The Black Tortoise Divine Beast strode toward Jiang Chen with a smug swagger, step by step. A victorious smile hung at the corners of his lips, as though he were admiring his own masterpiece.
"Tsk tsk, a human cultivator reaching this level is truly remarkable. What a pity you're just a tiny bit short. Heh heh, I do admire you. Still, you were only a smidge away from subduing me." The Black Tortoise Divine Beast seemed to be talking to himself.
Just as he was basking in his smugness, Jiang Chen's eyes suddenly snapped open, radiating a brilliance as dazzling as gemstones.
"Heh, is that so? Because I'm pretty sure it's you who's the one short by a tiny bit." Jiang Chen's lips curled into a relaxed smile as his eyes opened.
Huh?
The Black Tortoise Divine Beast's steps froze, his pupils trembling as though he had seen a ghost, staring at Jiang Chen with an expression of utter disbelief.
Over with the Vermilion Bird Divine Bird, the heart that had been lodged in her throat instantly settled back into place. Even Long Xiaoxuan, that perpetually serious fellow, couldn't help but crack a smile.
The Taisui White Tiger muttered, "This big lug is a real idiot. Did he actually think he could handle Chen Shao? The person who can handle Chen Shao in this world hasn't been born yet."
Whether the Taisui White Tiger was being a Monday-morning quarterback or was truly blinded by his worship of Jiang Chen, who could say.
"You… you're fine?" The Black Tortoise Divine Beast's face was twisted with disbelief.
"Do I look like I'm not fine?" Jiang Chen's voice carried a hint of good-natured mockery, and it was clear he was perfectly unscathed.
As though the Xuanwu Corpse Accumulation Qi that had just invaded his consciousness sea was nothing more than a breeze that blew through and left without so much as a ripple.
"But… that was my Xuanwu Corpse Accumulation Qi." The Black Tortoise Divine Beast felt like a fool, stammering, looking nothing at all like a divine beast.
"I know it was your Xuanwu Corpse Accumulation Qi." Jiang Chen grinned with perfect seriousness. "Didn't I tell you? I have extensive experience with Xuanwu Corpse Accumulation Qi and warned you not to use it. Why didn't you believe me? Where has the basic trust between people gone?"
"You!" The Black Tortoise Divine Beast felt a sweet warmth rise in his throat, nearly spitting out a mouthful of old blood.
Basic trust between people? He was a divine beast, not a human. Besides, in battle, all's fair — where was there room for trust?
Yet Jiang Chen gazed at him with such an innocent expression, as though it were entirely the Black Tortoise Divine Beast's fault — and a grievous one at that.
The Black Tortoise Divine Beast felt his two hundred thousand years of worldview utterly upended. His Xuanwu Corpse Accumulation Qi had been invincible — subduing cultivators at his level was effortless, and even against those far above him, he stood a good chance of defeating them.
Yet today, he had stumbled at the hands of a Heavenly Rank youth.
Why had he failed? The Black Tortoise Divine Beast couldn't understand; he was still completely in the dark. He knew his Xuanwu Corpse Accumulation Qi's divine power better than anyone.
There was no way a Heavenly Rank youth should have been able to withstand it.
There had to be some trick involved. But did it really matter now?
The Black Tortoise Divine Beast stared blankly at Jiang Chen, as though trying to see right through him. Jiang Chen smiled faintly and gave a light cough. "Oh, right — what was that binding oath you swore again?"