Chapter 593: Inner Layer Boss, Zhang Bao's Doppelganger
Chapter 593: Inner Layer Boss, Zhang Bao's Doppelganger
After Lu Haikong and Zhang Yan entered the inner layer, leaving behind a small item, they didn't linger at the entrance but proceeded forward.
A few minutes into their journey, Zhang Yan's eyebrows twitched.
"The item I left at the entrance has been triggered. That woman must be following us."
"It's fine. We'll fight and kill up front, while she reaps the benefits from behind," Lu Haikong chuckled, continuing their journey deeper into the Tranquility Dao Temple.
"Why don't we wait for them? Even if we can't kill her with her abilities, we can at least drive them out," Zhang Yan suggested.
"There's no need. Although I've only met that woman once, I can tell she's cautious. If we stop, they'll stop too. We can't afford to waste time with them. Let's clear the dungeon and leave quickly," Lu Haikong replied, disregarding any further discussion.
Initially, Lu Haikong and Zhang Yan had agreed that Zhang Yan would lead their actions for the day. However, within a short time, their roles subtly shifted, and Lu Haikong took command with an assertive decision.
Zhang Yan wanted to persuade him, but seeing Lu Haikong's determined gaze, she had no choice but to compromise.
"Forget it. You're the main force, and with your strength, you make the decisions!"
Lu Haikong smiled lightly, ignoring the subtle complaint in Zhang Yan's tone, and continued their journey.
Zhang Yan was supposed to guide them, but Lu Haikong had observed earlier that while her guidance was safe, it was also slow. Sometimes, in her pursuit of safety, she would take them on detours, causing them to spend almost an hour just to reach the inner layer.
Upon entering the inner layer, Lu Haikong took over the responsibility of leading the way.
Holding his axe, he disregarded Zhang Yan's slight resistance and pulled her along, racing ahead.
Lu Haikong's memory served him well. Having previously explored the Tranquility Dao Temple outside the dungeon with Zhang Yan, he vividly recalled the route. With this knowledge, he forcefully blazed a trail, making impressive progress.
However, this reckless approach came at a cost. Within twenty minutes, they were surrounded several times by Yellow Turban Warriors within the dungeon, and they also fell into traps on multiple occasions, nearly getting injured.
Especially Zhang Yan, who would have been hurt if not for Lu Haikong's intentional protection.
It wasn't that Zhang Yan lacked strength, but her abilities didn't suit close-quarters combat. In this reckless advance, she naturally relied more on Lu Haikong.
"We're here!"
With Lu Haikong's aggressive approach, they reached the innermost part of the inner layer in just twenty minutes, the same place where they had entered the dungeon and where the Peaceful Heavenly Scripture was kept.
Upon arrival, Lu Haikong released Zhang Yan's hand, which he had been holding tightly.
As he let go, Lu Haikong's eyebrows twitched slightly, not out of reluctance to release her soft jade-like hand, but because he noticed that the part he had been holding was now bruised and discolored. He felt a bit embarrassed.
"I had no choice. It was held by a disgusting, domineering, and muscular savage bear. I'm grateful it didn't break," Zhang Yan said, seemingly consoling Lu Haikong, though it was a peculiar form of consolation.
Zhang Yan understood that Lu Haikong's actions were partly to expedite their journey and partly to hinder the progress of the Yellow Turban Saintess following them.
Lu Haikong's path was nearly brutal, activating all the alarms. At this point, the inner layer of the Tranquility Dao Temple was almost entirely on high alert. Those who sought to take advantage of their situation, like the Yellow Turban Saintess, would likely face a challenging situation.
However, understanding Lu Haikong's intentions didn't mean Zhang Yan could calmly accept his actions. Without a word, he grabbed her hand and raced ahead.
Lu Haikong felt slightly embarrassed when he noticed the bruise on her hand, but his masculine pride prevented him from apologizing.
Shifting his gaze to the dungeon entrance, Lu Haikong's attention was immediately captured.
The massive door at the entrance still stood, and as Lu Haikong focused on it, a figure emerged.
Lu Haikong's pupils constricted at the sight of this person.
From the start, Lu Haikong knew that if there was a boss guarding the outer layer, there would undoubtedly be one in the inner layer as well. However, he was surprised to find that the inner layer boss wasn't a physical powerhouse.
The figure wore a yellow robe, with a long sword at their waist and a feather duster in hand. Despite their outwardly transcendent appearance, their face was hideous.
What shocked Lu HaiKong the most wasn't just the fact that this man was a Taoist, but that he had killed Zhang Bao, whose head he had personally taken.
To see the man he had slain appear before him was eerie. Lu HaiKong began to understand Zhang Liang's feelings when he repeatedly killed Lu HaiKong, only for Lu HaiKong to revive again and again.
Fortunately, Lu HaiKong's Celestial Eye Technique revealed that the Zhang Bao before him wasn't the real Zhang Bao.
Zhang Bao (Dungeon Clone)
Identity: Dungeon Guardian Boss of the Realm of Heavenly Peace
Intelligence: 90
Strategy: 90
Talent: Fire Spirit Incarnation
As Lu HaiKong's gaze fell upon Zhang Bao, Zhang Bao's eyes locked onto Lu HaiKong.
In that moment, Lu HaiKong's heart raced, and he instinctively held Zhang Yan close. With a flash, a pillar of fire soared into the sky where Lu HaiKong had just been.
Lu HaiKong had barely dodged one attack when another pillar of fire rose, striking him repeatedly.
This Zhang Bao was different from the one at Qu Liang. The previous Zhang Bao had hoped to persuade Lu HaiKong to surrender, which would be significant for the Yellow Turban cause. So, he had refrained from using his full strength against Lu HaiKong.
In the end, he had tried to use sorcery to bewitch Lu HaiKong, but he hadn't expected Lu HaiKong to possess the Mountain Splitting Axe technique, with the power of mountain-splitting and sea-splitting within him. Zhang Bao's attempt to outsmart Lu HaiKong had backfired, and he was killed by Lu HaiKong instead.
This Zhang Bao, however, was a pure killing machine, devoid of any intelligence, driven only by the instinct to fight.
In this state, Zhang Bao was terrifying, unleashing an endless barrage of fire spells that left Lu HaiKong struggling to catch his breath.
Despite Lu HaiKong's agility, the relentless pillars of fire were taking their toll.
To Lu HaiKong's surprise, Zhang Bao was also a cunning fighter.
As a pillar of fire soared into the sky, it transformed into a fire dragon, striking Lu HaiKong's back as he dodged.
If Lu HaiKong hadn't been holding Zhang Yan, he could have easily split the fire dragon with a single swing of his axe. But with Zhang Yan in his arms, he couldn't maneuver freely.
In this situation, Lu HaiKong tightened his grip on Zhang Yan, enduring the fire dragon's attack.
As Zhang Yan felt the fire dragon strike Lu HaiKong's back, her eyes revealed a mix of emotions. She couldn't understand why this domineering man was suddenly showing such grace.
Though confused, Zhang Yan's face flushed, and she felt a strange sensation. She didn't know why, but the forceful embrace of this domineering man didn't seem so unpleasant anymore.
At that moment, Lu HaiKong, propelled by the force of the fire dragon's strike, moved forward and whispered in Zhang Yan's ear, "Woman, I'll say this one more time, after this, you really need to consider losing some weight."
Zhang Yan's beautiful eyes widened in shock. Lu HaiKong's words instantly shattered her budding affection. Before she could react, Lu HaiKong lifted her up and threw her out of Zhang Bao's range of attack.
Lu HaiKong turned to face Zhang Bao, his aura surging.
"The nuisance is finally out of the way. Are you ready to die?"
As Zhang Yan was thrown out, she stared at Lu HaiKong, noticing that his armor was partially melted from the high temperature, revealing scorch marks on his back.
Zhang Yan paused, her rising anger suddenly dissipating.
Just then, pillars of fire erupted around Lu HaiKong, trapping him.
"Watch out!" Zhang Yan cried out in alarm.
As she spoke, the pillars of fire transformed into fire dragons, coiling around Lu HaiKong.
The strike of a single fire dragon had already left Lu HaiKong's back injured. If these fire dragons struck him simultaneously, Zhang Yan couldn't bear to imagine Lu HaiKong's fate.
At this sight, Zhang Yan found herself moving without thinking, about to rush towards Lu HaiKong.
"Hey, woman, stop! This is my fight, don't interfere!" Lu HaiKong's voice rang out.
At that moment, a terrifying aura erupted from Lu HaiKong, and his purple, destructive inner strength burst forth...
(End of Chapter)
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