Chapter 115: Sorry, I'm Late
"I find it truly unbelievable that you, with your profound force's extremely strong affinity for flame power, managed to forcibly comprehend the Phoenix Flame Techniques of the fifth and sixth levels of the Phoenix Ode Scripture despite a severe lack of Phoenix Flame Force intent! Human, you astonish me."
"The core power of those two levels is a massive increase in Phoenix Flame Force, while I merely comprehended the two flame techniques themselves. There's nothing impressive about it," Yun Che said calmly.
"No! 'Phoenix Wing Firmament Dance' and 'Burning Star Demon Lotus' are the flame techniques contained within those two levels, intimately connected to their flame force intent, forming a single whole. For you to fully master these two flame techniques without comprehending their intent, I believe even the Phoenix themselves would be utterly shocked. While this is certainly related to your possession of the Evil God's Fire Seed and your high affinity for flames, even the Evil God himself would find it nearly impossible to achieve this in just a single month. Your astonishing perception is enough to surpass the world."
This was the Phoenix Spirit's evaluation of Yun Che. As a divine beast spirit detached from the mundane world, it had never imagined that one day it would give such an assessment to a human.
The jade slip recording the Phoenix Ode Scripture slowly vanished from Yun Che's hand, and the Phoenix Spirit's voice sounded again: "Your time in this trial ground is nearing its end. It's time for me to send you out. But before that, I should perhaps give you a special gift."
In the dark world, a golden light suddenly shot forth, landing on Yun Che's forehead. Instantly, the crimson phoenix mark on his forehead manifested... but its color had changed from the previous red to a pure golden hue! Like a cluster of golden flame burning brightly.
"This is..." Sensing the color change of the phoenix mark on his forehead, Yun Che subconsciously touched his forehead and asked in confusion.
"This is a special power that I can only use once in my lifetime, but I never thought I would have the day to use it. You carry the power of the Evil God, and your future is destined to be extraordinary. Bestowing this power upon you is the most fitting choice. As for what kind of power it is, when you use it, you will naturally know."
"Now, let me send you out. Your friend, and the Phoenix Clan upon whom I placed a curse mark, are facing a great crisis. Only you can save them now... Go."
As the Phoenix Spirit's voice faded, its enormous golden eyes vanished into the darkness, and the space before Yun Che twisted...
——————————————
The sealing formation temporarily opened, and Lan Xueruo shot out as fast as she could. Her first glance took in the situation outside, and her jade sword shot forth, charging straight at the frontmost Black Demon mercenary. Behind her, the sealing formation immediately re-activated.
The leader, Black Demon, was not present, and the other three with True Xuan Realm strength—Black Tiger, Black Ghost, and Black Wolf—also seemed to be absent. For Lan Xueruo, this was undoubtedly the best possible scenario. With her True Xuan Realm Level 3 profound strength, if she wanted to come and go, these Xuan Entry Realm villains simply couldn't stop her.
"That chick is out... quick! Go inform the leader!"
Seeing Lan Xueruo suddenly burst out, the nearest squad was caught off guard. Before they could even attempt to block her, their weapons were all knocked away by Lan Xueruo's sword... With her strength, she could have killed them all with a single sword strike, but in her heart, she had never entertained the thought of killing.
The tent storing food was directly ahead, and Lan Xueruo spotted it at a glance. Her jade sword swept, her graceful body moving swiftly like a butterfly flitting among flowers. She charged through a blockade of over a dozen people, reaching the tent in just a few breaths. Then she quickly removed the space ring from her left jade finger...
But just then, two dangerous gusts of wind suddenly pressed in from her sides. Vice-captains Black Tiger and Black Wolf simultaneously leapt out from behind the tent with malicious grins, their wolf-tooth clubs swinging at Lan Xueruo from left and right, forcing her to quickly retreat. Behind her, Vice-captain Black Ghost also sprang out from somewhere, and the three surrounded Lan Xueruo, their clubs leveled, laughing with extreme lewd satisfaction.
"Knew you might try that trick. Heh, we've been waiting for you for a long time," Black Wolf said, licking the corner of his mouth, his eyes fixed on Lan Xueruo, filled with lust.
"This woman... she can be this beautiful? Enough to drive a man to death." Seeing Lan Xueruo up close for the first time, Black Tiger's drool had already begun to flow uncontrollably.
"What are you yapping about! Catch her first! This beauty may be young, but her profound strength is no less than the leader's—be a little careful!"
With a low shout, three wolf-tooth clubs swung at Lan Xueruo from three directions simultaneously. A bitter smile touched Lan Xueruo's lips. She hadn't had a single drop of water in four full days. Although she propped herself up with her profound strength, appearing outwardly unharmed, under prolonged thirst, anxiety, and heartbreak, her body had long become frail and weak. She could barely muster half of her usual strength, and she hadn't even noticed where those three had been hiding.
Under normal circumstances, she could handle these three True Xuan Realm Level 1 opponents alone. But in her current state, escape was nearly impossible, let alone victory.
Her jade sword swept, profound force released, she deflected all three attacks with a single sword stroke, but she nearly lost her balance from the backlash. Gritting her jade teeth, a faint golden light flickered in her eyes. Gathering all her profound force, she no longer tried to engage but instead leapt up abruptly, somersaulting in the air, trying to break out of their encirclement. But the three had clearly anticipated her move. Black Ghost sneered: "Trying to run? Heh, since you're out, don't even think about going back... Heaven-Shaking Annihilation Strike!"
Black Ghost leaped up after her, slamming his club viciously at Lan Xueruo from above. She blocked with her sword but stumbled upon landing. Just then, a wild laugh sounded from behind her: "Hahaha! Excellent! Truly excellent! This month-long wait was not in vain—the beauty came to us on her own! Hahaha!"
That voice sent a chill through Lan Xueruo's heart. It was unmistakably Black Demon's.
The moment the voice fell, a blast of wind surged from behind. With no room to dodge and no time to swing her sword, Lan Xueruo could only push her hands back and meet the attack head-on.
Pff!!
With her profound force weakened and under a sneak attack, there was no way Lan Xueruo could withstand Black Demon's strike from behind. Her frail body was sent flying, and a trickle of blood slowly slid down the corner of her mouth.
Black Demon was startled. He had fought Lan Xueruo before and had even been wounded by her sword, so he still harbored some wariness toward her. That was why he chose to strike from ambush. He hadn't expected his blow to be so devastating. Watching Lan Xueruo slowly wipe the blood from her lips, Black Demon stepped closer one pace at a time, a hideous grin spreading across his face. "Hehe, little beauty, you can't escape this time. Come back obediently with me and be my leader's wife. I promise you'll eat well and live well from now on. When the time comes, having me release everyone inside—that'll be as easy as a single word from you."
Lan Xueruo rose from the ground, her beautiful eyes cold and fierce, but a sense of sorrow welled up in her heart: To think that I, with my noble status, would be pushed to the brink of despair by a group of vile scoundrels. She said nothing, only holding her jade sword before her, ready for a final, desperate struggle.
"Tsk, such a hard temper." Black Demon pinched his chin, step by step advancing on Lan Xueruo, his smile growing more dangerous. "Looks like I won't get you to behave until I knock you unconscious. By the time you wake up and find yourself stripped naked, we'll see if that temper of yours is still so hard."
The surrounding Black Demon mercenaries erupted in lewd laughter. Black Demon took a big step forward, his wolf-tooth club sweeping toward Lan Xueruo.
Clang!
Clang!
Clang!!
Lan Xueruo gritted her teeth, blocking Black Demon's attacks with all her might. The first block sent her stumbling back a big step. The second numbed her right arm and nearly made her fall. The third sent her tumbling to the ground, her jade sword flying far away.
"Hehehehe," Black Demon tossed his wolf-tooth club behind him, rubbed his hands together, and walked toward the fallen Lan Xueruo. With a lecherous laugh, he reached out to grab her.
Caw~~~~~~~~
Just then, a phoenix cry so piercing it was deafening rang out beside their ears, causing their ears to ring. Black Demon's whole body stiffened, his movements halting. Before he could even react, he saw a huge flame shadow suddenly burst through the formation sealing the cave entrance, carrying a scorching wind, charging straight at them.
That flame shadow... was like a small phoenix spreading its wings in flight!
Wait... P-Phoenix?!
Every single person's eyes went wide, their mouths hanging open. And that "phoenix," after breaking through the sealing formation, shot toward Lan Xueruo's position like a meteor in rapid descent.
Boom!!!!
The phoenix crashed to the ground, triggering a flame explosion over fifty meters in diameter.
Black Demon, Black Tiger, Black Ghost, Black Wolf, and all the nearby Black Demon mercenaries were blasted away by the wave of fire, tumbling in utter chaos. Then, amid screams, they rolled wildly on the ground, trying to extinguish the flames burning on their bodies.
Black Demon was hurled dozens of meters. He stood up in disarray, frantically beating the flames on his body, and roared: "Who! Who is it!"
No sooner had he shouted than his eyes suddenly went wide... because as the red glow of the flames gradually dissipated, he realized there were now countless lifeless corpses before him. Within the blast radius of the flame explosion, everyone below Xuan Entry Realm Level 5 had died on the spot. Some bodies were torn into several pieces—no intact corpse remained—while others still burned fiercely, slowly turning into unrecognizable charred remains.
The red glow of the flames gradually faded. At the center of the explosion, Yun Che held Lan Xueruo around the waist, cradling her frail body with the gentlest of movements. A faint red flame light enveloped him, yet it did not burn Lan Xueruo's body or clothes at all. Seeing the paleness of her face and the trace of blood at the corner of her mouth, feeling the deep weakness radiating from her body, Yun Che's heart ached. He said softly, "Senior Sister... I'm sorry, I'm late."