After finishing the treatment, Lan raised his hand from Netero's body. He then turned to look at the silent Ant King, who had remained calm and quiet the entire time.
"Leave the rest to me."
He said.
What was about to unfold was the real highlight of the battle!
In the center of the battlefield, where Netero and the Ant King were positioned, a dazzling and brilliant purple light began to converge, glowing even more brightly!
The highest-level blind box!!
Anything pulled from the purple blind box could be said to bring about a qualitative improvement in power!
Given the importance of both the Ant King and Netero, the blind boxes they generated naturally ranked in this highest tier.
Of course, the Ant King, being a formidable opponent, was not to be underestimated either.
"His healing ability comparable to Neferpitou's?"
When Lan had just treated Netero, the Ant King didn't make any rash moves. He merely remained silent, observing everything in front of him.
The immense terror and catastrophe he had felt earlier still lingered clearly in his mind.
This aging human martial artist in front of him definitely had some hidden trump card capable of delivering a fatal blow to him!
No wonder he never entertained the idea of surrendering.
It seemed that from the very beginning, he had already made up his mind to fight to the death with a firm resolve…
"Has he already outmaneuvered me from the start...?"
At that moment, even the proud Ant King had to admit it.
This human martial artist in front of him truly earned his admiration.
Whether through skill or strategy, he had managed to engage in direct combat from the very beginning.
Even after realizing he was outmatched, he still had a trump card ready, one that could eliminate danger and disaster with a final life-or-death gamble…
"You are a worthy opponent."
The Ant King's gaze gave Netero this praise.
After that, his eyes slowly shifted to Lan, the younger human opponent now stepping up to replace the aging Netero in this battle.
Chairman Netero was about to exit the stage with a somewhat dignified exit, leaving the fight to the younger man in front of him.
"Are you sure about this?"
Netero spoke without any signs of breathlessness, though his gaze was complex as he looked at Lan.
Despite wanting a grand exit, it was clear that this young man wouldn't grant him that.
Furthermore, Lan had taken up this immense responsibility, a duty that arguably should not have fallen to him.
This left Netero feeling conflicted.
"Chairman, I know what you're thinking."
Lan said with a smile.
"Don't worry, I've prepared just as much as you have."
Lan spoke with a sense of purpose. "In any case, it's enough to complete this task."
Netero slowly closed his eyes upon hearing this. "This should not be your burden..."
"I don't consider it a burden at all, Chairman..."
Lan looked at the fully formed highest-level blind box, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Nothing, and no one can force me."
"Everything I do is my own choice, something I willingly undertake."
"To you, this might seem like a burden, but to me..."
"I actually enjoy it!!"
Who doesn't like collecting blind boxes?!
"Is that so..."
Netero murmured softly, then let out a barely noticeable sigh.
He knew that Lan was a person with strong autonomy and his own ideas.
Once Lan decided on something, there was almost no one who could stop or hinder him.
Even Netero, the supposed Chairman of the Hunter Association, would find that Lan wouldn't give him an inch at critical moments.
Thus, Netero gently spoke his final words.
"From here on out, I leave it to you..."
This line seemed to symbolize the passing of the torch from the old generation to the new, the old powers exiting the stage while a newcomer officially entered.
The ship of the old era had come to its end, while the ship of the new era set sail.
Lan used his cell-splitting ability to transport Netero away.
The mini version of him would carry Netero back to the Chimera Ant Extermination Team.
After placing Netero in a safe spot, Lan returned to face the Ant King once again.
"Thank you."
In the underground palace, with no one else present, Lan spoke first.
"Thank you for not interfering with the Chairman's departure."
"He deserved such an end."
Meruem spoke softly.
This was indeed his true thought, but there was another reason as well.
Earlier, when Netero had sought death, the Ant King felt a deep fear and chill, almost as though it had come from the abyss.
The Ant King also understood that if the old martial artist had died here, perhaps he himself would have met his end as well.
Letting Netero go was a sign of respect, but it was also for his own safety.
"So..."
The Ant King's crimson-purple eyes focused on the younger man standing before him.
"Is my next opponent you?"
The Ant King's tone remained unchanged.
It seemed that it didn't matter to him who came; none of it was important.
"Yes, it's me." Lan nodded and then smiled.
"And don't worry, after me, there won't be a third person coming."
Yes, if he won, there would be no third human opponent.
But if the Ant King defeated him...
Just as Lan had promised Netero, he had already prepared numerous methods to clean up the aftermath.
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