30: Information gap of the Blackwater Gang

Just as he feared, before he could fully process it...

Buzz!

The Wind Bamboo Worm card hovering not far away suddenly vibrated with a rapid hum!

Alarm!

"Again?"

Lu Yuan's expression subtly changed, and he instantly reined in all his aura.

Through the vision and perception transmitted by the Wind Bamboo Worm, several powerful auras were rapidly converging on his position from different directions!

One of these auras was particularly strong and overbearing, carrying a savage and brutal sensation that almost overwhelmed the Wind Bamboo Worm's faint perception!

Peak second-tier!

Perhaps even... one foot already in the third-tier!

It's them!

The Black Water Gang!

Lu Yuan's heart sank abruptly.

Damn it! He was still discovered!

Was it the commotion from killing those two lone cultivators just now? Or did the proprietress sell him out? Or just a coincidence?

There was no time to think. The enemy outnumbered him, and their leader was far stronger than him.

Fighting them head-on would only lead to death!

Escape!

He had to escape immediately!

Lu Yuan's gaze quickly swept over his surroundings.

Dense forest, hills, and in the distance... a swamp!

That's the place!

"Don't run!"

A coarse roar exploded through the forest!

Along with the voice, a burly figure was the first to rush out from the left side of the woods!

Bald, bulging muscles, a ferocious scar on his head—it was Bald Head Qiang!

Behind him, five or six Black Water Gang members, all wearing uniform black skull jackets, followed. Each exuded a fierce aura and had unfriendly eyes, quickly fanning out to block Lu Yuan's possible escape routes.

Bald Head Qiang pulled out his phone and carefully compared it, then burst into hearty laughter after a long moment.

"Damn it, I told you to look at the Outpost! See, didn't I find him!"

"What do you call this? This is called strength, damn it!"

His gaze locked onto Lu Yuan, then swept over the still not entirely cleaned corpses and bloodstains on the ground.

"Oh my! You've got guts, daring to kill and rob?"

"I heard you're quite impressive, kid, even that idiot Zhao She couldn't do anything to you."

"I think it's just a load of crap," he licked his lips. "Brother Ya specifically asked for you. I advise you not to think about running. Less trouble is better, understand?"

"Boss, what are you wasting words for? Just take him down!"

Lu Yuan's mind raced. Zhao She, Brother Ya... these small fry didn't seem to know he had a gold card.

Or rather, their boss didn't dare to leak the news!

In that case... Lu Yuan's eyes looked towards the swamp!

"Roar!"

He no longer hesitated; Source Power surged instantly!

Buzz!

Deep blue light bloomed!

The massive Swamp Crocodile appeared with a rumble!

"A crocodile! It really is Ah Hu's card!" Bald Head Qiang's eyes lit up, becoming even more excited. "One hundred percent confirmed, catch him! Alive!"

"Go!"

Lu Yuan pointed towards the swampy area ahead, giving the Swamp Crocodile its command!

Roar!

The Swamp Crocodile let out a low roar, its huge body suddenly whipped around, and it charged into the swamp without hesitation!

It was a swamp creature by nature, entering the mud as if in its element!

Plop!

A huge splash of water erupted!

The Swamp Crocodile instantly submerged into the murky swamp, leaving only trails of bubbles.

"Trying to run?"

Bald Head Qiang sneered, "Brothers, go!"

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

Several rays of light illuminated simultaneously!

The Black Water Gang members all summoned their cards!

Most were first and second-tier creatures like "Evil Wolves," "Poisonous Snakes," and "Stone Golems," with white and green being the predominant qualities.

But in front of Bald Head Qiang, an even more dazzling blue light shot skyward!

Roar!!!

A deafening roar!

A giant ape nearly three meters tall, covered in explosive muscles and dark red fur, pounded its chest and appeared before everyone!

"Explosive Ape"

"Strength: Peak Second-Tier"

"Quality: Blue"

"Star Rating: Four Stars"

"Type: beast taming card"

Rampaging! Ferocious!

A second-tier, four-star blue card!

Bald Head Qiang's original beast taming card!

As soon as the Explosive Ape appeared, its crimson eyes locked onto the stealthy Swamp Crocodile in the mud, letting out a challenging roar!

"Drag it out for me! Tear it to shreds!" Bald Head Qiang pointed at the swamp and roared fiercely.

Roar!

The Explosive Ape stomped its foot fiercely, its massive body shooting out like a cannonball, charging directly into the swamp!

Other summoned beasts followed closely, outflanking from different directions!

Boom!

The swamp suddenly exploded!

The Swamp Crocodile's huge figure broke out of the water, opening its bloody maw, directly confronting the Explosive Ape!

Bang!

The two behemoths collided violently!

Mud splattered everywhere!

The Swamp Crocodile, relying on its home-field advantage in the swamp and its astonishing defense, actually managed to withstand the Explosive Ape's charge!

Death Roll!

The crocodile's massive tail whipped fiercely, and its body spun rapidly, attempting to drag the Explosive Ape into the deeper mud!

Roar!

The Explosive Ape's arm muscles bulged as it desperately gripped the crocodile's upper and lower jaws, preventing itself from being dragged, while its other fist slammed fiercely towards the crocodile's head!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Dull thuds continuously echoed!

The other summoned beasts around also launched their attacks!

Venom, rocks, Bites, claw attacks... for a moment, the swamp area became a chaotic battleground!

Although the Swamp Crocodile was brave, under the encirclement of the Explosive Ape and numerous summoned beasts, it quickly fell into a disadvantage, constantly sustaining injuries, and the card's light began to flicker unsteadily!

Now!

While everyone's attention was drawn to the Swamp Crocodile!

A sharp glint flashed in Lu Yuan's eyes!

He didn't hesitate at all, turning and rushing towards the depths of the dense forest in the opposite direction of the swamp!

At the same time, his mind stirred!

Buzz!

An imperceptible ripple flashed.

The Shadow Mantis was summoned, and its "Shadow Stealth" skill was instantly activated!

Its figure, like a ghost merged into the darkness, silently followed behind Lu Yuan, covering the tracks he left while running.

The night, the dense forest, and the fierce sounds of battle in the distance all provided the best cover!

"Hmm? Where's that kid?"

A sharp-eyed Black Water Gang member noticed Lu Yuan's movement.

"Damn it! Trying to run! Chase him!"

But he glanced at the Explosive Ape still fiercely entangled with the Swamp Crocodile in the mud, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.

"First, deal with this beast!"

"Explosive Ape! Give it your all! Tear it apart!"

Roar!!!

Upon receiving the command, the Explosive Ape's muscles suddenly swelled, its dark red fur stood on end, and a surge of wild energy instantly gathered in its fists!

Furious Strike!

Boom!

Like two small bombs exploding!

The Explosive Ape's fists, carrying destructive power, slammed heavily onto the Swamp Crocodile's back armor!

Crack!

A teeth-grating sound of shattering echoed!

The Swamp Crocodile's hard back armor was instantly covered in spiderweb-like cracks!

Roar!!!

The Swamp Crocodile let out an extremely painful and indignant roar!

Its massive body trembled violently, the blue light emanating from its card flickered wildly like a candle in the wind, and finally... poof!

It completely extinguished!

The dim card floated down from mid-air, sinking into the murky depths of the swamp.

At the same time.

Lu Yuan, who was sprinting through the dense forest, suddenly stiffened!

He felt that the faint spiritual connection between himself and the Swamp Crocodile card had completely broken!

A cold sense of loss welled up in his heart.

The Swamp Crocodile... was gone!

Although it was expected, and one could even say he had actively "sacrificed" it.

But when this moment truly arrived, a pang of pain still shot through his heart.

This four-star blue card, which had accompanied him through several battles and rendered great service, ultimately returned to the hands of the Black Water Gang!

"Good job, big ape!"

By the edge of the swamp, Bald Head Qiang looked at the crocodile card sinking into the mud, spat, and a cruel smile appeared on his face.

Although the card was shattered, its quality remained. As long as it was salvaged and repaired, it would still be valuable!

"Search for him! That useless apprentice has lost his card, so he can't have run far!"

"I really don't know how Zhao She fell into the hands of this useless person, and the boss too, is it worth the entire gang coming out to search?"

"Forget it, notify the others, carpet search. The sooner we catch him, the sooner we go home."

"Yes!"

"Yes!"

"Alright, boss!"

...At this moment, Lu Yuan, aided by the Shadow Mantis's stealth and his familiarity with the terrain, had already fled deep into the dense forest.

The sacrifice of the Swamp Crocodile bought him precious time.

He was right; the Black Water Gang leader's misgivings were precisely his only chance.

Seeing him as just an apprentice, the opponent would surely let down their guard.

The main roads were out, and buses were not an option.

The only way—Lu Yuan gritted his teeth, looked at the map, identified a direction, and a decision flashed in his mind.

Then he set off again, disappearing into the vast night.

Walk back!

He was going to walk back to Jiangcheng!

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