Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Counterattack
Ding!
"System Alert: Congratulations, Host, for successfully guiding Lucy Michelle in mastering the high-level spell—Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain! The Host is rewarded with tenfold comprehension and power of Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain! The Host is also rewarded with 60 Supreme Mage points!"
"System Alert: Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain has been classified as a Sixth-Level spell with the potential to become a forbidden spell. The Host receives an additional reward of 300 Supreme Mage points and a ten-draw voucher!"
As these notifications flashed before him, Dean Bruce's tension eased immediately. According to his knowledge, Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain was a versatile and powerful spell capable of offense, defense, and escape. With the tenfold increase in its power and comprehension, he might not be able to kill the giant turtle before him, but he was confident that he could hold his ground.
However, he felt a bit disappointed by the additional rewards—just a ten-draw voucher that wouldn't directly enhance his strength or be immediately useful.
He knew he couldn't afford to use the voucher until he put some distance between himself and the turtle.
Meanwhile, the turtle, which had been on the verge of launching an attack, hesitated when it saw Dean Bruce suddenly smile. Growing nervous, it assumed Dean Bruce had some hidden plan, and it paused, choosing not to attack. Its eyes rolled rapidly, fixating on Dean Bruce with intense caution.
Noticing this, Dean Bruce seized the moment to press his advantage, taunting, "What's wrong? Afraid to attack me? Then be a good boy and hand over the Red Sun Sacred Tree!"
"Dream on!" The turtle bellowed in fury, its deep voice rumbling through the cavern. "This Red Sun Tree belongs to a true master. I'm just the guardian. If you dare steal from him, no matter where you run, he'll hunt you down!"
"What?" Alita Miller gasped, "If a Sixth-Level beast is just the guardian, what kind of power does its master have?"
Hearing this, Dean Bruce frowned. He had initially thought well of Alita Miller, but her constant outbursts and exaggerated reactions were starting to annoy him.
The turtle rumbled again, "Humans, leave this place. I can't see through you, and I have no desire to engage in a fight to the death over someone else's treasure. It's not worth it."
After a brief pause, the turtle continued, "I am a Seventh-Level Black Turtle, which would be equivalent to your human archmage level. Plus, with my thick scales, there's no way you could harm me. Leave now, and I'll spare your lives."
At this, Dean Bruce couldn't help but laugh mockingly. "You just devoured someone in front of us, so don't pretend to be merciful now. The only reason you're talking so much is because you're not confident you can defeat us, isn't it?"
The Black Turtle fell silent, and Dean Bruce, already prepared to cast his spell, took a bold step forward and said coldly, "I'm not asking for much. Hand over half of the Red Sun Fruits, and we'll leave. Otherwise, even if we get seriously injured, we'll take you down with us!"
Buzz, buzz, buzz—
A strange sound echoed as the water's surface began to boil. The Black Turtle's eyes blazed with fury as it suddenly rose from the water. Its massive body emerged, with limbs as thick as pillars, standing imposingly in the water.
Rumble!
The Red Sun Tree also lifted upward, its branches and leaves scraping against the cave walls, producing an eerie sound.
It was only at this moment that Dean Bruce and Alita Miller realized that the Red Sun Tree was actually growing on the Black Turtle's back!
Alita Miller stared in disbelief, murmuring, "No wonder this Red Sun Tree managed to evolve into a Sacred Tree even in such a remote, desolate place. It's been absorbing the life force and power of a Seventh-Level beast all along!"
Hearing this, Dean Bruce felt even more confident. According to his understanding, if the Sacred Tree had been continuously draining the Black Turtle's life force and power, its true strength was likely below the Seventh-Level!
"You want the Red Sun Tree? Let's see if you have what it takes!"
The Black Turtle growled deeply, its massive head shooting forward like a spring, rapidly closing in on Dean Bruce. Its jaws opened wide, revealing sharp teeth still stained with blood, emitting a strong stench of death.
Despite the Black Turtle's aggressive charge, Dean Bruce remained calm. He quickly cast the Mountain spell from Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain on himself.
Buzz—
A pale yellow light enveloped Dean Bruce, swirling around him. Simultaneously, he activated the Blood for Blood spell, which immediately transformed his body with a unique power.
Roar!
The Black Turtle, undeterred, opened its gaping maw and lunged at Dean Bruce, intending to bite down on him.
Seeing this, Alita Miller, who had been watching in awe just moments before, suddenly grew serious. Her demeanor changed entirely, and she took a step forward. A silver-white light burst from beneath her feet, enveloping her entire body in an instant, making her appear almost like a descending angel.
In the next moment, Alita Miller had already flashed behind the Black Turtle. With a swift motion, she reached out and grabbed a Red Sun Fruit in her hand.
It was clear now that her earlier fear and hesitation had all been an act!
But before she could even smile in triumph, Dean Bruce's Blood for Blood spell took effect with a thunderous impact.
As the Black Turtle's sharp teeth clamped down on him, the Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain spell activated, causing Dean Bruce's skin to harden like stone—thick, resilient, and tough. Coupled with the Blood for Blood spell's ability to diminish the enemy's attack power, Dean Bruce barely felt any pain as he absorbed the full brunt of the attack.
Then, the second phase of Blood for Blood erupted, sending a terrifying force back into the Black Turtle's body. The creature felt as if its teeth were about to shatter, and it let out a howl of pain, quickly spitting Dean Bruce out.
Fortunately for the Black Turtle, its naturally thick skin and tough body meant it didn't suffer much damage, though it was forced to retreat several steps.
At that moment, the Black Turtle realized Alita Miller was on its back. With a thought, countless patterns on its shell began to glow, and in the blink of an eye, they shot toward Alita Miller with blinding speed.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The speed of magic has nothing to do with the size of the caster, and though Alita Miller was skilled, she was still no match for the attack of a Seventh-Level beast. The glowing patterns struck her before she could react, and her body convulsed as she was hit, spitting out blood.
However, Alita Miller proved her ruthlessness. Despite the excruciating pain that contorted her face into something unrecognizable, as she was flung away, she still managed to snatch several more Red Sun Fruits with a desperate grab.
"Damn it!" The Black Turtle roared with increasing fury. Those Red Sun Fruits were formed from its own life force, like its offspring. There was no way it could stand by and watch them being taken!
Thud!
A heavy sound echoed as Alita Miller crashed to the ground, spewing another mouthful of blood. But instead of collapsing, she somehow acted as if nothing had happened. In a flash, she appeared at the entrance of the cave, shouting, "Dean, hold it off! We'll split the Red Sun Fruits fifty-fifty!"
However, before Alita Miller could dash out, the Black Turtle let out a skyward roar, stamping its powerful limbs on the ground. Immediately, torrents of water surged forth, transforming into cascading water curtains that enveloped the entire cavern.
Alita Miller, glowing with a silver light, was caught off guard and collided with the water curtain. In the next instant, the water turned red, and she felt as though her skin was being scorched by flames. Her expression changed drastically as she quickly retreated.
But with that retreat, any chance of escaping was lost.
The water curtains fell completely, trapping both Dean Bruce and Alita Miller within their confines.
Gritting her teeth, Alita Miller warned, "Dean, be careful. Don't get close to those water curtains—they may look like water, but they're scorching hot! It feels like they could melt my skin and flesh! A Seventh-Level beast truly lives up to its reputation!"
Dean Bruce didn't respond to her words, but his gaze toward Alita Miller grew more peculiar. This woman had been hiding her true abilities all along!
She had been deliberately playing weak, only to seize the opportunity to snatch a few Red Sun Fruits while the Black Turtle was distracted by their magical duel.
He resolved never to underestimate this woman again; otherwise, as Horton Martin had warned, no matter how strong he was, he could still suffer a setback.
Gathering his thoughts, Dean Bruce calmly said, "I was the one who drew the Black Turtle's attention, allowing you to grab the Red Sun Fruits. The split should be seventy-thirty, with me taking seventy percent."
Upon hearing this, Alita Miller's eyes widened in shock as she stared at Dean Bruce. It wasn't until the Black Turtle let out another roar that she quickly adopted a pitiful expression, hiding behind Dean Bruce.
Seeing Dean Bruce standing in front of her, the furious Black Turtle suddenly calmed down. It had no choice—just moments ago, it had bitten down on Dean Bruce, only to nearly shatter its own teeth in the process!
While the Black Turtle was confident it could withstand Dean Bruce's attacks, it was equally aware that it couldn't inflict any significant harm on him either, leading to a stalemate.
After a tense silence, the Black Turtle finally gritted its teeth and growled, "You've already taken some of the Red Sun Fruits. If you promise to leave now, I'll withdraw my magic and let you go safely."
"No, that's not enough," Dean Bruce replied with a grin. "If you don't want to experience the feeling of having all your teeth shattered again, you'd better hand over more Red Sun Fruits! You've got thousands of them on your back. Giving me a few hundred shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Hearing this, the Black Turtle was so infuriated that it practically ground its teeth, glaring at Dean Bruce with seething anger!