Chapter 171 - 123: A Brutal Battle! Only 10 Survivors? Moving the Blood-tooth Python’s Corpse

Chapter 171: Chapter 123: A Brutal Battle! Only 10 Survivors? Moving the Blood-tooth Python’s Corpse

Night had fallen, but fortunately, the moonlight in this new world was far brighter than in their old one. It shone down into the Primitive Jungle, keeping them from being plunged into total darkness.

In the faint moonlight, the group could make out the scene before them.

Several bodies lay on the ground.

It was a gruesome mix of blood and torn flesh, which had oxidized to a dark, crusted red over time.

Most of the flesh and limbs had been partially devoured by the jungle’s carnivores.

Just as they arrived, they even saw a few small, rat-like animals scurrying over the corpses before quickly vanishing back into the darkness...

"These are people from the school, no doubt about it. And they’ve been dead for over a day. If I’m not mistaken, they were probably the first ones killed by the Blood-tooth Python."

"Since people died here, it means we’re not too far off. The exit we came out of must still be within the Celestial Pit’s range."

"Brother Chong, I smell so much blood and rotting flesh... it makes me feel..."

As Xu Jun spoke, his face paled, and he nearly threw up on the spot.

He hastily stopped using his ability.

His tracking ability gave him a sense of smell like a wild beast, but his tolerance for odors was still human. He simply couldn’t stand such strong scents that induced a visceral, nauseating reaction.

Chen Chong patted Xu Jun’s back and waited until he’d recovered a bit before asking, "Feeling better?"

"Much better, Brother Chong." Xu Jun took a few deep, ragged breaths before continuing, "Besides those awful smells, I also caught the scent of living people. If I’m right, there should still be others in this area."

Just then, a bark echoed from a distance.

BARK—

Immediately after, the Lion-headed Goose, which had been quiet until now, responded in kind.

HONK—

BARK BARK—

Soon, following a rustling sound, a hound with black and gold fur, the size of an extra-large dog, ran out from the darkness.

The moment it saw Chen Chong, it immediately leaped toward him.

It was the Tiger Striped Dog!

"You guys are still here?"

Chen Chong stroked the Tiger Striped Dog, a wide smile on his face.

The Lion-headed Goose also leaned affectionately against the Tiger Striped Dog. The dog and the goose got along splendidly.

The Tiger Striped Dog spun in circles, constantly rubbing against and licking Chen Chong to express its excitement.

As for the appearance of the stranger, Qi Zhen, it merely gave him a sniff before paying him no more mind.

Instead, it was the Blade-Limbed Assassin Insect hiding in the shadows that piqued the Tiger Striped Dog’s interest. After finding it, the dog started pawing at it, trying to figure out what this thing was.

At first, the Blade-Limbed Assassin Insect was extremely wary, revealing several of its sharp, blade-like limbs as if ready to attack at any moment.

If Chen Chong hadn’t stopped it in time, it probably would have slashed at the dog.

Don’t be fooled by the Blade-Limbed Assassin Insect’s small size; it was a genuine A-Level Extraordinary Creature. If it really fought the Tiger Striped Dog...

There’d be a new grave to dig outside the school the next day.

With a signal from Chen Chong, the Blade-Limbed Assassin Insect understood that the Tiger Striped Dog was not an enemy and that it shouldn’t be harmed.

Although the Tiger Striped Dog remained very interested, sniffing it nonstop, the insect just hid in the shadow at Chen Chong’s feet and ignored it.

Taking advantage of this moment, Chen Chong curiously used his Identification Skill on the Tiger Striped Dog.

He wanted to see the Tiger Striped Dog’s specific information...

[Name: Beast]

[Type: Extraordinary Creature]

[Rating: B-]

[Abilities: Steel Bristles, Vicious Bite]

[Description: An Acquired Extraordinary Creature that evolved by devouring the flesh and blood of other Extraordinary Creatures. It is currently rather weak, but it possesses an excellent latent bloodline far superior to its peers, making it highly valuable to cultivate.]

Steel Bristles and Vicious Bite were both C-Class skills. The former hardened its fur to increase defense, while the latter boosted its strength during a bite to increase damage.

’It fits the Tiger Striped Dog’s characteristics well.’

On a whim, Chen Chong then looked at the Lion-headed Goose.

He had forgotten about it back in the Underground Cave.

He was very curious why the Lion-headed Goose could make the Bloodthirsty Vine’s offshoots retreat, and he wondered if the Identification Skill could reveal the reason...

[Name: Fowl]

[Type: Extraordinary Creature]

[Rating: B-]

[Ability: Offshoot Control (Incomplete)]

[Description: An avian creature with a very special bloodline. It became an Acquired Extraordinary Creature by devouring the power core of an Extraordinary Creature. Although its strength is low, it unexpectedly acquired a portion of its target’s abilities. This has an extremely low probability of occurring during the evolution of Extraordinary Creatures. However, should it happen, if the creature can completely devour the target, it has a high chance of inheriting the ability in its entirety.]

Huh?

Seeing the Lion-headed Goose’s identification information, Chen Chong was stunned.

’It acquired... a portion of its target’s abilities?’

’Offshoot Control?’

’Derived from the Bloodthirsty Vine King’s ability to control its offshoot vines?’

’No wonder the Bloodthirsty Vines acted so erratically after the Lion-headed Goose appeared, trying to attack and retreat at the same time.’

’So it wasn’t that they were afraid of the Lion-headed Goose. The goose was fighting the Bloodthirsty Vine King for control of the vines?’

’This development...’

Chen Chong took a long moment to process this, and could only utter a single word: "Amazing."

He had a guess as to why the Lion-headed Goose managed to unexpectedly obtain the Bloodthirsty Vine King’s power.

’It’s most likely because of the Vine Core.’

’As the part that stored most of the power and was the very center of the offshoots, the Lion-headed Goose swallowing it was probably the reason it accidentally gained the ability.’

’But the Tiger Striped Dog ate some too, so why didn’t it get the ability?’

’Did the Lion-headed Goose just eat more of it?’

’Or is it just a matter of probability?’

’If the Lion-headed Goose really does inherit this ability in the future, how would it even use it?’