Reborn with Infinity Money System, I was Worshipped by All Universes!

"An aberrant spellbeast? Ironback Centipede?!"

Upon seeing the Ironback Centipede, Anthony immediately felt an overwhelming sense of pressure emanating from its massive body, causing his face to pale slightly.

Ascended Rank Level 9!

This spellbeast was absolutely not something he could contend with in his current state!

However, it had already set its sights on the spaceship. If Anthony didn't step forward to stop it, Velen would be in grave danger!

No matter what, he had to buy time for Velen to escape!

As Anthony charged toward it, the Ironback Centipede's grotesque mandibles twitched, producing a raspy voice.

"Human, I'm in a good mood today. If you can offer me something I fancy, I might just let you and the spaceship go."

Anthony frowned. Spellbeasts of this level possessed intelligence comparable to humans—perhaps even harder to predict—making them extremely troublesome.

Anthony didn't believe a single word from the Ironback Centipede. Spellbeasts were never trustworthy!

Besides, he didn't have anything on him that could tempt a spellbeast of Ascended Rank Level 9.

"We're merely passing through. We mean no harm. If you insist on this course, fighting will bring no benefit to either of us!"

Anthony attempted to reason with it. His strength wasn't weak, and if a fight broke out, the Ironback Centipede wouldn't come out unscathed.

"Heh, human, you overestimate yourself. Compared to me, you're nothing but a plaything for my amusement!"

As soon as the words fell, the Ironback Centipede's hundreds of metallic limbs began to writhe. Its massive body transformed into a terrifyingly sharp blade, lunging directly at Anthony.

Anthony quickly cast a defensive spell, summoning a thick, earthen-yellow shield before him, as solid as a fortress wall.

Yet, under the Ironback Centipede's assault, the shield shattered instantly. The tremendous impact sent Anthony flying, blood spilling from his mouth.

Just as the Ironback Centipede was about to attack again, Velen's voice suddenly rang out from the spaceship.

"You want treasure? I've got some right here!"

With these words, Velen produced five drops of dragon blood.

Each drop emanated an overwhelming mana fluctuation, and an oppressive aura radiated outward, enveloping the surrounding area for miles.

The Ironback Centipede's attention was immediately drawn to the dragon blood.

Its perception confirmed the authenticity of the dragon blood as soon as Velen revealed it. Consuming it would undoubtedly provide immense benefits!

But the Ironback Centipede was astonished. Dragons were immensely powerful and rare, and even with its current strength, it wouldn't dare face a dragon of equal rank.

Yet Velen, merely an Apprentice Rank awakener, had dragon blood in his possession?

Its heart was shaken. Initially, it had been toying with Anthony out of boredom, but now it seemed this encounter had yielded an unexpected bounty!

Anthony, witnessing this, shouted urgently:

"I'm fine! Don't give it the dragon blood! Even if you do, it won't let us go. Just leave while you can!"

Spellbeasts could never be trusted!

However, Velen shook his head nonchalantly.

To him, using these resources to resolve the crisis was a worthwhile trade!

As for the deceitful nature of spellbeasts, Velen almost hoped it was true. If he found himself in danger, the mysterious Guardians would surely appear to protect him. And when that happened, dealing with a mere spellbeast would be child's play!

He hadn't seen the Guardians in action yet and was quite curious about them.

Without hesitation, Velen tossed the five drops of dragon blood toward the Ironback Centipede, which immediately swallowed them whole.

As the dragon blood coursed through its body, it radiated incredible fluctuations, triggering profound transformations within.

The Ironback Centipede greedily fixed its gaze on Velen.

It couldn't comprehend where Velen had acquired the dragon blood, but seeing him remain calm even after giving up five drops made it evident that he must have more!

"Kid, hand over the rest of your dragon blood and any other treasures, and I promise to let you go!"

The lie slipped effortlessly from its mouth.

Velen squinted, his disdain for the spellbeast's untrustworthiness growing.

At that moment, the Ironback Centipede abruptly changed direction and lunged toward Velen.

"If you won't hand it over willingly, don't blame me for taking it by force!"

Its speed was incredible. Seeing this, Anthony immediately turned back, intending to shield Velen and buy him time to escape.

Boom!

Anthony clashed with the Ironback Centipede once again, the resulting mana shockwaves making the air itself tremble.

Anthony was sent flying, crashing into the spaceship. His body was covered in wounds, as if struck by a spinning grinder, with blood flowing freely.

"Let him go! I have 55 more drops of dragon blood!"

As the Ironback Centipede prepared to deliver the fatal blow to Anthony, Velen's voice rang out once more.

Simultaneously, the unmistakable aura of dragon blood emanated from his palm.

Fifty-five drops of dragon blood!

The Ironback Centipede grew even more excited.

Its earlier suspicions were correct—Velen had far more dragon blood than he initially let on!

Anthony's heart trembled as he saw this.

"Velen, this spellbeast's greed knows no bounds. You'll never satisfy it. Leave now and don't worry about me!"

Anthony stabilized his injuries and transmitted his urgent plea to Velen.

But before he could finish, Velen walked out of the spaceship, carrying the 55 drops of dragon blood, and handed them over to the Ironback Centipede.

"This is all the dragon blood I have. Take it and leave."

Velen spoke earnestly.

The Ironback Centipede took the dragon blood but continued to grin maliciously at Velen.

"What about the rest of your treasures? Hand them over too!"

Seeing its unrelenting greed, Velen shook his head.

"I've already given you everything. If you don't believe me, there's nothing I can do."

Velen's sudden shift to a firm attitude made the Ironback Centipede sneer coldly.

"Then you must have a death wish!"

With those words, a flash of icy light appeared in the void as it prepared to sever one of Velen's arms.

Anthony's pupils shrank as he realized he was too late to save Velen!

His heart sank, but at that moment, he noticed the faint smile on Velen's lips.

It seemed… this was intentional!

Knowing Velen's attitude toward his countless treasures, Anthony understood that even if Velen squandered them, he wouldn't bat an eye.

Could this calculated provocation of the Ironback Centipede be deliberate?

Whoosh!

As Anthony grappled with confusion, the sound of shattering glass echoed across the void.

A moment later, a man clad in golden armor descended from the sky, appearing in front of Velen and intercepting the Ironback Centipede's attack.

"Detected danger to the host. A member of the Guardians has been dispatched!"

The system's voice chimed in.

Velen was slightly surprised. He hadn't expected the Guardians to literally descend from the heavens!

Anthony was even more shocked. From the moment the golden-armored man appeared to the interception of the Ironback Centipede's attack, Anthony hadn't sensed a thing!

This golden-armored figure was terrifyingly strong—so much so that Anthony couldn't even perceive his presence!

The Ironback Centipede, however, was the most horrified.

From the golden-armored man, it could feel the thick stench of death.

This being's strength far exceeded its own, likely someone from the Upper Plane Universe!

Descending from the Upper Plane Universe wasn't easy. What kind of background did Velen have to warrant such protection?

As these thoughts churned in the Ironback Centipede's mind, Velen glanced at the golden-armored man. His imposing figure exuded an unparalleled sense of security.

"You came alone? Where are the other Guardians?"

Velen looked around curiously, noticing no one else, and asked immediately.

Both the Ironback Centipede and Anthony were shocked again.

A single golden-armored figure from the Upper Plane Universe was terrifying enough, yet Velen spoke as if there were more, and they were specifically assigned to protect him!

"Based on the Guardians' assessment of the threat level, my presence alone is sufficient," the golden-armored man replied with a bow.