144: Chapter 144 Is Lu Zheng Dead?

Qu Zhenghao was fleeing frantically with Guan Hezheng.

His destination was not Jianghai City, but the direction in which Lu Zheng had previously fled; he still remembered that his mission was to protect Lu Zheng.

Just a moment ago, he had taken advantage of the clash between that mysterious expert and the Burning Fire Vajra Ape to retreat from the battlefield.

"Lu Zheng!"

Qu Zhenghao shouted loudly while carefully observing his surroundings, hoping to find traces left behind by Lu Zheng when he fled.

It didn't take long for Qu Zhenghao to follow Lu Zheng's tracks to a certain spot, where they suddenly vanished, which only deepened Qu Zhenghao's anxiety.

Lu Zheng had vanished here.

Was he rescued by someone, or taken away by a powerful Evolved Beast?

He didn't have much time left; he couldn't keep staying in the mountains. Now that the terrifying Burning Fire Vajra Ape was still here, and having managed to escape, he needed to return to Jianghai City as soon as possible.

He had to report this news to his master and the City Lord of Jianghai City.

Just as Qu Zhenghao was searching, Guan Hezheng, who was beside him, said timidly, "Are you looking for Lu Zheng?"

"I know where he is."

"He has something I left on him; I can find him."

Guan Hezheng said, and Qu Zhenghao hurriedly asked, "Where is he?"

Having witnessed the earlier scene, Guan Hezheng no longer had any other thoughts and followed his intuition toward a certain direction. A moment later, Guan Hezheng picked up a black bead from the ground, looking somewhat dazed.

This was the life-saving method he had previously given to Lu Zheng.

Beside it lay a tattered piece of clothing that had belonged to Lu Zheng.

He hadn't even had time to use his final life-saving item before it was discarded here; Lu Zheng's fate was self-evident.

Qu Zhenghao's expression turned ugly. He took a deep breath; although he was unwilling to believe it, the facts were right before his eyes—Lu Zheng was dead.

He had died in these mountains.

He suddenly felt a headache coming on, not knowing how to explain this upon his return. How would his Junior Sister react when she heard this news?

Even Guan Hezheng knew they were in big trouble; if not for him bringing Lu Zheng out, Lu Zheng wouldn't have died here.

"Let's go."

Qu Zhenghao sighed. Since Lu Zheng was nowhere to be found, neither alive nor dead, he picked up the tattered clothes, turned around, and headed toward Jianghai City.

Now, that Grandmaster Jiquan was beyond saving.

However, as Qu Zhenghao turned, he froze on the spot. Standing behind him was a person.

A look of respect immediately appeared in his eyes, and at the same time, he asked with some concern, "Senior, are you alright?"

The person who appeared before Qu Zhenghao was not someone else, but Lu Zheng.

Lu Zheng's current state shocked Qu Zhenghao; his injuries were too severe, and one of his arms hung limply, seemingly broken.

Lu Zheng was heavily injured, but his identity was well-concealed; he still had his disguise on, so Qu Zhenghao did not recognize him. Lu Zheng waved his hand and then handed the item he was carrying to him.

This was the reason Lu Zheng had sought out Qu Zhenghao.

"Senior, what is this?"

Qu Zhenghao looked at the item in front of him, feeling puzzled.

"This is the essence of the millennium tree heart that Grandmaster Jiquan needs."

"Take it back and save Grandmaster Jiquan's life."

Lu Zheng said slowly, and before Qu Zhenghao could react, he spoke again.

"Do you have any Spirit Stones on you? Give them all to me."

Qu Zhenghao didn't fully process it, but upon hearing what the expert said, he immediately handed over all the remaining Spirit Stones he had on him.

Lu Zheng took the Spirit Stones, said nothing more, and left immediately, leaving a somewhat dazed Qu Zhenghao behind.

"The essence of the millennium tree heart?"

Qu Zhenghao looked at the item in his hand and exclaimed in surprise. How did this mysterious expert know that Grandmaster Jiquan needed this?

Too many unanswered questions left Qu Zhenghao completely baffled.

"Senior, did you see a young man named Lu Zheng?"

Qu Zhenghao realized and asked loudly, but there was no response. He could only put away the essence of the millennium tree heart and head toward Jianghai City.

This essence of the millennium tree heart was something Lu Zheng had found inside the Burning Fire Vajra Ape's weapon, the true martial tree trunk.

When Lu Zheng had shattered it at the time, quite a bit of the essence had spilled out. Lu Zheng had gathered some when he fled, then caught up to Qu Zhenghao to hand it over.

As for why Lu Zheng didn't reveal himself, it was simply because his Clone was currently severely injured, and he couldn't leave it.

After leaving, Lu Zheng headed in the direction where his Clone had fled. Lu Zheng's own injuries were not light, and even a slight cough caused him pain.

He held the Spirit Stones he had obtained from Qu Zhenghao in his hand.

"Cough, cough, cough..."

"Devour!"

As soon as Lu Zheng finished speaking, all the Spirit Stones in his hand were devoured.

[Devoured one Spirit Stone, obtained 150,000 energy points.]

[Devoured one Spirit Stone, obtained 130,000 energy points.]

Qu Zhenghao had a total of five Spirit Stones, and after devouring them all, Lu Zheng had obtained 700,000 energy points.

A moment later, Lu Zheng arrived at the place where his Clone had fled. However, his Clone was currently unconscious from severe injuries, and there were many Evolved Beasts around it.

Their eyes were filled with bloodlust.

Several Tier 2 Evolved Beasts were already impatient, wanting to devour the flesh and blood of the giant snake before them, but after Lu Zheng arrived, he took action and wiped them all out.

He then used the skill Command to summon all the snake-type Evolved Beasts that his Clone could control to this location.

"Protect this place well."

"Not a single Evolved Beast must be allowed to step inside."

After giving the order, Lu Zheng looked at his Clone. The Clone's condition was not good; its breathing had become weak. If this dragged on any longer, the Clone would be beyond saving.

Furthermore, his own injuries were also reaching their limit.

There were two more Evolved Beasts as powerful as the Burning Fire Vajra Ape deep in the mountains; he didn't know how Jianghai City could possibly withstand such a disaster.

"System, upgrade!"

Lu Zheng looked at his Clone and spoke. Only the System could save his Clone now; after the upgrade, the Clone's injuries would be fully healed.

It was also the only way at the moment.

Fortunately, the energy points needed for the next upgrade were only a little over 400,000; otherwise, he could only watch helplessly as his Clone died here.

As the System's voice faded, a long-lost power appeared once again on both his original body and his Clone.

It felt warm.

Seeing this, Lu Zheng finally couldn't hold on any longer; he fell unconscious and collapsed beside his Clone, while the dense swarm of snake-type Evolved Beasts stood guard, adhering strictly to Lu Zheng's Command.

Keeping watch here at all times, not letting any Evolved Beast step inside.

Qu Zhenghao, carrying the news of Lu Zheng's death, had already left the mountains, but his heart went cold once again; he had seen that terrifying figure again.

The Burning Fire Vajra Ape was heading toward Jianghai City.

At that moment, alarms blared throughout the base. They had already sensed the anomaly in the mountains, but upon seeing that terrifying figure, they were still struck with fear.

The City Lord's expression was grave; he hadn't expected that the overlord from the depths would actually walk out of the mountains.

"It's the Burning Fire Vajra Ape!"