The entire stone split directly in two, and at the moment of the explosion, an intense light burst forth from it.
Tang Zhong and the half-skeleton were blasted backward, flung far into the distance.
Tang Zhong landed awkwardly, holding half of the stone in his hand, which still emitted a faint glow.
"It’s shattered, then the other half..."
On the palm of the fallen skeleton was the other half of the stone. Its eye sockets, glowing red, glanced at the stone briefly, then muttered in a deep voice, "Mission complete!"
The previously separated half of the skeleton immediately returned; the two parts merged together once more, quickly returning to their original form, save for the tattered black robe now defaced.
The shadowy skeleton grabbed the piece of stone in its hand and turned to leave the area.
Tang Zhong wanted to pursue but was too late. The shockwave from the stone explosion had jolted his internal energy, leaving him momentarily unstable and unable to exert strength.
He could only watch as the shadowy skeleton departed.
Then, he looked at the dark yellow stone in his palm.
Tang Zhong sank into thought. Was this still that strange four-eyed octopus from before?
The stone could transform into an octopus—it was simply too incredible.
If Tang Zhong hadn’t seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed it to be true.
He increasingly felt how eerie these eight stones were.
If he had a complete stone now, then perhaps the octopus could reappear. But with just half of it, there was likely no way to summon the octopus again.
Better to stash it away for now.
But what shocked Tang Zhong even more was that shadowy skeleton—a mere set of bones could walk, even fight, and the power it exhibited nearly rivaled his own Martial Arts Peak strength. Just who was controlling this skeleton?
While Tang Zhong was pondering, a wave of killing intent emanated from outside.
Tang Zhong turned abruptly and saw someone emerging from the entrance—an individual clad in a silver robe. Behind them were two hunched men, and further back, Tang Zhong spotted a group of Lucao Kingdom soldiers!
That meant these people likely belonged to the High Priest of Lucao Kingdom.
Lute was among the crowd.
He had brought the silver protector, traversing all the way here. As soon as they arrived, Lute spotted Tang Zhong and shouted, "Protector, it’s that man. He’s the Xuan Country fugitive who escaped from me earlier!"
"I’m aware!" The silver protector turned, a sinister smile spreading across their face, glimmering with silver powder.
Very quickly, their gaze fixed on the stone in Tang Zhong’s hand.
Soon their expression grew fervent.
"The stone, the treasure the High Priest needs!" The silver protector’s voice was chilling, and they roared furiously at Tang Zhong, "Boy, hand over that stone in your hand, and I’ll spare your life!"
Tang Zhong gave a bitter smile. Unfortunately, when the stone exploded earlier, his internal Blood Power was wounded—it would take time to recover. He didn’t want to waste words with these small-time lackeys, but for now, all he could do was get to his feet.
He rose from the ground.
The hunched man beside the silver protector scrutinized Tang Zhong and remarked, "Protector, this fellow seems injured; he can’t use his Blood Power right now!"
Upon hearing this, the silver protector burst into a hearty laugh. "Truly the High Priest’s blessing for our Lucao Kingdom! This is fortune falling into my lap!"
Then, they gave orders to the others, "Attack him!"
"Yes!" The two hunched men stepped forward, wielding iron rods.
They charged at Tang Zhong.
"Not good!" Tang Zhong muttered to himself, dodging the swinging iron rods and leaning backward.
The rods grazed past Tang Zhong’s body without striking him, and instead smashed directly into the ground.
"You actually managed to dodge!" one of the hunched men sneered. "Let’s see how you evade the next strike!"
Tang Zhong avoided one blow, but his internal Blood Power felt as if it were boiling—pain surged within his body, unbearably pronounced. It seemed discomfort would persist for a while.
His gaze shifted to the distant silver protector, and he instantly discerned the opponent’s strength. In his current state, he truly wasn’t a match for them.
But there was no escape now.
Dodging once more, the hunched man swung again but missed.
"Let me take care of this!" The silver protector sneered coldly, producing a silver spear.
In an instant, they attacked, thrusting the spear toward Tang Zhong.
Simultaneously, the two hunched men joined in, swinging their iron rods—three-pronged assault on Tang Zhong.
Tang Zhong’s expression darkened slightly.
His grip on the dark yellow stone tightened.
The stone, now fractured, emitted a faint and weakening glow. Yet at that moment, three stones within Tang Zhong’s spine seemed to sense their companion’s presence and began to shine.
Just as those stones illuminated, the dark yellow stone in his palm flickered briefly, only to dim once more.
At that instant, seawater began to surge from below, flooding rapidly upward like an unstoppable tide.
The ground trembled violently, startling everyone present.
Both the silver protector and the hunched men halted their assault, bewildered as they looked around. "What’s going on? What’s happening?"
This cavern was originally underwater—only the octopus’s presence had prevented the water from seeping in. But now, the octopus had turned back into a stone, and the stone itself was split in two.
With the suppressive power gone, the cavern could no longer withstand the pressure of the seawater and began collapsing.
"Damn it, what’s this all about?" the silver protector shouted.
"This isn’t good, Protector! The area is flooding—we need to leave now or we’ll die here!" one of the hunched men urged.
"But the High Priest’s stone is still in his hand!" The silver protector glared at Tang Zhong.
"But the flood will kill us!" the hunched man pressed.
At that moment, the rising water surged forcibly, immediately crushing a Lucao Kingdom soldier under its weight and flattening them.
The silver protector’s face turned grim as they glared at Tang Zhong, reluctantly gritting their teeth before shouting, "Hurry—retreat, now!"
Without delay, they spun around to leave.
The others followed immediately.
The seawater surged relentlessly.
At this moment, Tang Zhong also noticed the rushing water around him; his face darkened further, and he let out a helpless laugh. "Really? Is this how I’m going to die?"
The water swept toward him, ready to crush him.
But at that moment, the dark yellow stone in Tang Zhong’s hand suddenly gleamed with radiance.
Just as the seawater was about to smother Tang Zhong, it inexplicably split in two, flowing past him instead.
(Two more updates to come later!)