The fur of the black-toothed rat could not pose any obstacle to the energy weapon in Jia Tao's hands. Soon, the adult black-toothed rat was dismembered into dozens of pieces of meat of different sizes.
The special effect of Jia Tao's energy weapon was obviously a high-temperature grilling effect. Therefore, the cut of the meat was charred black without a single drop of blood.
The air was filled with the smell of barbecue.
Qi Yuan's nose twitched slightly. He suddenly missed the barbecue of the past!
Jia Tao dispersed the energy weapon and used his mechanical arm to pick up a few pieces of meat the size of a skull. He scattered them into the swamp, splashing a large amount of mud.
The impact of the throw tore the incision of the high-temperature grilling. Streams of blood flowed out of the charred gaps and spread rapidly into the swamp.
The swamp came alive again.
One by one, the swamp crocodiles that were hiding in the mud smelled the smell of fresh blood. They quickly approached the pieces of black-toothed rat's meat and swallowed them into their stomachs.
The swamp crocodiles were obviously not wary of the food that fell into the swamp. The few pieces of meat that were thrown out were quickly devoured by the swamp crocodiles. Two of the swamp crocodiles even fought over the food.
After waiting for two minutes, when the swamp became quiet, Jia Tao threw a few pieces of black-toothed rat's meat into the swamp again.
This time, the swamp crocodiles' reaction was obviously much slower. After a while, the swamp crocodiles swam over from the deeper parts of the swamp and swallowed the food that fell into the swamp mud.
After throwing out three batches of meat, Nie Xiu signaled Jia Tao to stop.
Nie Xiu took out the bug beast detector and started observing again. The blue light spots in the center of the screen seemed to be empty. Only four blue and one green light spot were still flashing in the center.
"The effect of the VCP-II biological medicine is not bad!
No wonder it's a product of the biological and mechanical laboratory. "Nie Xiu smiled slightly.
"The swamp crocodiles nearby are all dead. Let's continue to go deeper!"
Jia Tao threw the rest of the meat back into the bag without saying a word. After all, the mud was not the sea. The smell of fresh blood could not attract the swamp crocodiles that were further away. If he wanted to poison them to death, he would have to go deeper and continue to poison them.
Nie Xiu walked to the edge of the swamp and squatted down. He placed his palms on the ground, and the originally thick and turbid swamp mud slowly squirmed as if it had a life of its own. From where Nie Xiu squatted down, a nearly one-foot wide dirt path floated on the surface of the swamp, extending all the way to an isolated swamp island dozens of meters away.
"Earth or water control in the elemental domain?"
Qi Yuan gave Nie Xiu a deep look. This was at least a Tier 2 Elemental Domain ability.
Although a level one Elemental Domain ability was of little value, as the level of the ability increased, Elemental Domain ability users would also rapidly become stronger. They wouldn't be weaker than Combat Domain ability users at all.
Their defenses might be slightly inferior, but their attacks were more powerful and varied.
Some Tier 2 Elemental Domain abilities already had extraordinary combat power.
In some special places, Elemental Domain ability users could play a role that was enough to turn the tide of a battle, overturning victory and defeat.
It only took Nie Xiu a minute to create a black dirt path that was about one foot wide and nearly twenty meters long in the swamp, connecting the island in the swamp to the ground below.
Nie Xiu stood up and reminded them:
"The carrying capacity of this path is limited. Moreover, the swamp crocodiles can sense a certain level of vibration. We'll walk over one by one. When we walk over, keep your footsteps light. If you accidentally fall into the swamp, don't struggle violently. Quietly wait for the others to come and rescue you."
With that, Nie Xiu took the lead and stepped onto the dirt path that he had personally created. Sun Ye and the Snake Ghost followed closely behind, followed by Jia Tao who was carrying the snakeskin bag, and finally Qi Yuan who was carrying the Death Harvest.
Qi Yuan stepped on the dirt path, leaving shallow footprints. Although the dirt path wasn't as solid as the ground, it was enough to bear the weight of him and Death Harvest.
After all five of them set foot on the island, Nie Xiu bypassed the black thorns all over the ground and walked to the other side of the island. Once again, he used the same trick, using a dirt path to connect to the isolated island in the depths of the swamp.
Qi Yuan slowly followed behind the team and found that as the team went deeper, the dirt path they had walked before slowly merged into the mud again. This meant that if they wanted to go back, they would have to rely on Nie Xiu's ability. Otherwise, they would all be trapped in the swamp.
What do they want to do in the depths of the swamp?
Qi Yuan was on guard against the sneak attack of the swamp crocodiles while thinking about the purpose of Nie Xiu and the others.
Their purpose was definitely not to clear out the insects in the swamp!
Otherwise, when they saw the dense blue light spots on the insect detector, they should have given up this mission instead of continuing to go deeper, let alone inviting him to join them.
Therefore, they must have other purposes for going deep into the swamp!
What Nie Xiu and the others want to do is not important to me, because it definitely won't conflict with my purpose of signing in.
Nie Xiu's ability is still a bit useful in preventing them from turning hostile in advance.
Moreover, the four of them working together is enough to threaten me. Jia Tao's mechanical arm can condense energy weapons, and it might be able to break through my steel defense.
But it's not like I don't have a chance. The Annihilation Warhead, together with the armor-piercing bullets, and the powerful power of the Butcher, is enough to deal with a second-order Extraordinaire.
In their eyes, I'm just a first-order Extraordinaire, and most of my strength is in this Death Reaper in my hands.
If they judge my strength based on this and attack me, as long as they can't kill me in one shot, I can instantly turn the tables!
If it wasn't for the fact that he was worried that the disappearance of this checkpoint would affect the acquisition of the second-order pass, the safest choice would definitely be to leave first and come back when he had enough confidence. However, the warning in the dark made Qi Yuan have no choice but to take the risk and join forces with the other party.
After going two hundred meters into the swamp, Nie Xiu suddenly stopped. He used the insect detector to observe the surrounding insects and pointed in a few directions, indicating for Jia Tao to continue feeding the black-toothed rats.
Dong!
Dong!
Pieces of charred flesh were thrown into the depths of the swamp. The vibration of the mud and the scattering blood attracted the attention of the surrounding Swamp Crocodiles. As the mud in the depths of the swamp continued to churn, the thrown black-toothed rat meat was once again swallowed by the Swamp Crocodiles.
After Jia Tao threw out several waves of black-toothed rat meat, Nie Xiu took out the insect detector again and observed it, then nodded.
"The surrounding Swamp Crocodiles have no signs of life. Let's continue forward."
Nie Xiu touched the ground with both hands again and began to condense a dirt path, extending deeper into the swamp.
After Jia Tao threw out more than half of the black-toothed rat meat, they finally arrived at the center of the swamp.
In the center of the swamp, less than a hundred meters away from them, there was a piece of solid ground that was as big as Blackstone Town. It was covered with black thorns, and there were a few scattered black twisted trees. A few plump greenish-black vines were wrapped around the twisted trees like pythons. The palm-sized leaves swayed gently as if they were welcoming the arrival of the group.
The check-in point was in the center of this small island, and it was under the ground!
However, Qi Yuan didn't approach rashly. He was keenly aware of a trace of danger from these strange plants.
The black thorns here were somewhat different from the ones outside. The sharp ends of the thorns were no longer pitch-black, but had a hint of dark red color, as if they were full of blood.
Nie Xiu used his body as a cover and quietly activated the insect detector in a position where Qi Yuan couldn't see. After seeing the information displayed on the screen, Nie Xiu's eyes flashed with a touch of excitement, but it quickly returned to calmness.
Putting away the insect detector, Nie Xiu lowered his voice and said, "The surrounding Swamp Crocodiles have all been cleaned up. There are only a few rank 2 insect beasts hiding on this island. As long as we clean them all up, our mission will be considered complete."
"After landing on the opposite island, the two of you pay attention and be careful of insect beasts' sneak attacks.
Sun Ye and Snake Ghost looked at each other and nodded at the same time.
"You walk at the front and use your energy blade to cut off the thorns blocking the way and open a path to the center of the island."
Jia Tao also nodded nervously and waved his thick mechanical arm at the same time, indicating that he was ready.
Nie Xiu took one last look at Qi Yuan and said in a low voice, "The insect beasts on this island won't be weaker than the Swamp Crocodiles. You walk at the back and be alert. If you find a target, you can shoot directly!"
Qi Yuan looked at the Death Reaper in his hand and lowered his eyelids, making it impossible to see the expression on his face.
"No problem!"
Nie Xiu patted Qi Yuan's shoulder and said with a smile, "Relax, don't be so nervous. After completing this mission, we'll be friends. After returning to the Iron Chariots, I'll treat everyone to a drink. Maybe we'll have a chance to go on missions together in the future."
After saying that, Nie Xiu squatted down and touched the ground with both hands, beginning to condense the last section of the dirt path. Soon, a black dirt path leading to the central island appeared in front of everyone.
This time, Jia Tao was the first to walk through the dirt path and onto the central island, followed by Sun Ye and Snake Demon. Nie Xiu was the fourth.
Qi Yuan glanced at the footprints left behind by them and a cold murderous intent emerged in his heart.
After Nie Xiu walked past the small dirt path, Qi Yuan was the only one who had not reached the island.
Nie Xiu stood on the central island and waved his hand, indicating that Qi Yuan should hurry over.
Qi Yuan sneered in his heart, but his expression did not change. Step by step, he walked on the dirt path. Halfway through, the footprints on the ground were obviously half an inch deeper than the previous section.
Qi Yuan paused for a moment and suddenly threw the Death Reaper in his hand to the island behind him. At the same time, he sprinted forward and directly stepped onto the central island under Nie Xiu's astonished gaze.
"Brother Qi, why did you throw the Death Reaper away?" Nie Xiu asked, puzzled.
Qi Yuan smiled and said with a shrug, "Oh, I realized that the path you condensed seems to be a little unstable. I was afraid that the Death Reaper would be too heavy and collapse the path."
Nie Xiu suddenly fell silent. He glanced at the footprints of varying depths on the path and vaguely understood that the footprints had revealed a flaw.
However, since they had already come up, the result was already decided.
"I didn't expect Brother Qi to be so careful."
Nie Xiu smiled and explained, "I used up too much energy on the way here, so the last section of the path was a little strenuous. It's indeed not as stable as the previous section."
"But why did you throw the Death Reaper behind you and not in front? Without this gun, it would be very difficult for you to deal with a Class 2 Insectoid with your strength."
If I threw it in front, the Death Reaper would have fallen into your hands!
"I accidentally threw it in the wrong direction in a panic. I'm really sorry!" Qi Yuan pretended to be regretful and said.
"How about this, I didn't contribute to your mission this time, so I don't want the reward. Just treat it as me coming here to broaden my horizons."
"You can't say that." Nie Xiu shook his head in pity.
"Since you're here, we can't let you come here empty-handed. I see that you've awakened Class 1 Strength Enhancement and Defense Enhancement. Even if you encounter a Class 2 Insectoid, you can hold it off for a while. Later, you and Jia Tao will walk in front to open the path for us. We'll split the reward equally according to what I said before. How about that?"
They're not going to fall out with me? Are they going to make use of me and squeeze me dry?
Qi Yuan pretended to inadvertently glance at the few people not far away. The Snake Ghoul stuck out its forked tongue and licked its lips. Its eyes also turned into the vertical pupils of a snake. Sun Ye's right hand was already touching the handle of the gun at his waist. Jia Tao lowered his head, so Qi Yuan could not see his expression at all.
If I refuse to lead the way, I'll probably fall out with you in the next second.
Qi Yuan thought for a few seconds and said hesitantly, "I'm only a Class 1. Won't it be dangerous for me to lead the way?"
"It'll definitely be a little dangerous, but Jia Tao is right beside you. Moreover, you have a Class 1 Defense Enhancement. You won't be crushed by a Class 2 Insectoid. Once a Insectoid appears, we'll quickly support you. We won't let you fight it alone." Nie Xiu comforted him.
"If that's the case, I'll lead the way for you. If we encounter any Insectoids, you must support us in time!" Qi Yuan gritted his teeth and said.
"Don't worry, we'll definitely help in time!" Nie Xiu showed a reassuring smile.
If I believed your nonsense, I would have drowned in the swamp by now!
Qi Yuan complained in his heart as he walked forward silently.
There were definitely hidden dangers on the island. If they fell out with each other now, they might be taken advantage of by those hidden Insectoids. It was better for everyone to move forward together. If they really encountered danger, it was hard to say who would be the unlucky one!
Qi Yuan looked at the black brambles that had a hint of bloody aura. He then thought about the location of the checkpoint. He had a faint guess in his heart. There must be another world below this island. That might be the real destination of Nie Xiu and the others.
Qi Yuan walked in front and held the Butcher in his hand. He looked at Jia Tao's expressionless face as he condensed a scarlet energy blade. He vaguely saw a trace of uncontrollable hatred in Jia Tao's eyes.
"You're on your own!"
Jia Tao said coldly. He then waved the energy blade in his hand and began to cut a path through the thick black brambles.
There was something wrong with Jia Tao's mood!
Is he targeting me?
Or is he targeting Nie Xiu and the others?
Qi Yuan walked behind Jia Tao step by step. He pulled out the Zhanmadao tied to his leg. Occasionally, there would be black brambles that Jia Tao didn't clean up. He would casually cut them in half with a slash.
Nie Xiu gave Sun Ye and Ghost Snake a look, indicating that the two of them should walk in front.
Ghost Snake flicked its tongue. Its cold vertical pupils stared at the backs of Jia Tao and Qi Yuan.
Sun Ye followed behind Ghost Snake. He looked at Qi Yuan who was clearing a path in front of him with a mocking smile on his face.
A little rookie who can even mistake a cyborg weapon dares to play tricks in front of us brothers? You'll know how laughable you are when we get there!
If you had that modified Death Reaper in your hand, we might have been a little afraid of you. But now that you've even thrown away Death Reaper, you can obediently explore the path and die on this island!
Even if I don't get anything else from this exploration, just this Death Reaper is already a great harvest!