Chapter 540: Battle Against Iron Lady
Orange Moon Star Envoy also flew over, her beautiful eyes gazing at the red fish corpse. "What did you say? This is the legendary Red Ru Beast? According to the 'Illustrated Guide of Ten Thousand Beasts,' the Red Ru Beast lives in underground magma and could never appear in the sea."
To become a Star Envoy of the Black Market, Orange Moon Star Envoy was naturally not just someone with high cultivation talent. She had read extensively since childhood and was knowledgeable, so she had naturally heard of the Red Ru Beast.
The Red Ru Beast was a fifth-rank savage beast, living in underground magma layers, capable of devouring fire-attributed spirit crystals within the magma to continuously grow.
Because its defensive power was extremely strong, its scales could be used to refine top-grade True Martial Treasure Armor.
It was said that the Red Ru Beast could even evolve into a sixth-rank savage beast.
Of course, once it reached the sixth-rank savage beast level, it could no longer be called a Red Ru Beast but should be called an "Earth Fire Qilin."
The flames of an Earth Fire Qilin could burn a Half-Saint to death.
Zhang Ruochen gently shook his head, also unclear as to how the Red Ru Beast had appeared in the sea.
The Red Ru Beast he had killed was roughly equivalent to a cultivator at the third transformation of the Fish-Dragon Realm, considered relatively weak among adult Red Ru Beasts.
Of course, by killing it, Zhang Ruochen had also gained another one hundred thousand military merit points, which was no small gain.
Zhang Ruochen said, "The scales of the Red Ru Beast are treasures for refining armor, but even more precious are its feathers. The feathers of the Red Ru Beast can be woven into a 'Flowing Light Fire Feather Garment,' which not only possesses powerful defensive capabilities but is also a treasure with offensive power."
Zhang Ruochen plucked a feather from the Red Ru Beast's wing, pinched it between two fingers, and infused it with true qi.
"Swoosh——"
That feather emitted wisps of flame, and finally, the fire grew fiercer, turning into a ball of crimson fire.
The power of the flames emitted by the Red Ru Beast's wings had already been witnessed by all the Ruins Realm warriors present, so they naturally knew its might.
That flame, if just a speck touched someone, could burn a Heaven Extreme Realm cultivator to ashes.
One could imagine that if someone wore a Flowing Light Fire Feather Garment woven from Red Ru Beast feathers, who could oppose them on the battlefield?
Who would dare to get close?
Without a sacred artifact, who could break through their defense?
"What a remarkable treasure..."
Many Ruins Realm warriors showed greedy expressions. If not for their fear of Zhang Ruochen's formidable strength, some might have already rushed forward to seize it.
Zhang Ruochen collected all the scales, feathers, and sinews from the Red Ru Beast. Then, using the Abyssal Ancient Sword, he cut open the beast's head and dug out a walnut-sized crimson pearl.
That pearl was crystal clear, emitting a scorching temperature, and one could seemingly see a flame-shaped essence flickering and leaping inside it.
"Fire Spirit Pearl!"
"Not a bad treasure. If a cultivator with a fire-attributed physique consumes it, they can quickly improve their cultivation. In the future, if I want to cultivate a Fire Spirit Sacred Body, swallowing the Fire Spirit Pearl will also have some auxiliary effect." Zhang Ruochen nodded and put away the Fire Spirit Pearl.
The blood, bones, and teeth of the Red Ru Beast were also treasures worth a fortune, but Zhang Ruochen no longer considered them valuable, so he did not collect them.
After Zhang Ruochen left, the Red Ru Beast's corpse was immediately divided among a group of Ruins Realm warriors.
For them, everything from a fifth-rank savage beast was a treasure.
"Amitabha!"
Standing on the water's surface, Li Di Monk wore a serious expression. "Everyone, please listen to this humble monk. The Red Ru Beast is a pack-dwelling savage beast. It is impossible for only one to appear alone in this sea area. If this humble monk's guess is correct, more Red Ru Beasts will swim toward our direction."
Just one Red Ru Beast had already been this formidable.
If a large group of Red Ru Beasts really appeared, even a top expert at the ninth transformation of the Fish-Dragon Realm would have no choice but to flee.
Hearing Li Di Monk's words, the Ruins Realm warriors present were all furious.
"It's this damned monk again. Earlier, it was because of his nonsense that we suffered heavy casualties."
"This monk must be cursing us. He said there would be a Half-Saint evil corpse, and a Half-Saint evil corpse really appeared. He said we would suffer heavy casualties, and indeed more than half of us died tragically. He said the Half-Saint-level warship would sink to the seabed, and it really did sink. If we let him keep talking, everyone here will probably die."
"Beat him up! Kill this jinx!"
...
Li Di Monk had incurred the public's wrath, and dozens of Ruins Realm warriors surrounded him.
Li Di Monk retreated while shouting, "Everyone, look quickly! The seawater is starting to get hot again, as if it's about to boil."
The crowd looked down, and sure enough, bubbles were rising from the sea surface again.
This time, the bubbles were even larger, and the sea surface for hundreds of miles around was completely boiling.
"Not good! A large group of Red Ru Beasts is swimming toward us. Everyone, leave here immediately and scatter in all directions." Situ Fenglan shouted loudly.
Then, standing on the head of the Python Flood Dragon, holding a pitch-black long spear, he dove downward, taking the initiative to engage the group of Red Ru Beasts.
Although Situ Fenglan knew that with his strength, he could not stop a large group of Red Ru Beasts.
However, as a seventh-level Ruins Realm warrior and the captain of this brigade, he had to bear the responsibility.
Only by doing his utmost to hold back the Red Ru Beasts could the other Ruins Realm warriors have a chance to survive.
Zhang Ruochen looked at Situ Fenglan from a distance and saw a spirit of pressing forward fearlessly in him—a temperament unique to a hardened soldier. He nodded. "This man possesses great courage and boldness. Among the Ruins Realm warriors of the Ministry of War, there are still some admirable figures."
Ao Xinyan said, "Captain, should we go and assist him?"
"Situ Fenglan is a powerhouse at the ninth transformation of the Fish-Dragon Realm, far stronger than us. If even he cannot accomplish it, charging in would only be like moths flying into a flame," Zhang Ruochen said.
He continued, "The strength of the Red Ru Beasts is extraordinary. The one I killed earlier was only the weakest among the adults. Let's go quickly. Situ Fenglan cannot hold back the Red Ru Beast pack. Some have already charged in this direction."
The Red Ru Beasts could not only swim in the water but also fly in the sky.
Even a powerhouse like Situ Fenglan, under the attack of hundreds of Red Ru Beasts, was in a precarious position and could die at any moment.
The surviving Ruins Realm warriors immediately fled in all directions.
Zhang Ruochen, Ao Xinyan, Huang Yanchen, and Orange Moon Star Envoy simultaneously used true qi to propel the fragment of the warship.
The warship fragment, like a vessel, shot out rapidly in one direction.
On the sea surface, white mist shrouded everything. Everyone had long lost their bearings. They could only flee the area first. Who had the energy to think about where they would end up?
Zhang Ruochen stood at the very back of the warship fragment and looked behind him. He saw two Red Ru Beasts, wrapped in flames, chasing closely behind them, getting closer and closer.
"Abyssal!" Zhang Ruochen called out.
"Whoosh!"
The Abyssal Ancient Sword left its sheath and flew out, trailing a long sword aura as it shot forward to engage the Red Ru Beast flying low in the sky.
This Red Ru Beast was relatively stronger, comparable to a cultivator at the fourth transformation of the Fish-Dragon Realm.
Under Zhang Ruochen's control, the Abyssal Ancient Sword struck over two hundred times before finally killing it.
At the same time, the other Red Ru Beast in the water had already caught up to the warship fragment.
"Splash!" It leaped out of the water, opening a two-meter-wide mouth filled with rows of sharp teeth, and lunged at Zhang Ruochen.
"Take this!"
Zhang Ruochen took out the Wish-Fulfilling Treasure Bottle, opened the lid, and sucked the Red Ru Beast into the bottle.
In an instant, the Wish-Fulfilling Treasure Bottle became extremely hot, like a red-hot piece of iron.
The Red Ru Beast inside the bottle suddenly charged forward, slamming into the lid.
"Boom!"
The Wish-Fulfilling Treasure Bottle shook, flew out of Zhang Ruochen's hand, and was tossed several meters into the air.
Zhang Ruochen immediately struck out with a palm, releasing a stream of true qi from his palm that condensed into a large true qi hand, reaching for the Wish-Fulfilling Treasure Bottle.
Just as the Wish-Fulfilling Treasure Bottle was about to be caught by Zhang Ruochen's true qi hand, "Swoosh," a slender black figure shot out from the water, grabbing the Wish-Fulfilling Treasure Bottle first.
This person was none other than the Black Market's evil path expert, Iron Lady.
"Zhang Ruochen, you actually have such a marvelous sacred artifact. How about giving it to me?" Iron Lady said.
"It would be better to return it to me."
Zhang Ruochen recalled the Abyssal Ancient Sword and executed the Sword Control Art, slashing it toward Iron Lady.
"Swish, swish!"
The war sword flew out, immediately condensing dozens of sword auras on the sea surface.
"Phantom Shift."
Iron Lady's movements were agile. She tapped the water's surface with her toes, displaying a bizarre movement technique.
Thirty-six black shadows appeared on the sea surface, all of which dodged the sword auras Zhang Ruochen had unleashed. When the thirty-six shadows merged back together, she was already standing on the warship fragment, thrusting a finger toward Zhang Ruochen's brow.
Iron Lady's hand seemed to be forged from metal, her fingers as sharp as spear tips, emitting a cold gleam.
"Swoosh!"
Zhang Ruochen took out a golden sacred sword, pinched it between two fingers, and thrust it forward.
The sword tip collided with Iron Lady's fingertip, like the tip of a needle meeting a point.
"Bang!"
A powerful surge of true qi formed a circle and rippled outward.
"Chi!"
Iron Lady stepped down, her form shifting rapidly as she appeared beside Zhang Ruochen. Her five sharp metallic fingers shot out quickly, aiming for Zhang Ruochen's throat.
At the same time, Zhang Ruochen thrust his sword forward, striking at Iron Lady's heart.
"Bang!"
Iron Lady's body seemed to be forged from metal.
The Abyssal Ancient Sword struck her body, producing a metallic clang.
Although the sword tip still pierced her body, she felt no pain at all and continued her attack.
"How is this possible?"
Zhang Ruochen felt a chill near his neck. He quickly withdrew his sword, executed a Space Displacement, and shifted horizontally to the left, dodging Iron Lady's attack.
Iron Lady let out a soft exclamation, looking at Zhang Ruochen with some surprise.
Just now, she had sensed a faint fluctuation of space.
Could Zhang Ruochen manipulate spatial power?
Zhang Ruochen felt a sharp pain on his neck as a stream of hot blood flowed out, staining his collar red.
Although Zhang Ruochen's reaction speed had been fast enough, he was still a step too slow. Iron Lady's earlier strike had left four red blood marks on his neck.