Chapter 99: Black Water Lake

Swift Wind Thrust!

In mid-air, Xu Feng’s body suddenly accelerated. His long sword, like a venomous snake, bit fiercely into the wound on the Crocodile Beast’s tail—not just once, but three consecutive times.

Boom~

A muffled explosion sounded, followed by a crisp crack. The Crocodile Beast’s tail was blown off, sent spinning through the air before landing seven or eight meters away. Even detached, the thick tail twitched continuously.

The Crocodile Beast’s eyes turned red as it stared at Xu Feng, roaring madly and desperately trying to attack him.

However, the Giant Lizard Beast fought just as fiercely to block it. When a human Chosen One tamed a monster as a battle pet, they gained the favor of Earth’s Will. The contracts they formed were always biased in favor of Earth’s Chosen.

If the Giant Lizard Beast died after becoming a battle pet, Xu Feng would be fine, only losing the cost of the contract. But if Xu Feng died, no matter how powerful the Giant Lizard Beast became later, it would be instantly erased at the soul level.

The situation had already tilted in Xu Feng’s favor; the Crocodile Beast was merely making a desperate, last-ditch counterattack.

The ensuing battle lasted less than fifteen minutes. Covered in blood and grievous wounds, the Crocodile Beast helplessly became a corpse, its crimson eyes still wide open as if lamenting its tragic fate.

Xu Feng skillfully extracted the Three-Star Beast Crystal, used Gathering Art, and collected the spoils.

Xu Feng looked up and saw that the group of people hadn’t left; they were still standing in the same spot.

Xu Feng found it strange. The Crocodile Beast was dead, so why hadn’t they left? Did they intend to kill him and take his treasures?

The two parties stared at each other for a long time. Li Yi’s palms grew sweaty with cold sweat, and his face stiffened.

If Xu Feng misunderstood and attacked them, it was unlikely any of them would escape.

“Hello,” Li Yi forced a smile and raised his hand in greeting. “That monster with you is your pet, right? It looks badly injured. Our team happens to have a healer who can treat your pet.”

Xu Feng was taken aback, then smiled slightly and nodded. “Thank you for your help.”

Li Yi glanced back at Xu Xing, and the group stepped forward together.

Xu Xing raised his hand, and a milky white light instantly flashed from his palm, landing on the Giant Lizard Beast’s head. A green number “150” floated up from the beast.

Then, Xu Xing raised his staff and began chanting softly. After a few seconds, a green glow appeared at the tip of the staff, growing larger and larger until it took on the shape of vines.

Locking onto the Giant Lizard Beast, the green energy drifted toward it. A “500” floated up, followed by another healing number every two seconds.

Xu Feng’s eyes lit up. This healing skill was impressive—it was likely an innate talent skill.

Soon, the Giant Lizard Beast’s Health Points were fully restored, and its previously listless state was replaced with renewed vigor.

“Thank you,” Xu Feng nodded, then chose a direction to continue exploring the Blackwater Swamp.

“Brother, don’t go that way. Further ahead is a Black Water Lake, filled with Three-Star monsters. We just escaped from there.”

Seeing Xu Feng heading toward the Black Water Lake, Li Yi felt a jolt of alarm and hurriedly warned him.

Hearing Li Yi’s warning, Xu Feng felt a surge of joy inside. He waved without saying a word and continued on his way.

“Who is that guy? He’s so tough. His pet must be a Three-Star Elite too,” Xu Xing muttered quietly beside them.

“Captain, do you know him? Why did you have Xu Xing heal his pet? Xu Xing’s Energy Value is running low, isn’t it?”

“That guy’s gaze was so fierce earlier; I thought he was going to charge at us. My palms were all sweaty.”

The group chattered among themselves, while Captain Li Yi watched Xu Feng’s retreating back, lost in thought.

“Alright, let’s leave this place too. The smell of blood will attract monsters,” Li Yi waved his hand and said. “That person is so strong; healing his pet is just a way to build goodwill. Maybe we can recruit him into our team in the future.”

“Captain, if you manage to bring such a powerhouse into the team, that would be amazing.”

…

This was their first meeting, and building some goodwill was natural. They were all around Linhai City, so they were bound to cross paths again. The chance to befriend—or even recruit—someone so powerful was an opportunity Li Yi would never pass up.

Xu Feng advanced toward the Black Water Lake in the direction Li Yi had indicated.

Li Yi’s intention to be friendly was clear, but obviously, Xu Feng had no idea Li Yi planned to recruit him. If he had known, he would have told Li Yi to forget it.

In this life, Xu Feng would not entrust his fate to anyone. Even joining the Thunder Martial Hall was merely to use its influence to access information ordinary people couldn’t obtain.

Before the apocalypse, the Thunder Martial Hall had already established branches in over a dozen cities across Huaxia Country. Its Hall Master came from a well-established background, was a master of traditional martial arts, and had practiced diligently for decades. After the apocalypse began, he directly obtained an SSR-grade talent and achieved accomplishments beyond ordinary imagination.

In this life, even if he couldn’t build a major force like the Thunder Martial Hall’s Hall Master, Xu Feng was determined to form his own team and keep his destiny firmly in his own hands.

With the Giant Lizard Beast following behind him, ordinary monsters in the Blackwater Swamp retreated upon contact. The elite monster’s intimidating presence left them without the courage to resist.

After passing through a large thicket of bushes, the view suddenly opened up. Xu Feng arrived at the Black Water Lake that Li Yi had mentioned.

The Black Water Lake looked like a dead lake, its surface pitch-black like ink and emitting a faint foul odor. In the center of the lake was a large island with layered peaks. From the outside, it appeared as sheer cliff faces, hiding whatever lay on the island.

“The Village of Sacrifice is at the Black Water Lake, but I’ll need to investigate carefully to find its exact location,” Xu Feng murmured to himself.

In his previous life, Xu Feng had struggled at the very bottom of the post-apocalyptic world. Many pieces of information were rumors, their truth unknown. He had only heard that the Village of Sacrifice was at the Black Water Lake, but since the Doomsday Ark Alliance monopolized it, he had never been able to enter.

The surface of the Black Water Lake churned constantly. With each ripple, huge figures could vaguely be seen moving beneath the water. Even along the lake’s shore, dozens of Swamp Crocodile Beasts lurked.

These Crocodile Beasts were covered in scales, massive in size, and looked ferocious and menacing.

“To find the location of the Village of Sacrifice, I’ll have to dive to the bottom of the Black Water Lake. But there are too many monsters here; getting into the water won’t be easy,” Xu Feng frowned slightly.

Once he approached the Black Water Lake, he would attract the attention of the Crocodile Beasts—and not just one, but a whole group. Even with his formidable strength, Xu Feng dared not risk being surrounded by dozens of Crocodile Beasts.