"Where did the crystal cores of these Black-Scaled Pythons go?"
Crouching down and carefully examining the fresh wounds on the heads of the Black-Scaled Pythons, Zhao Lin was filled with confusion.
She distinctly remembered that although she slaughtered the Black-Scaled Pythons, she hadnāt hurried to extract the crystal cores, intending to retrieve them all after defeating the last third-stage Python.
But now, as soon as she returned, she found the crystal cores of these Black-Scaled Pythons had been removed.
Her brows furrowed gradually, Zhao Linās body tensed as she gripped her steel knife, scanning the surroundings with vigilance to guard against a sudden attack.
"Since I didnāt take the crystal cores, it means thereās a hidden presence that took them away..."
A minute later, without the anticipated attack, Zhao Lin relaxed a bit but didnāt completely lower her guard. Instead, she assumed a defensive posture and slowly retreated towards the villaās door.
After all, the crystal cores had indeed been stolen, and no one could guarantee that the corpse thief wouldnāt attack her; she couldnāt give them any opportunity.
As long as she could return to Haoyun District, she planned to inform Lu Chuan and have him send evolved zombies to investigate, possibly even finding the hidden corpse thief.
Creak~
As Zhao Lin took a step forward, she suddenly paused as if she had stepped on something.
She lifted her foot immediately and looked down to see a second-stage crystal core, her eyes lighting up instantly.
Quickly picking up the crystal core, Zhao Lin gazed at it in confusion. Given the fresh bloodstains, it undoubtedly belonged to the Black-Scaled Pythons.
How could the thief who stole the precious crystal cores leave one here?
Did they drop it accidentally?
Unable to make sense of it, Zhao Lin glanced around cautiously. Once she was certain there was no danger, she hurried towards the villa entrance.
This place was not safe, leaving was the best option.
Unexpectedly, after just a few steps, Zhao Lin froze again. Looking down, she realized she had stepped on another crystal coreāthis time a bloodied third-stage one.
"Who! Come out!"
Seeing this, Zhao Lin was instantly enraged and shouted around. She had been paying attention and knew there were no crystal cores along the path earlier.
Now, just a few steps taken and stepping on a crystal core was clearly a trick by someone in the shadows.
This infernal person, hiding away, using some method to place the cores under her feet not just once, but twice.
For a moment, Zhao Lin felt her dignity was insulted. Gritting her teeth, she searched around intensely for the damn person.
"If you have the guts, come out and fight! Hiding and playing these dirty tricks wonāt harm me in the slightest!"
Zhao Lin shouted angrily, lifting her war knife.
Moments later, still without a response, Zhao Lin had no choice but to walk towards the villa entrance, unwillingly giving up.
Throughout her exit, Zhao Lin kept her eyes glued on the ground, not missing any detail, wary of being tricked again.
Finally stepping out of the villa, without further incidents, Zhao Lin heaved a sigh of relief.
But before she could relax completely, she halted as another crystal core appeared underfoot.
"Damn it, come out! Iām going to kill you!"
Zhao Lin sensed something, yelling aloud, while her steel knife swung through the air around her.
Roar!
Just then, in the seemingly empty surroundings, a roar erupted. Invisible One, struck on the arm, roared and retreated, exiting its invisible state.
"Beast, Iāve finally found you, die!"
Zhao Lin paused, then her eyes brightened with fierce intent, and she shouted, ready to strike Invisible One with her steel knife.
Whoosh~
Suddenly, the sound of something cutting through the air came, and Flyer One swooped by, grabbing Invisible One and swiftly flying away, disappearing into the sky.
"Was that... Lu Chuanās zombie?"
Seeing Flyer One, Zhao Lin finally realized.
Flyer One rescuing that evolved zombie implied...
"So itās you, Lu Chuan, playing tricks on me like this!"
Upon discovering it was Lu Chuan messing with her, Zhao Lin was furious. She immediately abandoned the fierce beast and stormed back to Haoyun District.
Moments later, downstairs.
Zhao Lin stomped over, yelling at Lu Chuan, who was reclining on a sun lounger, eyes closed, sunbathing: "Lu Chuan, you bastard, daring to mess with me, I want to challenge you!"
Hearing this, Lu Chuan opened his eyes. Since Zhao Lin wanted a challenge, he naturally wouldnāt refuse and happily decided to send Er Pang to duel her.
Thus, in the next moment, a series of painful cries erupted from below as Zhao Lin was severely beaten by Er Pang.
"Too much bullying, Little Qiqi, arenāt you going to say something to your dad? Just bullying me, look at my face!"
Not long after, Zhao Lin, bruised and battered, ran over to the lotus pond nearby, complaining to Ji Ruxue.
At that moment, Ji Ruxue was feeding Old Turtle, having a large bag of jerky in hand. Under her tending, and especially after consuming numerous one- and two-stage crystal cores, it was almost at late-stage three, nearing stage four.
Hearing Zhao Linās complaints, Ji Ruxue poured all the jerky into Old Turtleās mouth, then looked up and smiled, saying, "Mrs. Zhao Lin, my dad was just joking with you!"
While speaking, Ji Ruxue also sighed inwardly. Lately, her fatherās changes were noticeable; perhaps he was too repressed on the farm before, and now that heās left, heās freer to express himself!
"Hmph, but he shouldnāt toy with me!"
Zhao Lin snorted, pouting.
During dinner.
Ji Ruxue and Zhao Lin sat across from each other at the table.
"Mrs. Zhao Lin, my dad said, heās planning to leave Shanchuan City tomorrow, so get ready."
Ji Ruxue placed a piece of boiled lamb chop in Zhao Linās bowl, reminding her.
"So soon... leaving already!"
Chewing on a lamb chop, Zhao Lin said with some reluctance.
Recently, fighting fierce beasts was thrilling, and with no shortage of food and no interference, she felt she could live here for a long time...
But it was Lu Chuanās decision, and she didnāt dare oppose it. If Lu Chuan said to leave, then they would leave!
Without Lu Chuan and Little Qiqi, she wouldnāt know where to go.
"Luckily, weāve stored plenty of jerky during this time, so we wonāt run out of meat on the road!"