“One Saint Domain magic core, 38 ninth-grade magic cores, and innumerable magic cores of other grades. For a woman that’s even operating solo to collect these many magic cores in just a short half a day, just how many unlucky bastards has she tricked?”
Meng Lei was infinitely filled with emotion as he sighed. “What a moral-less world we live in now. People are no longer what they used to be. There aren’t many kind and upright contestants like me anymore!”
“Yeah, right!”
The corners of Ol’ Amos’ lips were spasming as he scoffed. “If you’re that kind and upright, then why were you playing possum to rob Carlos and gang? If you’re that kind and upright, then why did you treat a young lady that way?
“No offense, but you’re simply too heartless and have absolutely no idea how to treat a woman. You actually beat up a proper young lady like that to the point that she was unrecognizable. How is she supposed to face others in the future?”
“Hahaha! I did it for her own good!” Meng Lei burst into laughter. “Given her current level of strength, she’s not going to be able to go far. Rather than becoming destroyed by perverts like Carlos, she might as well just withdraw from the competition while it’s still early.”
“Then why did you rob her of her spatial rings? And all three at that?” Ol’ Amos side-eyed him.
Meng Lei was full of righteousness and justice as he replied, “It’s also for her own good! Lest she becomes the target of someone else’s greed!”
“As if I’m gonna believe you! I know you’re a terribly sly one!” Ol’ Amos snorted lightly as he went on. “But on the contrary, I’m relieved now. Seeing as to how you’re so sly and cunning, other contestants can only lament their misfortune if they run into you!”
The two of them chatted idly on and off. As the warm, comfortable sunlight shone onto him, Meng Lei suddenly felt rather drowsy, and he said to the Multi-Armed Behemoth and Uni-Horned Rose Python, “The two of you, continue moving forward while I nap a little.”
“Yes, Boss!”
“Yes, sir!”
The Multi-Armed Behemoth’s shoulder was very broad and full of densely-packed long fur. Meng Lei made a nest for himself, and then, he fell asleep comfortably.
Before long, the sound of snoring rang out.
At the sight of Meng Lei entering deep sleep, the Uni-Horned Rose Python went up to the Multi-Armed Behemoth. Then, it lowered its voice and called out, “Sacas!”
“What is it?”
The Multi-Armed Behemoth cast a glance at the Uni-Horned Rose Python.
“He’s fallen asleep. Should we...”
Then, the Uni-Horned Rose Python’s lips formed the words “slip away”!
“You’re thinking of betraying Boss?”
The Multi-Armed Behemoth’s voice suddenly raised in volume as flames of fury surged in his eyes. “Clara, snakes like you have no honor to speak of at all indeed!”
His volume almost frightened the Uni-Horned Rose Python into a heart attack. “Lower your volume! Lower your volume, big bro! I’m begging you...”
“Hmph!”
The Multi-Armed Behemoth let out a muffled snort.
“I was forced to come along with him against my will. I have neither pledged allegiance to him nor entered a contract with him; from whence does the talk of betrayal come?”
The Uni-Horned Rose Python lowered its voice and went on. “We’re Saint Domain Magical Beasts. We’re creatures that stand at the apex of the continent’s pyramid of lifeforms, the rulers among Magical Beasts! We should be living freely and unfettered without anything holding us back, rather than being his slaves and mounts like what we’re doing now!”
The Multi-Armed Behemoth sank into silence at Clara’s words.
Thinking that it had convinced the Multi-Armed Behemoth, the Uni-Horned Rose Python began to speak with even more enthusiasm. “You should know that once Saint Domain Magical Beasts like us fall asleep, we’ll need a very long time before we can wake up. He’s already fallen asleep. Now’s our best chance to escape!
“Let’s escape together. And soar as freely as the birds do in the sky and swim as freely as the fishes do in the ocean. Why should we follow him and let him boss us around?”
“You can leave if you want to. I’m not leaving!” The Multi-Armed Behemoth resolutely turned down the Uni-Horned Rose Python’s bewitchment. “Since I’ve been defeated by him and already pledged to submit, then I will never go against my words. The proud and lofty Behemoths always honor their promises!”
“Sacas, you...” The Uni-Horned Rose Python was infuriated. “You’re a Multi-Armed Behemoth, you know! The king of terrestrial battles on par with a Golden Behemoth! Are you really willing to be bossed around by—”
The Uni-Horned Rose Python was in the midst of speaking when it suddenly froze. Then, with much difficulty, it slowly turned around, only to be greeted by the sight of Meng Lei, who was currently watching it with a broad smile on his face.
“S-sir... I... I...”
At once, a huge jolt went through the Uni-Horned Rose Python, and a smile that looked even more awful than a crying face appeared on its countenance.
“Thinking of leaving?” Meng Lei raised an eyebrow.
“No, no, no! I’m not!”
The Uni-Horned Rose Python shook its head incessantly. “I’m willing to be Sir’s follower forever until the oceans are barren and the forests wilt—”
“You can leave if you want to.” Meng Lei said calmly, “Now that I have Sacas to bring me around, you’re just an extra around here. If you want to leave, I won’t stop you.”
The Uni-Horned Rose Python was rather stunned. “S-sir, are you being serious? You’re really willing to let me go?”
“Hurry up and get lost if you want to.” Meng Lei waved it away impatiently. “Sacas, speed up!”
“Yes, Boss!”
With a sound of acknowledgment, the Multi-Armed Behemoth put in a burst of speed, and then it flew a few hundred meters away instantly, leaving behind the dazed Uni-Horned Rose Python.
“I... I’m free? I’m free! I’m finally free! Haha, I’m f— Ugh!”
A golden ray suddenly appeared and instantly sliced the Uni-Horned Rose Python’s throat. A bloody line quietly appeared, and then its head gradually left its body.
...
“You didn’t let it off, after all.” Ol’ Amos shook his head lightly. “I knew it! How could you possibly be that kind-hearted?”
“Even if I didn’t kill it, someone else would.” Meng Lei smiled lightly as he said, “With its strength, it’s not going to survive for long. If that’s the case, then I might as well kill it.”
“What a fool!” Ol’ Amos sighed. “The continent is a perilous place right now. Contestants are hunting Magical Beasts everywhere.
“Saint Domain Magical Beasts, in particular, are even luscious pieces of meat that all the contestants are fighting for. It’s still somewhat safe if it follows you around, but leaving? Only death awaits it, then!”
“Who can stop it from seeking death if that’s what it wants?”
Then, Meng Lei shut his eyes and continued to sleep.
Half an hour later, they arrived at the front of a cliff. The cliff rose a thousand feet sheer and stood tall and straight—it looked extremely dangerous.
The top of the cliff was riddled with densely-packed, beehive-like holes. They came in a variety of sizes—big, small, wide, narrow...
It was just that the place was currently extremely lively.
50 to 60 contestants had actually been drawn to the area, and they were currently fervently attacking a bird-type Magical Beast that was a snowy-white color throughout.
With the body of an albatross, the mouth of a crocodile, and the claws of a hawk, its wingspan was over 20 to 30 meters wide and covered in white feathers.
It was the social Magical Beast, the Crocohawk Albatross!
As a Wind-Elemental Magical Beast, the Crocohawk Albatross was relatively strong. Most of them were Seventh-Grade Magical Beasts, with a handful being eighth-grade. The outstanding ones reached ninth-grade while their king was a Saint Domain Magical Beast.
Given such strength and terrifying numbers, no wonder those social Magical Beasts could attract that many contestants.
“Kill!”
“Kill them all!”
“Protect the Magicians!”
“Hurry! Don’t let them take everything!”
All the contestants saw red from bloodthirstiness as they hunted the Crocohawk Albatrosses in an almost insane manner. Despite their sheer numbers, the Crocohawk Albatrosses couldn’t do anything about them at all.
Not only did every contestant possess the strength of a ninth-grade expert, but the vast majority of them were even Dragon People. They could be said to be double cultivators of magic and martial arts; how could the Crocohawk Albatrosses possibly be their match?
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
Bam, bam, bam!
Boom!
Boom!
Densely packed wind blades!
Blazing fire dragons!
Thunderstorms of astonishing might!
Tornadoes that engulfed all!
Churning and surging ocean waves!
Vines covering every expanse of land!
Booming explosions and animal cries!
Sounds of collisions and furious shouts!
“The battle sure is fierce. This is much more exciting than even Hollywood visual effect blockbusters!” Meng Lei couldn’t help but sigh emotionally. “But I can’t just watch from a safe distance and cash in on the situation. I have to act, too!”