Chapter 652: Despicable

BOOM!

As the body of the Deep Sea Nether Turtle was hauled into the sky, the sea below split apart. Thousand-zhang-tall waves surged to either side.

In the center, a vacuum-like abyss remained.

It was as if that single slash was about to cleave the very sea in two—a truly shocking sight.

Jiao Peng, at least, knew he was incapable of unleashing such a powerful attack.

'I can't match that slash.'

He compared it to his own abilities, and the more he did, the more shocked he became.

The Deep Sea Nether Turtle's shell was as hard as Divine Iron, its durability approaching that of Half-Saint Soldiers. He knew he could never kill it in a single strike.

He could feel the faint traces of the World-Destroying Saber Intent. It carried an intense, bleak killing aura that oppressed him with the feeling of a world-ending crisis, as if it could slay the heavens and destroy the earth!

In that instant, Jiao Peng and his men froze mid-air, not daring to move any closer.

Aside from being stunned by Ye Wushuang, there was another reason: they couldn't be sure if he was an enemy.

If he was, they wouldn't even have a chance to escape if they approached.

BOOM!

Ye Wushuang reached out, his fingers curling into a talon. They transformed into a giant claw that seized the Deep Sea Nether Turtle's corpse, and he was about to open the Dragon Blood Divine Cauldron to begin its Refinement.

But in the end, he paused.

This Deep Sea Nether Turtle had been able to hide its life aura and evade his senses. It was truly extraordinary.

Ye Wushuang was quite curious about what other special properties it might have.

With a flash of thought, he extracted its Inner Core. It was a grayish-brown orb, its power exceptionally pure, radiating intense vitality and a peculiar aura.

'What kind of Inner Core is this?'

He frowned slightly.

"Kid, that thing is what you'd call a Longevity Pill. It's the Inner Core of a Longevity Turtle, a rare treasure that can add ten years to your life. The Vitality Power it contains is also excellent for healing injuries."

The Dragon Cat's voice chimed in, offering a different name for it.

But regardless of its name, it was a treasure. For him, that was enough.

"Friend, might you be willing to part with that Nether Life Pill?"

Seeing Ye Wushuang extract the Nether Life Pill, Jiao Peng grew anxious.

This was the very thing that could save their Clan Leader. If Ye Wushuang took it, they would lose their chance, and their Clan Leader would be beyond saving.

If their Clan Leader couldn't be saved, their clan would lose its foundation and face annihilation. That was a fate he absolutely could not permit!

So, to prevent his clan's destruction, he had to take a risk.

His resolve firming, Jiao Peng no longer cared whether Ye Wushuang was friend or foe. He shot through the air toward him.

"Brother Peng!"

The faces of the men behind him changed, and they prepared to follow.

"Wait for me here." Jiao Peng stopped them, approaching Ye Wushuang alone.

"You mean this?"

Hearing Jiao Peng's words, Ye Wushuang glanced again at the Longevity Pill in his hand.

"Yes, that's the one."

Jiao Peng's gaze was locked onto it, his eyes filled with intense desire.

He finally tore his gaze away to look at Ye Wushuang. "My name is Jiao Peng, of the Flood Dragon Clan from the Flood Dragon Hall on Heaven-Reaching Island. I desperately need this Nether Life Pill to save someone—it's a matter of life and death. I hope you can do me this favor, friend, and part with this treasure. I'm willing to trade for it with something of equal value."

Ye Wushuang stared at Jiao Peng and asked, "A matter of life and death?"

"Yes. It is of the utmost importance to my clan."

Jiao Peng didn't hide the truth. He was afraid that if he did, Ye Wushuang would refuse, and he would lose any chance of obtaining the hard-won Nether Life Pill.

Upon hearing this, Ye Wushuang glanced at Jiao Peng and tossed the pill directly to him.

Jiao Peng caught it hastily, his heart filled with immense joy. Obtaining the Nether Life Pill meant he could save his clan.

"Friend, what do you require? If my Flood Dragon Clan possesses it, I will surely give it to you."

Overjoyed, Jiao Peng looked up and asked Ye Wushuang.

"Since you called me a friend, consider it a gift."

Ye Wushuang smiled suddenly, his demeanor carefree and easygoing.

Putting everything else aside, the fact that Jiao Peng kept calling him "friend" had given Ye Wushuang a good impression.

Besides, during the crisis just now, Jiao Peng hadn't just watched indifferently; he had called out a warning. Ye Wushuang considered it a favor owed.

That favor, combined with his impression of the man, was worth one Nether Life Pill.

"A gift?"

In the distance, Jiao Weii and the others were stunned. They hadn't expected Ye Wushuang to be so magnanimous and carefree.

'An interesting person!'

Smiles bloomed on their faces as their impression of Ye Wushuang grew. They had thought he would seize the opportunity to make an exorbitant demand, but they never imagined he would simply give it away for nothing.

"Thank you!"

Jiao Peng cupped his fist in thanks.

"You should put it away," Ye Wushuang advised. "This Inner Core is peculiar. If you don't use a Restriction to preserve it, its power will gradually fade."

Jiao Peng gave a slightly embarrassed smile, glanced at the Life Span Pill, and took out a Jade Box to place it inside.

But before he could put it away...

A figure suddenly materialized out of the void. A hand shot out with incredible speed, snatching at the box with shocking abruptness.

In the blink of an eye, before Jiao Peng could even react, the Jade Box was snatched from his grasp.

Jiao Peng's expression darkened. If the Nether Life Pill was stolen, it would mean the end of the Flood Dragon Clan's hope!

"Give that back!"

Jiao Peng snapped to his senses, fury surging through him as he chased after the thief.

He thrust the Trident in his hand, and three sharp points of light bloomed in the air, radiating beams of Inscription light as they shot forward.

"This is indeed a treasure," the attacker sneered, "but now that it's in my hands, it's mine."

The assailant clutched the Jade Box as he rapidly retreated.

The man radiated a soaring demonic aura. He looked like a serpent-man, and his eyes, like a viper's, held a cold, bloodthirsty glint that promised a grisly death.

He was also at the Divine Silence Level and had no fear of Jiao Peng.

Jiao Peng grew even more furious, vowing not to rest until he retrieved the Nether Life Pill. His attacks intensified, blasting through the void toward the man.

"Useless attacks!"

The youth sneered in contempt. With a single wave of his hand, a crimson light transformed into a Slaying Sword, shattering the oppressive spatial attacks.

BOOM!

Seizing the opening, Jiao Peng swung his arm. His Trident vibrated, radiating Holy Light as it surged forward, shattering the Blood-Colored Killing Sword and aiming straight for the youth's face.

"A Half-Saint Soldier!"

At this, the youth's eyes turned sharp. "Back off," he snarled, "or I'll destroy it."

As he spoke, he held the Jade Box out in front of him. If Jiao Peng's attack landed, the Nether Life Pill would be the first thing destroyed!

"Shameless!"

Jiao Peng was furious but dared not make a move.

He couldn't afford to take that gamble.

Left with no choice, he had to halt his assault, redirecting the attack to slam into the sea below.

"I tell you to do something, and you just do it? You idiot!"

Seeing this, the youth with the Jade Box didn't back down. Instead, he laughed mockingly, his insults growing even more flagrant.

How could Jiao Peng not realize he was being toyed with?

"Give it back to me. Whatever you want, I can agree to it."

A moment later, he forced himself to calm down. The man held the Nether Life Pill, and with it, the fate of his Clan Leader and his entire clan. He could not afford to be reckless.

"What if I want your life? Can you agree to that?"

The youth gave a sudden, sinister smile, a malevolent light flashing in his eyes.

"You want my life?"

Jiao Peng's eyes hardened. "We have no history, no grudge," he said in a low voice. "Why would you want to kill me?"

"Why? Hmm, let me think..."

The youth murmured, bowing his head as if deep in thought, completely ignoring Jiao Peng and Ye Wushuang alike.

After a moment, he looked up as if he'd found his reason and spat out three words: "Because... I enjoy it!"

Because he enjoys it!

CRACK!

Jiao Peng nearly shattered his teeth from grinding them so hard. This man was toying with him, using the Nether Life Pill to demand his life, simply because... he enjoyed it!