The world has turned into Hell's Game, why should I stay human? Chapter 1423: Still Working Late, Just a Little Bit Left, Update Around 1 AM

Ma Baoli pursued Liu Zheng around the yard numerous times before Ma Fuguo intervened and halted her.

"If you dare bully me again, I'll use the Lightning Five-Chain Whip on your backside!"

She directed an angry threat at Liu Zheng.

Indeed, martial artists are formidable when provoked.

"How is that my concern? I didn't create the painting. You should seek out Timor Layman; disputes must be resolved with the responsible party."

Liu Zheng countered defiantly.

"Then you're an accomplice!"

Ma Baoli shot him another fierce look before shifting her gaze back to the drawing.

After studying the fingerprint for a moment, she placed her own index finger upon it.

"Hmm?!"

An icy jolt surged from Liu Zheng's coccyx all the way to his head.

He immediately activated his full power and swiftly pulled Ma Fuguo into a rapid retreat.

To their utter astonishment, five-colored thunderous light erupted from Ma Baoli's apertures like sprouting seedlings, rapidly coalescing into a Five-Colored Thunder Lotus.

Simultaneously, Ma Baoli's Essence Qi was being drastically depleted by the escaping Five Elements Divine Thunder. The once vibrant young woman became gaunt, resembling a tree utterly drained of its lifeblood.

"Lili!"

Ma Fuguo's heart ached watching her, and he desperately tried to reach Ma Baoli's side.

"Bang!"

Liu Zheng struck him with a knife-hand strike, knocking him unconscious.

There was no alternative; the Five-Colored Thunder Lotus was horrifying even to behold. Ma Fuguo, a frail old man, would undoubtedly meet a tragic end if accidentally struck by his own daughter.

This was not the moment for reasoning; he had to act decisively and knock him out.

Liu Zheng moved Ma Fuguo further away before returning to Ma Baoli's side.

Her condition had worsened considerably, nearing the appearance of a dried corpse.

Without breaking the current deadlock, Ma Baoli was certain to perish.

But how could the stalemate be broken?

Liu Zheng was also at a loss.

Attacking with his full power and employing tools might prove effective, but destroying the Five-Colored Thunder Lotus could inadvertently hasten Ma Baoli's Essence Qi depletion rather than saving her.

Attempting to use items to restore Ma Baoli's strength was unlikely to succeed, as she was not a player, and the items might be incapable of breaching the thunder lotus's defenses.

As a last resort, he considered waiting for Ma Baoli's demise and then attempting to revive her using the "Life, Old Age, Illness, and Death Stew."

"Slap!"

Liu Zheng slapped himself hard across the face, forcing himself to regain composure.

Timor Layman held no prior animosity towards Ma Baoli, nor any conceivable motive to harm her.

Furthermore, he was on the verge of confronting the cashier; plotting against an unseen woman at such a critical juncture would be utterly beneath him.

If Timor Layman harbored no intention of harming Ma Baoli...

Liu Zheng closely observed Ma Baoli, noting the thunderous light within her being was nearly extinguished.

"Could it be?"

A sudden spark of realization ignited in his mind.

Ma Baoli had previously mentioned that she could have cultivated a more advanced Thunder Skill but had opted for the Five Elements Divine Thunder due to concerns about her Qi-Blood reserves.

He had also promised Ma Baoli that once his body regenerated, he would exchange his Innate Qi for her practiced Five Elements Divine Thunder.

Now, if Timor Layman's intention was to assist her in advancing to a superior Thunder Skill...

"A painting's meaning is shaped by its viewers. One might see it as a catalyst for conflict, while another perceives it as an inspiration for acts of charity."

Timor Layman's words resonated in his thoughts.

"Layman, whom precisely are you testing here?"

Liu Zheng clenched his teeth, driving the "Anger" knife into his own brow.

His skull cracked like soft tofu, revealing the delicate brain tissue beneath.

"Asura, lend me assistance."

Liu Zheng communicated with his Artificial Body.

He was incapable of manifesting Innate Qi on his own.

"Roar!"

The Artificial Body responded. A faint aura of anger enveloped the spark of spiritual light emanating from his brain.

"Thank you."

Liu Zheng captured the spiritual light and directed it towards Ma Baoli.

The Five-Colored Thunder Lotus surrounding Ma Baoli instinctively prepared to retaliate, but the fingerprint on the drawing paper pulsed with golden light, rendering them immobile.

A profound truth dawned on Liu Zheng, and he let his palm hover above the Innate Qi.

The fingerprint detached from the painting, transforming into a golden hand. It deftly grasped the Innate Qi and deposited it into Ma Baoli's brow.

Subsequently, the golden hand plucked each Five-Colored Thunder Lotus, placing them back into the drawing paper. It then seized the paper and departed towards the gallery.

"Promised fiery nature, unpracticed divine skills, none fit the contest,"

Liu Zheng murmured to himself.

Still, it was fortunate that none of them were a match.

Had they been, he might have already met his demise simply by stepping into the gallery with his left foot first.

With the Five-Colored Thunder Lotus no longer siphoning Ma Baoli's Essence Qi, her critical condition stabilized rapidly. She groaned softly and collapsed backward.

With a swift movement, Liu Zheng caught her; she was as light as a husky.

He bundled both Ma Baoli and Ma Fuguo into the spirit car, speeding towards the clinic.

"Doctor! Doctor!"

Liu Zheng yelled, clutching Ma Baoli.

"Right here, no need to shout."

Doctor Nile emerged.

"Where did you find my countrywoman? And where are the bandages?"

He inquired, clearly taken aback by Ma Baoli's swaddled state.

"This is no time for jesting. Quickly, save her."

Liu Zheng couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"What's the rush? She simply lost a lot of life essence; a small infusion is all that's needed."