Chapter Seventy: Fierce Combat

Marcus’s words left everyone in a heavy silence.

No one spoke; all simply waited quietly for Xiao Zhang to begin negotiations.

“If you want to save your companion, then you have no choice but to work with me!” the Little White Dragon declared directly, not bothering with preamble.

Xiao Zhang fixed his gaze on the Little White Dragon. “Why?”

Clearly, the dragon was startled by Xiao Zhang’s attitude; he had expected things to proceed smoothly...

“You already know that, with our strength, we can’t possibly stand against—”

“I don’t need you to defeat him. As long as you can injure him, I can awaken your companion’s true consciousness!” The Little White Dragon was growing anxious.

Xiao Zhang, torn between wanting to save Qi Guanbei and worrying about his own group’s safety, replied, “When the scenario ends, he’ll naturally wake up.”

The Little White Dragon couldn’t hold back his agitation. “Are you an idiot? If the scenario ends, that old bastard will have completely taken over!”

Xiao Zhang paused, clearly incredulous. “Impossible.”

“Then what do you think is possible? Will you only believe it when that old monster claims your companion’s body for good and kills you all? Have you ever truly witnessed his power? Huh?” The Little White Dragon’s voice rose with each word, his anger mounting.

Xiao Zhang’s mind raced, weighing the dragon’s words for truth. Judging from the dragon’s demeanor, it seemed genuine.

Seeing Xiao Zhang still hesitating, the Little White Dragon threw out a final bombshell: “Aren’t you afraid he’ll come to your world?”

That line alone convinced Xiao Zhang.

“All right, tell me your plan.” Xiao Zhang laid out all the key information.

The others were clearly hesitant as well. After seeing their indecision, Xiao Zhang muttered to himself, “There’s only one way.”

Turning calmly, he looked at everyone. “Those who wish to join me, step forward!”

…

Marcus asked, “You’re really going to take on the boss?”

The rest stood in silence.

Xiao Zhang nodded with a quiet determination. “If that monster is telling the truth, then the moment this scenario ends will be the end for us all.”

“Who will go?” he asked.

Zhao Bai, Zhao Tai, and Mo Xiaoxiao all stepped forward, as did Tu Shanbai, who edged closer to Xiao Zhang.

Marcus, the red-haired foreigner, watched and laughed. “All of you, get out of here! Run as far as you can! As for me and this kid…”

Before anyone else could protest, Xiao Zhang cut everyone off. “It’s settled.”

Zhao Bai tried to argue, but Xiao Zhang silenced him with a glare.

“You know my strength. I won’t die.” Xiao Zhang offered a slight smile. “You, on the other hand, watch over Mo Mo and the others.”

With that, Xiao Zhang dashed out into the corridor. Glancing back, he saw the Little White Dragon waiting for him.

His heart tightened, then relaxed.

“As a token of good faith, I’ll give you something.” The Little White Dragon handed him a white jade pendant shaped like a dragon. “This is the Dragon Talisman. If you fail... you can use this to escape with your lives.”

Xiao Zhang accepted it. “This?”

“This will instantly teleport you a thousand miles away, or let you leave this world and return to your own.”

Marcus, standing nearby, looked envious. “Damn, you really lucked out.”

To be honest, it was almost easier than finding treasure by chance.

…

Xiao Zhang strode into the grand hall. Glancing up, he couldn’t help but think of an emperor seated upon a dragon throne.

Truth be told, if Qi Guanbei lived in ancient times, he’d have the bearing of a true emperor.

At that moment, a scream echoed from the plaza outside.

On the plaza stood an incarnation of a white dragon; the horns atop its head revealed its true form.

The incarnation wielded a translucent sword, pinning the long-tongued man—whose arm had been severed—beneath its foot. The sword plunged into the man’s chest.

A flash of crimson gleamed along the blade. A surge of blood-red energy was drawn from the player’s chest, flowing along the transparent sword and into the white dragon’s body, while scales began to appear on Qi Guanbei’s face.

The long-tongued man’s corpse shriveled rapidly.

Yorick was faring no better. He hadn’t expected the dragon to break the rules outright, trying to kill off his group to restore his power. The shovel, Mistwalker, in his hands was now twisted and half-destroyed, as if some sharp weapon had sheared it cleanly in two.

At first, Xiao Zhang didn’t recognize Yorick, but when he heard the furious roar, he realized who it was.

Yorick bellowed in rage, “Why? Damn you! Aren’t you afraid of the system’s punishment?”

Bang!

The white dragon’s avatar flashed beside him, sword descending. Yorick raised his shovel to block, but his body was sent flying as if struck by a cannonball. When he landed, the shovel had split in two.

A gash split Yorick’s chest; blood poured forth, and at last he reverted to his human form.

Yorick lay on the ground, his face covered in blood, breathing faintly, still murmuring, “You…”

With a sickening sound, the sword plunged into his chest. As his blood essence was drawn forth, Yorick’s body withered into a dried corpse.

The white dragon’s incarnation stood, glanced at Xiao Zhang, and then transformed into a beam of white light, merging into Qi Guanbei’s body.

Xiao Zhang saw scales spreading across Qi Guanbei’s face, felt a chill, and instinctively retreated step by step toward the center of the hall.

Qi Guanbei rose from the dragon throne and walked slowly towards Xiao Zhang. Twin bumps appeared on his formerly smooth brow.

“You truly are a fine son,” Qi Guanbei said, pointing at Xiao Zhang. “This one’s blood is potent indeed. If I devour him, I’ll fully control this body.”

Xiao Zhang sensed the danger—damn, the Little White Dragon had tricked him.

But the Little White Dragon was already launching an attack on Qi Guanbei. “Now!”

Sensing the dragon’s sincerity, Xiao Zhang drew Spider’s Edge and charged.

Beside him, Marcus let out a roar, transformed, and swung a massive club at Qi Guanbei.

Qi Guanbei merely smiled and vanished, appearing before Marcus in an instant. With a gentle kick to Marcus’s chest—so light it seemed almost a tap—Marcus was hurled like a cannonball, smashing through the hall’s wall and disappearing into the distance.

The Little White Dragon immediately revealed his true form—a pure white dragon—and lunged at Qi Guanbei.

Qi Guanbei clenched his fists, and a dragon’s shadow poured forth from his body.