Pillar of Yita

The assassin behind him regained consciousness first, grabbing onto the roots and climbing up, he even walked on the horizontal branches of the Mangrove Forest, pursuing him through the treetops.

Fang Hong kept looking back to gauge the distance between himself and the pursuer, behind whom the Magic Guided Reactor had clearly begun to operate, the crystals on his boots and gloves lighting up, letting him move through the branches as if he was walking on flat ground.

From time to time, he would swing forward using the vines, much like Tarzan of the jungle.

Climbing Gloves and Balance Boots—

Not many were skilled in using these two pieces of War Gear, even among assassins, they were one in ten. But having such a skilled youngster on his tail was no cause for celebration for Fang Hong.

He suddenly remembered what Tianlan had told him during the daylight, about a very formidable assassin among Big Sister’s people.

That French girl really was a superstitious ”Crow’s Mouth”.

As he frantically ran on, the lone Mangrove Tree stood in the water ahead, already engulfed by a raging inferno, the Dragon Flame burning directly on the water surface, unceasingly.

The firelight overshone everything, stretching the shadow of the cage-like tree roots quite long.

Fang Hong estimated the distance.

The assassin finally reached directly above him, lunged forward, and just as Fang Hong abruptly stopped, the assailant plunged right into the pool in front of him.

He watched the man fall into the water with a ’splash’, stirring up a water column.

At most, he could score the man a three for his diving posture, not a point more.

The assassin struggled back to his feet with difficulty, but looked at Fang Hong—perplexed—the latter hadn’t fled but instead raised his hand and waved at him.

”Farewell,” Fang Hong shouted.

Then he turned and ran.

The assassin was momentarily taken aback, picking up his hat and pouring the water out before placing it back on his head neatly. And it was at this moment that a massive shadow loomed over him from behind.

Turning his head, he only saw the gigantic gaping maw of a swamp anhanguera.

And those densely packed, sharp teeth were like a vortex.

”MMP!”

That was the assassin’s last line.

But things weren’t much better for Fang Hong, he hadn’t gotten far before he encountered another problem—this direction was the same way he’d come, closer to the Traveler’s Rest inn.

And turning back around, he just saw a massive shadow emerging at the edge of the Mangrove Forest.

The Giant Dragon had already given chase.

Fang Hong stopped dead in his tracks.

Nikopolas’s lingering soul raised its neck, looking down on the tiny human from on high, the split-open maw seemingly with a hint of mocking laughter.

And in its sole remaining golden red eye, was the light of victory. It raised its claw, and a huge shadow enveloped Fang Hong.

”Now I really only have one life left,” Fang Hong couldn’t help but close his eyes and thought.

But it was at that moment.

A bright light suddenly pierced the darkness, striking the Giant Dragon straight in the chest.

The creature let out an earth-shattering bellow, its entire upper body rearing back and tumbling into the water. It rolled and struggled to get up, breathing heavily, and with its golden red eyes, it furiously glared ahead.

A deep growl emanated from its throat and for the first time, it spoke, ”It’s you again, Xiuyuede!”

The voice was neutral and deep, filled with profound hatred.

Fang Hong looked back, surprised, just in time to see a towering figure emerging from the mist, holding a slender sword in hand.

It was the innkeeper—Mazak.

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