The pile of locusts that were devouring Liu Xiu gradually included these super mutated locusts, and the crunching sound was incessant, sending chills down one's spine. Was Liu Xiu already eaten to death?
Xiang Yu wielded his Overlord's Halberd and continued to advance against the torrent of super-mutated locusts, but he could not increase his speed no matter what he did. It felt like he was walking against the current in a turbulent sandy river.
"Kill!" Xiang Yu roared, wielding the Emperor's Sword to unleash a series of sword strikes. The closer the distance, the stronger the power of his domineering aura, and the more he struck, the more effective it would be.
At this moment, Jiaoyou's clothes were torn, and he also had a bloody gash on his body. If he got any closer, Xiang Yu's sword energy would surely cause him even greater damage.
Who would have thought...
roar!!!
With a long howl, its appearance changed drastically. A pair of horns grew on its head, its skin was covered with a layer of blue scales, and its hands turned into real claws!
Clang clang clang...
After being covered in scales, Xiang Yu's sword energy didn't even leave a mark on him when it struck him!
"What kind of monster are you?!" Xiang Yu was horrified; that creature was definitely not human!
"Monster? I am a dragon! A being you mortals can only look up to!" Jiaoyou glanced back at Xiang Yu, then strode towards Liu Xiu!
"The host of the Beast System is a dragon that has transformed into a human?" Hao Jiu's head was buzzing. This is a system big shot who escaped from a higher plane to this place, right?
However, the spiritual energy in this plane is also very thin, so the opponent's strength must be greatly suppressed, otherwise he would have already come out and wreaked havoc.
Even with all the restrictions, it's still a dragon! How the hell are you going to fight it?
"God of Wine! Another Dragon Ball! I have to get to Liu Xiu before I can make friends!" Xiang Yu knew this was the only way.
"That's enough. We've done enough. If Liu Xiu can't even withstand the attack of the allies, how can we fight? Let's save the Dragon Ball for survival." Hao Jiu didn't believe the Elf Goddess had no backup plan. Why should he risk everything against Xiang Yu?
Moreover, although what Hao Jiu said earlier had the suspicion of sowing discord, the logic was correct. Hao Jiu and the enforcers were not on the same side, and even if they cooperated to kill the Beast System, they would inevitably have to fight each other in the end.
Xiang Yu understood Hao Jiu's concerns. The host of the Beast System had not yet shown up, and even if he ate the Dragon Ball, he might not be able to stop the friend-making in time. It would be better to preserve his strength and gamble on Liu Xiu's ability to handle the situation.
But if he really did that, would he still be the Hegemon-King Xiang Yu?
"Give it to me!" Xiang Yu roared!
Chapter 289 The Decisive Battle of Kunyang (Twenty-Six)
After transforming into a half-dragon, Jiaoyou was able to walk within the Hell Travel area!
Xiang Yu was extremely anxious. At this point, attacking with sword energy would obviously not be very effective. He had to speed up and get to Liu Xiu's side, but with the swarm of insects blocking his way, even if the Overlord's Divine Halberd and the Emperor's Sword cleared a path at full speed, it would be too late.
Only by increasing my strength again and eating the third Dragon Ball can I succeed!
However, at the crucial moment, Hao Jiu made a decision completely opposite to Xiang Yu's: to gamble that Liu Xiu could defeat Jiao You in a one-on-one fight, and to preserve his strength to watch from the sidelines.
If Liu Xiu were really killed by his friends, they would have run away immediately. Given this unexpected turn of events, it would be understandable if they couldn't complete their mission. The system god might not actually kill them.
This idea is not unreasonable, but if they fail to kill the beast system, countless beings in this plane will perish in the mouths of these alien locusts, including almost all of humanity!
"God of Wine, it's not that I'm willing to risk helping Liu Xiu, nor that I pity the creatures of this plane. I'm just worried that if the Beast System and the Friendship System follow us back to the Chu-Han plane, are we absolutely certain we can shake them off?"
Furthermore, the greatest heroes are those who serve their country and its people. Wouldn't it be an even greater act of heroism to fight against alien creatures for the sake of humanity? Does the God of Wine really want to waste all those resources he's accumulated in this world? It's not time to give up yet! Xiang Yu roared!
"Fine... I'll give it to you!" Hao Jiu closed his eyes. "It's not easy for me, I don't even have a single Dragon Ball!"
It must be said that Xiang Yu's last two sentences moved Hao Jiu. Giving up now would mean losing everything, which would be a huge waste. Going all out might fail, but it would only mean losing one more Dragon Ball.
Snap!
Xiang Yu crushed the dragon pearl in his teeth, then unleashed his full power and charged forward more than ten feet in an instant. He then turned and charged towards the area between Liu Xiu and his friend, much faster than expected.
Because the third Dragon Ball was more powerful than the first two, Xiang Yu's own Xuanjing Baqi realm was also much more stable, and he truly achieved the ability to release his domineering aura. Although the killing range was not too far, it was still a significant improvement.
At this moment, Jiaoyou was only half a step away from stepping out of the Hell Journey's range. He raised his dragon claw and grabbed at Liu Xiu, and then...
"Get lost!" Xiang Yu roared, swinging his Overlord Divine Halberd in a wide arc and smashing it towards Jiaoyou's chest!
Clang!
The halberds clashed, sparks flying!
The friend's eyes widened instantly. What immense strength! What a powerful weapon!
Xiang Yu was also horrified. He knew that after eating the Dragon Ball, his strength had increased tenfold, but the Overlord Divine Halberd had failed to cut off the opponent's claws!
In this clash, the two sides were evenly matched, each taking a step back!
Just then, the Hell Trip's ultimate collapse began, and a smooth, shiny meteorite crashed down at a speed of nearly 100 kilometers per second!
This is a unique meteorite. It is not large, only about two feet in diameter, but this is its second time passing through the atmosphere. It is an extraterrestrial meteorite with almost no impurities!
Before the Hell Journey began, a strange change occurred within the insect cloud composed of hundreds of billions of locusts.
Those palm-sized creatures that Hao Jiu originally called super mutated locusts have once again completed their devouring and fusion, and have now grown to the size of newborn calves.
These terrifying giant locusts swarmed down like a giant python swallowing the sky, taking advantage of the cover of the swarming insects, attempting to join forces with their allies to instantly kill Liu Xiu.
However, the flashing meteorite instantly surpassed the giant locust python, pierced through the thick insect cloud, and accurately smashed down on Jiaoyou below. The extreme gravity of Hell Travel also followed, which was equivalent to the combined attack of two divine skills!
Rumble...!
The earth shook violently, and the deep well reappeared!
Then, the entire entrance collapsed, burying Jiaoyou even if he was still alive.
However, the pit was too deep, and even after the collapse and the filling of the pit with soil and rocks, the well remained very deep.
Xiang Yu reacted quickly and jumped back to avoid the landslide area, but he was shocked to see Liu Xiu, who was covered with a thick layer of mutated locusts, had already slid down with the collapsed soil and rocks, and seemed to have lost consciousness.
Although he wouldn't be buried underneath or fall to his death, Liu Xiu's super strong defense comes from the Armored Haki skill. In an unconscious state, the skill will not be activated at all. Let alone those super mutated locusts, even ordinary mutated locusts could devour Liu Xiu completely!
If that's the case, it might be too late for Xiang Yu to go and rescue them now.
Nevertheless, Xiang Yu followed closely behind and jumped down without hesitation.
Then, a huge python suddenly descended from the sky, smashing through the swirling insects and heading straight for Liu Xiu!
Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that it was not a giant python, but a torrent of mutated locusts the size of calves!
With the sky filled with swarms of insects obstructing the view, even if Xiang Yu used his eyes to see, Liu Xiu, with his Fujitora-level Observation Haki, might not have been able to detect the attack in time.
"Liu Xiu, watch out!" Xiang Yu exclaimed, simultaneously slicing several giant mutated locusts that were lunging at him in half.
Just then, Liu Xiu blasted away the mutated locusts that were swarming and devouring him, and at the same time drew a ring-pommel sword and slashed it towards the sky, shouting, "Divine Skill: Gravity Reflection!"
Puff puff puff...
The giant mutated locusts flying in front burst open, while the locusts following behind split into four groups to bypass Liu Xiu's skill range and attack him from all sides.
At the same time, a cloud of locusts descended, but because the well's diameter was limited, only a portion of the locusts could enter, and they were all crowded together, as if they were inside a glass bottle.
"A brilliant plan!" Xiang Yu rushed to Liu Xiu's side and praised him, saying that this way, the numerical advantage of the locusts would not be of much use.
"Hehe, now comes the moment to witness a miracle. We've finally caught it! Divine skill: Fierce Tiger - Heaven and Earth United!" Liu Xiu's twin swords clashed together, one above the other. The ring-pommel sword shattered, and a small crack appeared on the Wado Ichimonji!
Then, the two powerful forces of gravity converged and pressed towards the center of the deep well, squeezing together tens of millions of mutated locusts, including thousands of giant locusts!
Crunch, crunch, crunch...
Countless locusts turned into liquid and rained down from the sky, making the locust cakes in the air thinner and thinner until they could no longer be pressed down.
puff!
Liu Xiu spat out a mouthful of blood, knelt down with his single sword on the ground, his spirits low and he seemed to be on his last legs.
Hao Jiu gasped. He didn't think he'd ever seen Fujitora use such a cruel move in One Piece, but it was really powerful. It almost killed Liu Xiu himself. Only someone with a cheat system would dare to use such a move.
Xiang Yu gripped the Overlord's Halberd tightly. He didn't know if he could withstand such a powerful attack; it was truly an eye-opener!
"Dionysus, do you think I can withstand this attack?"
"Of course it can! These locusts aren't particularly strong individually. If it were a Hell Beast, it could probably crush them instantly. I feel that his move is at most fifty times the force of gravity, far less powerful than a Hell Beast. Liu Xiu's intention in using this move is most likely to find a powerful individual among them, and that powerful individual should be the host of the Beast System!"
"I see……"
"It's coming down! I need to heal my wounds while keeping the locusts out, so I can't use my full strength. You can hold it off for a while until I'm fully recovered, then we'll kill it together! Thank you for coming... for justice!" Liu Xiu said, gritting his teeth and slashing his sword again.
"Very well! I will do my utmost!" Xiang Yu's fighting spirit ignited; he was finally about to see his target!
Chapter 290 The Decisive Battle of Kunyang (Twenty-Seven)
Rumble rumble rumble...
A cavalry force of five thousand men was galloping from south to north and finally reached the southwest border of Kunyang.
Liu Yan was really worried about Liu Xiu, so he led his cavalry ahead to provide support, but he didn't expect it to be too late. He received the bad news that Kunyang had fallen and the Gengshi army had not yet broken through.
But compared to what happened later, the above was not bad at all. A meteor shower fell from the sky, the earth shook, and locusts, like dark clouds, gathered in Kunyang. Can you believe it?
"Grand Minister! Are we really going to Kunyang? You saw the divine punishment just now, we can't go!" Liu Jia said, forcing himself to speak.
“My brother is there, how can I not go? If you are afraid, wait for me here.” Liu Yan said, then spurred his horse and continued onward.
"Hey! Protect the Grand Minister!" Liu Jia gritted his teeth and chased after him. If we're going to die, we'll die together!
...
At this moment, 100,000 people in western Kunyang City are unconscious.
Liu Ji rubbed the back of his head, suddenly opened his eyes, and gasped for breath, "Ah! That was terrifying! Huh? I'm not dead? What happened here? And those locusts over there? Hiss..."
"Ouch..." Everyone regained consciousness one after another, and then they all reacted in a similar way to Liu Ji. Looking at the tragic scene around them, no one had the mood to continue fighting anymore.
"Army, assemble immediately! Follow me back to Chang'an!" Wang Yi thought to himself, "I'm not fighting anymore, I have to leave quickly, this place is too eerie!"
On the other side, Wang Chang and Wang Feng helped each other to their feet.
"We're not dead?" Tears welled up in Wang Feng's eyes. She thought to herself that if she could survive this time, she would definitely retire to the mountains and live a life of seclusion.
"They're not dead yet, but they'll probably be soon," Wang Chang said blankly, looking at the terrifying army of locusts in the sky.
Just then, a troop of soldiers charged in from afar, led by a general named Liu Yan.
"All troops, charge! Charge!" Liu Yan saw the Gengshi army surrounded by the new army in the distance, and hope instantly ignited in his heart. Liu Xiu must be inside!
But why are they all just standing there like idiots and not fighting? What are they waiting for?