The Snipe and the Clam Wrestle! (Seeking Follow-ups, Seeking Follow-ups)

A roar capable of shaking the entire Vale erupted from within the swamp.

The sound was like a thunderclap from a clear sky, as if it made the very space tremble.

Splash—

Following the roar, the flat ground at the center of the swamp lake suddenly rose into the air.

It detached itself entirely from the swamp lake, soaring upward in an instant.

At the same time, the massive body hidden beneath the swamp lake was exposed, its sheer size churning the dead-silent swamp into a violent, surging sea.

The black creature stood fully upright; it possessed a giant shell with a slight arc on its back, yet its body resembled that of a giant lizard.

Armored Shell Giant Lizard!

A Commander-level creature!

Lan Yu raised an eyebrow. It seemed he would have to find that Poison Centipede and make the two of them fight so he could fish in troubled waters.

Lan Yu wasn't confident enough to take down a Commander-level creature alone without sustaining injuries, and this one was significantly larger than the Giant Lizard Pseudo-Dragon he had seen before.

With that shell on its back, the Armored Shell Giant Lizard's defense was surely formidable.

Killing it would be an arduous task.

Not to mention that the Commander-level creature could simply overwhelm him with its subordinate Warrior-level and Servant-level monsters, and there was no guarantee that other demons weren't waiting in the wings to swoop in.

Even if he were lucky enough to kill this Commander-level Armored Shell Giant Lizard, other Commander-level demons would certainly not pass up such a perfect opportunity to beat a dog that had fallen into the water.

Recalling his elemental surveyor, Lan Yu returned to the cave at top speed.

As he returned, Lingling spoke up: "I just had Snow Empress scout the area. Behind this cave, there is a path leading directly to a dried-up underground river valley. This valley spans the entire underground world of the Vale, including the bottom of the swamp lake."

"By the way, are you sure your 'snipe and clam' plan is feasible? Commander-level creatures don't just break into fights easily."

"Don't worry, I have a way to make them fight." Lan Yu smiled. Momo should be taking action by now.

By the afternoon, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger returned, carrying a giant centipede leg in its jaws.

"Go on, throw this centipede leg into the swamp lake and feed it to the Armored Shell Giant Lizard." Lan Yu reached out and patted the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's large front leg.

Roar~

The Dark Demon Evil God Tiger let out a low growl, then sprinted toward the swamp lake with the centipede leg in its mouth.

Its powerful limbs allowed it to run and leap rapidly across the complex terrain, and the wings on its back allowed for swift flight.

After tossing the centipede legs into the swamp lake, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger roared and vanished instantly, leaving only an afterimage.

Before long, the swamp lake erupted again. The centipede legs disappeared behind a curtain of mud; it seemed the Armored Shell Giant Lizard had eaten them.

Returning to the cave, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger retreated into Lan Yu's

Summoning Space

.

[If your cultivation wasn't so weak, there would be no need for such trouble.] Snow Empress's voice echoed in Lan Yu's mind.

[My fault, then?] Lan Yu replied helplessly via thought: [This is the only way for now. In time, once my Summoning Element breaks through to the High level, your powers will surely reach the Commander level as well. We'll be able to do much more then.]

"Now we just have to wait." Lingling took out her exclusive pink tablet, her delicate fingers tapping on the keyboard as if recording something.

"Let's rest first. Once we've recovered our energy, we start working!"

Lingling and Snow Empress donned their gear and entered the craggy, rock-filled cave of the underground river. The light from their flashlights didn't reach very far, but fortunately, Snow Empress had left markers to ensure their position corresponded with the surface.

That little girl Lingling never went on a long trip without bringing all sorts of instruments; she even had military-grade equipment.

"Brat, have you and Snow Empress reached the designated position?" Lan Yu's voice came through the headset, sounding somewhat muffled.

"We're here, but the signal is poor. It's hard to hear what you're saying," Lingling replied.

"We have limited time. Those Lizard Skull Giant Demons will be done with their square dance and coming back soon," Lan Yu said.

Although the headset signal was poor, the connection between Lan Yu, Snow Empress, and the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger remained unbroken.

Meanwhile, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger was standing by in the toxic swamp area.

It looked up at the setting sun, its blood-red eyes filled with the excitement of impending chaos.

Fight, fight, just keep fighting. It would be best if you both end up severely injured so I can be the oriole that swoops in last!

[Momo, move!]

As Lan Yu's thought arrived, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger shook its body, its gaze locking onto the toxic zone.

Roar—

The Dark Demon Evil God Tiger let out a roar, instantly transforming into a terrifying sonic shockwave that kicked up a massive wave of mud.

Gurgle, gurgle—

Following that, the mud in the area began to churn, with waves of sludge rising forty to fifty meters high—a truly spectacular sight.

Within the churning mud, a long body emerged. With giant legs lining both sides, it looked exactly like a massive centipede.

Having awakened the Poison Centipede, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger turned and ran.

It was a classic case of enemies meeting, their eyes burning with hatred.

Upon seeing the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger that had ambushed it, the Poison Centipede burned with rage and charged straight toward it.

However, because the Poison Centipede had lost many of its legs to the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger's sneak attack, it stumbled as it ran. The Dark Demon Evil God Tiger even intentionally slowed its pace, fearing the Poison Centipede might not be able to keep up.

Before long, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger reached the designated location, where a moving black mountain appeared before it.

It was the Armored Shell Giant Lizard!

After reuniting with its shovel-wielding servant Lan Yu, the Dark Demon Evil God Tiger returned to the Summoning Space on its own.

[Snow Empress, now is the time!]

Seeing that the moment was ripe, Lan Yu urged her hurriedly.

[Emperor Sword: Ice Extreme Unrivaled!]

Snow Empress raised her left index finger, its tip shimmering with an icy blue light.

The next second, that icy blue light suddenly transformed into a sword beam, and with a wave of her hand, Snow Empress slashed it out violently.

BOOM—

A thunderous sound echoed, and rocks tumbled down in a flurry.

Snow Empress waved her hand again, casting an icy blue barrier to shield Lingling and prevent her from being struck by the falling debris.

A hole nearly ten meters wide was blasted through the rock ceiling, with frost spreading across the surroundings.

[Hm? There is a dense aura of earth elements within this rock layer.] Snow Empress's voice sounded with surprise.

[Excellent, that is the Spirit Seed we are looking for this time. Snow Empress, continue cutting with the Emperor Sword.]

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

Layer upon layer of mud waves surged in the swamp lake, and thick, black sludge rained down from the sky, nearly turning Lan Yu into a mud man.

"Good thing I put up an ice shield." Lan Yu let out a long breath.

Gradually, the distance between the two behemoths grew smaller and smaller.

Watching these two monsters charging over like they were overturning rivers and seas, Lan Yu felt a bit of trepidation.

That's not right. With Snow Empress's power, the passage should have been opened by now. Why isn't it ready yet?