Chapter 184 - 183: You’re Overthinking It, My Target Isn’t You

The monster’s crimson eyes flashed with disdain as it faced her attack. Just as the spear was about to strike a vital point, the creature dodged with incredible speed.

To make matters worse, the monster appeared directly behind her and opened its mouth, trying to bite down on Chu Liangyu’s head.

Chu Liangyu had no time to turn. She deftly maneuvered her spear, and without looking back, thrust it straight at the monster.

SQUELCH...

As the spear sank into flesh, Chu Liangyu simultaneously put distance between herself and the monster.

Perhaps it hadn’t expected that move, for the strike had completely destroyed its left eye.

Chu Liangyu watched, raising an eyebrow. ’A pity I didn’t get a headshot,’ she thought.

On the other side, without the interference of the feathered arrows, Jiang Li only needed his flute to control the monster.

As for the Thunder overhead, he was just like Chu Liangyu; he had often been struck by it in the past. As long as Chu Liangyu wasn’t poised to attack, getting hit a few more times was of no consequence.

Chu Liangyu knew this as well. With a wave of her hand, she recalled the Thunder Spirit that had been controlling the Thunder, not wanting to waste power needlessly.

The Thunder Spirit returned to Chu Liangyu’s side, but the thunderclouds in the sky did not disperse, instead quietly awaiting her command.

The monster moved to stand by Jiang Li’s side, still under his control. The two stared at each other, killing intent flashing in their eyes as the atmosphere froze in a standoff.

The roar of Thunder echoed around them, adding a grim and murderous air to the scene.

This time, Jiang Li attacked first. A melody slowly drifted from his flute, carrying the same sharpness as his swordsmanship. At that instant, the monster beside him lunged toward Chu Liangyu in time with the music.

Sensing her intent, the Thunder Spirit floating beside Chu Liangyu attached itself to her spear without hesitation.

CRACKLE... The spear, now imbued with the power of Thunder, thrust toward the monster with the force of a raging tempest as Chu Liangyu swung it!

In an instant, a brilliant white light from the Thunder illuminated the entire mountaintop, so blinding it was impossible to see what was happening within.

The white light gradually faded. In that short period, the two had already exchanged hundreds of blows.

The monster’s body was covered in wounds of all sizes, all inflicted by Chu Liangyu, yet it attacked her frantically as if it felt no pain.

As time wore on, Chu Liangyu’s movements were no longer as swift as they had been at the start, and she inevitably sustained some wounds herself.

The monster was like a perpetual motion machine, feeling neither fatigue nor pain. ’This can’t go on,’ Chu Liangyu thought.

Meanwhile, Jiang Li, aside from a pale complexion due to the Soul Chasing Needle, didn’t seem to have expended much energy at all.

Chu Liangyu’s grip on her spear tightened again, her eyes narrowing in realization.

’Jiang Li is doing this on purpose. Just like I did to him earlier, he’s trying to drain my energy. He wants to force out my final trump card: the mask.’

But it clearly wasn’t the time to use it yet. Chu Liangyu couldn’t possibly play it so early.

’But the problem I’m facing now is how to deal with this monster quickly, so I can truly face Jiang Li again.’

The monster was so fast that even Chu Liangyu had to be completely focused when facing it. ’I can’t beat it in a contest of pure speed.’

But as they exchanged more blows, Chu Liangyu had also discovered some of the monster’s weaknesses.

’It’s belligerent and brainless. If Jiang Li wasn’t controlling it, I would have killed it countless times already.’

’So, to deal with this monster, I have to find a way to interfere with Jiang Li’s control.’

After only a moment’s thought, a plan formed in her mind. At the same time, she quickly took a few steps back, putting some distance between herself and the monster.

Chu Liangyu put her spear away. At the same time, the Thunder Spirit emerged from the weapon and floated by her right shoulder.

A muffled roar sounded from within the thick thunderclouds. RUMBLE... A bolt of Thunder shot down toward the monster.

At the same time, Chu Liangyu began to channel her Taiyin Fist, coordinating her footwork as she attacked in Jiang Li’s direction.

Faintly, a white light flashed from within her sleeve—the Soul Chasing Needle.

The corners of Jiang Li’s lips curled. ’Trying to catch the king to defeat the bandits, are we?’

The melody from his flute changed instantly, and the monster, disregarding everything else, charged toward Chu Liangyu to intercept her.

Just as the monster was about to catch up to her, her figure suddenly vanished.

Jiang Li’s heart skipped a beat. He subconsciously directed the monster to guard his back, while his white sword, without being wielded, automatically moved to protect him from the front.

Admittedly, his defense was airtight, but Chu Liangyu’s target wasn’t him.

It was the monster behind him!

Chu Liangyu’s figure reappeared. Thirteen Soul Chasing Needles floated around her, and with a single motion, all of the silver needles plunged into the monster’s body!

Instantly, a miserable howl rang out. The bizarre and savage monster collapsed to the ground, no longer able to fight.

The flute music stopped. Jiang Li suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, his face growing even paler than before.

He raised a hand to wipe the blood from his lips, his eyes showing a hint of astonishment as he looked at Chu Liangyu. But when his gaze fell upon the monster on the ground, his eyes gradually grew dark.

"I thought I was your target, but I never expected you were just aiming for this beast."

"But you weren’t wrong to do so. I poured a great deal of effort into it. If you hadn’t dealt with it, you would have had no way to kill me."

Chu Liangyu recalled the thirteen Soul Chasing Needles. With the monster dead, her expression relaxed considerably, and she found herself in the mood to reply. "Since you know, then do us both a favor: stop talking and hand over your life."

Jiang Li stared at her for a long moment, the darkness in his eyes deepening. He deliberately suppressed his emotions, his tone betraying no anger or joy. "I’m afraid I can’t grant your wish."

The white sword flew into his hand, and he lunged toward Chu Liangyu, his sharp aura tearing through the air.

Chu Liangyu reacted quickly. The trident appeared in her hand, instantly transforming back into a spear to meet the white sword.

The jarring clang of spear against sword was piercing, yet it sent a thrill through the veins, making one’s heart pound with the shifting tide of battle.

Now, without any external aid and having been hit by another Soul Chasing Needle, Jiang Li was still able to trade blows evenly with Chu Liangyu, which showed just how formidable he was.

During the fight, Chu Liangyu tried to find an opportunity for a surprise attack with her Soul Chasing Needles, but Jiang Li detected every attempt without fail. Thus, her plan to use the needles for a quick victory came to nothing.