The Invincible Supreme Medical God
Chapter 429 - 290: Matchmaking_2

Chapter 429: Chapter 290: Matchmaking_2

The inscription patterns were entirely black, made with dried blood, and due to the sealed content, the paper had turned blood-red.

Releasing his spiritual energy, Deng Wu spread his arms wide, and a word escaped his lips, "Devour!" Silver light beamed from Deng Wu’s body, illuminating four inscriptions, while four shadows appeared on the ground.

These shadows stood over two meters tall, and three meters wide, occupying a significant portion of the stage. All of them opened their mouths to let out ear-splitting howls. As the shadows howled, the audience heard a soul-wrenching wail, and vibrations rippled across the entire stage.

Visible astonishment was apparent in everyone’s eyes as they saw the unmistakable silhouettes of black wolves emerging within the shadows. However, these were no ordinary wolves. These were not living creatures but shadows—beast-like soul shadows!

In the eyes of the masked group’s leader, shock was evident, but as he ordered his subordinates, he clenched his fists. Facing soul shadows was a worst-case scenario. Only spiritual arts or individuals wielding martial power could defeat soul shadows, yet they also had to be constantly vigilant against the attacks of the wolf pack.

For Yan Xiaobao and his friends, the sheer size of the wolves created a significant advantage, forming a barrier that separated the three teams—none willing to approach them. But just as Yan Xiaobao began to feel safer, he saw a glimmering silver light strike the stage. Much to his dismay, he noticed how the opposing team clasped hands before five multicolored flames burst out between their five members.

Each mercenary possessed a different elemental affinity, and by merging their affinities, they created a five-colored flame, which gradually grew larger. Its force was enough to obliterate the entire stage, let alone the soul shadows.

"Leave the stage!" Yan Xiaobao shouted decisively. Though he had never seen anyone work together in this way before, Yan Xiaobao was unwilling to test its destructive capability, as grave danger loomed overhead. Although Sha Yun and Deng Wu gazed at Yan Xiaobao with pleading eyes, they quickly understood that he was serious. Without saying a word, they leapt off the stage. freeωebnovēl.c૦m

This flame was vastly different from Hui Yue’s flame, which consisted only of a single element. This was an elemental flame, born from the fusion of five elements—a force Yan Xiaobao’s protective measures could never withstand.

Securing second place was far better than witnessing his friends die, even if it meant he himself might ultimately perish. Thus, he chose to retreat.

Although Yan Xiaobao longed for victory as much as anyone else, his reason for entering this competition was to gain knowledge. The Dragon Army had already reached out to him, and for his first mission, sustaining injuries was an outcome they couldn’t afford.

After jumping off the stage, Yan Xiaobao noticed Zhou Long’s eyes glinting coldly, as he raised his hand with a smile. Golden light flared from his fingertips, encircling the elemental flame and beast-like soul shadows. With a decisive grip, the wolf pack let out another silent howl before gradually de-materializing into thin air. Before vanishing, the wolves sent tremors through the arena, morphing into Heaven and Earth Essence.

With the wolves gone, Zhou Long’s simple grasp completely obliterated the elemental flame, causing Yan Xiaobao to squint. The flame’s destruction triggered an energy backlash that swept through the masked group, leaving some vomiting blood and collapsing onto the floor. There was no way to contend with a team of such success.

"Congratulations to the masked assassins," Zhou Long said with a feigned smile to the crowd. "I present to you, the winners!" The announcer was visibly upset, though no one in the audience seemed to notice. However, what they did see was the leader still standing on stage, pale-faced, his hands trembling lightly.

"I think the second-place team deserves a round of applause for surviving the entire battle!" Zhou Long continued. Still, the audience booed Yan Xiaobao, leaving the young man with a bitter smile.

Their disdain was to be expected. In the first half of the battle, Yan Xiaobao and his friends merely observed, taking no action as the other two groups clashed. Later, when he caused the explosion, just as the real fight was about to begin—with the beasts’ soul shadows and multicolored flame—they walked away.

Retreating just as the fight grew interesting was undoubtedly a frustration for the crowd, but as Yan Xiaobao bowed to Zhou Long and left the stage, he cared little for their opinions. After all, no one wanted to linger around a defeated contender.

Back in the courtyard, countless thoughts swirled in Yan Xiaobao’s mind. It was obvious that the masked cultivators were part of the Dragon Army, as Yan Xiaobao had noticed the captain’s insignia beneath the scorched clothing of their leader, not to mention Zhou Long’s interactions with the group.

Although Yan Xiaobao had confirmed that the masked group belonged to the Dragon Army, he couldn’t stop pondering why Zhou Long seemed to want Yan Xiaobao to win, and why Zhou Long’s previously friendly demeanor puzzled him.

Now, Yan Xiaobao found himself wondering what was happening with the residential Demon Beast. Had it truly awakened, or had it been intentionally roused to create an event? Why did everything seem to happen when Yan Xiaobao appeared, and why did Hui Yue—who initially wanted nothing to do with the Dragon Army—now seem eager to please?

Unable to make sense of the unfolding events, Yan Xiaobao’s mind remained clouded as he quickly left the area and made his way to the courtyard, where he saw Xu Biao waiting for him.

Focusing on the man, Yan Xiaobao found himself wondering whether Xu Biao had informed Zhou Long about Yan Xiaobao’s origins. Careful observation revealed that Zhou Long and Xu Biao shared little in common and seemed unaffected by one another’s actions, yet Yan Xiaobao couldn’t rule out any possibilities.

Nodding slightly to Xu Biao without speaking, Yan Xiaobao stepped into the courtyard. He immediately sat down and began to meditate—not to cultivate, but to clear his mind, in hopes of understanding the chain of events more clearly.

From the outset, they had entered the Cave’s End, moving steadily to rescue the sun. During that time, they had slain and hidden an entire group sent by the Dragon Army, marking their only prior interaction with the Dragon Army before entering the Demon Residence Cave. Zhou Long had been overly friendly with Yan Xiaobao from the very beginning.

After speaking with Xu Biao and revealing that they were from the surface world, the man had taken notable interest in Yan Xiaobao and his team. Yet, Xu Biao’s excitement seemed driven more by a desire to personally experience the surface world than by any intent to sell information about them to others.

No matter which angle Yan Xiaobao considered, he couldn’t fathom how or why Senior Expert Zhou Long had suddenly developed an interest in him. All he could do was stay vigilant and plan his escape at the earliest opportunity.

At least Zhou Long remained amicable, and Yan Xiaobao was fairly confident Xu Biao wouldn’t turn hostile. He ultimately decided to settle the matter.

When he opened his eyes, Yan Xiaobao saw all of his friends gathered around him, waiting eagerly to hear his decision. Though each had their say regarding the events, they had long agreed to follow Yan Xiaobao’s lead, making his words law.

"Rest for now," Yan Xiaobao sighed, noticing Xu Biao and Xie Lan observing from afar, while an anxious expression marked Xu Biao’s face, as he fretted over Yan Xiaobao’s decision.

"We’ll go along with Zhou Long to investigate the residential Demon Beast," Yan Xiaobao said with a long sigh. He knew his friends were looking forward to beast hunting. And seeing how Zhou Long had effortlessly dispelled the elemental flame, a threat that would have eradicated Yan Xiaobao’s team, Yan Xiaobao understood avoiding Zhou Long wasn’t an option. It was best to stay on his good side and hopefully uncover some clues as to why this high-level expert found Yan Xiaobao so intriguing—whether it involved the Dragon Army or not.

Hearing Hui Yue’s comment, smiles spread across everyone’s faces, as their excitement spilled out while discussing the hunt. Although they understood the risks, none seemed worried—instead, they brimmed with enthusiasm. Soon, they busied themselves with cultivation or preparations for the beast hunt in their own ways.

Xu Biao was as thrilled as anyone, eager to participate in the hunt himself, though Yan Xiaobao’s worried expression cast a shadow over his spirit. Xu Biao couldn’t shake the unease niggling at the back of his mind.

...

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.