Chapter 145 - 144: Remote Control
The spear carried an unmatched power. The flames at its tip were pulled into a straight line by inertia, yet they still burned with unwavering intensity.
Long Jiu twisted her body to evade, but a second spear, then a third, and a fourth followed like shadows!
The immense recoil seemed to suspend Yang Shen in midair, delaying his descent. His hands moved as fast as afterimages, never ceasing for a moment.
Black, flaming spears rained down like a dense shower, shattering the cement ground inch by inch!
Soon, the ground looked like a forest of black spears!
Lacking any ranged attacks, Long Jiu could only rely on her absolute agility and speed to continuously dodge.
Until... the last spear came for her.
Long Jiu’s sharp eyes caught it... there was a black chain at the spear’s tail.
’It seems different from the others...’
Sure enough, the next moment, the spear she had just dodged exploded behind her, forming a dense net. A strange flame spread across the entire net, enveloping Long Jiu.
According to the properties of Curse Engraving, the black substance couldn’t be reshaped once it detached from the body. The solution was simple: just don’t let it detach.
Yang Shen still had many clever tricks up his sleeve, and they were very dangerous!
Long Jiu knew how formidable this strange flame was. Her Double-Headed Scythe spun like a flower of death, severing the fiery net. Her body flickered like an afterimage as she dodged every last spark.
Meanwhile, Yang Shen had already burst through the smoke, closing in for the kill.
The two once again engaged in close-quarters combat.
One wielded a double-headed scythe, the other dual-wielded short spears. Their ferocious power filled the space under the bridge with the echoes of muffled impacts.
The Double-Headed Scythe swung down like a crescent moon. Yang Shen crossed his short spears in front of him to block.
The two were locked in a brief struggle of strength, and Yang Shen was clearly at a disadvantage in terms of raw power.
Just then, the surface of the nearby water suddenly exploded!
A huge, pitch-black figure leaped out.
It looked like a Lizardman with a long tail, or perhaps some kind of monster formed from the black substance. This creature had clearly been lying in ambush for a long time, choosing to strike while the two were locked in a stalemate.
The one lying in wait could no longer hold back.
A larger, more massive amount of black substance than even Yang Shen possessed formed into two gigantic hands several meters long, which then tried to swat both Yang Shen and Long Jiu dead!
However, Yang Shen seemed to have been prepared. He leaped away lightly, having clearly been holding back some of his strength.
As for Long Jiu, she held her Double-Headed Scythe level. The weapon, clearly made of a special material, remained completely undamaged amidst a deafening crash, buying its master a moment of space. Long Jiu leaped away as if pushing off a horizontal bar.
As nimble as an elf under the moonlight.
A third party had entered their life-or-death battle.
Black Rope’s strike had failed to land. Annoyed, he had nonetheless revealed himself.
Both Yang Shen and Long Jiu chose to observe for the moment, wary of each other.
A trace of fear appeared in Black Rope’s eyes as he looked at Yang Shen... Although the other man was wearing a helmet, he had recognized Yang Shen’s identity through other means.
This was the man who had nearly killed him in a single encounter.
And it was this same man who had led to his current power...
"I knew it... The Dragon Jades can sense each other... You must have detected my approach long ago."
Yang Shen didn’t answer the question.
’I have plenty of ways to sense you...’
For a moment, the situation under the bridge became a three-way standoff, with each person on guard against the others.
Black Rope was also extremely wary as he looked at Long Jiu. After waking up, he had relied on his years of training and vigilance to temporarily evade her pursuit. He had avoided a direct confrontation but was aware of her presence.
But after he began hunting the "Rebel Species," he started leaving more traces, even showing himself on purpose at times, and had already clashed with Long Jiu several times.
’A terrifying girl... I’m no match for her at all.’
If his Secret Technique hadn’t become so much more powerful and versatile, and if his escape skills weren’t top-notch, he would have likely already died at Long Jiu’s hands.
This young girl was practically invincible, a ruthless killing machine with only one weakness.
She wasn’t very bright...
In Black Rope’s eyes, this was just two insect-users fighting amongst themselves. He had even observed them for a long time to confirm they were genuinely fighting before deciding to jump out and kill two birds with one stone.
In Long Jiu’s eyes, Yang Shen and Black Rope were both "Tattooed Guests." The proof was that they both wielded the power of Curse Engraving.
In Yang Shen’s eyes... well, they were both idiots.
Team up with Black Rope to kill the girl? Yang Shen wasn’t that naive. Black Rope was an old acquaintance he’d practically barbecued. He was an enemy, not a friend—just one he hadn’t managed to kill.
Without another word, Yang Shen rearranged his black spears and charged straight for Black Rope with lightning speed. He figured Black Rope was the weaker of the two.
Countless black substances surged around Black Rope, forming a two-meter-high wall to defend himself.
Long Jiu was about to slip away when Black Rope shot countless spikes from his back, blocking her escape route.
Clearly, he didn’t want Long Jiu to leave alive either.
The three of them fell into a chaotic brawl.
It was a free-for-all, with each person facing two enemies!
Yang Shen found he couldn’t break through. Black Rope’s strength seemed to have been completely transformed. He was no longer just a flashy, fragile assassin; his reaction speed and power were several times stronger!
He would have been even more surprised if he knew that Black Rope was actually half-paralyzed and relying entirely on his Secret Technique to support his body.
So, he had no choice but to pull out another one of his clever tricks.
He formed a Finger Technique with one hand and cast the Bee Control Technique, summoning the "Sun Worms" that had been circling in the distance!
Fed with a special bait, the six Sun Worms he had were now all upgraded versions, not only larger in size but also faster.
After being nurtured with a large amount of Spiritual Power over a long period, these insects had formed a much closer bond with Yang Shen. On the Cultivation Side, they could be understood as his "Spirit Insects," connected to his very thoughts!
This was a common transformation in the Cultivation Realm but extremely rare on the Martial Arts Side. Infused with a large amount of Yang Shen’s own Spiritual Qi, the Spirit Insects were branded with his "imprint."
This also meant he could imbue the "Sun Worms" with his own power.
The six Sun Worms flew to Yang Shen’s side and were quickly engulfed in flames. The previously terrifying "Rising Sun Flame" didn’t harm them in the slightest.
This also compensated for the Sun Worms’ weakness: having more than enough defensive power, but lacking in offense.
Yang Shen formed a Finger Technique with one hand, giving the Sun Worms the command to circle behind him. This way, in close combat, he would have something like six small floating turrets.
At this point, Yang Shen’s appearance was veering more and more toward that of a "Fantasy Warrior": a strange black helmet, a red scarf, a bare torso, and six floating turrets circling behind him.
The sight made Black Rope’s scalp tingle...
’Is that still a Martial Artist?’
’Or do I just know too little about Cyan Blue?’
However, just as Yang Shen finished giving the command, Long Jiu suddenly moved, circling around to his back.
Startled, Yang Shen quickly turned to guard his rear.
’The hell? She’s trying to ambush me?!’
Then Long Jiu just kept circling behind him! The scene suddenly became rather bizarre. Yang Shen spun in place, keeping his eyes locked on Long Jiu, while Long Jiu just ran in circles around him.
Yang Shen was a little confused. ’Logically, an expert of her caliber should change tactics immediately after a failed attempt...’
’What is she doing, drawing circles behind my back?!’
’Could it be a finishing move that can only be used from behind?’
One was a young Innate Expert and a killing machine; the other was a battle-hardened king of practical combat and a Cultivator with many trump cards.
Yet, under the bridge, they looked like they were playing a game of eagle catching chicks, circling each other four or five times...
Yang Shen frowned slightly. Considering Long Jiu was the stronger opponent and was already wary of his "Rising Sun Flame," he formed a Finger Technique and commanded all the Sun Worms to tie down Black Rope!
With the Sun Worms’ defensive power, they would be difficult for Black Rope to kill. Moreover, the "Rising Sun Flame" posed a significant threat; contact would mean serious injury at the very least.
After Yang Shen cast his magic, the six Sun Worms turned into streaks of light and flew toward Black Rope. Yang Shen was just about to deal with Long Jiu properly...
...when Long Jiu, with a push of her toes, also leaped up and charged at Black Rope.
She didn’t even glance at Yang Shen.
Yang Shen, spear at the ready, froze in place.
He was being completely ignored...
Yang Shen: ???
’Wait... No way!!!’
Black Rope had been enjoying the show when he was suddenly engulfed by Long Jiu’s stormy, relentless assault.
He had only been able to find an opportunity to strike because the three of them were mutually on guard. But now, Long Jiu seemed to have focused her attention entirely on him, without the slightest defense against the helmeted man.
Not to mention, there were six flaming insects that would dive and ram into him from time to time.
He used his "Secret Technique" to block them twice, only to find that the flames could actually burn his black substance, making him even more hesitant to get close.
And what was Yang Shen doing at this moment...?
Yang Shen was reconstructing his worldview...
He watched Long Jiu fighting Black Rope from a distance, formed a Finger Technique, and silently thought: ’Retreat.’
Long Jiu immediately retreated without hesitation.
’Get up there and wreck him!’
Long Jiu regrouped and attacked again with deadly menace.
Yang Shen felt his cerebellum shrink a little... ’What is this?’
’In the middle of the fight... the enemy became an ally?’
’Seriously? I’ve been fighting for my life all night, in one perilous situation after another, and you’re telling me I can control this woman with the Bee Control Technique?!’
’Is... Is this scientific?’
It wasn’t Yang Shen’s fault. After all, anyone with a single wrinkle in their brain would never have considered this possibility.
It was like being locked in a perilous battle with your arch-nemesis all night, with your car keys in your pocket the whole time. Would it ever occur to you that those keys could control your enemy?
You press the trunk-release button, and they just squat down and drop their pants?
Who could possibly think of that!