Chapter 59: Perilous Situation, A Randomly Intruding Chicken

"Boom!!!"

Blazing flames swept across the entire area. Liu Chuang activated his Astral Guardian in the nick of time, stepping out of the sea of fire. He cast an unfriendly glare at Qin Lang and Zhao Qian.

"You guys actually dare to show up in front of me again."

"If those guys from the Public Security Management Team hadn't interfered last time, you would have just been my defeated opponents."

"Xiao Pi, show them what we're made of!"

"Hiss-ka!"

Following his loud shout, Xiao Pi, which had been using [Phantom Camouflage], instantly materialized and launched [Shadow Assault], charging fiercely toward Danbao and Bubu.

Perhaps having learned a lesson from last time, Liu Chuang knew that if he charged Danbao first, it would give Bubu the opportunity to use [Frost Blossom Storm], and once slowed down by [Frost Congealment], subsequent fighting would become extremely difficult.

Therefore, the order he gave Xiao Pi this time was unexpectedly to charge Bubu first, and then Danbao.

"I won't let you succeed!" Zhao Qian gave her command immediately.

"Bubu, use Earth Rock Charge!"

"Bu-yi!"

Bubu let out a high-pitched cry, its fluffy body slamming heavily into the ground like a falling boulder.

The combat skill [Earth Rock Charge] was considered to have quite prominent range and damage among earth-type combat skills in the early stages, but it had an obvious flaw: it had a distinct wind-up for the downward smash, during which the user would be temporarily paralyzed.

However, at this moment, Bubu—unable to dodge [Shadow Assault] at normal speed—used the wind-up of [Earth Rock Charge]'s downward smash to successfully evade the charge!

"Yes!" Zhao Qian pumped her fist hard toward the air.

Ever since Bubu was knocked out by Xiao Pi last time, Zhao Qian had been pondering how to respond if a similar situation ever arose again.

Ultimately, the scenario where Danbao used free-fall acceleration to get close to Bubu during their past training gave her a new inspiration.

Encountering the same opponent this time, it indeed proved effective.

No, perhaps she could do even better.

Looking at Danbao suspended in mid-air, Zhao Qian's eyes rolled, and she secretly issued another command.

Xiao Pi, whose initial strike missed, was momentarily stunned. However, in the momentum of its assault, it could no longer adjust its trajectory and had no choice but to bite the bullet and charge toward Danbao, who was already superheated and preparing to spew flames.

The searing heat rushed toward it, yet determination filled Xiao Pi's eyes.

Given Danbao's strength, this single attack wouldn't be enough to inflict heavy damage on it!

As long as it avoided taking subsequent fire-type damage, there would be no problem!

Thinking of this, Xiao Pi charged into the flames without hesitation.

Yet, with its vision blocked by the fire, it failed to notice that Danbao, which had just breathed fire, was no longer in its original position.

Because of Earth Rock Charge!

Under the covert command issued by Zhao Qian, the direction in which Bubu released the combat skill [Earth Rock Charge] was precisely the spot where Danbao was located.

The very next moment after Danbao successfully used [Breath of Blazing Fire], a stone pillar abruptly shot up from the ground, launching Danbao directly into the air.

Hitting my own teammate?!

Witnessing this sudden turn of events, let alone Liu Chuang, even Qin Lang was dumbfounded. He stared at Zhao Qian with his jaw dropping, while the latter just smiled slightly at him.

"Boom!!!"

Accompanied by a loud crash, Xiao Pi let out a miserable cry.

As it rushed toward Danbao's original location while executing [Shadow Assault], it slammed violently into the stone pillar, its form abruptly stiffening.

And right amidst that stiffness, a chilling wind churning with frost blossoms instantly enveloped its body!

It was none other than Bubu's [Frost Blossom Storm]!

In the end, Xiao Pi's all-out [Shadow Assault] failed to hit any target, and instead, it was hit consecutively by [Breath of Blazing Fire] and [Frost Blossom Storm] in the process.

"...Ah?" Liu Chuang stared at this scene in absolute bewilderment.

Wait... this isn't right?

Why did the situation turn out completely different from what he had anticipated?

On the other side, Qin Lang had already figured out Zhao Qian's tactics. Unable to help himself, he gave her a thumbs-up while shouting loudly at the same time.

"Danbao, use Light Convergence!"

"Gulu!"

Danbao responded, a golden radiance lighting up around its body.

Bubu's use of [Earth Rock Charge] had been restrained and wasn't executed with full force, so the physical stamina consumed by Danbao wasn't significant.

With a single [Light Convergence], Danbao's stamina was instantly restored to full.

When the radiance faded, a ring of light orbited around Danbao.

For the next 5 seconds, dark-type damage received by Danbao would be halved!

"Damn it." Clenching his fists tightly, Liu Chuang's expression sank.

It had only been a few days, but these two guys were much more troublesome than before!

"Xiao Pi, use [Shadow Surprise Attack] again!"

The command was issued, but the other side remained completely motionless.

"...Xiao Pi?"

He couldn't help casting his gaze toward his food spirit, only to discover that Xiao Pi had actually fallen fast asleep right in the middle of battle.

No!

This was the [Sleep] status!

"Time's up." Qin Lang and Zhao Qian exchanged glances.

There were no rules in this kind of informal combat, so before making his move, he had already instructed Danbao in advance to use [Shallow Slumber Fragrance].

Calculating the timing, it was precisely ten seconds.

"Danbao, use Breath of Blazing Fire!"

"Bubu, use Frost Blossom Storm!"

"Gulu!"

"Bu-yi!"

The two commands were issued almost simultaneously. The two food spirits positioned directly above and below Xiao Pi struck at the same time.

Searing flames surged downward, while freezing frost winds swept upward. The two forces swallowed Xiao Pi's figure in unison.

When the flames and chilling winds finally dissipated, only a sphere formed of ice crystals remained on the field, enveloping Xiao Pi inside.

Wait...

Where did the ice crystals come from?!

The expressions of Qin Lang and Zhao Qian changed simultaneously, while Liu Chuang's voice abruptly turned ecstatic.

"Sir, you're finally here!"

"Such trash, actually getting suppressed and beaten by two zero-star food spirits." A middle-aged man walked over with a dark expression.

Looking at the three food spirits following closely behind the man, the expressions of Qin Lang and Zhao Qian shifted once again.

Liu Chuang actually had accomplices nearby, and ones this strong!

"Sir, this was an accident," Liu Chuang hurriedly spoke up. "I didn't expect them to have so many self-taught combat skills, which is why..."

"Hiss-ka, hiss-ka~" Xiao Pi, flying out from within the crystal ice shield, quickly returned to Liu Chuang's side and nodded in eager agreement.

The middle-aged man said nothing more, merely shifting his gaze toward Qin Lang and the other.

"Are these the two who defeated you last time?"

"...Yes," Liu Chuang nodded.

"In other words..." The middle-aged man's eyes narrowed slightly. "They already know we belong to the Treasure Hunting Team."

"Since that's the case, we can't let you run off."

The expressions of Qin Lang and Zhao Qian changed once more.

This is bad!

"Swish—"

Right at that moment, a faint rustling sound suddenly echoed through the forest.

The next instant, a fat chicken with interwoven gold and red plumage flew out. It glanced at the four of them before fleeing in panic toward the distance.

That is...

Qin Lang's eyes widened sharply.

There could be no mistake; every single detail matched the painting completely.

This was the painted food spirit he had been searching for!

Equally stirred were the two members of the Treasure Hunting Team nearby.

"It's that rare spirit!" The middle-aged man shouted sternly, "After it!"