Seeing Ni Bo on the verge of death made Little Tao Tao feel even more distressed, yet his mouth continued to curse loudly: "You bastard are about to die and become a hero, but you leave this old man to live on alone, burdened by a debt forever. Do you think that's possible?" As Little Tao Tao spat out the words, he poured his own power into Ni Bo, helping him resist the devouring force of that black radiance.
"But..." Little Hei was about to say something more, but was interrupted by the voice of Taotie.
"No buts. You damn well remember this: we are brothers! Do you even know what brothers mean? Forget it, you only know how to fight all day; how could you understand that? I'll tell you now what brotherhood means. A brother is... Huh? What exactly is a brother? I remember Little Ye Zi once said..." Little Tao Tao rambled on, only to suddenly realize he couldn't recall the words Ye Jingyu had spoken back then...
"Bodies may shatter, heads may fall, but the bond of brotherhood can never be extinguished! Brother, that is a comrade who relies on you for life and death; brother, that is a friend who shares life and death with you; brother, that is a confidant for whom you'd willingly take a blade to the throat!" A deep voice emerged from Little Hei's mouth...
"Right, right, right, that's it! Huh, how come you remember it clearer than me? I thought you only knew how to fight and kill?" Little Tao Tao nodded repeatedly, wearing a look of curiosity...
I fight and kill, which is still better than you just knowing how to eat, drink, and sleep every day! Ni Bo thought, but did not say it aloud. However, both he and Little Tao Tao saw everything in each other's eyes, understanding everything instantly...
Supported by Little Tao Tao, Ni Bo struggled to stand up. Looking at the Devouring Dragon Beast King that had arrived before them, the hottest fighting intent ignited in both their eyes...
What was death? To be able to fight alongside such a brother before dying—even after death, they wouldn't be alone...
"You two are being so sentimental, are you finished talking now?" The Devouring Dragon Beast seemed completely unconcerned with how long they lingered. Only when they stopped speaking did he speak again, his massive form standing like a divine mountain before them, his eyes filled with mockery...
What nonsense was this brotherhood? That was an emotion only the weak humans possessed. What use did such a thing have for two Desolate Beasts like you?
Little Hei and Ni Bo said nothing, both looking up at the towering Devouring Dragon Beast King. They understood that death might be inevitable today, but there was no hint of retreat in their eyes. Since they couldn't escape, they would fight...
Life is precious, love is more valuable. They had no love, but they possessed a brotherhood forged in life and death—what fear was there, even in death...
Streams of black flames ignited on Ni Bo’s body. He didn't even bother with his pierced torso. Taotie beside him continuously erupted with power; masses of golden light flashed across his body. His form had transformed into his true body, releasing nearly all his strength...
"Ni Dragon Absolute Aria!" The bodies of the two beasts instantly transformed into two blinding rays, merging together to form a colossal dragon silhouette stretching tens of thousands of feet long, which fiercely pounced toward the Devouring Dragon Beast King...
Facing the desperate strike of the two beasts, the look of mockery on the Devouring Dragon Beast King’s face vanished, replaced by one of gravity. Masses of black light erupted from his body, and his two thick arms crossed over his chest, attempting to block the immense dragon silhouette...
"Rumble..." With a tremendous roar, the massive dragon silhouette violently slammed into the protective demonic light barrier before the Devouring Dragon Beast King. The black demonic light was instantly shattered, and then the silhouette struck his arms...
The head of the dragon silhouette shattered first, followed by the body. But the Devouring Dragon Beast King was violently shaken backward repeatedly. The scales on his arms chipped away, followed by the flesh and blood—many times harder than profound iron—being blasted apart. Then, his very bones were pulverized by such power... The overwhelming force sent his gigantic body flying dozens of miles, smashing countless towering ancient trees before finally crashing down...
But the golden dragon silhouette was completely fragmented as well. The two figures plummeted directly from the sky, crashing hard onto the ground and kicking up clouds of dust... It was Taotie and Ni Bo, their strength utterly exhausted...
As the two beasts landed, almost every part of their bodies was cracked, and streams of golden blood flowed out. The aura of life seemed to be gradually draining away...
"Do you think he's dead?" The two beasts looked at each other. Little Tao Tao surprisingly had the presence of mind to ask...
"Listen for yourself..." Ni Bo’s eyes flickered, gesturing for Taotie to listen closely. Immediately, they heard bursts of agonizing howls...
Bitter smiles spread across both their faces. They understood that although their desperate combined strike had heavily wounded the Devouring Dragon Beast King, it was not enough to kill him. Given a little time, he would recover, and only death awaited them both.
"Sigh, I can't believe our first full-power collaboration is going to be our last. It's truly unsatisfying. I really miss Little Ye Zi’s barbecue. I wonder where that guy is now..." Little Tao Tao spoke, and streams of drool flowed from his mouth, though within that saliva, there was a faint trace of golden blood...
"I'm sorry..." Hearing Little Tao Tao’s words, Ni Bo felt a pang in his heart and instinctively spoke the words...
"Why say sorry?" Little Tao Tao rolled his eyes, but the drool from the corner of his mouth flowed even more freely, clearly recalling Ye Jingyu's barbecue...
"If I hadn't asked you to come, neither of us would be dying now..." Ni Bo's voice was very low, filled with self-reproach. If he hadn't been so confident, how could this have happened to them?
"Little Hei..." Little Tao Tao suddenly stared intently at Little Hei and called out very seriously...
"Hmm?" Little Hei’s eyes held confusion...
"What are we?" Little Tao Tao continued to ask...
"Brothers..." Although Little Hei was puzzled why Little Tao Tao was asking this now, the word slipped out...
"Since we are brothers, why must we still say sorry?" Little Tao Tao stated solemnly.
"Heh, that's right, we are brothers..." Ni Bo heavily emphasized the last two words, his eyes filled with unyielding resolve...
Little Tao Tao said nothing more; his eyes held the same steadfastness. What did it matter if they died together with their brother?