Solar Blood Masters (140)
Added 2024-12-14 23:00:02 +0000 UTCChapter 140 - Sly Ringtail
Ma Osu grinned as he plunged deeper into the emerald depths of the pond. The water was murky but that didn't bother him, for his eyes were accustomed to the darkness. His keen senses, honed from a thousand battles, were focused on one thing—retrieving his leader’s spear.
The deeper he went, the colder it became. An unsettling chill permeated the water, but it only fueled his determination. He would not fail Sly Ringtail!
He noticed something shiny sticking out of the mud below and swam towards it with eager strokes, those red eyes of his narrowed. As he descended, a shadow, sleek and swift, darted past him unnoticed. It vanished into the gloom before he could even react.
He reached the bottom and his claws grasped the spear. It was a magnificent weapon with those yellow tips glowing faintly even in this watery abyss.
“Gotcha!” he whispered as he prepared to ascend, but as he pulled…
A terrifying force slammed into him from behind!
WHOOSH!
He was thrown off course, tumbling through the water!
“ARGH! What the hell was THAT?!”
He struggled to regain his balance, his grip on the spear tightened. He wouldn't lose it! Not after coming this far! He glanced around, those eyes now alert, and saw it.
A massive golden fish with razor-sharp teeth and a snake-like tongue stared at him with predatory eyes. Its scales shivered. And from its forehead, a single, long antenna with a globular bulb at its tip, glowed with a brilliant, golden light.
The bulb intensified.
And the entire pond was bathed in a golden radiance.
“That’s a… Sunshine Slither Fish?!” Ma Osu gasped. He could barely see! The light was blinding.
“Damn it! I have to get to the surface!”
He kicked off the pond floor and swam upwards.
But…
The fish attacked again!
It rammed him with a force that sent him sprawling.
He roared in anger, “You DARE challenge ME, fish?!”
He quickly sheathed the spear at his back and drew his two broadswords, “I’ll cut you APART first!”
He lunged towards the creature; blades flashing!
BOOM!
The water erupted as their Solar Essences clashed.
…
Above…
Sly Ringtail unleashed furious punches on the grass barrier until he finally tore through it. However, to his surprise, Lu Jade and Thienika weren’t inside.
“Huh? Where’d they GO?!”
He looked around.
The domain was empty!
“Playing hide and SEEK now, you BASTARDS? Come out and FIGHT me DIRECTLY if you are BRAVE enough!”
But as he yelled…
WHOOSH!
Something whizzed past him.
It grazed his cheek.
He touched the wound, blood trickled down.
“What…?” He glanced around, confused and slightly annoyed that this snake and that old tree had the gall to launch a sneak attack.
Another one came, this time from behind.
He caught it.
It was a spear.
Crafted from grass!
It was sharp. And as he held it…
WHOOSH!
…it unwound!
The spear transformed into a dozen grass vines that wrapped around his arms and legs, binding him.
“This trick AGAIN!”
He ripped at the vines with his claws.
But as he did…
Hundreds of grass spears erupted from the ground below!
They shot towards him like a barrage of emerald arrows!
He laughed, “You call THIS an attack?!”
He dodged. He weaved.
He smashed them with his fists!
“ORA! ORA! ORA! ORA!”
His movements were swift. His fists was faster than the eye could track. Each strike was a thunderous boom that shattered those puny spears into a million fragments.
“Your skills are PATHETIC! I, Sly Ringtail, am the STRONGEST lemur in ALL of Yama Yaguai! I've danced with DRAGONS! I've wrestled with TITANS! These puny spears are NOTHING to me!”
His boasting, however, died on his lips, for as he cleared another wave of grass spears, he noticed something different.
This was no spear.
It was a tree.
“You…”
Thienika flew towards him with her staff aimed at his chest. She had her starlight leaves swirling with an elegance that defied logic. Her calm expression was unnerving.
“How did she…?”
He didn't have time to ponder because she was already upon him!
“REGAL COUNTER!”
BOOM!
She thrust her staff at his incoming fist!
The world spun.
He slammed into…
…his own FACE!
“ARGH! My nose…!”
He was sent flying backwards with a speed that even his own enhanced reflexes couldn't react to. He tumbled through the air.
He crashed into a patch of Phantom Willow Grass near the edge of the domain. They coiled around him, those thorny leaves pricked his hide as he coughed and sputtered.
“How… HOW is this POSSIBLE?!”
Thienika watched as he struggled to free himself.
“Those who witness my ‘Regal Counter’… they often underestimate its true potential. But when amplified by momentum, by an opponent's own strength… It becomes a force of unimaginable power, for I, Thienika, do not simply deflect attacks.
I redirect FATE itself."
…
Lu Jade and Thienika hovered in the air. They looked down at Sly Ringtail, who was now entangled in a thick web of ‘Phantom Willow Grass’.
“He's coughing blood, Grandma, which means he is WOUNDED! We can FINISH him NOW!” Lu Jade aimed his 'Jade Sun Cycle' downwards.
“SOLAR BEAM!”
A blinding beam of emerald energy shot forth towards Sly Ringtail.
“TONGUE Barrier!”
But just as it was about to strike, a figure materialized before him. A spiraling extension of a chameleon’s tongue, long and thick, shot out and formed a shield, intercepting the Solar Beam.
BOOM!
Smoke and dust billowed outward, obscuring the scene.
“What…?”
And when the dust settled…
“It’s that chameleon! But… wasn’t he DEAD? I squeezed him until he POPPED!” Lu Jade was baffled. This defiance of logic, of life and death! It was unreal!
Ge Vanisher turned towards Lu Jade. He grinned, revealing rows of sharp teeth, and said, "What you killed was my DUPLICATE. And now… the ORIGINAL is HERE! You can kiss your lives GOODBYE, snake!”
“Cough! Cough!”
Sly Ringtail coughed violently. He struggled against the vines, but they held firm.
“Boss! Are you OK? Let me get those things off you!” Ge Vanisher’s tongue move swiftly as he expertly sliced through the Phantom Willow Grass, freeing Sly Ringtail.
“Damn that snake…!” Sly Ringtail glared at Lu Jade, who was charging another Solar Beam.
But before he could unleash it…
SPLASH!
A blinding golden light exploded from the pond’s surface as a colossal golden fish leaped into the air. It was so bright that everyone had to squint. Then, its scales were losing their luster.
“ROAR!”
It was sliced in half!
WHOOSH!
Ma Osu burst out of the fish’s bisected form with his swords drawn, “Damn that FISH!” He landed beside his companions with a grunt as the fish’s body, now lifeless, splashed back into the pond and floated on the surface.
“No… My Sunshine Slither Fish… I’ve been raising it for MONTHS! Damn you, rodent!” Lu Jade was heartbroken.
"You can grieve LATER, Little Lu! For now… FOCUS!" Thienika’s sharp rebuke brought Lu Jade back to the present, and those images of his magnificent fish swimming with a speed he’d hoped to one day attain… were pushed aside for more pressing matters, revenge!
Sly Ringtail, was receiving an 'Healing Tongue Bath' from Ge Vanisher. It was a strange technique that involved a rapid licking of the wounds, but it was effective. Within seconds, Sly Ringtail was fully restored, his fur was no longer matted, and those scratches, they'd vanished.
“That tickles, but I’ll endure.” He then stepped forward. He held his spear and glared at them, those golden eyes were radiating with power.
“I’ve had ENOUGH playing around! It’s time to end this FARCE!”
Hearing this, Ma Osu and Ge Vanisher understood. They quickly stepped back, giving their leader space to unleash his full might. They'd witnessed this power before, and it wasn’t a sight they enjoyed, not one bit.
“Wukong – Banana Scythe!”
Sly Ringtail held his spear before him.
It began to transform.
The spear elongated. Its wooden shaft twisted, taking on a bone-like texture. And the spearhead… it expanded, morphing into a massive, crescent-shaped blade that resembled a large, yellow plantain. It was fat in the middle but tapered to a razor-sharp edge.
The surrounding was bombarded with potent Solar Essence!
RUMBLE!
The entirety of Lu Jade’s domain was vibrating.
“Huh, my Jade Flower Domain is rattling?”
“That weapon… It’s not so simple, Little Lu. It’s potent Solar Essence… It might be a Heavenly tier weapon.” Thienika warned him, “We have to be careful."
Lu Jade gulped, for his Jade Sun Cycle was merely Earth Grade 3rd level, “Heavenly…?”
Thienika nodded, “There are FOUR tiers of weapons and relics in this world: Mortal Grade, Earth Grade, Heavenly Grade and lastly, Divine Grade. Each type has five levels within, and that lemur’s weapon, that ‘Wukong – Banana Scythe’… It’s a level FIVE Heavenly Grade weapon.”
“Level FIVE?!!!”
This was bad! Just one step away from being a Divine Grade.
He then watched Sly Ringtail swing his newly formed weapon, his movement was as smooth as a dancer’s, and yet…
WHOOSH!
"Fearless Jungle Swing!”
The upper portion of Lu Jade’s ‘Jade Flower Domain’ was severed!
It was as if a giant had taken a bite out of the sky! Trees tumbled, waterfalls were split in half, and the very air itself seemed to shriek in protest.
BOOM!
They were back in ‘Lightning Veil’!
Lu Jade landed on his back with a thud, the wind knocked out of him, and his emerald scales lost their brilliance. Thienika landed on her ass with a grunt; those roots of hers trembled.
They were both staring up at their opponents.
Sly Ringtail stood above them. He’d slung his Banana Scythe casually over his shoulder. He was laughing.
“Boboboboho! What a PATHETIC display! You two are truly WEAK! I thought this domain would offer a challenge, but it was like slicing through butter! Hmmm… Perhaps I’ll let you taste a piece of my banana blade before I end you… but FIRST!”
He gestured towards the crystal tubes, “Ma Osu! Ge Vanisher! Go get those tubes!”
“Yes, Boss!” They rushed forward.
“No! Don’t…!” Lu Jade cried out.
But it was too late.
Ma Osu and Ge Vanisher snatched the four tubes, each containing a captured Liu Fuuyi. They returned to their leader, grinning triumphantly.
“Four tubes! Boss! We only need ONE more! And we’ll WIN this stage!”
“Excellent work, you two. It seems those fools who chose these weaklings to guard their platform are truly… dumbasses! Imagine that… A 6th Layer Saint Ruler and a Calamity, 1st Layer? Hahaha! What were they thinking?!”
He then turned to Thienika. “It’s a pity you don’t have another crystal tube, tree. Otherwise… we would have won this VERY easily. Now then…”
He extended his hand.
“Time to DIE!”
But…
“Don’t you DARE speak ILL of my Big Brother! He’s way SMARTER than you! You pathetic LEMUR!” Lu Jade’s outburst had Sly Ringtail pausing.
“Really? If he’s THAT smart… then why the hell are YOU weak SHITS here? INSTEAD of HIM?!” He laughed, “It would appear, you AND your Big Brother… are both LOSERS!
Hmph, I’ve changed my MIND. Neither of you are worthy of this heavenly blade of mine. I’ll leave you to wallow in your misery.”
He turned to his team.
“You two, COME! Let’s GO!”
“Yes, Boss!”
They turned and left the platform.
“Such arrogance…” Thienika watched as Sly Ringtail and his team vanished into the distance.
“See you later, LOSERS!”
A mischievous smile stretched across Lu Jade’s snout.
“We’ll see about that, rat.”
A few seconds later…
“What the HELL?!”
“Where did they GO?!”
“They… vanished?!”
Sly Ringtail and his team were stunned.
The crystal tubes they’d been holding…
…they were GONE!
…
The platform shook violently!
Five stone pillars that were present vibrated! Mud and grass clumps were thrown off.
They were no ordinary pillars.
They were the ‘Draconic Star Pillars’! And as they shrunk…
They returned to Thienika’s grasp.
“Primal Hellain… has been broken. It’s time to leave here, Little Lu.”
“Yes, Grandma. Big Brother’s plans… they’re extremely meticulous.”
He slithered over to a nearby boulder and smashed it!
BOOM!
The boulder crumbled. And from within the dust…
Bat General Kong unfolded.
“Is it TIME?”
“YES!”
Kong grinned. He then activated his ‘Black Pool’ technique. A swirling vortex of darkness opened up beneath them.
“Let’s go!”
As they prepared to enter…
“Those bastards… that smug GRIN on their FACES… They must have done something to the crystal tubes!” Sly Ringtail whirled around and glared at them, “You BASTARDS! This was YOUR doing, wasn’t IT? Where did those crystal tubes GO?!”
"Like we'd ever TELL you. See you LATER… losers!”
With a final mocking laugh…
Lu Jade, Thienika, and Bat General Kong vanished into the Black Pool.
"DAMN IT! Don’t let them ESCAPE! After them! NOW!”
“Yes BOSS!”
Sly Ringtail and his team hesitated for a moment, but their leader’s furious command had them chasing after their vanished prey. They plunged into the darkness before it could dissipate completely.
…
WHOOSH!
They emerged from the Black Pool’s depths and landed on another solid platform within Lightning Veil.
“We almost… got those tubes… I was so CLOSE! We’ll GUT that SNAKE and make toilet TISSUE out of the tree’s BARK! We’ll WIPE our ASS with IT!”
They noticed Lu Jade and Thienika’s forms ahead.
“There they ARE! KILL!”
But…
Just as they were about to attack…
They froze.
They looked up slowly.
Their eyes widened!
"That's… Ga… Ga…”
"GASTAROID!”
Looming above them, like a mountain of molten fury, was Gastaroid.
He glanced down.
“Hmmm?” He recognized the lemur.
“Pesky little brat… It’s YOU?” He chuckled, amused by this unexpected reunion.
“Emperor Julian’s brat… Piss OFF before I OBLITERATE you.”
Sly Ringtail's spine straightened. A cold sweat trickled down his back.
“Y-Yes, Bull Mountain Demon! We’ll be out of your HAIR! Posthaste!”
He didn’t hesitate.
He grabbed Ma Osu and Ge Vanisher, then fled.
…
As they flew through the chaotic sky of ‘Lightning Veil’, Sly Ringtail glanced back at the platform. Gastaroid’s hellish presence was an eyesore.
He shivered.
“Why… Why was Gastaroid THERE? Could it be… that SNAKE and TREE woman… are part of his TEAM?”
He quickly banished that thought. It was too horrifying to contemplate.
He increased his speed.
He had to get away.
Fast.
