Chapter 538: Chu Mo Island (IV)
Chapter 538: Chu Mo Island (IV)
The group trudged forward under a tense atmosphere. Every few paces, Hong Hu would pull out the Infrared Lamp to scan their surroundings—both to check for threats and ensure no leeches had latched onto their skin.
The "Leech Forest" stretched far larger than expected. Despite walking for ages, they remained encircled by invisible leeches. As their clothes became increasingly burdened by the clinging parasites, the group was forced to halt repeatedly to clean themselves before continuing.
Finally, about an hour after Feng Bu Jue had wasted a Second Wild Ball Fist technique—essentially after completing their task—the five companions reached a small creek. Infrared scans revealed that beyond this stream, the forest on the opposite shore was completely leech-free.
Relieved, they rid themselves of the pests and leaped across the Creek. On the other bank, they meticulously examined every inch of their bodies and gear to confirm not a single leech had followed.
"Ah… finally escaped that disgusting place", Young Master Ji Bu exhaled deeply. "Feels like being reborn."
Tian Ma Xing Kong nodded. "Absolutely… having those squirming suction-cup creatures stuck on your body is just unhygienic."
Feng Bu Jue stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Not necessarily. I’ve seen some fascinating hero animations where—"
"Wait, you sure you’re watching hero animations?" Ji Bu interrupted, squinting. "Doesn’t that sound like those films with cryptic titles made of letters and numbers?"
"Pfft… no culture", Feng Bu Jue scoffed. "Those with alphanumeric titles are live-action films—"
"Both of you, enough!" Hong Hu barked. "Why does the conversation always veer into perverted territory? Focus on clearing the scenario!"
"Actually", Fei Chai Shu cut in, his tone serious, "has anyone noticed… it’s getting hotter."
"Huh? Now that you mention it", Feng Bu Jue agreed.
"Temperature’s spiked—went from mid-twenties to over 33 degrees Celsius", Tian Ma Xing Kong added.
"Tch, you’re all too slow", Hong Hu adjusted his glasses smugly. "I noticed earlier. The creek marks a boundary—temperature shifts abruptly here. Jump back if you don’t believe me; the other side’s still in the mid-twenties."
"Ah, so the environment did change", Feng Bu Jue said, hands behind his head casually.
"You mean you thought it was something else?" Ji Bu asked.
"I initially thought our stimulating conversation made my body heat up", Feng Bu Jue grinned.
This was Feng Bu Jue’s sense of humor—random, untimely jokes that swung between bafflingly intellectual and disgustingly suggestive.
"You did heat up fast", Hong Hu narrowed his eyes. "You imagine filth, add your own fantasies, then get worked up about it all in under ten seconds? Your mind’s breaking cosmic limits!"
"Well, I am an artist", Feng Bu Jue replied shamelessly.
"Enough", Fei Chai Shu shook his head. "I only mentioned the temperature change—don’t let this devolve. Hong Hu, you know Feng Bu Jue’s personality. Don’t let him bait you into arguments."
"Also, Feng Bu Jue", Fei Chai Shu turned to him. "While I agree casual players should prioritize fun, don’t get too unhinged. Most of us here are hardcore players—we care about completing objectives."
"Fine, fine", Feng Bu Jue shrugged. "I’ll cut the trash talk. Let’s move out." He quickly ended the discussion.
Feng Bu Jue rarely pushed back against Fei Chai Shu’s type—people who rarely spoke formally yet possessed sharp insight and competence. Their advice, though blunt, always held merit. In real life, Feng Bu Jue had similar friends like Bao Qing and Ou Yang Jian. In his will—a document he’d written and continually updated—he’d left them a message: "You’re people I envy—successful careers, happy families. Your talents could justify arrogance, yet you remain humble and grounded. I’ve little to leave you, as you already have what I lack. But since I’m better-looking, I’ll gift you some selfies to inspire your future endeavors."
"Quick! Look at that!" Twenty minutes later, as they followed the forest trail, Tian Ma Xing Kong suddenly halted, whispering urgently.
The four behind him raised their cameras. Beyond the faintly visible trees loomed a towering Black Shadow approaching. Over two meters tall, broad as three men, it moved bipedally.
"Should we hide?" Feng Bu Jue asked.
"Hide? Why?" Tian Ma Xing Kong retorted. "We’re heroes—acting cowardly sets a bad example."
"Right!" Feng Bu Jue patted his shoulder, then turned to the others. "So the four of you hide first?"
"Sure!" The trio agreed in unison.
In a flash, the four—including Feng Bu Jue but excluding Brother Horse—vanished like loosed arrows.
"Ugh… these guys are excessive…" Tian Ma Xing Kong inwardly groaned.
Creak… creak…
The Black Shadow’s footsteps grew louder.
"Alone again…" Tian Ma Xing Kong swallowed, staring ahead. "So scary!"
The shadow finally emerged from the trees, locking eyes on Tian Ma Xing Kong in the trail’s center.
"Human?"
Moonlight—intense despite the blood moon—filtered through the canopy, illuminating the Phantom. A humanoid with a baboon-like face in pale flesh tones. Standing nearly 1.9 meters, its broad frame rivaled a sumo wrestler’s, though muscular rather than fat. He wore coarse dark robes, Scale-Skin Boots, and carried an axe on his shoulder—the weapon’s shadow had distorted his height earlier.
"What demon dares trespass?" Brother Horse demanded, stepping forward.
"Wow…" Feng Bu Jue whispered from hiding. "This guy’s Npc interaction skills are negative. That line’ll turn aggro on any friendly mob."
"Ahahaha… hehehe…" The Baboon-Faced figure laughed—a chilling, mad sound. "So long… a sane creature speaks to me again!"
"What’s so funny?" Tian Ma Xing Kong asked warily.
"Human! A living human!" The figure bounced joyfully. "Finally!"
"…What’s happening?" Hong Hu muttered from a tree.
"More?" The Baboon-Faced suddenly turned, locking onto Hong Hu’s hiding spot. "Good! Two!" He swung his axe at Tian Ma Xing Kong, expression twisting to berserk menace. "I’ll kill one then! Hahahahaha!"
(End of Chapter)
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