Chapter 105: Ding, Congratulations...

The blade twisted, and the heart-wrenching agony nearly choked Zhao Nan. He had endured many wounds in his time and possessed a threshold for pain far beyond that of an ordinary person, yet at this moment, he could not help but let out a low, pained groan.

"I won't let anyone look down on me again, never! It’s all your fault. If you hadn't killed Di Qiang... if it weren't for you, I never would have given you the chance to despise me! Go to hell!"

Sun Baoqiang was clearly deranged. His invisibility cloak was half-shredded, exposing his upper torso. His hands gripped the hilt of the short sword so tightly that the veins on the back of his hands bulged with exertion and manic excitement. His mouth seemed unable to close, emitting burst after burst of savage laughter.

As the piercing pain persisted, Zhao Nan’s consciousness shifted from the brink of fainting to a state of chilling clarity. It felt as though the flow of time had slowed to a crawl; the threat of death forced his mind to race at a terrifying speed.

A typical player would have collapsed under such a wound. However, having previously consumed the Fountain of Youth water, which granted triple the rate of regeneration, Zhao Nan did not die instantly, even as his health points plummeted.

One second, two seconds?

He did not know how much time remained, but he knew with absolute certainty that he had to survive within these fleeting moments. He could not afford to die easily!

"Dual Whirlwind Spiral x2!"

This was a skill he had prepared in advance, and subconsciously, he did not want to waste time changing his strategy. Sun Baoqiang, standing behind him, clearly never expected his target to remain coherent enough to cast a skill at such a moment! He could never comprehend just how brief the casting time for an Ancient Arcanist truly was.

The erupting whirlwinds struck the ground in a flash of lightning. The immense wind pressure reflected from the impact instantly tore the invisibility cloak from Sun Baoqiang’s body, and the sheer force of the airflow launched both men into the air.

Sun Baoqiang’s hands were forced to release the sword hilt. Suspended in mid-air, he locked eyes with Zhao Nan.

Zhao Nan’s body was tilting, about to fall downward. At that precise moment, he slammed his staff against his own chest. With a sharp clang, the short sword embedded in his heart was knocked clean out, exiting through his back.

A fountain of blood erupted!

This sudden turn of events caught the attention of the team currently attacking the mutated boss monster.

"Zhao Nan...!"

"Nan!"

Finina’s face turned deathly pale. She had been perched on the body of the Mutated Soul-Devouring Python King, but she froze completely.

...

Sun Baoqiang’s pupils dilated. Someone had actually used such a method to remove the blade... was he not afraid of the pain?

Whether Zhao Nan felt the pain or not, Sun Baoqiang didn't know; he only felt a jolt of pain himself as he crashed to the ground. Zhao Nan had landed as well.

Upon landing, Sun Baoqiang gave a violent shudder. Even though his cloak was gone and he was exposed to everyone, he was determined to kill this man.

Yes, kill him!

Since he had come this far, he could not let his efforts go to waste.

He had to kill him!

...

Sun Baoqiang’s mind was completely possessed by madness. He scrambled across the ground on all fours, crawling toward Zhao Nan like a rabid dog!

Seeing Zhao Nan lying motionless on the ground while the man rushed toward him like a maniac, Finina could no longer concern herself with the mutated boss. She leaped off the monster’s back. Her intense emotional volatility manifested as a black, flowing light swirling in her eyes. Her long golden hair danced in the air, with traces of black faintly appearing at the tips.

But it was already too late! Sun Baoqiang had already crawled to Zhao Nan’s side, his fist raised high!

"No!!!"

In that instant, her hair tips turned completely black.

Yet, just then, Sun Baoqiang’s descending fist was caught in a tight grip, suspended in mid-air. His arm began to tremble uncontrollably.

"You’re not dead yet!!" Sun Baoqiang shrieked in disbelief.

*Hmph!*

With a low grunt, two massive flaming dragon heads roared up from the ground, slamming violently into Sun Baoqiang’s body. The immense impact sent him flying into the sky before exploding, followed by his descent to the ground. He lay there, charred black and twitching, his health points nearly reduced to zero!

Finina landed, the black light in her eyes fading as they returned to their clear state. She took two steps, then quickened her pace into a run. She abandoned her sword and threw herself at him!

Her eyes were filled with tears, and her sobbing made it hard for her to breathe.

"I obtained an Instant Health Potion during the 'Time Instance,' I'm fine now," Zhao Nan comforted her softly.

Finina simply buried her face in his chest, silent, her body still trembling.

Zhao Nan let out a breath. Although his health had been restored instantly and the damage to his heart was healing rapidly, the pain still lingered.

Seeing this complete turnaround, the others let out sighs of relief. Zhao Nan, however, spoke up: "Don't stop the attack, be careful!"

The Mutated Soul-Devouring Python King had not ceased its assault. With its health at a critical low, its resistance had become even more frenzied!

"Attack! Keep attacking!" Lin Yu roared!

*Rumble!*

The Light of Glory shone once more, and the team redoubled their efforts.

At this moment, Sun Baoqiang, lying on the ground, gave a shudder and scrambled up. Ignoring his near-zero health, he only wanted to escape this place.

But how could Zhao Nan let him leave so easily?

With a flick of his wrist, the Treasure-Hunting Spider Web appeared in his palm. The black sphere shot out a white thread, wrapping Sun Baoqiang entirely. Zhao Nan pulled, and the man was dragged back across the ground.

"You... what are you trying to do!!"

Zhao Nan sneered. Having just returned from the gates of hell, he felt anything but calm; a violent, restless energy surged within him, threatening to burst out.

Ignoring the man’s frantic wails, he hauled Sun Baoqiang up and shoved his staff into the man's clothing.

"You... spare me! Spare me..."

"Spare you my ass!"

Zhao Nan threw a punch fueled by rising fury. The force was terrifying, shattering Sun Baoqiang’s jaw and teeth, leaving him unable to speak.

Just as he was seeing stars, he felt his body grow light, as if something had pushed him forcefully into the air. By the time he regained his senses, a nauseating, fishy stench filled his nose.

Before him, a massive, bloodthirsty maw was wide open! Zhao Nan had launched him into the air, right toward the mutated boss!

*Snap!*

Filled with terror, he plunged into total darkness. Then, the staff stuck in his clothes detonated...

*BOOM!*

The Mutated Soul-Devouring Python King’s jaws were blown wide open, and black smoke billowed out! Its body shuddered even more violently.

Zhao Nan saw that the beast had only a sliver of health left!

"The final blow," Zhao Nan chuckled softly.

"You strike... for now, I just want to hold onto you and never let go," Finina whispered.

...

A ray of glorious light descended upon Zhao Nan. He pointed his Staff of Sighs forward, and two massive magic circles appeared in the sky, firing off endless fireballs.

The Meteor Shower erupted all over the Mutated Soul-Devouring Python King.

*Boom, rumble.*

Before the meteor shower skill had even faded, the mutated boss that had occupied this place for dozens of days finally collapsed.

"Ding! Congratulations to player Zhao Nan for successfully killing the Mutated Soul-Devouring Python King..."