Chapter 30: Battle
As the flood dragon appeared, a prompt flashed in the corner of Lu Li's eye:
**[Stage Mission Two: Eliminate the Flood Dragon of Yixing.]**
**[Mission Description: Yixing's waters harbor a flood dragon, demanding sacrifices through floods, using young boys and girls as offerings. The Dragon Lord Temple is built to honor it, with immense and terrifying power...]**
**[Mission Requirement: Assist Zhou Chu in killing the flood dragon.]**
**[Mission Hint: You may explore other options.]**
**[Mission Reward: You will gain the aura of the flood dragon, which can intimidate most beasts, though it may occasionally have the opposite effect.]**
The flood dragon didn't even glance at the dead Xu Miaozhu. To it, he was merely a priest, easily replaced by another who could be taught the Dragon Cultivation Scripture. What mattered now was the human who dared to desecrate its idol.
Though flood dragons typically lack intelligence, relying on instinct, this one was different. Years ago, it was controlled by a spell, forcibly unlocking its intellect. When the caster left, it remained, ruling as a local tyrant.
"Human, you are peculiar!" the flood dragon's strange voice echoed in Lu Li's mind. Before Lu Li could react, a massive glob of viscous black saliva was spat at him.
The flood dragon didn't follow the usual script. Lu Li had expected more taunting, but it attacked mid-sentence.
Xu Miaozhu had once used a similar spell in the Dragon Lord Temple, summoning black slime—flood dragon saliva. Due to the spell, the saliva was highly corrosive, whereas the dragon's natural saliva aimed to ensnare.
As the saliva hurtled towards Lu Li, he leapt back, spinning his oil-paper umbrella to block it. Shadow magic flowed into the umbrella, activating its runes. Though enhanced by deep-sea dweller runes, the umbrella offered no special powers other than sturdiness.
Despite Lu Li's retreat, some saliva still hit the umbrella, sticking it to the viscous substance. Lu Li, forced to let go, regretted losing the useful weapon.
"I'll need to craft another handy umbrella when I get the chance," Lu Li thought, eyeing the flood dragon. "But first, I must deal with this beast."
The flood dragon slithered forward, its massive body bearing down on Lu Li. Its eerie voice boomed in his mind: "I remember now why you seem strange. You feel just like that damned human. You must die!"
With the flood dragon's enormous body bearing down, Lu Li would be crushed instantly. At that moment, Zhou Chu charged in from the side, his powerful punch diverting the flood dragon's path.
"You cursed dragon! Your fight is with me!" Zhou Chu roared, exuding a unique aura, distinct from the tiger's might of Nanshan Tiger or the flood dragon's presence. This aura, born from countless fears and envy, combined with Zhou Chu's fearless spirit, allowed him to contend with the dragon.
Lu Li narrowed his eyes. His three masks floated into the air, summoning the Shadow Assassin and Claw Demon, who rushed at the flood dragon. Behind him, Snakewoman Lilith appeared, emitting a faint ripple.
In another part of the river, a purple-red giant python sensed the disturbance and swam towards Lilith's location. The river turned into a purple-red reverse current, filled with intertwined snake scales. Those who saw it were terrified, believing the Dragon Lord was enraged, and immediately knelt, begging for forgiveness.
Lu Li observed the battle between Zhou Chu and the flood dragon. Zhou Chu's hidden ability was revealed:
**[Aura of Disaster: As one of the three great scourges of Yangxian City, Zhou Chu is feared by thousands and envied by many. This aura amplifies his strength, allowing him to achieve the impossible.]**
In essence, Zhou Chu had a protagonist's halo, enabling him to perform feats beyond normal human capability. The people of Yangxian had mythologized him as one of the three great scourges.
Simultaneously, the Eye of Detection provided information about the flood dragon:
**[Flood Dragon/Giant Devouring Worm]**
**[Physical Assessment: 9.65; Life Energy Derivation: 5.23]**
**[Soul Assessment: 3.2; Mental Energy Derivation: 1.8]**
**[Special Abilities: (1) Saliva Attack: The flood dragon's saliva is highly adhesive and corrosive; (2) Flood Dragon Body: Its immensely strong body can crush anything; (3) ? (4) ?]**
**[Weaknesses: ?]**
**[Monster Evaluation: This creature can crush you. Even worse, it possesses considerable intelligence.]**
With the aura of disaster, Zhou Chu's superhuman strength made him a formidable opponent for the flood dragon. Though smaller, his agility allowed him to hold his ground.
Meanwhile, Lu Li's summoned forces attacked. The Shadow Assassin, wielding shadow blades, inflicted minor wounds, but the Claw Demon was quickly destroyed. Lu Li realized the need to upgrade the Claw Demon.
With these thoughts, Lu Li's shadow surged, joining the battle against the flood dragon.