92: Fetch your fetch

“Hah—!”

Accompanied by a threatening growl, the small, multi-colored Hachikō before him arched its back high, immediately activating its Spined Dragon Form.

“Human, I originally did not wish to trouble you,”

“But you dared to provoke the great White Tiger Tribe!”

“Today, I shall let you experience my methods!”

Zhou Yan was startled.

Why did this Damned Cat suddenly want to fight?

Are Hachikōs all this emotionally unstable?

Focusing his gaze, he saw the five-colored, mottled kitten's Aura suddenly surge. Faint air currents seemed to swirl around its body—a manifestation of condensed Magical Power. The opponent was in the Foundation Establishment Stage.

Sure enough, the opponent's panel had also updated.

[Yuan Chenling]

[Rank: Foundation Establishment Mid-Stage]

[hp: 11000/11000]

[Mana Value: 8000/8000]

“Hah—!”

Yuan Chenling, the Hachikō, let out a short, sharp cry, leaping up and transforming into a blurred, multi-colored shadow, rushing straight for Zhou Yan's face.

Its speed was not fast, even somewhat sluggish, leading Zhou Yan to subconsciously believe this was merely a feint, with a more ferocious follow-up move certainly hidden behind it.

He stared intently at the pouncing figure, his mind highly focused. Seeing the opponent already close yet still not changing its move, a bead of cold sweat involuntarily formed on his temple.

He couldn't wait any longer! Since he couldn't see through it, he would meet all changes with no change.

Anyway, he could still increase the Flow Rate to boost his reaction speed, so he shouldn't fear a sudden attack.

With his thoughts racing, Zhou Yan no longer hesitated. He twisted his body sideways and delivered a fierce side kick, sweeping toward Yuan Chenling in the air, accompanied by the sound of rushing wind.

Just as the wind from his kick was about to touch the furry body, Zhou Yan keenly caught a strange glint passing through the opponent's eyes.

Is it going to use its real move?

His heart tightened.

“Meow—!”

However, the expected counterattack did not materialize.

Yuan Chenling merely let out a miserable wail, then flew backward like a kite with a broken string, or a discarded rag, collapsing limply and crashing heavily onto the ground several zhang away, motionless.

That's it?

Zhou Yan was stunned, finding it hard to believe.

Could it be feigning death, trying to lure me closer?

With a slight shift of his thoughts, Zhou Yan brought up the Status Panel.

Yuan Chenling's health bar had indeed been reduced by a small segment, but it was far from a serious injury; at most, it was just in pain.

If the System hadn't encountered another bug, then this fellow was certainly fine.

To be safe, Zhou Yan unhesitatingly summoned the radiant golden bow again.

As the bowstring vibrated, a glittering Silver Bullet shot out, aimed directly at the vital spot between the hind legs of the collapsed Yuan Chenling!

“Aiya! Aiya!!”

Just as the Silver Bullet was about to hit, Yuan Chenling, who had seemed unconscious, actually rolled and dodged with astonishing speed.

Although it failed to avoid the attack completely, it narrowly managed to use the thick flesh of its backside to absorb the blow, saving its crucial parts.

Zhou Yan sneered inwardly.

With this move coming out, don't talk about being knocked out; even if you turned into a Zombie, you'd have to dodge.

Yuan Chenling scrambled back up, looking slightly disheveled, and glanced at Zhou Yan with a complicated expression, looking quite awkward.

Clearly, the previous Gut Kick and the Silver Bullet that almost landed just now had left a deep shadow in its heart.

“Human, your strength... is acceptable.” It shook its head, forcing itself to sound composed.

“Among the Human Race I have encountered, your Physical Body strength is outstanding.”

It paused, then its tone suddenly sharpened, carrying a hint of blustering threat.

“But I advise you not to court disaster! If you dare take another half-step forward, you will surely trigger the Dao Rhyme around my body, causing Spiritual Pressure to erupt and instantly crush your Dao Foundation—retreat quickly!”

Seeing its outwardly fierce but inwardly weak demeanor, Zhou Yan felt playful and deliberately stepped forward.

“Stop!”

Yuan Chenling's voice suddenly rose, carrying a trace of imperceptible panic.

“I warned you! The Dao Rhyme is formed, Spiritual Pressure is coming—retreat!”

By conventional logic, Zhou Yan should have continued to approach and properly tease this blustering Hachikō.

The premise was that it truly was just bluffing.

Because just as he was preparing to take another step, he habitually glanced at both parties' panels, and it was then that Zhou Yan's peripheral vision caught a line of small text in the Status Bar.

[Zhou Yan]

[Abnormal Status: Roar (Slightly affects mood 01:55)]

When did I get hit?

Zhou Yan's heart tightened, and he immediately reined in his playful attitude.

He unhesitatingly used an Abnormal Status Cleansing Pill.

A cool sensation flowed through his body, his complicated emotions instantly calmed, and his vigilance spiked. He quickly retreated several steps, re-examining the enemy opposite him.

At this moment, where was the slightest trace of Yuan Chenling's previous goofy, flustered appearance?

It squatted on the ground, its eyes sharp and its demeanor solemn. Around its body, a faint, almost imperceptible Dao Rhyme truly seemed to flow.

“Fellow Daoist has excellent methods.”

Zhou Yan cupped his hands, now treating the enemy before him seriously.

“Seemingly fierce but inwardly weak, yet actually insidious and cunning. I almost fell for your trick.”

“Hahaha.”

Yuan Chenling gave a few dry laughs, forcing out a human-like expression.

“Fellow Daoist overpraises me.”

“The fact that you could see through and neutralize my Divine Ability in such a short time is what truly earns This Tiger's respect.”

“Since that is the case...” Zhou Yan tentatively began.

“Then why don't we...” Yuan Chenling spoke almost simultaneously.

The man and the cat looked at each other and said in unison.

“Stop here, and we both go our separate ways?”

“Good! Fellow Daoist, please proceed!”

Both parties quickly reached a consensus and, with great understanding, simultaneously turned around, preparing to leave this troubled area.

However, the moment they turned their bodies, their backs facing each other, a fierce glint flashed in both pairs of eyes (man and cat), and they spun back around violently!

Damn! I knew this human wasn't up to any good!

Damn! I knew you, Old Six, had ill intentions!

Zhou Yan rapidly waved his right hand. Five crimson Feathers, condensed from pure Magical Power, shot toward Yuan Chenling like arrows released from a bowstring, carrying a sharp sound of tearing air.

“Roar—!”

Yuan Chenling let out a deafening roar. The Sound Waves spread out like tangible ripples, instantly shattering the five Feathers.

However, the shattered Feathers did not dissipate; instead, they transformed into a cloud of light red smoke and continued to envelop it.

As the smoke touched its body, Yuan Chenling instantly felt a numbness spread through it, and its movements became sluggish.

[Feather Kill (Rank 2)]: Causes a significant paralysis effect upon hit. The strength of the effect depends on the target's Rank.

What a great opportunity!

How could Zhou Yan miss such a golden opportunity?

Golden light erupted from his eyes. A Control Skill was ready to be unleashed, prepared to follow up the paralysis effect and form a continuous control chain.

At the same time, the golden bow in his hand, boosted by Time Acceleration, had already become a blur, and Consecutive Silver Bullets poured out like a violent storm!

“Roar—!”

Just as the control effect from the Golden Eyes was about to hit Yuan Chenling, the fellow actually forced itself to endure the paralysis and abruptly opened its large mouth.

A strange and powerful Suction Force instantly descended. Zhou Yan felt his vision blur, and the surrounding scenery rapidly changed and distorted!

When he stabilized his mind and looked closely, he found himself in an extremely bizarre space.

All around him were huge, faintly glowing teeth. Under his feet was a slightly trembling pink fleshy wall, and the air was filled with an indescribable, peculiar musky odor belonging to a feline.

He had actually been swallowed whole by this Hachikō... into its mouth?

“Hahaha!”

“You fell for it, kid!”

Yuan Chenling's triumphant voice echoed like muffled thunder within the confined space.

“No one in the same Rank can rival this Divine Ability of mine! It truly is a guaranteed hit against you inexperienced youngsters!”

“Damn it! I fell for this Damned Cat's trick!”

Surrounded by this slimy, warm environment, Zhou Yan felt a wave of nausea.

“I can't believe I Transmigrated only to still encounter a Grab Skill? Who researched this Divine Ability? It's so wicked!”

Now Zhou Yan could understand the meaning of 'heroes of the world are as numerous as the carp crossing the river.'

Those who venture out into the world truly have a few unique tricks up their sleeves.

“Hmph! How can a mere Mortal understand the methods of a White Tiger Tribe Prodigy?”

“I have traveled alone across the West River and Southern Desert. Have you?”

“I have survived nine deaths and one life. Have you ever died?”

“I have faced the Spiritual Pressure of a Great Power, feeling my bones crack. Have you ever been suppressed?”

“You need brains to navigate the Cultivation World.”

“The language of Loose Cultivators is unreasonable.”

Only now did Zhou Yan realize that this Hachikō was not only insidious but also a Chatterbox.

That aloof appearance just now was probably an act; this stream of sassy talk was its true nature.

“You claim you are a White Tiger?”

Zhou Yan mocked it while secretly pondering a way to escape.

“But looking at you, you're neither white nor a tiger; you're fundamentally not a White Tiger!”

This remark seemed to instantly hit Yuan Chenling's sore spot. Like having its tail stepped on, its voice suddenly rose, filled with exasperation.

“Bullshit! I am a White Tiger!”

“My multi-colored fur is the result of Bloodline mutation, a symbol of greater strength and nobility!”

“You ignorant Hairless Monkey, do you understand what a White Tiger is?”

“Have you ever seen a real White Tiger?”

“You just spout nonsense, don't you? Go f*ck yourself!”

Faced with Yuan Chenling's exasperated insults, Zhou Yan felt no inner turmoil; he even felt like laughing a little.

This level of profanity was gentle, like playful whining, compared to a certain online battlefield in his memory where protecting one's parents was a problem.

However, he had no intention of staying inside this cat's mouth any longer.

Although a special force here formed a Spherical Protective Membrane, saving him from the predicament of being soaked directly in saliva.

But Zhou Yan really couldn't compliment the smell of a feline's oral cavity—it was terribly, terribly stinky.

“The game of make-believe ends here.”

Zhou Yan's voice regained its calm; he had already found a solution at this point.

“I was waiting for a skill. What about you? What are you waiting for?”

Hearing this, Yuan Chenling's heart sank slightly. Did this guy have a hidden move?

Impossible!

No Cultivator of the same Rank captured by its Divine Ability had ever been able to break free using their own strength!

“Kid, you're still talking tough even now. Just stay put obediently inside.”

“If you could get out, you would have done so already! This is just a cornered beast fighting back, merely seeking momentary satisfaction with words!”

The corner of Zhou Yan's mouth curved into a meaningful smile.

“Is that so?”

“Then come play a few rounds with me!”

“Ah, what!”

Yuan Chenling felt with horror an indescribable, irresistible Rule Power suddenly descend, forcibly enveloping its consciousness!

“A Great Master once said, you must fight magic with magic.”

When Yuan Chenling heard this sentence clearly again, it found itself no longer in its original spot, but sitting upright on a smooth wooden stump.

Before its eyes was a gigantic, lustrous, and translucent Jade Go Board. The board was dazzling with light and color, surrounded by an profound Aura that it could not understand at all.

Zhou Yan opposite him had become incredibly tall, like a towering mountain. Looking up from below, his face was shrouded in a hazy halo, and only his eyes, shining like two blazing golden suns, were dazzling, making it impossible to look directly at him.

Zhou Yan, appearing like a Deity, held a White Jade Go Piece as large as a millstone and, with supreme majesty, slowly pressed it down onto the board.

That posture was exactly like an Immortal placing a piece!

Seeing this unimaginable scene, the Hachikō, who had just been smug and self-proclaimed a Prodigy,

now had pupils contracted into thin slits, its mouth wide open, and all the fur on its body standing on end.

“Maru-nara...” it muttered, its voice filled with despair. “This Tiger is truly going to fall today...”