Chapter 59: Luck Overdrawn
The evolution of life was the most primitive desire of every living being. For low-ranked Ferocious Beasts without intelligence, whether it was to satisfy their instincts or to gain strength to survive better in the wilderness, none would willingly give up the opportunity before them.
Under normal circumstances, when low-ranked Ferocious Beasts faced the oppressive aura of high-ranked ones, they had only two choices — submission or fleeing for their lives.
However, the moment a high-ranked Ferocious Beast revealed even a trace of weakness, those low-ranked beasts would be driven by instinct to seize the chance and devour its flesh and blood, thereby obtaining a chance for advancement.
In the wilderness, hunts and counter-hunts were constantly being played out. The law of the jungle — survival of the fittest — was vividly demonstrated in every instant.
After more than two days of waiting, the Ferocious Beasts surrounding the Wyvern had already reached their limit. Under Zhou Ming’s deliberate provocation, they finally overcame their fear of the Wyvern.
The first to move was a Blood Leopard over three meters long. Its claws, capable of tearing through steel, carried a special toxin that made wounds bleed endlessly, impossible to heal.
As the Blood Leopard lunged at the Wyvern, the Corrosive Giant Python immediately followed. As the overlord among low-ranked Ferocious Beasts, it was even more eager to take another step forward.
The Green-furred Spider, with a body as large as a millstone, was famous for its sharp legs and the poisonous hairs that covered it. At this moment, aided by its eight legs, its speed even surpassed the Corrosive Giant Python.
With these three strongest low-ranked beasts taking action, the others lost what remained of their sanity and rushed forward together, eager to devour the Wyvern’s flesh and blood.
“Roar——”
Seeing the creatures that once served as its food daring to rebel against it, the Wyvern raised its fallen dragon head and let out a threatening roar.
Unfortunately, their hunger for flesh had already surpassed their fear. That roar, perhaps, was merely another kind of wail.
Within just a few breaths, the beasts swarmed onto the Wyvern, ready to begin their bloody feast.
“Bang.”
A sharp sound tore through the air as the Wyvern’s tail whipped out, smashing a Six-legged Venom Wolf into pieces. Blood rained down from the sky.
Yet the sight of fresh blood did not frighten the others. On the contrary, their eyes seemed filled with bloodlust, driving them into even greater madness.
“Roar!”
Seeing their reaction, the Wyvern let out another furious roar and immediately unleashed its killing move — Corrosive Dragon Breath.
“Woo…”
The Corrosive Dragon Breath was a venomous energy attack. Apart from a few that managed to dodge, the rest were either killed instantly or fell to the ground severely injured, letting out low groans.
Two seconds.
In just two short seconds, the gravely wounded Wyvern annihilated several beasts, but in doing so also exposed its own weakness.
The duration of its Dragon Breath was far too brief — only two seconds. Without being extremely weakened, how could it have been so short?
Though low-ranked beasts lacked intelligence, they could still sense strength and weakness. Seeing that the Wyvern’s threat was nearly gone, they once again pounced, tearing at its flesh and blood.
The Wyvern could only rely on its tail and jaws to barely fend them off, unable to muster another Dragon Breath.
“Roar! Roar——”
As the first bite of the Wyvern’s flesh was torn away, the beasts grew even more frenzied, as though injected with stimulants.
From a distance, Zhou Ming and Scorpion-Lion watched the scene like spectators in a grand arena, witnessing this rare spectacle.
The Corrosive Giant Python constricted and spewed venom.
The Blood Leopard darted with illusory shadows, its claws flashing cold light.
The Green-furred Spider’s drifting hairs, filled with neurotoxin, inflicted unbearable pain on the Wyvern.
Even under such relentless attacks, the Wyvern held out for more than ten minutes before it finally collapsed, its eyes closing in unwillingness.
After the Wyvern’s death, the remaining beasts once again turned on one another. There could only be one victor today.
“Hiss——”
As the battlefield lay strewn with corpses, the green mist in the air tinged with scarlet, the final victor — the Corrosive Giant Python — let out a sharp hiss. It was the victor’s declaration.
“Your turn to act.”
Watching the Corrosive Giant Python preparing to claim its spoils, Zhou Ming turned to Scorpion-Lion.
“Swish.”
Before Zhou Ming finished speaking, the Scorpion-tailed Lion leaped out, cutting through the air with a sharp whistle — clearly even more eager than Zhou Ming himself.
Under Scorpion-Lion’s control, the Scorpion-tailed Lion did not engage the wounded Corrosive Giant Python head-on. Instead, it dodged the python’s strike and, in a fluid motion, drove its tail straight into the serpent’s body.
One hit — fatal. The Scorpion-tailed Lion immediately retreated, while Zhou Ming and Scorpion-Lion stepped forward to claim their spoils.
The venom from the Scorpion-tailed Lion’s tail was its deadliest weapon. Once injected, even the heavily injured Corrosive Giant Python could only wait for death.
“Clang.”
Zhou Ming drew out a battle knife.
“This loot box — I’ll open it.”
He was full of confidence in his own luck.
Scorpion-Lion, though unfamiliar with the term “loot box,” understood Zhou Ming’s intent. He too hoped to obtain the Dragon Crystal through Zhou Ming’s supposed good fortune.
Ignoring the corpses scattered around, Zhou Ming approached the Wyvern’s massive head.
He wasn’t arrogant enough to think he could split it open, so instead he carefully extracted its intact eyeball and slipped his right hand through the empty socket.
The deeper he reached, the colder his heart became. The chill spread through him until he could hardly believe his luck had turned so sour.
Had he overdrawn it in advance?
The thought struck him — and filled his heart at once.
Unwilling to give up, Zhou Ming withdrew his bloodstained right hand and directed Inkband to burrow into the Wyvern’s skull. Yet before long, despair consumed him completely.
“Seems I shouldn’t have trusted you so much.”
Hearing the thick sarcasm in Scorpion-Lion’s voice, Zhou Ming’s expression darkened.
“There wasn’t a Dragon Crystal to begin with! What, you think you could find one if you went yourself? It’s your bad luck for finding a Wyvern without one — made me celebrate for nothing.”
“I won’t even ask for extra compensation. Forget the Wyvern’s materials — just give me a low-tier Meditation Technique.”
Shifting the blame and pretending generosity, he abandoned materials he couldn’t possibly carry and instead asked for a low-tier Meditation Technique. Zhou Ming’s cunning knew no bounds.
Scorpion-Lion merely rolled his eyes at Zhou Ming’s shamelessness.
“Low-tier Meditation Technique — White Bone Contemplation. I obtained it during my travels. It originated from Beast Tamers centuries ago, based on the ascetic practices of ancient monks before the Doomsday Era.”
“Do you want it or not? It’s the only Meditation Technique I can personally offer — you’re the one who failed to find the Dragon Crystal.”
The wealthy were indeed different.
Without arguing, Scorpion-Lion took out an old scroll, gave a brief explanation, and pushed the responsibility back to Zhou Ming.
“Of course I want it! From now on, you’re my dearest friend and family!”
Snatching the scroll recording the Meditation Technique, Zhou Ming’s previously gloomy face lit up instantly.
Scorpion-Lion ignored his gratitude and stepped up to the Wyvern’s corpse. With a casual wave of his hand, the Wyvern, Blood Leopard, Green-furred Spider, and Corrosive Giant Python all vanished.
“Spatial Storage Equipment…”
Zhou Ming’s voice trembled with shock at the sight.