"How did you know?"
Gu Lan's eyes held a hint of doubt as Chen Shu seemed quite certain. She knew the outcome, after all. One was King-tier, the other legendary. There was no comparison. But Chen Shu, having just arrived at Dragon Abyss, could discern the situation so quickly?
Chen Shu shrugged and said lightly, "Uh... isn't it obvious?"
"You understand Dragon Abyss?" Gu Lan asked.
Chen Shu smiled slightly and replied, "I understand how to escape..."
"..."
Roar!
In that instant, the three giant dragons, just about to fight for their lives, turned and fled into the distance, exactly as Chen Shu had predicted.
Swish swish swish—
The Great Snow King moved, unleashing a biting cold wind that sent down a flurry of snowflakes. The three dragons, barely a thousand meters into their flight, were frozen solid, turning into ice sculptures. Simultaneously, their life force rapidly dissipated...
"A bonus meal..." the Great Snow King cheered, a hint of delight in its eyes.
In a flash, a tangible aura of darkness permeated the air, forming a massive chain that easily dragged the dragon back. The beast tamers within the city showed no surprise, as if they were accustomed to this.
"Director Gu, are the beasts of Dragon Abyss not very intelligent? They're just offering themselves up, aren't they?" Chen Shu turned and asked, a trace of confusion in his eyes. He had expected a massive beast invasion and thought he might pick up some benefits. Instead, it was just a single beast attacking. Even without the old man, Gu Lan could have handled it alone, as it was merely a King-tier Level 2 lord.
"A routine sacrifice," Gu Lan replied calmly. "They're just testing if any of our human experts have left."
"Just to test? And they send a King-tier lord?" Chen Shu's eyes widened. "That's a pretty good deal!"
"Dragon Abyss is far more terrifying than you can imagine!" Gu Lan shook her head and said slowly, "There's more than one Beast Emperor, let alone a mere King-tier Level 2 lord..."
"Do they come every day?"
"Based on the usual pattern, it's typically one mutated beast every two days, and one lord beast every five days!" Gu Lan explained. "The mutated beasts are handled by us, and the lords are dealt with by the old man. If the beasts detect a weakening of Dragon Abyss City's combat power, they'll launch a full-scale attack..."
"Isn't that perfect?" Chen Shu's eyebrows shot up, excitement evident. "Set up traps and kill the beasts directly!"
"..."
Gu Lan turned to look at him, thinking, 'This guy is seriously bloodthirsty...'
"Ordinary traps don't have much effect anymore. It's still about relying on strength to fight head-on," Gu Lan stated slowly. "Even with preparation, humans can achieve great victories, but there will be casualties."
"Dragon Abyss has countless beasts; they can afford to lose them, but humans can't endure it..."
"Is that so..." Chen Shu nodded. Humans in Dragon Abyss were still in a defensive posture, rarely initiating attacks, always trying to avoid conflict. This meant the initiative was always with the beasts...
"But you don't need to worry too much. The Beast Emperors within Dragon Abyss are disunited and find it difficult to form alliances," Gu Lan continued, holding nothing back from Chen Shu. "Furthermore, the old man's strength is unfathomable, so the Beast Emperors dare not engage in all-out battles."
Chen Shu nodded and asked for more information about Dragon Abyss. Gu Lan provided it without reservation, except for highly classified matters.
As they conversed, they unconsciously arrived before a pavilion in the city center. The exquisite pavilion stood in stark contrast to the grand architecture around it, yet it exuded an aura of ancient vicissitude, as if it had stood for a thousand years.
Gu Lan said, "The old man is inside. Go ahead..."
"Director, aren't you coming?"
"No need. I have to guard the east city wall, so I won't accompany you." Gu Lan shook her head and vanished with her golden Qilin.
Chen Shu waved goodbye to her, tidied his clothes, and felt no nervousness. Although the other party was the strongest on Blue Star, he himself was not inferior... 'You can be strong if you want, I'm the king of cheats...'
Just as he was about to push open the door, an astonished voice came from above.
"Kid, is that you?"
"Huh?" Chen Shu looked up and saw the Great Snow King looking down at him, clearly recognizing him.
"Hello, Great Snow King..." He waved, understanding that while this fellow was strong, he had a gentle disposition.
The Great Snow King quickly said, "Bring out my little subordinate! I want to see it!"
"..."
Chen Shu blinked, immediately understanding the other was referring to the Slime. His expression shifted, and he opened the Slime's beast-taming space. Two round spheres, one yellow and one white, floated towards the sky, nestled together, appearing incredibly harmonious. Chen Shu shook his head and strode directly into the pavilion. He wasn't worried about the safety of his contracted spirit while it was with the Great Snow King.
The pavilion's main hall was also simply decorated, with only a small square table and a few potted plants in the corners. Chen Shu glanced around briefly before fixing his gaze forward!
An old man in a green robe sat at the table. His eyes were closed, seemingly resting. He showed no reaction to Chen Shu's arrival.
"Old Man?" Chen Shu tentatively called out. He had never met the real person before, so he couldn't be sure if this was the actual individual. However, the old man did not respond, his eyes remaining closed, ignoring the outside world.
'Could he be hinting that I can take any treasures in the pavilion?' Chen Shu mused inwardly and then, quite familiarly, began exploring the room.
"Just ordinary plants?" Chen Shu approached the corner, expecting some rare heavenly materials, but was slightly disappointed. He continued to search, refusing to believe the residence of the strongest individual would be so simple. Chen Shu tapped the wooden panels and touched the walls, his movements practiced, but he found nothing.
"Old Man..." Chen Shu called out again, but the elder remained unmoved, sitting silently in place.
'Perhaps the treasures are all upstairs...' His eyes darted towards the wooden staircase on the side.
Just then, his little elf in his pocket looked excited and spoke, "Little Chen, there's something good upstairs! I smell it!"
"Really?" Chen Shu's heart filled with curiosity. Even if he couldn't take it, he had to see it at least... As he was about to head upstairs, a voice called out to him.
"Young friend Chen Shu..."
"Hmm?" Chen Shu turned and saw the green-robed elder looking at him with a smile.
"I thought someone was calling me, but I must have misheard..." Chen Shu blinked, then muttered, and at the same time, strode upstairs...