77: Chapter 77 Decisive Decisions in a Desperate Situation
Chapter Seventy-Seven: Decision in Desperation
"Jie jie jie... Run, why aren't you running anymore?"
Ghost Hand's raspy and triumphant sneer echoed through the deathly silent Desolate Ruins, sounding particularly piercing.
I could feel that he was enjoying himself.
Enjoying the pleasure of driving us, the two "prey" who had repeatedly made him suffer setbacks, into a corner step by step.
Lin Qingzhi leaned against the cold rock, panting heavily, trying to gather the last sliver of Ice Phoenix True Essence in her body. But that curse-like power, sticking to her like maggots on a bone, made every effort futile and instead worsened her injuries.
For the first time, a flicker of true despair, known as "powerlessness," appeared in her eyes.
As for me, I shielded her firmly behind me.
Pushing my Demonic Power to the limit, my compound eyes flashing with an eerie purple light stared fixedly at the approaching grim reaper, while my brain worked frantically at an unprecedented speed.
What should I do?
Fight head-on? That would be like throwing an egg against a rock.
Flee? In this unfamiliar Death Plane, where could we even run to?
Toxin? My [Advanced Hallucinogenic Toxin] would likely have its effectiveness greatly reduced against a Mid-stage Demon Rank expert with such a resilient will. Once used, there would be no more chance for a reversal.
All paths were blocked.
Was I really going to fall in this godforsaken place?
No!
In my, Mo Wen's, dictionary, the word "give up" has never existed!
As long as I'm not dead, there's bound to be a chance for a comeback!
"Little Bug, your gaze is quite good."
Ghost Hand seemed to have noticed my undisguised killing intent, stopping his steps and looking at me with great interest.
"To be able to maintain such fighting spirit before this seat, you are the first."
"A pity..." He changed his tone, his voice full of pity, "No matter how strong the fighting spirit, it cannot bridge the gap in strength. Today, there is only one end for you."
"—Death!"
He suddenly raised his hand, and a giant Ghost Claw composed of pure deathly Demonic Power condensed once again!
Looking at that Ghost Claw that had once driven us to desperation, instead of fear, an unprecedented madness welled up in my heart!
This is the last chance.
Either be crushed in silence.
Or, use all our trump cards to gamble for that one-in-a-ten-thousand... chance of survival!
"Lin Qingzhi!"
I whipped my head back, using all my will to convey my final and most insane plan to the girl who was nearly at her limit.
"Give me your power!"
Lin Qingzhi's somewhat unfocused phoenix eyes suddenly sharpened.
"What... are you going to do?"
"I'm going to swallow you!" My intent was filled with an unquestionable resolve. "Give me your most fundamental essence blood, the one containing the Ice Phoenix Divine Power! Only then can I complete the final transformation in the shortest time and have the power to... fight him!"
This was a gamble to the extreme!
I knew better than anyone how overbearing the energy within the Ice Phoenix Divine Blood was.
In the past, just absorbing one or two drops nearly froze me solid with that chill.
And now, what I wanted was her most fundamental essence blood, enough to make her perish on the spot... her Origin Essence Blood!
I didn't know if my body could withstand that world-destroying energy.
I didn't know what I would evolve into after devouring it.
I only knew that this was our... only way out!
"No!" Lin Qingzhi refused flatly without a second thought. "You'll explode and die! And I will certainly die as well!"
"If we don't do this, we'll die anyway!" I roared, my will slamming into her soul. "Trust me! Just as I trust you! We, sovereign and subject, have never believed in fate!"
Lin Qingzhi's body jerked violently.
She looked at me, and from my compound eyes flashing with eerie purple light, she saw a light she was extremely familiar with—the light of "madness" and "confidence."
It was the light of a gambler.
And also... the light of a ruler.
"Interesting little things, are you discussing your last words?"
Ghost Hand lost his patience. He sneered, the Ghost Claw in his palm becoming increasingly solid, emitting a heart-palpitating aura of death.
"Then, let this seat send you on your way!"
He swung his hand violently, and that pitch-black Ghost Claw whistled through the air with a momentum that could tear everything apart!
"Fine!"
Just as the Ghost Claw was about to reach them, Lin Qingzhi made the most insane decision of her life.
"I shall... gamble with you one more time!"
In her dimmed phoenix eyes, two clusters of brilliant, resolute golden flames were rekindled!
She bit the tip of her tongue and, regardless of the cost, began to burn her already meager Soul Origin!
Then, she reached out her paper-white jade hand, stained with her own golden blood, and with an unquestionable supreme majesty, pressed it firmly onto... the top of my head!