Chapter 311: Game Theory

Suddenly, the ground ten zhang away from them exploded. The copper-scaled black centipede, which had seemingly moved away, shot out like a blur and fiercely bit the rapidly moving black sword!

Crunch!

With a crisp crunch, its sharp mouthparts bit the mid-grade black sword clean in two!

Apparently realizing it had been fooled, the copper-scaled black centipede viciously raised its long body, its fierce eyes scanning the surroundings. The pair of antennae on its head twitched ceaselessly, listening for any sound.

Xu Yining covered her mouth, stifling a terrified gasp. Shadow Guard One's prediction had come true. The copper-scaled black centipede was indeed ambushing them, and it had waited patiently in ambush for a full half an hour! If Shadow Guard One hadn't been vigilant enough, they would have both fallen into the trap.

After a long period with no detected movement, the copper-scaled black centipede angrily twisted its massive body and departed. The rumbling sound gradually faded into the distance until it vanished. It seemed to have left for good.

Xu Yining's crimson lips parted, about to speak, but Jiang Fan stopped her again. He carved words: "It's trying to lure us out!"

"What?" Xu Yining's eyes widened. She scanned her surroundings, her scalp tingling as she made a discovery. In the distant, dim forest, a pair of antennae extended from the darkness, twitching rapidly. She couldn't help but gasp. This beast king was incredibly cunning! If she were to face it alone, even with nine lives, she might not escape its relentless pursuit.

They both held their breath, their focus unwavering. Both sides were testing each other's patience. Evidently, the copper-scaled black centipede's patience ran out first. Its mission was to assist Leng Gu in encircling and annihilating Xu Qingyang, not to waste time here dealing with unknown humans. So, after patiently waiting for half an hour with no sign of prey, it emerged in a fit of rage. Its long tail fiercely whipped the tree trunks along its path. Under the immense force, ancient trees as thick as a man were instantly splintered. One by one, towering ancient trees crashed down with a loud crackle.

To Jiang Fan's dismay, one of the massive trees, quite by chance, crashed directly towards the tree they were hiding in.

CRASH—

With a thunderous crash, the tree Jiang Fan was in shook violently! Neither of them could maintain their footing. They both fell from the tree.

Even though Jiang Fan swiftly used his movement technique to ensure they landed with minimal sound, the copper-scaled black centipede's antennae on its head violently twitched, having detected the abnormal sound of prey landing. It twisted its body, emitting excited chirping sounds. The meaning was clear: "I've found you!" A pair of blood-red eyes locked onto Jiang Fan and Xu Yining.

The latter's face showed fear, yet she bravely drew her sword, her voice trembling as she spoke the most resolute words: "Shadow Guard One, you go first!"

Jiang Fan paused, surprised, and glanced at Xu Yining. In a moment of crisis, Xu Yining was actually willing to sacrifice herself to protect someone else? Was this truly the proud, willful Xu Yining he knew? If she had been half as sensible back then, their story might have had a different ending.

However, Jiang Fan couldn't bring himself to let Xu Yining cover their retreat while he fled.

"You go first." Jiang Fan slowly drew his Sorrowfrost Sword, his gaze serious but devoid of fear.

Xu Yining stubbornly insisted, "If I tell you to go, then go! Don't argue! That way, I won't owe you anything!" Staring at the rapidly approaching massive centipede, her fear intensified, her grip on her sword trembling. Her voice was even tinged with a sob.

Jiang Fan was speechless. So terrified, what rear could she possibly cover? She wouldn't even be able to withstand one whip from the copper-scaled black centipede's tail. He was about to speak, but then Xu Yining uttered words that made his body tremble slightly.

"If you survive, please return to Qingyun Sect for me and inform my master of my death. And... And also, on my behalf, tell Jiang Fan... I'm sorry." With that, she pushed Jiang Fan away, saying, "Hurry and go! Don't look back!" Then, gritting her teeth, she gripped her three-foot Azure Peak sword with both hands and charged directly towards the copper-scaled black centipede.

The copper-scaled black centipede showed a look of disdain. Its massive tail, leaving a series of afterimages, whipped fiercely towards Xu Yining, who was rushing towards her doom. Xu Yining felt a foul wind rush towards her, her vision filled by the tail bristling with countless tiny claws. Fear, despair, and a touch of sorrow filled her heart. "Is this how I die?" So many regrets remained... Involuntarily, Jiang Fan's image appeared in her mind. A surge of bitterness welled up. Alas, it was all over. She gave a bitter laugh, then, in desperation, swung her sword at the giant tail, intending to end her life.

WHOOSH—

In the nick of time, her waist felt a sudden tightening. Then the world spun, and when she opened her eyes, she found herself back in Shadow Guard One's embrace. He held her, leaping from tree to tree.

"You... why aren't you listening?" Xu Yining cried out. If Shadow Guard One were alone, his exquisite movement technique might offer a chance of escape. But with her, escape was impossible.

Jiang Fan's gaze was steady as he said, "Don't speak, hold this tightly." He pressed one end of the Tianshan Silkworm Silk into Xu Yining's palm.

At that moment, the copper-scaled black centipede's tail struck nothing but air, and it became furious and humiliated. Two tiny humans had made it spend a full hour hunting. To it, this was already a significant disgrace. And to have someone rescued from its attack—how was that any different from a slap to its face?

RUMBLE RUMBLE—

It furiously gave chase. Its enormous body did not impede its speed or agility in the slightest. It twisted rapidly across the ground. In mere moments, it caught up to Jiang Fan and Xu Yining.

Jiang Fan's expression shifted. He stepped on a tree branch, using the leverage to swiftly change direction and dart to the left. The copper-scaled black centipede was terrifyingly agile. Even in mid-air, it could twist its upper body to alter its attack trajectory.

CRACK—

It slammed its head into the large tree Jiang Fan had used for leverage, utterly shattering it. Large splinters of wood rained down on them. Jiang Fan swiftly shielded Xu Yining in front of him, using his back to block the onslaught of wood splinters.

SMACK, SMACK, SMACK—

Amidst the dense smacking sounds, Jiang Fan's back was instantly covered in blood. This was despite him wearing high-grade defensive armor, capable of withstanding a blow from a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator. Otherwise, he wouldn't have merely suffered cuts and bruises through his armor; he would have been utterly riddled with holes.

Jiang Fan grunted in pain, but gritted his teeth and continued to employ his movement technique, leaping rhythmically through the forest. Xu Yining noticed Jiang Fan's back felt sticky, and when she touched it, her hands came away covered in blood. She gasped, "You're injured!"

Jiang Fan endured the pain, saying, "It's nothing. Just pull the silkworm silk tight. Our survival depends entirely on it!" Facing a mid-stage Core Formation beast king head-on, he had no chance of victory, unless he used the jade talisman capable of a Nascent Soul stage attack. But that was for a last resort. For now, he wanted to test the power of the Tianshan Silkworm Silk.

Xu Yining looked at Shadow Guard One, so close beside her, and an inexplicable sense of emotion swelled in her heart. She didn't understand. Why was Shadow Guard One being so good to her? Risking his own life to protect her. Was it worth it?

As she pondered, Jiang Fan had already leaped several times. The copper-scaled black centipede relentlessly pursued them. Several times, it nearly bit them! They were constantly in peril!

The copper-scaled black centipede felt both shame and rage. Two mere Foundation Establishment humans were leading it on such a long chase, using their incredibly powerful movement technique to toy with it like wild monkeys! It roared in fury. A hundred pairs of tiny claws wriggled simultaneously. Its inner demon core pulsed with an immensely abundant demonic power.

In a flash! Its crawling speed surged tenfold! It suddenly lunged forward, taking advantage of the moment Jiang Fan had just leaped and had no point of leverage.

Jiang Fan turned his head. He saw only a blur. The copper-scaled black centipede was upon them, its blood-red maw terrifyingly close!

However, instead of panicking, Jiang Fan showed a glimmer of delight! He had been waiting for this exact opportunity!

And the copper-scaled black centipede, catching the look in Jiang Fan's eyes, felt a sudden jolt. "Wait? Something isn't right here."