Again, They Encountered the Overlord Salamander

Hiss, hiss. With no target left, the Fire Ladybugs dived frantically toward the water. Fire and water could not coexist, and the bodies of Fire Ladybugs floated up one after another.

The remaining Fire Ladybugs dared not dive. They hovered above the water, beating their wings, seemingly with endless fury and nowhere to vent it.

After all, Hu Ming had just killed quite a few Fire Ladybugs by swatting them with his coat.

Hu Bayi couldn't hold his breath any longer. He surfaced for a breath, and countless Fire Ladybugs swooped down. At the critical moment, a slender hand pulled him back underwater. But it was still a little too late—his clothes had caught fire. He plunged into the water, and the flames went out.

Only after the insects had left for good did everyone surface and gulp down air.

Hu Bayi said, "Little Ye sent word that there's going to be a blizzard soon. We need to get out of here fast."

Professor Chen looked toward the nine-story demon tower and nodded. Everyone swam toward the opposite bank.

But aside from Hu Bayi and Hu Ming, no one sensed the danger closing in.

Hu Ming said to Hu Bayi, "We need to swim across fast. I keep feeling like something's heading this way."

Hu Bayi nodded gravely, then urged everyone on. This made them resent the two cousins for asking them to swim faster based on nothing but a hunch. They had just run such a long way and held their breath underwater; they barely had the strength left to swim.

The two tall soldiers and Fatty grumbled a little, but they understood, so they said nothing. Professor Hao and the two students, however, couldn't help complaining.

Hu Ming and Hu Bayi ignored them and swam hard toward the opposite bank.

Far away, a figure was charging toward them.

Once everyone reached the bank, they collapsed on the shore. Hu Ming immediately said, "Hurry up. I feel like something's coming."

Sa Dipeng complained, "You feel it? What makes you so sure? We've just been through hell, and now we have to run again without even getting a rest!"

"Yeah! Just because you feel it?"

The others vented their frustration, and Hu Ming clenched his fists. Hu Bayi patted him on the shoulder and shook his head.

Hu Bayi and the two tall soldiers were especially anxious. These people had never stayed in the snowy mountains and had no idea how dangerous a blizzard could be.

After everyone had rested for a few minutes, the tall man scowled and hauled them up one by one.

Once everyone was standing, Hu Ming and Hu Ming didn't waste words. They headed back at once.

Suddenly, a slimy, sticky tongue wrapped around Sa Dipeng's waist from behind, dragging him toward the river.

"Help! Save me! Brother Hu! Big guy..." Sa Dipeng shouted.

Fatty immediately grabbed his hand and pulled him back.

Hu Bayi and Hu Ming, who were at the front, ran back at once.

Seeing what was happening, Hu Bayi shouted, "Everyone, shoot that tentacle!"

At his words, no one cared whether the Fire Ladybugs would return. They opened fire, while Hu Ming pulled out four Molotov cocktails and handed them to Hu Bayi.

Hu Bayi took them and froze for a moment, then stuffed them into his pack.

The long tongue finally recoiled in pain and released Sa Dipeng. Everyone heard a cry like a baby's.

In the blink of an eye, a huge figure emerged from the water.

"Professor, look! What's that?"

Professor Hao's students were terrified when they saw the Overlord Salamander.

After all, they had never seen such a hideous creature.

"It's an Overlord Salamander!"

Professor Chen was stunned to see the supposedly extinct ancient species.

In ancient times, Overlord Salamanders lived in damp, shadowy places. Their habits were much like those of modern crocodiles, and they could tear their prey apart in an instant.

Adult Overlord Salamanders could grow up to twelve meters long. They were fierce carnivores with vicious temperaments. If dinosaurs had appeared a little earlier and encountered Overlord Salamanders, they would have faced a formidable opponent.

The Overlord Salamander had a head nearly two meters long. Thick scales covered its entire body except for its belly.

Its forehead was protected by a hard shell, making it difficult for bullets to penetrate and wound it.

Its extended tongue was nearly as long as its body and could sweep up any prey in its path.

But according to Hu Ming, legend had it that the Overlord Salamander was the only ancient beast capable of withstanding Immeasurable Karmic Fire. He had no idea whether that was true...

"What are you staring at? Run! Mingzi, move!" Hu Bayi shouted when he saw Hu Ming still watching the monster.

Hu Ming remained calm and said to everyone, "This monster is faster than us, and its tongue is incredibly long. Unless we drive it back, none of us will get away."

"What do we do, then?" Hu Bayi asked.

"It's fine. I have Molotov cocktails. Big guy, you and the others each take two from me. When the monster opens its mouth, throw them inside. Then I'll use a grenade to ignite the gasoline."

They took the Molotov cocktails from Hu Ming and backed away, dodging the monster's tongue as they went. When they had nearly thrown all the bottles, Hu Ming seized his chance and tossed a grenade straight into its mouth.

In an instant, its mouth erupted in flames. It howled and retreated into the river, thrashing wildly. But the gasoline kept burning even underwater.

Seeing this, Hu Ming said, "Now's our chance. Let's get out of here. The Overlord Salamander and the Fire Ladybugs are natural enemies. With the salamander making all this commotion, the Fire Ladybugs won't follow us for a while."

"What? We still have to run?"

"Shut up! If any of you don't want to run, stay here by yourselves. We're done helping you," Hu Ming snapped, fed up with another complaint.

Hu Bayi said calmly, "Let's go. Once we get back, we'll return Miss Yang's money. We can't do this job."

Fatty was about to speak up when he heard they would return the money, but Hu Ming shot him a glare, and he fell silent.

"Comrade Hu..."

Professor Chen was about to say something, but Hu Bayi walked on ahead, no longer paying them any attention.

Professor Chen and Yang Xueli exchanged a look. It seemed they would have to discuss how to persuade them to stay after they got back.

There were no more complaints from the group. Everyone hurried away. By the time they reached higher ground, Ye Yixin and the others had already packed everything away. The weather had changed. Hu Bayi immediately led the way back, leaving the others to follow on their own, while Hu Ming carried Professor Chen on his back.

He didn't want the two tall soldiers to get into trouble because of Professor Chen, and he was several times stronger than an ordinary person.