The Geared Immortal

Chapter 102

While leisurely following the traces of the flood dragon. Shin Jiao and his group started to talk about their plan on how to handle the flood dragon. He explained to them the principle and skill behind on how to wield the weapon he just gave them. When the two heard his explanation and how he came up with the idea of using a core explosion simulation, they were dumbstruck.

Zen Nian right now had the itch to know what's going on in Shin Jiao's mind. He really wanted to open Shin Jiao's head and see what's inside it. How can he think of those radical ideas that seem to not exist in this world? It's like he is living in another reality where everything around him is a tool for doing or making something.

"So... that is what would happen if you accidentally inserted too much Qi at the tip of the weapon. Hopefully, you guys will be carefully okay? Let's practice first." Shin Jiao said as they continue walking.

Then on their way, the two started to attack and stab the trees all around them then muffled sounds of explosion can be heard as the inside part of the tree would explode. Shin Jiao now have a concrete idea on Zen Nian's strength, he is really gifted when it comes to Qi control. He can actually increase or decrease the size of the explosion in his own will.

While Rat Ling, on the other hand, shows his overwhelming Qi and that it has a different effect. Instead of an explosion, Rat Ling accidentally discovered that while he tried to control his Qi he inadvertently causes a spatial collapse-like condition.

Though it is not a true spatial collapse yet it looks like one. Depending on his ability to control he can cause a huge or a small part of the tree trunk to disappear. When Shin Jiao saw this, he felt ecstatic while his heart is filled with the desire to do some research on this topic. He really wanted to find a place and start researching on Rat Ling's ability.

Because what Rat Ling did was called, Implosion.

A very powerful and unconventional technique which can cause precise and far dealy damage.

This kind of ability has many applications, especially when fighting against powerful foes if he can utilize it using some kind of rune commands for control and gears, even with a crippled meridian he can defend himself when facing powerful opponents.

But as of now, it is not the time for him to do the research as they need to get the flood dragon first. Its crystal and carcass are very important to Shin Jiao, now that he is able to utilize his crafting ability. With a level 4 demon beast's crystal, he can manipulate it and strengthen himself, and its tough hide and scales can be used as armor.

While they were following the flood dragon's tracks, the group suddenly heard someone fighting. Upon hearing this a knowing look appear on their faces. The three didn't hurry as they are not here to save people. Zen Nian has been bullied and even plotted to be killed by the clan, so they are not stupid enough to help those kinds of people.

When they arrived, they immediately noticed the situation in front of them. Then Rat Ling suddenly exclaimed with a surprise.

"Oh, they are still alive!"

But then a figure dashed before everyone's eyes and appear beside a person leaning on a tree. Her robe is in tatters and bloodied and beside her sat an anxious-looking young maid. And upon seeing the figure who just appears, the maid suddenly showed a surprised expression.

"Young… young master Zen, this…" the young maid became very nervous as she knows the bond between the two.

She immediately feels the temperature getting lower as if a biting cold suddenly envelops the whole figure of the young man.

"What happened?" the cold voice of Zen Nian entered her ears.

"This… this is my fault… I… I wasn't fast enough to stop her. I'm sorry young master, you can punish me all you want." The young maid said while gritting her teeth.

The young man in front of her is not like the previous youngest son of the head of the Nian clan, he is a very skilled and powerful cultivator now who can even push a flood dragon into a corner.

"Sigh… It's okay, I think she is fine now. There is no need to fret about it. You can just carry her and escape from this place now." Zen Nian commanded in an icy voice.

Nobody knows that his heart is in turmoil as tries hard to calm himself by showing a cold face. Ya Nian means a lot to him and he truly treasured her as his sister. Ever since they were young, Ya Nian would always help him in secret. Just for show, she would always wear a cold demeanor, but when they are alone she would be his warm-hearted and caring older sister, someone who would always help him in time of need. Now that she looks weak and beaten up, he can't help himself as anger started to swell deep in his heart.

As the young maid carried Ya Nian who is still unconscious, Zen Nian turns his gaze towards the flood dragon and a glint of killing intent filled his eyes.

The flood dragon, on the other hand, is stunned to see the three people it thought it has left behind in its escape. It didn't know that the three would show themselves in this place. And now it seems that one of them has been truly angered.

But it didn't feel fear but instead, annoyance. It has already been drowned by its instinct as it wanted to taste more blood and nothing can stand in its way. So it looks back at Zen Nian and snarls at him, it wanted to now fight with all its might as the aroma of human blood which permeated the air started to overcome its senses and fill its tiny brain.

Shin Jiao sent Rat Ling a signal who quickly gets what he means with a nod his head. The three of them then started to encircle the flood dragon blocking its path of retreat.

Roar!!!

As if provoked by the action of the three lowly humans, the flood dragon's loud roar reverberates all over the surroundings. Even those who are still hunting in the area heard this and excitedly began to run towards the sound. They have the look of interest in their eyes as they wanted to see what kind of demon beast has the power to roar that loud. They are here to hunt demon beast, the stronger it is the better.

"The rest of you should run now while we delay it... Go now!" Zen Nian shouted not taking his eyes away from the flood dragon.

The people behind them look at each other and decided to follow his command and started to run away from the area. Upon seeing this, the flood dragon snorted in irritation, it could not let its prey escape just like that. So it suddenly bends its strong legs wanting pounce towards the fleeing figures, but before it could move someone suddenly appear and blocks its way.

"Oh… Do you want to run away?" Rat Ling smirked as he takes out his weapons.

Both Rat Ling and Zen Nian are now wielding two swords, while Shin Jiao also prepares his gun.

"Young master Nian, we have to finish this fight as soon as possible. My instinct is telling me that there is something amiss." Shin Jiao suddenly said.

"Okay, I also plan to do that. I also think that there is something wrong with its last roar." Zen Nian replied.

Rat Ling was the first to act and sent a slash with his sword using the Humming blade technique. Hearing the familiar buzzing sound the flood dragon immediately jumped back. But it didn't expect that as it retreated Zen Nian is already behind it and also sent his sword chipping away two of its strong scales.

With the sudden feeling of pain from its back, the flood dragon sent Zen Nian an angry look. Then with a wave of its large claws, Zen Nian was forced to do a Shadow step and evade. But then Rat Ling followed up with a thrust towards its stomach.

Peng!

A sharp explosion shattered a portion of the scales protecting the demon beast's stomach. This attack from Rat Ling made the demon beast stop its assault on Zen Nian. From that short exchanged it already suffered two shallow wounds. Seeing that the two humans have hurt it, the demon beast became truly enraged. Then without care, it suddenly started to rampage and swing its claws randomly while trying to hit its two targets.

"Be careful it is going berserk!" Shin Jiao shouted.

The two knows this and quickly uses shadows steps to evade each of the flood dragon's strikes. While the demon beast is rampaging and trying to hit Zen Nian and Rat Ling, he immediately grabs this opportunity to lock on the demon beast's most vulnerable part, its eyes.

Then with his experience and quick judgment, he swiftly sent four shots towards the demon beast. With its natural instinct, the demon beast was able to detect Shin Jiao's killing intent and immediately duck its head.

The bullets missed its target by a hair's breadth.

But then…

The flood dragon's eyes went wide in disbelief as it felt something had hit its back. Then it saw the grinning smile on Rat Ling's face and a sudden deadly premonition enters its heart. It wanted to swing its arm to push back the despicable human away, but it was too late.

Puff…

A muffled explosion entered the flood dragon's senses and a flooding bout of pain followed. Then Rat Ling was suddenly covered in blood as the back of the flood dragon now has a gaping hole.

"What the… why did you put too much power on it?" Shin Jiao was flabbergasted at the scene.

He strictly told Rat Ling to control his power as the body of the flood dragon is precious. He can use it to craft some armor for them and even weapons. Luckily the implosion was not big enough or else almost half of the flood dragon's carcass would have been disintegrated. 

"Sorry, I was just too excited." Rat Ling said with a sheepish smile while wiping the blood on his face.

Upon receiving such wound, the flood dragon felt its body immediately weakens as it slumped down to the ground. It didn't expect that its instinct was right and that it should have run away. But it was too late as it could not even move its body as the sensation from its legs is already gone. All it can feel is the numbing pain which slowly snips away its consciousness.

As the flood dragon closes its eyes and its breathing slowly ceased, the three also heaves a sigh of relief luckily this time none of them were injured.

"Brother Shin, these artifacts are truly amazing! I can't believe that using only that gauntlet you are able to make these wonderful things. Hahaha…" Rat Ling said as he happily praised Shin Jiao who had a serious look on his face.

"So, that's how it is…" A voice broke the celebratory atmosphere of the three.

Then a figure leisurely walks out of the thick bushes which were then followed by many people.

It was Wei Qi Nian.

Shin Jiao has already sensed their presence but didn't warn the two, as he is currently formulating a plan on how to handle the situation in a more favorable manner. His first option is to get rid of Wei Qi Nian, but the result would be very disadvantageous for them. He still needs to go back to the clan and get the pills so that he can finally heal himself. After doing that he plans to fix his ring and take the resources from the hidden cave. And so, before he could do those things his second option would be to make a trap so that they can escape this place successfully.

"You have stolen something from the clan. As the future leader of the clan, I demanded that you return it and I give you my word that you can keep your life." Wei Qi Nian said with a smile but in an overbearing manner.

With the number of people behind him, he knows that no matter how strong are the three of them is, they would not be able to take all of them down. And so banking on the number of people in this place he wanted to assert his power and also steal the things which Shin Jiao carries. He wanted to accuse him of theft so that the other members of the clan could support him and report this when they return.

And true to his plan the others present began to whisper to each other.

"What! How dare a servant steal something from the clan? We need to get it back and kill that bastard!"

"What a stupid fool, does he think he can get away from stealing something from the clan. The elders will surely punish him harshly and then execute him."

Hearing the voices of the people Rat Ling's face suddenly turns red in anger.

"You bastard! Brother Shin didn't steal anything… He… He made these things!" Rat Ling shouted while pointing his finger at Wei Qi Nian in anger.

"How dare you shout at the eldest young master!" a young man suddenly steps out of the group.

"You lowly servant should now your place," the young man added.

The young man is wearing a blue and green robe and a jade tablet with an alchemy house emblem hanging on his waist. He is the son of the alchemy house elder, who is the chief alchemist of the clan. In the clan, if someone asks who held the greatest power in the younger generation, they would say it was Wei Qi Nian, but everyone knows that behind him stood this young man.

A genius when it comes to alchemy and the craftiest young master of the clan. Many have fallen in his traps and were punished because of his crafty machinations, so Wei Qi Nian valued him more.

This young man is called, Hong Nian.

"There was a book in the clan which talks about immortal artifact crafting. It was lost several days ago. I think that this servant is the one who took it. As the younger generation of the clan, we must take it back and apply an appropriate punishment to this servant… now we demand that you hand it over… or else." Hong Nian said with eloquence.

His words incited everyone's passion, not for greed, but instead for righteousness. As a member of the Nian clan, punishing those who offended the clan sometimes weighs more in their subconscious minds. And so Hong Nian banks on this to incite everyone to work together.

"You… You despicable bastard!" Rat Ling was now truly incensed as he could not believe that Shin Jiao was accused of something that he have not done.

Without a word, Rat Ling suddenly dashed towards Hong Nian, but the later has already expected this. With a wave of this hand a bead appear and suddenly wraps his body with glowing energy. When Rat Ling's sword collided with the energy he was sent flying back.

In this exchange, Zen Nian didn't say anything as he knows that they have already fallen into Wei Qi Nian and Hon Nian's trap. No matter what he says it's already useless so all they can do is to fight their way out of this place. He calmly walks towards Rat Ling and helped him up, then he turns his gaze towards the glaring and accusing stares of the young people which gazes are all too familiar with him.

"Rat Ling, you don't have to say anything. We just have to fight our way out of this place." Zen Nian said in a low voice.

"Haha… Younger brother… surrender your servant now and we can all walk away without a problem or else we'll do what we have to do..." Wei Qi Nian said with a glint of killing intent in his eyes.

"Elder brother, a coward would always find excuses… I'm not a coward. Come! Let me see your resolve." Zen Nian calmly said as he waved his two swords.

Upon seeing this, the face of Wei Qi Nian turned dark. But an evil grin suddenly appears on his face, a sinister pent up desire which is hidden deep in his heart suddenly started to overflow.. Then with a wave of his hand, he commanded everyone to attack.