What?
Hutu Tu was also a temple guard?
I was stunned by what the High Priest said. In that moment of distraction, Hutu Tu lunged forward and struck me with a "Black Tiger Heart Gouge." Fortunately, my body instinctively dodged, or I would have been dead or severely injured.
Damn it, resorting to dirty tricks!
I shot a murderous glance at the High Priest, who was standing by, watching with intense interest. Panting heavily, I pushed all extraneous thoughts out of my head.
At this moment, Hutu Tu underwent a subtle change. His once tall frame became gaunt, his body resembling skin and bones, making him look like a moving skeleton.
What the hell, when did this guy transform?!
"The lifelong wish of our Du'an tribe, to be complete, has finally come to fruition today! Batu, you should feel honored, for you are the most perfect vessel. Stop resisting and merge with us!"
The High Priest on the side seemed intoxicated with the joy of victory, babbling incessantly with strange words to disturb my concentration.
"Bah! You old geezer who's lived for who knows how many years! You want to take my body, but you haven't even taken a piss to see what you're made of!"
Even a clay Buddha has a temper. Hearing the High Priest's blatant declaration of victory, a surge of anger welled up in me, and I cursed him fiercely. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
While I was spewing insults at the High Priest, Hutu Tu charged at me like a man-eating hound, then swung his fist!
I had anticipated Hutu Tu's sudden attack, as a strong warrior wouldn't fall for the same trick twice.
Facing Hutu Tu's powerful strike, I didn't dodge. Instead, I met his punch head-on!
This was both a probe and my most familiar combat style. After all, the best defense is offense. I had to defeat Hutu Tu here, or I wouldn't even be able to touch the High Priest.
The path to the outside was now completely sealed, and no one could open it anytime soon. The temple was now a giant secret chamber. The longer I delayed, the more likely I was to die here. I had to end this quickly!
*Bang!*
My fist met Hutu Tu's in mid-air. To my surprise, the force transmitted through his fist was immense, even pushing me back two steps before I could regain my balance.
This guy must have eaten a super-strength pill, how could he be so fierce?
I was inwardly shocked, as my physique had already surpassed that of ordinary people after several fortuitous encounters.
Now, with his transformation, Hutu Tu's strength was subtly superior to mine, making him a freak!
"Hahahaha! Batu, I didn't expect you to be so smart. This makes me even more satisfied!"
"I've lived for so many years and only now have I encountered you. This is truly my fortune!"
Damn it, encountering you is the worst luck I've had in eight lifetimes!
In just one minute, I had exchanged dozens of blows with Hutu Tu.
Although Hutu Tu's strength surpassed mine, I had a slight advantage in agility, so neither of us could get the upper hand for the time being.
Hutu Tu threw another straight punch at me. This time, however, I didn't choose to go head-to-head. Instead, I agilely sidestepped and kicked him away, creating distance between us.
"High Priest, you shameless old fossil! What exactly did you do to Hutu Tu?!"
Seizing the opportunity, I loudly questioned the High Priest. The Hutu Tu I remembered, who was fond of drinking and had a melancholic air, was completely different from this half-human, half-monster fighting machine before me!
What trickery had the High Priest employed?!
"Batu, have you ever considered why, if all the Du'an tribe worship the Shepherd God, there would still be a leader in the tribe?"
At this moment, Hutu Tu charged at me again, and we became entangled in combat. Facing this life-or-death struggle, I had to focus all my attention on the fight, but the High Priest's voice still permeated my ears, compelling me to follow his line of thought.
"Hahahaha, the answer, of course, is that the Du'an tribe has never had a leader. Each generation's leader has been the most loyal temple guard. From the moment they assumed the position of leader, they dedicated themselves wholeheartedly to the Shepherd God, until death!"
Fortunately, the High Priest wasn't cryptic and readily revealed the answer.
And this was an answer I had never anticipated before.
So, all along, there was no power struggle in the Du'an tribe, only hidden traitors and overt deception!
Both Mr. A and I were wrong!
"Damn it!"
The Hutu Tu before me was like a precision killing machine. In a short period, I had exchanged over a hundred blows with him. Fine beads of sweat appeared on my forehead, yet he seemed to possess boundless stamina, showing no signs of fatigue.
If this continued, I would either be beaten to death by Hutu Tu or exhausted to death.
My eyes scanned the grand hall, searching for anything that could break this stalemate.
Hmm?
As I searched, I suddenly heard a faint sound from not far away.
The sound seemed to be coming from outside!