyu. He just wanted to retreat to the Blue Star Alliance.
As long as he returned to the Alliance, the Alliance Leader would still have a chance to turn the tables.
This was because the Alliance's sacred artifact could still be activated. The Alliance Leader lost his will to fight, only wishing to escape.
Hao Duoyu also knew that rescuing the Alliance Leader would be a great merit.
"Xiao Ye, I, Hao Duoyu, am a hero of Blue Star. No matter how strong you are, I will surpass you one day."
Xiao Ye saw Hao Duoyu’s resentful roar, and a sense of malice and annoyance arose within him.
His voice, emanating from hell, was cold. "I'd like to see what hope the protagonist, born as such, can bring to this world."
"I don't believe I can't kill you."
Hao Duoyu perceived Xiao Ye's killing intent and turned to flee madly.
His scales sprouted wings, and he flew with incredible speed.
Xiao Ye’s gaze locked onto Hao Duoyu’s escape route. He narrowed his eyes, not hearing the system's voice in his mind.
His earlier verbose exchange with Hao Duoyu was a test of the system.
Hao Duoyu’s appearance this time seemed to have not triggered the system's warning.
The system did not obstruct Xiao Ye’s attack.
This sowed a seed of doubt in Xiao Ye's heart.
Had the system given up?
Or... had Hao Duoyu's protagonist halo completely vanished?
The system remained silent, no longer hindering Xiao Ye.
His expression was calm as he stood in mid-air.
Xiao Ye’s right hand caressed the hilt of the black sword, his gaze somber yet resolute.
As Hao Duoyu flew with the Alliance Leader a hundred meters away, Xiao Ye’s figure did not pursue.
The Alliance Leader, perched on Hao Duoyu’s back, breathed a sigh of relief and laughed heartily. "It seems the heavens have not abandoned me. Hao Duoyu, you are a great contributor. When we return to the Alliance, I will reward you handsomely."
Upon hearing this, Hao Duoyu flew with even more vigor. Ever since he had become this monstrous figure, he had yearned to return to his former life as a great hero.
However, his heroic days were all shattered because of Xiao Ye.
Therefore, Hao Duoyu hated Xiao Ye to the bone. If he could defeat Xiao Ye, he wouldn't be fleeing in such disarray.
Now, as long as he brought the Alliance Leader back, he could regain his former glory.
Amidst Hao Duoyu's excited flight, Xiao Ye did not let him have his way.
Suddenly, a sharp pain from behind!
Hao Duoyu sensed danger but was too late to react.
Mixed with icy sword energy, it violently struck him.
Like a vine, it radiated black energy, entwining the Alliance Leader.
The Alliance Leader's expression changed drastically. He tried to defend himself and shake off the sword energy.
When he resisted, the black energy tightened its grip even more.
Hao Duoyu was astonished to find more black energy behind him!
They were all attacking fiercely. Turning his head, he saw Xiao Ye not far away.
Xiao Ye, clad in black, had not pursued.
His black sword exuded a powerful aura, sweeping out wave after wave.
While resisting, the Alliance Leader cried out in pain.
"Go faster, hurry!"
Hao Duoyu heard the Alliance Leader’s urging and also wanted to flee faster.
However, with the black energy surrounding him, Hao Duoyu couldn't fly out.
The Alliance Leader stood on Hao Duoyu’s back and said tremblingly, "Xiao Ye, do you think you can kill me? In this world, no one except a god can defeat me, the Alliance Leader."
He was the king of this world!
All global citizens should be led by the Alliance Leader.
He could not believe he would die today.
He would die so ignominiously.
However, the Alliance Leader soon gave a bitter smile.
His chest ached, staining his eyes red.
Because his body had been pierced by black energy, the Alliance Leader could not resist, suffering a fatal blow.
His pupils quivered as he looked towards Xiao Ye not far away.