Why Would I Just Take a Beating?

"Bang—!"

In the crimson world, the muffled thuds rang out for who knows how many times.

Fang Li and Shudenan were both sent flying backwards, crashing heavily to the ground, turning into rolling gourds as they continued to roll away.

The distance between the two sides began to widen.

Crimson blood and purple flames continued to spill down the path.

By the time both sides had stopped, they had already created quite a distance between them.

"Cough...!"

Fang Li couldn't help but cough up a mouthful of blood, causing a blood flower to bloom on the ground in front of him.

"Ugh...!"

Shudenan also let out a distressed cry, his fur emitting a murky purple flame that resembled blood, undulating like lava.

Both sides were lying on the ground, unable to get up for the time being.

It wasn't until a while later that Fang Li and Shudenan struggled to their feet, their bodies swaying precariously as if they might collapse at any moment.

"Zheng..."

The Star Pulse Energy that had been flowing around Fang Li's body had begun to dim.

That's a sign that it's about to run out.

"Laugh..."

The murky purple flames on Shudenan's body also began to extinguish, seemingly no longer able to help heal his wounds.

That is also a sign that the Power of Existence is about to be exhausted.

Even so, Fang Li and Shudenan still struggled to get up from the ground.

Beside her, Shana had forgotten to breathe.

There was no way around it; the Matoba before them was too desecrated for anyone to witness. Even breathing seemed to disrupt the battle, causing Shana's eyes to flicker with anxiety.

Only Fang Li and Shudenan struggled to get up; one was deathly pale, and the other was breathing erratically, both completely exhausted.

Under these circumstances, Shudenan laughed, a laugh that was incredibly hearty.

"It's been a long time since I've fought anyone to this extent, especially against a human. For that alone, kid, you have a lot to be proud of."

As he said this, Shudenan changed the subject and said, "However, you can't beat me as long as you're still a human being."

This is not arrogance on Shudenan's part, but an undeniable fact.

Fang Li is a human.

Therefore, if Fang Li will be injured; if he launches an attack, his stamina will be depleted; once a battle begins, fatigue will accumulate until he collapses.

In contrast, Shudenan is a Crimson Realm Denizens.

Crimson Realm Denizens are not immune to injury, fatigue, or collapse.

However, that is based on the consumption of the Power of Existence.

As long as the Power of Existence remains, the Crimson Realm Denizens can use it to repair their wounds and restore their strength until the Power of Existence is exhausted.

Now, Shudenan's Power of Existence is almost exhausted.

If it continues to be consumed, then it will not even be able to maintain its existence.

However, the remaining Power of Existence is still enough to help Shudenan repair his body once and restore it to a perfect state.

In this way, even though Shudenan's power will be greatly weakened due to the impending depletion of his Power of Existence, it is still much better than Fang Li's blood-soaked and wounded state.

Under such circumstances, there is no need to consider who will win or who will lose.

And if...

"If you can use your full strength, then I have even less chance of winning."

A voice, as if it had seen right through Shudenan's heart, suddenly rang out.

"That's what you meant, right?"

Upon hearing this, Shudenan's eyes widened suddenly.

Fang Li maintained his composure as if his battered body had no effect on him, and gave Shudenan a calm smile as always, speaking softly.

"I know that for some reason you're not going all out right now, but do you think I don't have any trump cards up my sleeve?"

"How about we play another round and see who wins and who loses?"

The calm words caused Shudenan's expression to change, and he fell silent.

It must be said that the current situation has made Shudenan hesitate.

(Is he bluffing?)

Shudenan could not be certain.

However, even if Fang Li really has some hidden trump card, Shudenan wouldn't find it strange.

(It's not surprising that a human could possess such combat power and fight me to this extent. Who would believe it?)

Not to mention, Fang Li's true strength lies not only in his physical abilities, but also in his inner strength.

If that weren't the case, how could someone covered in blood have fought a Crimson King to this extent?

(If he really has other tricks up his sleeve, I'll definitely be caught off guard and fail miserably if I attack rashly.)

This is absolutely unacceptable.

After all, Shudenan possessed extremely important intelligence.

That is the whereabouts of the Reiji Maigo.

This information must be taken with us.

If Shudenan were to be counterattacked here and die, it would be an utter blunder.

(Therefore, we cannot take risks.)

Realizing that such a thought had arisen in his mind, Shudenan immediately understood.

Having such a thought is tantamount to believing it, isn't it?

I believe Fang Li has the ability to fight back.

I believe that even in this state, this battered and bloodied human will continue to fight without showing any weakness.

Thinking of this, Shudenan remained silent for a while, and then spoke to Fang Li.

"Why would a human like you fight to this extent?"

Shudenan asked the exact same question as Shana.

That's only natural.

Whether it's the Flame Haze Warrior or the Crimson Realm Denizens, they have always believed that only each other is their rival and enemy.

To the Flame Haze Warrior, humans are merely inhabitants of this world; to the Crimson Realm Denizens, they are simply a stockpile of food.

In other words, throughout history, Flame Haze Warrior and Crimson Realm Denizens have always been fighting against each other.

Humans are nothing more than a group of ignorant bystanders.

But now, Fang Li is an anomaly.

Therefore, just as Shudenan had this question, Shana also had this question.

At that moment, both Shana and Shudenan turned their attention to Fang Li.

Faced with these two gazes, Fang Li simply smiled wryly and gave this reply.

"When a fight breaks out, there's no reason to just sit back and take it."

The seemingly casual remark stunned Shana and Shudenan alike.

Immediately, Shudenan burst into laughter.

"Yes, you're right. Since we 'Disciples' can treat you humans as food, then you humans naturally have the right to retaliate. That's a reason that couldn't be more correct!"

After saying that, Shudenan flapped the wings on his back and flew into the sky.

"Human, I'll remember you!"

"Next time, I will definitely get my hands on the Reiji Maigo. Be prepared!"

After leaving those words behind, Shudenan turned and flew into the distance.