C25 Sinister and Cunning

At that moment, Qiao Gao steadily closed the distance between them.

Choo Guang, with a swift motion, retrieved a bottle from his Storage Ring and sprinkled some yellow powder onto his wound.

Qiao Gao squinted; he had underestimated the speed of a warrior with Six-vein Mastery. Without the aid of his Yin Fiend Corpse Worm clone, Qiao Gao wouldn't stand a chance of catching up to Choo Guang.

Upon catching sight of Qiao Gao, Choo Guang's complexion grew even more ashen. He was all too familiar with Qiao Gao's tactics.

Closing the gap swiftly, Qiao Gao extended his hand, his smile tinged with malice. "What's the rush? Hand over ten thousand crystals, sever an arm, and I'll let you live."

His voice was soft, yet it sent shivers down Choo Guang's spine, making him feel as if he were facing a formidable enemy, preferring the company of wild beasts over Qiao Gao.

Choo Guang's expression darkened to the point of near despair. He couldn't believe he was being cornered by a mere One-vein Connection novice. If it weren't for that unexpected bite, Qiao Gao would never have been able to catch him.

"I'm the head of the Hidden Dragon Gang," Choo Guang said, trying to force a smile. "The earlier events were all misunderstandings. Monkey and Poisonous Scorpion got what they deserved. Let me go, and we'll put this behind us," he bargained. "I'm on an urgent mission. The Gang Leader is awaiting my return, and if I'm late, he'll come looking..."

Qiao Gao gave Choo Guang a nonchalant glance and replied, "Oh, really?"

Choo Guang, emboldened, continued, "The Gang Leader of my Hidden Dragon Gang is a formidable late-stage Soul Connecting expert. Such a master is a rarity in Great Flame City, as scarce as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns."

The more Choo Guang boasted, the more self-assured he became, seemingly convinced that Qiao Gao was intimidated.

"Release me, and we can be allies. But if you strike again, be prepared to face the wrath of a late-stage Soul Connecting expert."

Choo Guang was taking advantage of Qiao Gao's lack of experience. Any other young practitioner at the Vein Connecting Stage would likely have been duped.

But what Choo Guang didn't realize was that Qiao Gao had assimilated the memories of the Myriad Tribulation Pill Monarch, witnessing countless schemes and betrayals. To Qiao Gao, Choo Guang's ploys were mediocre at best and easily seen through.

With a grin that hinted at a cold, lethal intent, Qiao Gao declared, "The price is 20,000 yuan crystals. Sever your arms, and I'll let you live."

Stunned, Choo Guang couldn't believe it. Qiao Gao was playing by rules unknown to anyone. Who in the vicinity of Great Flame City, especially among those at the Vein Connecting Stage, would dare cross the Hidden Dragon Gang?

"Twenty thousand yuan crystals," Choo Guang conceded, actually producing the sum.

Qiao Gao was taken aback, his surprise evident. The Hidden Dragon Gang's reputation for wickedness was well-earned; even a sect master of six meridians could casually produce 20,000 yuan crystals.

"Take it," Choo Guang said, his gaze heavy with meaning as he tossed the crystal to Qiao Gao.

"Die!"

In an explosive outburst, Choo Guang lunged like a viper, closing the distance in a flash. Channeling his maximum Origin Energy, he aimed a palm strike at Qiao Gao's head and a claw at his heart.

"Flame Cracking Hawk Hand!"

He unleashed an Earth Grade martial art, imbued with a mysterious killing intent.

As a sect master of the Hidden Dragon Gang, Choo Guang had orchestrated this moment from the time he was bitten by the unnamed creature, aiming to catch Qiao Gao off guard with a deadly strike.

Yet, Qiao Gao remained unflustered, reacting with the precision of a veteran warrior. His bronze hand shot out with the speed of lightning.

"Dragon Confining Hand!"

Gripping like a vice, Qiao Gao's hand clamped onto Choo Guang's, and with a forceful squeeze, he seized control of the situation.

Crack!

Choo Guang's wrist snapped instantly.

"You!" Choo Guang's face flushed crimson, his triangular eyes wild with frenzy as he bellowed, "Let's die together!"

His other hand glowed a fiery red, as though it had ignited, radiating intense heat, ready to tear into Qiao Gao's skull.

"Shhzzz~~"

A piercing sound sliced through the air, and a streak of black lightning flashed across the sky.

"Crack!"

Choo Guang's palm hit the ground with a thud.