*Chii!*
As soon as the words left his mouth, a fearsome dimensional rift attack descended, instantly striking Chen Shu.
However, the Space Rabbit reacted swiftly, establishing a spatial tunnel.
The dimensional strike was forcibly redirected, but in just two or three seconds, the tunnel abruptly ruptured.
The redirected dimensional strike returned!
In a collision of spatial powers, the Space Rabbit was at a significant disadvantage, with a gap of two major ranks separating them.
But at least it had bought a moment.
At this moment, two distant reconnaissance personnel were struck by over ten ice spikes, their life auras instantly vanishing.
Beside the two, an invisible Husky was present; at such close range, even the Archbishop couldn't react.
'Obtain Reward: Gigantification +1'
"Hm?!"
Kong turned his head, his eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty. He couldn't even see how Chen Shu had made his move.
"Bye-bye!"
Chen Shu's mind stirred, recalling the Husky and the Slime beneath his feet.
Simultaneously, he waved his hand and downed a large gulp of teleportation potion.
He, Zhang Dali, and the Space Rabbit vanished instantly, leaving the rain-swept area.
"Think you can escape?!"
Kong roared, but his expression then froze, a hint of disbelief in his eyes.
*Swish swish swish—*
The light rain from the sky gradually intensified, eventually turning into a torrential downpour, but no trace of any living being could be found.
"They actually ran?"
He murmured to himself, not disappointed, but rather more intrigued by Chen Shu.
"It seems I need to call in some reinforcements…"
Kong's gaze swept towards the sea ahead, and with a stomp of his foot, he vanished from his spot…
Meanwhile, in another part of the sea,
Chen Shu and Zhang Dali appeared on a small, desolate island, having escaped Kong's domain.
"A King-tier has been dispatched, they really think highly of Brother Bandit."
He muttered to himself, then chuckled, "Unfortunately, it's still useless…"
The two individuals from earlier had perfectly fulfilled his system's selection criteria. Since the maximum level had been reached, it was instantly settled.
Gigantification had now reached Lv8, allowing him to grow sixteen times in size, while also enhancing the effects of Little Yellow's various skills and its defensive capabilities.
"Let's go, time to participate in the God of Cookery Cup!"
Chen Shu grinned. As soon as the summoning cooldown ended, he immediately summoned the Slime and headed straight for the Southern Clear Country.
…
Concurrently, following Archbishop Kong's command, a large number of members from the church branch near the Southern Clear Country were mobilized.
Most of them were Black Iron-tier Beast Tamers, with a smaller portion being Silver-tier.
As for Gold-tier, none were deployed. Having recently lost two Gold-tier Archbishops, the church did not wish to suffer further losses of high-end combat power.
"You will disperse along the southern coastline of the Southern Clear Country and search for Chen Shu's whereabouts!"
"He will definitely appear!"
"Also, do not get too close to the Southern Clear Country, or you will be detected."
Archbishop Kong stood hovering in the air, a projected screen appearing before him, displaying various members of the church.
In the vast expanse of the sea, it was impossible for the church members to cover the entire area. It was better to lie in wait at the destination.
A Silver-tier Rank 3 member spoke,
"Archbishop, we can't stop him either, with that rabbit of his…"
"I will set up a spatial domain in that sea area. As long as there is any spatial fluctuation, I will be able to detect it immediately!"
The communication between the two parties was cut off. The branch members obeyed the order and proceeded to the target sea area, preparing to await Chen Shu's arrival.
Kong's lips curved upwards, and he muttered to himself,
"I might not be able to keep him alone, I still need to find an old friend…"
…
The Southern Clear Country, located on a large island in the Northern Spirit Ocean,
As there were six islands of similar size in its vicinity, and each of them housed a nation, it was known as the Seven Northern Spirit Nations.
At this moment, the Seven Nations were filled with the sounds of drums and firecrackers, a sea of people, making it incredibly lively…
The 'God of Cookery Cup' was one of Blue Star's grand events. For the Southern Clear Country, a small to medium-sized nation, to be the host was a matter of considerable honor.
Even the six neighboring nations felt honored and came to help set up the venue.
The two King-tier Beast Tamers of the Seven Northern Spirit Nations were personally present to prevent any terrorist attacks.
If any mishap occurred, it would be a national embarrassment on an international scale.
In the capital of the Southern Clear Country, Southern Clear City, at the Beast Tamer Tower.
The two stood atop the tall tower, overlooking the entire city.
Currently, the city was adorned with lanterns and streamers, bearing the insignia of the God of Cookery Cup.
The residents of the city were actively engaged in welcoming participants from all over the globe.
"Old Ka, I feel at ease seeing you here."
Fu Ning, the King-tier Beast Tamer of the Southern Clear Country, was a middle-aged man but had a full head of white hair, making him appear somewhat weathered and peculiar.
"Can't be helped…"
Old Ka, an elder dressed in black, said slowly,
"It's because that person from Huaguo is coming…"
"Indeed. Originally, I thought the God of Cookery Cup was foolproof, but I was afraid that fellow would stir up trouble…"
Fu Ning shook his head and said, "Alas, I haven't slept well these past couple of days…"
"Wherever he goes, trouble is sure to follow…"
Old Ka sighed, as if recalling something, "Do you think this guy might get ambushed on the way?"
If Chen Shu met with misfortune halfway, it would no longer be their concern.
"Unlikely."
Fu Ning immediately denied it, "He hasn't encountered any danger? Yet he's still alive and well?"
"That's true… How about we go to the coastline to pick him up?"
Old Ka nodded, saying, "What if he feels the hospitality is insufficient and decides to launch a nuclear missile?"
"It wouldn't be that absurd…"
"Don't deceive yourself. He's the Nanjiang Bandit…"
"Let's go! To the coastline now!"
The two left the Beast Tamer Tower, each riding a contracted spirit, and headed south.
…
While the people of the Southern Clear Country were preparing for the grand event, a large group of criminals was hiding in the southern sea.
Archbishop Kong stood in the air, his eyes filled with contemplation, muttering to himself,
"It's been over ten days, why hasn't he arrived yet?"
He was growing increasingly impatient. According to his estimations, it should have only taken two or three days.
Yet, Chen Shu was inexplicably delayed.
A Silver-tier Beast Tamer cautiously approached and said,
"Archbishop, if we continue to wait, we might attract the attention of the Seven Northern Spirit Nations…"
"What's there to fear?!"
Kong frowned and said, "Just two King-tier Beast Tamers. It would take me at least a day to defeat them!"
"…"
The subordinate beside him twitched his mouth; that threatening remark sounded strange…
"Issue a command: keep a close watch."
"Yes!"