Chapter 117: Scramble for the Horn Tip

Wang Zen and Shibi dd not get far before the Rhino shot out a lightning bolt at him. Hedodged but his speed did not resemble short step, so lightning brushed up against him, sending electricity coursing through him. He fell donw and Shibi was sent rolling away from his shoulder as did the Horn tip from his grasp. The horn bounced and stopped in front of a pair of slightly chubby feet.

Zen looked up at Geyi Kun as she picked up the horn tip. “Geyi Kun, run!”

She turned her back and did as she was told. Zen got up to his feet and held the Zen Blade before him as he Rhino charged at him, each of its step sending the ground trembling. Although his knees shook in fear, he stood his ground facing the huge beast. Shibi returned to his shoulder, his body giving off more heat tha usual as he too faced down the Rhino.

“Shibi, get off me!” he shouted. “Run!”

Shibi’s hands and feet held more firm to him.

Zen realised this was one command the Scorch Ape would not follow easily so he charged at the Rhino. Shibi leapt off his shoulder, his whole body erupting in fire while Zen shouted as he met the Rhino head on.

They did not last a second or even slowed down the Rhino’s charge as when they met theyr were immediately hurled away, both their bodies coursing with electricity.

Kun looked back in fear as the Rhino quickly closed the distance between them. Jian appeared beside her using Short Step, took her under the arm and leapt up to the tree tops with her, barely dodging a bolt that hit where they had jumped from. With Geyi Kun now n his arms hecontinued to traverse the branches.

A lightning botl rushed for him and he knew he would not be able to Short Step his way out of its way with Geyi Kun on his arms bridal style.

Silicy appeared between them and the lightning bolt. The Snow Dove sent a gust of air towards the the lightning bolt, slowing down its progress. “Go!” Silicy commanded. “That horn tip is important for my Mistress’ survival.”

Jian continued on.

When the lightning was about to reach her, Silicy dodged, allowing the lightning attack to harmlessly continue into the sky. She tried to distabalize the charging Rhino by sending the small blizzard its way but the Rhino continued on, undeterred.

Jian continued on, looking back at the Rhino. They were entering a rocky area and the trees were thinning out, forcing him on the ground. He ran past a gorge in the ground, the bottom so deep that the bottom could not be seen.

“Wouldn’t it be easier to just give up the Horn Tip?” Geyi Kun said, seeing the Rhino that was catching up.

“Xue Shaonu needs this. If we need to, we’ll give up our lives to protect it.” Jian said before he smiled, his teeth shining white. “But not to worry, it will not come to that. We will escape this beast.” Jian’s ki began roiling, emiating from him. It seemed like it wanted to take shape around him but simply could not. Kun was amazed at how powerful and pure his ki was.

He stopped and faced the charging Rhino. “My friend needs this, so just go away!”A line of ki came from him, for a moment, it looked like a familiar object but she could not even believe her eyes. The line of ki lost its phantom shape and travelled along the ground, cutting deep into the rock. Without traction, the ground beneath the Rhino began sliding into the gorge, sending the Rhino falling deep in it.

“Wow,” is all Geyi Kun could say.

Jian smirked and began wobbling before he dropped to a knee. The action must have caused Geyi Kun to drop the horn tp because he could see it sail into the gorge.

“No!” he shouted before placing Geyi Kun on the ground before he dived after the horn tip.

Geyi Kun bent over the edge, watching him disappear into the darkness. A moment later, Silicy dove after him into the gorge. Jian reached out and grabbed the horn tip as Silicy caught him on her back before rearing up.

The rock edge above them exploded, sending crushing boulders down at them. Silicy zig zagged, dodging the shower of boulders before they emerged from the gorge, rising higher into the air as they lew away.

“Chen Jian! What about me?” Geyi Kun shouted after them.

“Silicy, we can’t leave her behind.” Jian said to Silicy.

“She will be okay.” She answered. “Her friend is on his way. We need to get the Horn tip to my mistress.”

Wang Zen as the friend in question as he joined Geyi Kun as they watched the two fly away. “Did they get the Horn tip?” he asjed as he collapsed to his knees, wisps of ashy smoke still rising from his body as did Shibi’s who was in his arms.

“They’re not coming back, so I think that answers your question.” She said. “We need to go. We need to catch up.”

“No,” he said. He still doesn’t have the steel moss. We need to get that.”

“We don’t have…”

“No! We’re not leaving until we get it.”

Kun sighed loudly in annoyance. “Fine! I saw some when Jian Chen was carrying me. Keep up! Cause I won’t wait for you!”

“Wait… he carried you?” Zen said as he followed.

“There,” Kun said as she scraped the grey moss off the tree with a knife. “This should be enough.”

“I’ll hold it in my storage stone.”

“Okay but it won’t last long.” Kun said. “Steel moss is known for easily perishing. You need to reserve it.”

“How?”

Geyi Kun tapped her Academy badge and a jar with red powder appeared. “This is Red Preservation Powder, it should preserve it.” Kun said as she put the ss in the jar and handed it over to Zen, who placed it in his storage stone.

“Alright,” Zen said. “Let’s go.”

With the last of his money, Zen hired another speed courier. Jian had the Lightning Rhino horn tip and he had the steel moss. With that, the race to save Xue Shaonu had begun.