Chapter 129: Killing Intent

Of course, she had a bit of a cheat code up her sleeve. In the heat of the action, she whipped out a telescopic longsword. As she plunged a dagger into the back of an octopus’s head with one hand, she flicked the blade out with the other, skewering a gaping mutant creature like a kebab—the kind you could roast over a fire right then and there.

There was no time to reflect on her transformation into a warrior. Two mutant crabs closed in, their pincers spanning over a meter wide. Clang! The dagger couldn't pierce their shells. Jiang Huan immediately stepped onto the back of one crab, creating a bit of distance, and tossed out some dried fish.

The two crabs hesitated. One lunged for the fish, inhaling it like a storm. Jiang Huan immediately deployed her iron chain, binding the two crabs together to restrict their mobility. Only then did she use her telescopic sword to poke into the gaps of their armor, wreaking havoc inside. The two crabs thrashed and rolled. Caught off guard, Jiang Huan didn't release the chain in time and was dragged into the tumble. After all, she had wrapped the other end of the chain tightly around her hand three times to keep a firm grip.

In an emergency, one could call for help. Jiang Huan remembered the massive sea beast from earlier. Even if she couldn't participate in taking down something that large, she couldn't afford to be a liability to the team.

They were just two crabs!

Jiang Huan turned ruthless. She retracted the entire chain into her space, ending up face-to-face with the two crabs, which were still twitching with reflex actions. Those massive shells and pincers were right before her eyes! There was no time to worry about anything else!

Jiang Huan abruptly tossed one crab into her space. The other was much easier to handle; she stepped on it and stabbed into the soft interior of its shell once more. The mutant crab finally went completely still. She released the first one and dealt with it in the same fashion. The seawater, clouded by the ongoing battle, provided the perfect cover.

Having taken down four sea beasts in succession, Jiang Huan was truly exhausted. Yet, there was no time to catch her breath. Several smaller sea beasts approached. Jiang Huan scattered dried fish as usual, only to find her supply bottoming out. If she needed to use it again, she would have to resort to ultrasonic tools.

She had gained experience maneuvering among multiple sea beasts and, through practice, had discovered a fighting style that suited her. After finishing off these smaller creatures, a problem arose near the large sea beast—a massive black shadow was charging straight toward her.

Many people’s silhouettes shifted in tandem with its movement, and for a moment, the area around Jiang Huan was brilliantly illuminated. She couldn't store it in her space now! Jiang Huan dodged violently to the side, having previously observed that this large sea beast propelled itself forward by thrashing its tail.

She had bet correctly. The tumor-covered sea beast, having lost its weak target, grew visibly agitated as all its tumors suddenly swelled. A sharp cry from Wu Bing echoed through the headset: "All units, retreat!—"

Although Jiang Huan had dodged the pursuit, she was the closest to it. Just as she was contemplating what to release to fend off the unexpected, a dark figure lunged toward her with superhuman speed. Jiang Huan immediately drew her telescopic sword, but just as she was about to strike, she caught sight of a glow stick—it was a teammate! She pulled back the sword just in time to avoid harming him.

He approached the beast directly and extended his palm. At that moment, Jiang Huan stood stunned. She watched as the tumors on the creature, which had been swollen, suddenly retracted as if shriveling up. The process was incredibly fast; even this formidable beast appeared to shrink to the naked eye. No, perhaps it wasn't shrinking, but its moisture was being rapidly drained away!

Jiang Huan had only seen one person capable of such life-force control. Xie Congzhou!

For the first time, the sea beast faced the terror of death; it was dehydrating while deep in the ocean! Fear took hold, and its fighting spirit vanished. The creature thrashed its tail, desperate to escape. Xie Congzhou, perhaps injured by the impact, let go and drifted in a state of weightlessness. Jiang Huan tossed aside her weapon and reached out to catch him. Seeing that the sea beast had been completely surrounded by the combat team and victory was certain, she fired a distress signal.

"What’s going on? Defense team, go check it out!"

Jiang Huan held onto the sinking Xie Congzhou, refusing to let go. Soon, two members of the defense team arrived. Seeing the situation, they didn't ask questions and simply pulled them to the surface. Before long, they were delivered to the medical ship. Jiang Huan wanted to follow, but the leader of the defense team scolded her: "You’re not a doctor; you’re a warrior right now. Get back in the water!"

Jiang Huan gritted her teeth, a nameless rage sweeping over her. As she swam, her mind was filled with the image of Xie Congzhou rushing toward her just before she was about to be devoured. This time, she took the initiative to move in for the kill. As she drove her dagger and toxins into the creature's body, she suddenly pulled out a sharp, serrated cone-shaped weapon and slashed the beast’s jaw. Because of her awkward positioning, no one noticed the new wound on its jaw.

Jiang Huan retreated and swam elsewhere, a barbed spear appearing in her hand. She stabbed it fiercely into the large sea beast’s fin, pulled it out, and stabbed again! Passing by the shriveled tumors, she noticed the skin there was remarkably elastic. Jiang Huan sneered. With a flick of her palm, the rose-shaped dagger she hadn't used in a long time appeared, easily slicing through the growths. The sea beast seemed particularly wary of its tumors being punctured, but Jiang Huan wouldn't give it a chance, slashing several more.

Finally, unable to withstand the group assault and the torture of this one maniacally aggressive, bloodthirsty woman, the large sea beast perished in the ocean. Soon, a ship arrived to tow the carcass away, presumably for research. Jiang Huan returned to shore with the team, remaining silent the entire way, thinking only of wrapping up the battle reports so she could go see Xie Congzhou. Even though she knew Xie Congzhou’s regenerative abilities were extraordinary, her heart was pounding uncontrollably.