Chapter 1899: Wolves on All Sides (I) |
“I’ve still got my wits about me,” Drifting Life’s voice traveled back sternly. “That was Ironeater of the four regions!”
Two eighth ranks to the rear immediately recalled who that was. It’d been so many years! That trip to the four regions had given Drifting Life the opportunity to enter eighth rank. Apparently Drifting Life had been in dreadful shape when he returned. The Reincarnation master had almost sent him through the cycle of reincarnation.
Thankfully, he was saved in the end.
The two arch rivals had met!
Although the two eighth ranks understood, they tried to caution for prudence. “Don’t chase after him now. We know a bit about what happened with Ironeater. He had a run-in with Long Zhan in the four regions and his world was destroyed. He’s on the run…”
They’d just received this news. The key was, Ironeater might be traveling with others. There was more than one powerhouse that’d escaped from the four regions. How could they so coincidentally run into each other outside Reincarnation?
The two eighth ranks were concerned that further trouble might develop from giving chase. They should wait and see!
“I have to kill him. No matter what, I must kill him! I would’ve taken revenge a long time ago if it wasn’t Thunder Region being in the way. Nothing feels like it’s going smoothly if he’s not dead. I know that the two martial uncles are concerned that this is a distraction, that further issues will crop up after. I can go alone!”
What the two eighth ranks were concerned about was that Reincarnation major world might be in danger as well if too many of their eighth ranks left. Drifting Life understood their concern, but… how could he not chase after his old enemy?
He would be creating a nightmare for himself if he didn’t chase after Ironeater when he saw the panda!
The two eighth ranks shared resigned looks. It looked like Drifting Life had made up his mind. Even if it was a trap, he was going to plunge into it head first.
But… was it a trap?
They didn’t know either, just that they wouldn’t possibly send three eighth ranks after Ironeater. That would be too dangerous. The world master was in closed door cultivation these days, in preparation for reaching higher heights.
It would be incredibly troublesome if enemies attacked them during this time.
“Have two… no, four seventh ranks join us as soon as possible. Go with the Exalted Drifting Life Emperor. You will be responsible if anything happens!”
The eighth ranks were concerned that two seventh ranks might not be enough. But if there were four, they would be able to hold out for a while even if they encountered an eighth rank.
This way, it didn’t matter if there was a trap or not. Unless one could mobilize multiple eighth ranks in response, taking Drifting Life and the others wouldn’t be that easy.
Under normal circumstances, one eighth rank was sufficient to chase after one seventh rank. But given the state of affairs, they wanted to take extra precaution.
Four exalted emperors swiftly shot forward. Drifting Life sensed their arrival, but didn’t say anything. He didn’t think it was necessary. However, it would ensure Ironeater’s death if he caught up with the panda. There would be no way out for the monster spirit!
Drifting Life kept a firm lock on Ironeater’s presence. The look in his eyes was cuttingly sharp.
A trap?
He knew some things about Ironeater. This was a monster spirit that wasted away his days in the four regions. He’d never ventured outside before. What kind of companions could he possibly have?
Silver Moon?
New Martial?
Or the monster spirit overlord of the south, the Exalted Spring Autumn Emperor? Had they extended their influence to the east and taken in Ironeater?
Otherwise, most worlds wouldn’t dare welcome a monster spirit exalted emperor who’d offended an overlord of the four regions.
No matter what and no matter who it was, Drifting Life would not permit this chance to pass him by after he saw Ironeater. It didn’t matter if this might be a trap or not!
Immense presences raced through the void. They didn’t care about respecting the natural boundaries of other ninth level worlds. Ironeater fled for his life!
He didn’t know how or where to run to. The Human King hadn’t said anything, just that he should run. He could do so however he wished and go as far as he could!
But… how was he supposed to do that?
Where should he go?
Had the Human King run off himself because he’d glimpsed all of the powerhouses behind him? There was one eighth rank and… the Human King had said that there would be two seventh ranks, maximum. Why were there four on his tail??
The Human King had entered eighth rank, which meant that he would be focused on Drifting Life. Even though the Human King had Tie Han under his wing, it would be down to Ironeater and Tie Han to fend off the attacks of four seventh ranks from an eighth rank dao universe.
Wasn’t that very dangerous?? How was this still fishing??
And when did that animal Drifting Life become so cowardly?? He was an eighth rank encountering an enemy on his doorstep. Why was he setting out with four minions?! Were the seventh ranks of Reincarnation so low on the totem pole?
Sending out four at a time was nearly the equivalent of the number of powerhouses in an eighth rank world!
Apparently Reincarnation only had a dozen seventh ranks. Did it make sense for them to deploy one third of them just to kill him?
The highly proud Ironeater could barely keep it together. Where are you, Human King? When are you making your move?
Drifting Life traveled extremely quickly. If it wasn’t for having to keep an eye on the seventh ranks behind him, he might have already caught up.
……
Ironeater sped through the chaos. He ran and ran, until another world seemed to materialize up ahead. He couldn’t be bothered to observe more closely. The panda ran off from the side of the world.
Another group of people was assessing the world at present. Li Hao abruptly looked outside it and hovered near the world gates. His jaw dropped. Void was equally stunned.
“Was that… Ironeater?” He looked at Li Hao after a long moment.
Strange! Why were they encountering Ironeater here? They’d just arrived at Cloud Dust major world and were assessing it, like they were going on a house tour.
They hadn’t had a chance to do anything before they caught sight of Ironeater. That emblematic metal club and those massive black and white circles around its eyes… who else could it be?
There was no way that they were mistaken.
Li Hao shook his head. He wasn’t certain. However, his face shifted slightly the next moment and he shrank behind the world gate.
An eighth rank presence barreled through the area and a cold voice snapped, “I am Drifting Life of Reincarnation! We are currently pursuing Ironeater, with whom we have a blood feud! We are passing through the area and request your grace for any offense given. If there are world masters willing to assist our efforts, we are willing to thank you immensely!”
The Exalted Drifting Life Emperor of Reincarnation major world.
“That is an eighth rank of Reincarnation major world…” the stunned Kang Han said in a low voice.
Li Hao blinked with astonishment. How did Ironeater have enemies here? That was very weird! Alright, well, that wasn’t important. What was important was that he had a penchant for getting into trouble.
Thank goodness I didn’t travel with him! Look at him, pissing off one of the eastern region’s strongest factions as soon as he entered the outer regions!
He just doesn’t stop!
What did you go and approach Reincarnation for? It’s obvious that you ran into an old enemy. The chaos is so huge, why couldn’t you stay out of their way?
The young man sensed four more seventh ranks as he complained to himself.
“Five powerhouses—one eighth rank, four seventh ranks. Ironeater is in trouble now!” Li Hao clucked his tongue. It looked like he was about to be caught as the gap between the two was closing.
This was the seventh level, so it seemed that the chase would continue for a while longer. However, it was clear that Ironeater did not measure up to the other. If it wasn’t for Drifting Life having to explain himself whenever he passed by a world, so as to prevent misunderstandings, he would’ve long caught up with his quarry.
Ironeater was a foreigner, so he could be ignored. Who would ignore the mad dash of a Reincarnation eighth rank leading four seventh ranks in tow?
“Greetings to Senior Drifting Life…” Li Hao called out. “It’s a pity that we did not hear this message beforehand. Otherwise, we would’ve certainly responded…”
He disguised his voice as Cloud Dust’s. Drifting Life didn’t even stop. He didn’t really care what these worlds responded with, he was just notifying these worlds as he should.
I’m just chasing an enemy, it has nothing to do with you.
It didn’t matter if the other world masters actually rendered some aid. Hence, he couldn’t be bothered with any pleasantries. But since someone had responded, he had to reply, “It’s fine!”
With that, he vanished!
Fog Mountain and the rest stared at the young man. Damn you’re bold! We’re all outsiders and thieves here. Weren’t you concerned that he might actually stop and have you join him?
You love pulling the tail of a tiger!
Li Hao didn’t mind the risk he’d taken. He stroked his chin and looked in the direction that the group had taken. “Ironeater… has definitely got some balls,” he grinned. “Reincarnation is in the ninth level, isn’t it? He actually made his way over there! And ended up near Reincarnation. What a coincidence!”
Why did it seem… to be at odds with Ironeater’s personality? He was forthright, not berserk. Since it was a blood feud, he would have some sort of understanding about the situation, no? It didn’t make sense that he’d speed straight for his enemy’s territory right after leaving the four regions.
Was he tired of living?
Li Hao looked into the distance and cackled, “How interesting. This is… an unusual way of doing things!”
Number Two nodded thoughtfully. This was indeed unusual. And a bit familiar.
“They’re causing such a big disturbance that all of the powerhouses in the ninth level are going to take a look. Six high ranks have appeared, five chasing one of them. An eighth rank wishes to kill a seventh rank and the hunt spans the chaos,” Li Hao remarked. “They’re creating such a fuss… Why does that one want to start something no matter where he goes?”
The others looked blankly at him, whereas Number Two understood the insinuation. The Human King? Did this have something to do with the Human King?
Who knew, just that it was too much of a coincidence for Ironeater to show up here. It was such perfect timing that… it felt like Ironeater was making trouble for himself.
Who else in the four regions would be so bold, brazen, and inclined to make trouble for themselves through fishing like this? Was there anyone else apart from the Human King?
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