57: Alligator snapping turtle escapes; follow-up matters

The wounds on the Xuan Shui Crocodile Turtle's body grew more numerous, and its hard dorsal shell was covered in charred sword marks and cracked arrow holes. Although most were not deep, the continuous blood loss and consumption of Demonic Qi caused its aura to become erratic.

In its dark green vertical pupils, the initial brutality was gradually replaced by a hint of fear and anxiety.

These two human Cultivators—one using scorching flames to interfere and the other using golden arrows for precise kills—coordinated with seamless chemistry! Especially the one firing cold arrows; his shots were too cunning, targeting its weak defenses every time! The defense it took pride in was being worn down bit by bit!

The threat of death loomed over its heart!

“Roar—!!!”

The Xuan Shui Crocodile Turtle suddenly let out a heaven-shaking roar. It stopped attacking the two men, and its massive body erupted with its final Demonic Qi. Its four claws clawed frantically at the ground, splashing mud everywhere as its massive body charged toward the wide river surface like an out-of-control chariot, regardless of the cost!

It wanted to escape! It wanted to return to the waters it was most familiar with, where it could best utilize its strength!

“Not good! It’s trying to escape!”

Zhao Tianbao’s expression changed, and he wanted to give chase, but the spiritual power within him felt unstable and weak.

After several days of hard fighting, coupled with the high-intensity burst just now, less than thirty percent of the fire spiritual power in his Dantian remained, and even his flight was becoming unsteady.

Li Qingfeng’s brows were also tightly furrowed.

Although he was in a better state than Zhao Tianbao, with about fifty percent of his spiritual power remaining, the high-intensity attacks and dodging just now had also consumed a great deal.

More importantly, as he looked at the pale-faced and unstable Zhao Tianbao beside him, a hard-to-detect cold light flashed deep in his eyes.

Give chase with everything he had? He was confident that before the crocodile turtle entered the water, he could risk exhausting all his spiritual power to deal it a heavy blow, perhaps even keeping it there!

But... was it worth it?

Exhausting his own spiritual power just to help Zhao Tianbao root out the problem? Here, far from his own territory, beside a fellow disciple whose true nature he didn't fully know and who was in a terrible state?

What if... what if his spiritual power ran out and Zhao Tianbao developed other intentions?

Among Cultivators, killing for treasure was not rare. Moreover, they weren't even considered friends to begin with, and they even had some minor friction between them.

The same thought almost flashed through Zhao Tianbao’s mind as well. He was equally wary of Li Qingfeng’s terrifying archery.

If Li Qingfeng had abundant spiritual power right now, he might have cooperated fully in the pursuit. But now, Li Qingfeng’s state was unclear, and he himself was at the end of his rope. If they chased and the crocodile turtle launched a deathbed counterattack, or... if Li Qingfeng’s arrow "accidentally" strayed a bit... In the moment the two were shifting their thoughts and hesitating, the Xuan Shui Crocodile Turtle had already reached the riverbank!

It turned its head, its dark green vertical pupils sweeping over the two in the air with venomous resentment, and it suddenly opened its giant maw!

“Boom! Boom!”

Two deep blue water arrows, more condensed and faster than before, shot toward Li Qingfeng and Zhao Tianbao like venomous dragons emerging from a cave!

It did not seek to wound the enemy, only to obstruct them!

The two men’s expressions changed slightly, and they hurriedly dodged.

“Splash!”

Taking advantage of this moment of obstruction, the Xuan Shui Crocodile Turtle’s massive body quickly plunged into the muddy river water, sending up a towering spray!

Only a giant whirlpool and rapidly spreading blood remained on the water's surface. Then, that massive Demonic Qi vanished without a trace like a clay ox entering the sea, leaving only the turbulent river water rolling eastward.

On the riverbank, only devastation and a dead silence remained.

Li Qingfeng and Zhao Tianbao hovered in mid-air, looking at the gradually calming river surface. They were silent, looking at each other; both bore marks of battle, and their breathing was somewhat erratic.

After a few breaths, Li Qingfeng was the first to speak:

“This fiend has fled with heavy injuries and a damaged Yao Core. It will certainly not have the ability to cause trouble again in the short term. The urgent task now is to clear the remaining beast swarms, treat the wounded, and stabilize the hearts of the people in Qingshui Town.”

Zhao Tianbao took a deep breath, suppressing the unwillingness in his heart and his wariness of Li Qingfeng. He also understood that handling the aftermath was most important right now. He nodded, a forced smile appearing on his face:

“Senior Brother Li is absolutely right! Thanks to Senior Brother's timely assistance and turning the tide, otherwise my Qingshui Town would have been in peril! Tianbao will keep this kindness in his heart! Come, let’s go back and clean up the mess!”

The two said no more, each withdrawing their thoughts. Two streaks of light, one golden and one red, flew back toward Qingshui Town.

The fierce battle seemed to have concluded, but both knew in their hearts that some things had quietly changed. And that Xuan Shui Crocodile Turtle that escaped into the great river was like a time bomb, waiting to bring calamity again at an unknown time... The golden light and crimson glow landed on the ruined walls of Qingshui Town.

Facing the beast tide below that was already in disarray, Li Qingfeng and Zhao Tianbao were like slicing through melons and vegetables, quickly clearing them all out.

Before long, the sounds of battle gradually subsided, leaving only the moans of the injured, the cries of the survivors, and the shouts of the militia clearing the battlefield and extinguishing the remaining fires.

The return of Li Qingfeng and Zhao Tianbao was like a shot in the arm for the exhausted crowd.

“The Immortal Masters are back!”

“Immortal Master Li is mighty! Town Guardian Zhao is mighty!”

The militia and commoners who survived the disaster knelt one after another, their eyes filled with gratitude and awe.

Zhao Tianbao forcibly suppressed the churning blood and the weakness from his empty spiritual power. He straightened his back and began to issue orders, his voice still loud and carrying an unquestionable authority:

“Junior Brother Wang! Take men to count the casualties. The seriously injured are to be treated centrally, and all compensation is to be issued according to the highest standards! For the fallen militia, their families will be supported by the Town Guardian Residence!”

“Junior Brother Liu! Organize people to immediately reinforce the broken fences and earthen walls. Clear the Yao Beast corpses and harvest any usable Materials. For the unusable parts, burn and bury them deep away from the water source! Prevent any epidemics!”

“The rest of you, divide into small teams to search for survivors and extinguish all fires!”

He issued the instructions clearly one by one, quickly stabilizing the chaotic situation.

Li Qingfeng stood by and watched quietly, occasionally scanning the surroundings with his sharp gaze and spreading his Divine Sense to ensure no straggling Yao Beasts were lurking. Although no string was formed on the cloud-splitting bow embryo in his hand, its invisible deterrent made everyone feel at ease.

Soon, the remaining beasts were completely purged, the wounded were given initial care, and the chaotic order was gradually restored.

“Senior Brother Li, you’ve worked hard. Please come with me to the Town Guardian Residence to rest for a moment.”

After handling the emergency affairs, Zhao Tianbao turned to Li Qingfeng with sincere gratitude and a hint of hard-to-detect fatigue, making a gesture of invitation.

“After you,” Li Qingfeng replied with a polite bow.

The Town Guardian Residence of Qingshui Town appeared much grander and more lively than the one Li Qingfeng had just built in the New Town.

The two took their seats in the slightly opulent hall, and a servant served hot tea.

“If not for Senior Brother Li’s peerless archery and timely reinforcement, the thousands of people in my Qingshui Town would likely have suffered a total catastrophe! On behalf of all the people in the town, Tianbao thanks Senior Brother for this kindness!”

Zhao Tianbao raised his teacup and solemnly toasted Li Qingfeng.

Li Qingfeng also raised his teacup in return:

“Junior Brother Zhao, you overstate it. Fellow disciples looking out for each other is only natural. Besides, if the beast tide had succeeded, it would have been a case of 'if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold'; my New Town would not have been spared either.”