Chapter 53: Alligator Tears

Boom!

The Giant Crocodile King was hurled through the air by Li Taixing, slamming into a large tree with such force that its head spun in dizziness.

Crash!

It hit the ground, groaning in pain.

"Alright, Giant Crocodile King, how about we cut a deal?" Li Taixing said, his voice dripping with amusement. "You'll fight my Giant Bird Monster King. If you win, I'll let you go. If you lose, you give me your essence. Simple, right? Either way, you're fighting for your freedom."

The Giant Bird Monster King, still bathing in the river, perked up at this. Finally, a chance to prove itself! It was eager to soar and show its might.

The Giant Crocodile King, though still recovering from the impact, mulled over the offer. But there was something it didn't quite understand—what was the difference between the two options?

However, being unable to speak or ask questions, it simply glanced at Li Taixing, then at the Giant Bird Monster King splashing in the river, and reluctantly nodded.

Its choice was made: it would fight the bird.

Smiling, Li Taixing repeated, "So, you're choosing option one?"

The Giant Crocodile King nodded again, slapping its tail on the ground for emphasis.

"Alright then, let's call forth the warriors."

The Giant Bird Monster King, gleaming and half-clean, began to rise from the river in anticipation, but Li Taixing waved it off with an unimpressed look. "Not you. Keep bathing. You're still filthy. Don't come out until you're spotless."

The bird looked utterly confused.

It wasn't being called? But wasn't it the Giant Bird Monster King?

Meanwhile, the Giant Crocodile King smirked. Without the true Giant Bird Monster King to face, it thought it had a clear path to victory. Its confidence swelled.

However, its smug expression didn't last long. Within moments, dozens of Giant Bird Monster Kings materialized around it—each one looking equally menacing.

The Giant Crocodile King's eyes widened in shock, and it took several steps back, accidentally bumping into another tree. Its stomach sank as it realized that the fight would be far more difficult than expected. These birds weren't just ordinary—they had a sinister glint in their eyes, as if they were ready to feast on it.

Terrified, the Giant Crocodile King slapped the ground again in a panic.

Li Taixing chuckled, mimicking its motion. "Oh, now you want option two? Changed your mind, huh?"

Desperately, the Giant Crocodile King nodded its head, slapping the ground even harder in a frantic plea.

"Well, well. I'm a generous guy," Li Taixing said with a grin. "Since you've repented, I'll give you another chance."

With a wave of his hand, the replica Giant Bird Monster Kings vanished.

The Giant Crocodile King let out a deep sigh of relief, feeling fortunate that it had changed its mind in time. Meanwhile, the true Giant Bird Monster King, still floating in the river, looked around in utter bewilderment. Since when did it have so many 'twin brothers'? It shook its head, confused but relieved that the strange doppelgangers were gone.

But just as the Giant Bird Monster King thought its moment to shine had come, Li Taixing's voice rang out again, cold and cutting. "Hey, you! I didn't say you could get out yet. Stay in the river or I'll roast you for dinner!"

The Giant Bird Monster King yelped and immediately sank back into the water, feeling both hurt and confused. It glanced at Li Taixing, its big eyes full of resentment. 'You told me to come out earlier, so why are you scolding me now?'

But Li Taixing paid it no mind. His attention was fully on the Giant Crocodile King, who was trembling in fear. "Alright, now let's bring out the real fighters."

Suddenly, even more Giant Bird Monster Kings appeared—far more than before.

The Giant Crocodile King's jaw dropped, and it couldn't close its mouth for a long time. Meanwhile, the true Giant Bird Monster King, still splashing in the river, was so shocked it nearly drowned itself, choking on mouthfuls of water.

'What the f—?! How many twin brothers do I have?! Is my mother some kind of... super breeder? If she wasn't already dead, I'd have to ask her!'

Even Wang Xuanwu, watching from a distance, rubbed his eyes in disbelief. He stared at the wine jug in his hand and muttered, "Have I been drinking too much lately? I swear I just saw hundreds of Giant Bird Monster Kings ganging up on a poor crocodile."

He shook his head, trying to shake off the odd vision. "I'm getting too old for this."

Wang Xuanwu sighed deeply, vowing to get some answers—and a refund on this clearly fake wine.

Back at the battlefield, Li Taixing laughed heartily. "Alright, Giant Crocodile King, enough stalling. Let's wrap this up."

The crocodile, now surrounded by an army of terrifying birds, whimpered pathetically. With no other choice, it reluctantly slapped the ground again, signaling its surrender.

Li Taixing's face darkened. "You think you can just keep changing your mind? Be careful, or I'll skin you alive!"

Quack!

The Giant Crocodile King let out a panicked sound, clearly begging for mercy.

"Alright, fine," Li Taixing said, crossing his arms. "I'll give you one last chance to submit properly."

Seeing no other way out, the Giant Crocodile King quickly released its essence, offering it to Li Taixing.

Li Taixing smirked. "Good boy. You're learning."

---

Ding! Congratulations on subduing the Giant Crocodile King! You've triggered a multiplier effect, gaining 10 billion replicas of the Giant Crocodile King!

---

Li Taixing burst into laughter. "Wa hahaha! Ten billion Giant Crocodile Kings? I'm unstoppable!"

The real Giant Crocodile King gave him a pitiful look, while the true Giant Bird Monster King in the river was now utterly overwhelmed. It stared at the ever-growing army of its 'twin brothers' in disbelief.

'What the hell is going on? I only had a few brothers earlier—now there are hundreds! What kind of messed-up reality is this?'

Wang Xuanwu, still sipping his wine from afar, sighed heavily. "This is too much. I'm cutting off the wine."

Back on the ground, Li Taixing pointed to the Giant Crocodile King and declared, "From now on, your name is 'Waistcoat.'"

The Giant Crocodile King blinked in confusion. 'Waistcoat'? What did that even mean?

Before it could protest, Li Taixing turned to the Giant Bird Monster King. "And you! If you drink any more of that river, I'm turning you into dinner!"

The Giant Bird Monster King panicked, immediately regurgitating all the water it had swallowed. Its belly deflated rapidly, while a dozen fish jumped out in the process.

Li Taixing scowled. "Stupid bird."

The newly christened 'Waistcoat' tried to stifle its laughter, but couldn't help shedding a few crocodile tears.