World's First Traitor System (405)

Chapter 405 - A Sacrifice for Another

The battle was one-sided. The Bixi, despite its mountain-like size, seemed unsteady because it was swaying frequently. Each sway caused the earth to tremble. Its cries of distress echoed continuously, sounding, to Fan Li, like the whimpers of a child.

A child?

He looked at the colossal being in the distance, something he had to crane his neck to even see the top of, and he couldn’t bring himself to connect the Bixi with the image of a child.

In this battle, Empress Yao Guang held the absolute advantage. Her method of attack wasn't even a spell or secret art. She simply shielded herself with spiritual energy and rammed her body against the Bixi. Like a tiny ant, foolishly attacking a mountain.

Such a primitive fighting style. The stark contrast between the tiny and the colossal!

Fan Li almost doubted his own eyes. However, Empress Yao Guang’s attacks were incredibly effective; the Bixi's cries were proof of that.

The Bixi, one of the dragon's nine sons, was also known as the Dragon Tortoise. Its defenses were, without a doubt, the strongest among the nine. But even the Bixi's formidable defenses couldn't withstand Empress Yao Guang's brutal assault.

Cracks, deep and terrifying, began to appear on its shell.

“The Bixi is losing," Fan Li murmured. Even he could see that.

The Bixi, constantly on the defensive, was on the verge of collapse.

"Master, I must intervene," Wu Gang suddenly said.

Fan Li was startled.

Why would Wu Gang want to get involved in a battle that had nothing to do with them?

Moreover, from her tone, she wasn't asking for his permission, merely informing him.

“Who do you intend to help?” Fan Li asked.

Wu Gang raised her hand, pointing firmly at the Bixi.

It was unexpected, yet understandable. Fan Li was speechless. He wanted to dissuade her, but sensed her unwavering resolve and the fierce battle intent emanating from her.

“Do not be reckless. Simply help it escape.”

It was strange. Why did Wu Gang care so much about a mechanical construct?
Even Wang Ban wouldn't be so attached to his own mechanical creations. Moreover, Wu Gang and the Bixi had only just met.

Fan Li retreated a few hundred meters and hid on a small hill.

Wu Gang looked at Fan Li and memorized his location. She turned and flew towards the Bixi.

Mid-air, Wu Gang transformed into a huge black dragon. Her roar echoed through the heavens and earth!

Even Empress Yao Guang was startled.

“The Great Chu’s Wu Gang?”

The Empress was surprised, she didn’t understand why Wu Gang was here. But she was merely surprised, not afraid.

After all, there was a significant gap in their cultivation levels, a difference that Wu Gang’s dragon form couldn't compensate for.

“ROAR!!!!!!”

The Bixi, sensing Wu Gang's presence, roared. It wasn’t quite a dragon’s roar. And within that roar was a hint of… joy.

Wu Gang's massive dragon body was enveloped in spiritual energy, shining with a radiant, holy light.

She swung a claw at Empress Yao Guang, distorting the very fabric of space, as if she could tear apart the heavens and earth.

"Hmph!"

Sensing the force, which was indeed much stronger than the Bixi's, Empress Yao Guang dodged.

But Wu Gang had appeared suddenly, seizing the initiative. Her claw tore a piece from Yao Guang's dragon robe.

“ROAR!!!!!!”

The Bixi seized the opportunity, roaring as it launched the stone tablet on its back towards Yao Guang.

The black, featureless stone tablet hurtled downwards, like the sky was falling.

Empress Yao Guang had just dodged Wu Gang’s claw and had no time to evade.

"Sea of Bitterness."

The Empress slowly uttered those words. Above her head, a phantom image of a vast, bitter sea materialized.

A mountain, no matter how large, couldn’t be larger than an ocean.
The black stone tablet plunged into the Sea of Bitterness and was instantly swallowed whole.

The stone tablet seemed to be connected to the Bixi's life force. The moment it was lost, the Bixi collapsed and began convulsing in pain.

"Beast! It’s time for you to die!"

Seizing the opportunity while the Bixi was weakened, Empress Yao Guang struck. Her attack, strangely, seemed to lack any destructive force, instead manifesting a beautiful illusion.

On the other side of the Sea of Bitterness appeared a verdant landscape, full of life, with flowers in full bloom.

Two Bodhi trees grew rapidly, as if they were about to reach the heavens.

“The Other Shore?!”

Wu Gang’s expression changed drastically.

During Yao Guang’s battle with Jiajing, the Sky Mirror had revealed Yao Guang's techniques to the world.

One was the Sea of Bitterness, the other, the Other Shore.

Even Emperor Jiajing had struggled against such powerful techniques, so how could the Bixi possibly withstand them?

The Other Shore was beautiful, but it was a place for the deceased. The living couldn't reach the Other Shore.

So this was a killing blow. Could they dodge?

Wounded by the Sea of Bitterness, the Bixi, couldn’t even move, let alone evade.

Could they withstand it?

It couldn't even withstand the Sea of Bitterness, so how could it endure the Other Shore?

Seeing the Bixi on the verge of death, Wu Gang suddenly shielded it with her own body.

"Child!!!"

Wu Gang cried out, and at the same time, the Other Shore attack struck her. Empress Yao Guang frowned, then sneered.

Perhaps there were people in this world who could withstand the Other Shore, like Emperor Jiajing. But Wu Gang? She wasn't strong enough.

To shield the Bixi from the Other Shore?

That was suicide!

Within the illusion of the beautiful Other Shore, the twin Bodhi trees represented the cycle of life and death.

When the trees flourished, it represented life.

When the trees withered, it represented death.

Having used both the Sea of Bitterness and the Other Shore, Empress Yao Guang’s spiritual energy was depleted. But killing Wu Gang was far more beneficial than destroying a random mechanical beast.

She began to meditate to recover her spiritual energy, waiting for Wu Gang to die. When the Bodhi trees completely withered, that would be the moment Wu Gang perished.

“ROAR!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Suddenly, the Bixi roared. Its roar materialized, condensing into a rainbow that shot into Wu Gang’s body.

Within the illusion of the Other Shore, the withering Bodhi trees, as if infused with new life, stopped decaying and slowly began to flourish.

Wu Gang's faltering body was rejuvenated.

Empress Yao Guang hadn't anticipated this. She wanted to attack again, but she was too slow.

Wu Gang, having recovered, appeared before her.

One claw!

One swipe!

Though it didn't cause significant damage, it sent Yao Guang flying.

"Child, go!"

Wu Gang shouted at the Bixi below, then, without looking back, flew towards Fan Li!
The intense but brief battle had Fan Li on the edge of his seat.

He was overjoyed to see Wu Gang alive and unharmed, and hurried to meet her. But then he noticed a glowing orb, like a manifestation of destiny, following close behind.

Looking further away, he saw the Bixi still lying on the ground, seemingly too injured to move.

“Master, let’s go!”

Wu Gang, taking Fan Li with her, quickly fled the scene.

The people of Great Ci, who had been observing, didn't intervene. Empress Yao Guang had decreed they were only to observe, they couldn't participate.

Now, the Empress’s face was grim.

Dragons were masters of flight. Wu Gang, having struck, immediately fled. Even Yao Guang couldn't catch her.

She landed on the Bixi’s head, but the mechanical beast didn't react.

"Is it dead?"

To describe a mechanical construct as “dead” wasn’t quite right. But the Bixi was unresponsive, like a giant corpse.

Yao Guang frowned, something didn't feel right.