Zhang Shan, who was still desperately fleeing forward, ran farther and farther, and the commotion behind him became smaller and smaller.
But in his heart, he became more and more afraid, and more and more uncertain.
He didn't even have the courage to look back.
After an unknown period of running, his body finally couldn't take it anymore, and his speed gradually slowed down.
He looked around, found a suitable cover to stop and rest, and lay on the ground, gasping for air.
He also constantly kept an eye on his surroundings, and when he saw that the monstrous beast hadn't caught up, the stone in his heart finally dropped.
Zhao Qi is probably dead by now, right?
As his emotions calmed, Zhang Shan's mind uncontrollably thought of Zhao Qi, the good brother he had killed.
It was a pity that such a person, who was willing to live and die with him, was used up here by him.
Originally, keeping Zhao Qi might have allowed him to be used for more important matters, but exchanging him for his own life was not a loss.
Hahahahaha!
The feeling of escaping from death made him laugh uncontrollably.
However, he also knew that he couldn't make a sound here, as it would be troublesome if he attracted another monstrous beast.
So, he covered his mouth and laughed silently.
His mouth was wide open, saliva flowing from the corners of his mouth, but he was completely unaware, just laughing.
As he laughed, tears welled up in the corners of his eyes.
His thoughts returned to the past; he too was once a person who could disregard life and death for his brothers, and if he wasn't convinced, he would fight.
It was precisely because of this that he and Zhao Qi had such a deep, life-and-death friendship.
To what extent was this friendship?
One could tell from the look of disbelief on Zhao Qi's face, even until his death.
It showed how much Zhao Qi trusted him.
Otherwise, if it were anyone else, no one would be willing to risk their lives to accompany him on this trip.
But it was during the last time, as a man, that he suffered such immense humiliation, which greatly transformed his psyche.
From then on, Zhang Shan understood that without power, he was nothing; the weak had no dignity.
The weak had nothing!
Even their lives were not their own!
So for power, even if it was just one chance, he could do anything, betray anyone!
In his heart, he had long been prepared to betray and sacrifice anyone.
It was just the first time he had acted, and it was against the person who trusted him most, so there was still some discomfort in his heart.
But the person was already dead, and he died worthily.
Shaking his head, Zhang Shan stopped thinking about these things, took a deep breath, slowly closed his eyes, and then suddenly opened them.
So, Brother Zhao, I'm sorry!
There was no longer any emotion in his eyes, only the pursuit and craving for power.
Since Zhao Qi had already been used up on this trip, he absolutely could not return empty-handed!
Moreover, the Azure Python hadn't chased him for so long, so it probably wouldn't come.
Since that was the case, with a life to risk, what was he afraid of? Fortune favors the bold; he would get that spiritual medicine and then leave.
If he didn't take a gamble, he would never be able to turn his life around.
If he went back like this, what would be different from before? Would he continue to live that humiliating life?
No!
Then he would rather die with Zhao Qi!
So, he didn't want to, and he wouldn't go back!
If he gained nothing this time, he would stay here!
After making up his mind, he immediately carefully observed his surroundings and compared them with the map.
He found that the direction he had chosen in his panicked flight just happened to lead him to the vicinity of the spiritual medicine.
This made Zhang Shan overjoyed; his luck had truly turned!
Thus, Zhang Shan excitedly advanced all the way to the location of the spiritual medicine.
No sooner had Zhang Shan left than Chen De appeared where Zhang Shan had been standing.
Looking at Zhang Shan's receding figure, a gleam flashed in Chen De's eyes.
Following in that direction, he trailed behind.
...
Finally, Zhang Shan, after enduring countless hardships, arrived at the location of the spiritual medicine.
This time, Chen De no longer dared to show off his skills, as there was only this one unique plant left.
With his help, Zhang Shan had not encountered any major dangers along the way.
He gazed at the light blue, ice-crystal-rose-like spiritual medicine not far away.
Zhang Shan's eyes narrowed; he was so excited he could barely contain himself.
Now, he felt that the sky was so blue, the clouds were so white, and the air was so sweet.
All the effort was worth it.
He cautiously approached the spiritual medicine, and when he was about a hundred steps away from it.
Suddenly, a sky-blue object flashed past in front of him.
A sharp pain shot through his chest, and Zhang Shan's body suddenly froze.
He stared blankly at the wound on his chest, then looked around; everything was as it was, nothing had happened.
But what about the wound on my body?
This question stumped Zhang Shan, prompting him to think.
Could it be an unintentional scratch while I was running, which I didn't notice because I was too nervous before?
Now, as he constantly moved violently, the injury worsened, and that's why he felt it.
He knew that people couldn't feel pain when they were focused.
Yes, it must be like this, hahahaha!
Soon, Zhang Shan firmly believed his guess.
Thus, his confidence returned, his body filled with drive, and he continued to lift his head and take steps.
His face was distorted, he gritted his teeth, he was resentful, he was unwilling, 'You dog and bitch, just wait, when I get the spiritual medicine and give it to that lord.
Once I gain that lord's favor, I will definitely come back, and when I do, I'll kill you both!'
'This way, I might be able to seize this opportunity to rise rapidly and become a respected powerhouse!
No one will ever humiliate me again, and no one will dare to look down on me again!'
'Hahahahahahaha!!!'
His heart was burning with fervor, and his eyes held unconcealed ambition.
Eighty steps!
Seventy-nine steps!
Seventy-eight steps!
...
Fifty steps!
Seeing that he was getting closer and closer to the spiritual medicine, he gritted his teeth and persevered, pushing forward with all his might.
'Finally, finally... Pfft!'
A sky-blue object flashed past in front of him again.
Zhang Shan spat out another mouthful of fresh blood, but this time he didn't stop, still taking each step slowly and firmly!
'Is it an illusion? Damn it! I must have been careless and got bitten by a snake, and now the snake venom must be acting up.'
'I didn't expect the Azure Python's venom could be transmitted through the air; I've never heard of that before.
'This damned long worm!'
He continued to struggle, and suddenly many illusions seemed to appear before his eyes; he shook his head, still unmoved.
'Almost there, almost there...'
He endured his injuries, and although the wounds on his chest caused tearing pain with every movement, he still persevered.
However, now even this pain seemed to be gradually disappearing.
But for becoming a powerhouse, what did these minor injuries amount to?
Seeing this scene, Chen De was shocked!
What kind of willpower did this person possess!
What kind of belief was supporting him! What kind of persistence was in his heart!
Chen De hadn't expected that after his two consecutive fatal blows, he could still manage to move forward.
At this moment, Chen De couldn't help but feel a little admiration.
He was a ruthless person!
At this moment, Zhang Shan was still moving forward, but he could only inch forward step by step, relying on his body.
He dragged his broken body, blood constantly flowing out.
Every step he took left a deep bloody footprint on the ground.
Chen De seemed to see an unyielding light in the man's eyes, what stubbornness!
He kept his head held high, as if mocking the incompetence of Death!
His unyielding gaze, as if ridiculing the injustice of fate!
Fifteen steps!
Fourteen steps!
Thirteen steps!
...
Ten steps!
Finally, this iron-willed man could no longer hold on, slowly falling to the ground, motionless.
Just as Chen De thought he was finally finished and was about to go up to deliver the final blow.
The man moved again; he struggled hard but found he couldn't stand up.
He didn't give up!
Instead, he tried his best to crawl forward, slowly and steadily, leaving trails of blood on the ground.
Chen De looked at the scene before him, fell silent, and then personally cleared the obstacles in front of him.
Zhang Shan was already delirious at this point, his mind muddled, completely unaware of everything Chen De had done for him.
But Chen De didn't care about these things; he was just an ordinary person who silently dedicated himself without seeking anything in return.
Zhang Shan continued to climb and struggle, moving forward a bit further.
Finally, only the last three steps remained.
He looked up at the ice crystal rose, whimpering, but unable to utter another word.
He felt his consciousness blurring to the point where he could barely see, and his body had lost all sensation of pain and become weak.
He could only rely on slight, inch-by-inch movements of his body to advance, and these last three steps felt incredibly long.
Three steps!
Two steps!
One step!
Finally, he made it!
In those three steps, he had thought of giving up more times than all the previous steps combined, but finally, he succeeded!
As if a final burst of energy, a flush of color appeared on his face.
His eyes were filled with hope, and he reached out a trembling hand towards the spiritual medicine.
Just as he was about to grasp the spiritual medicine, his hand suddenly trembled and fell limply to the ground.
Afterward, Chen De slowly pulled his right claw out from the back of Zhang Shan's head, wiping away tears with his other claw.
"Ding! Host has killed a Gathering Qi Realm Level 4 wild monster! Gained 0.5 attribute points!"
So touching!
So moving!
After Chen De allocated the newly acquired attribute points and broke through to Demon Qi Realm Level 5, he stood on Zhang Shan's body, feeling a little regretful.
There was no way he would let Zhang Shan touch the spiritual medicine!
Chen De, of course, wasn't doing it for himself; Chen De just wanted to inherit Zhang Shan's will.
He killed Zhang Shan because he wouldn't live much longer, and Chen De didn't want him to suffer anymore, so he mercifully sent him on his way.
It wasn't for that bit of experience; it was just that dying in vain was not as good as benefiting his own kind, wasn't it?
Not letting Zhang Shan touch the spiritual medicine was because he was afraid that in his muddled consciousness, he would ruin his own efforts.
For a person to die full of hope in the end, how could that not be a kind of happiness?
Sighing, he calmly stepped down from Zhang Shan's body.
He walked to the side of the spiritual medicine; from its height, this spiritual medicine was still much taller than Chen De at this moment.
Splash!
Chen De's claw descended, severing the spiritual medicine from its root.
He grabbed the spiritual medicine, stuffed it into his mouth, and swallowed it whole without chewing.
Next, it was time to verify the effects of the spiritual medicine!
"Ding! Host..."