56: Chapter 56 Fierce Battle Against the Blood Demon! My Protection Fee Isn't Cheap!

"Boom!!!"

Violent winds whipped up as the dark red miasma that choked the world was forcefully torn open by a sudden wave of icy water vapor.

A glint of divine radiance flickered in Yushi's illusory eyes, and his broad, aqua-blue robes billowed without any wind.

Right after, the sky filled with xuanming heavy water was no longer just simple torrents, but like a boiling black ocean, violently churning and roaring in midair before finally condensing into nine black water dragons, each dozens of zhang long!

"Roar!"

The nine wild black water dragons let out deafening roars and, bearing a terrifying gravitational force capable of crushing mountains, fearlessly slammed into the Ancient Blood Demon's overwhelming sky-covering blood-red tentacles!

"Bang, bang, bang, bang—!"

A series of dull, heart-pounding impacts exploded rapidly over the wasteland square.

On one side was the blood of the Ancient Blood Demon, capable of corroding all things and defiling a Creator's core.

On the other side was the power of heavenly tribulation representing destruction!

The instant they collided, a series of hair-raising sizzling sounds broke out. Massive clouds of white steam shot into the sky—it was the sight of the Blood Demon's foul energy being obliterated by xuanming heavy water!

"Aooo-ooo-ooo!!!"

The Ancient Blood Demon's mountain-like mass of flesh twitched violently, and for the first time, humanlike pain and terror appeared in its massive, red-lantern-like eyes.

Its proud blood-red tentacles, which could easily shatter a Tier 3 shield, met the wild black water dragons, and at the instant of contact...

...it was like a normal person thrusting their hand into boiling sulfuric acid. Flesh burst open instantly, turning into puddles of foul black water that dripped to the ground.

In just a few breaths of time, the Ancient Blood Demon—previously unbearably arrogant and domineering—was forced to a complete standstill in the middle of the square, suppressed by Lin Yunfei all on his own!

"So... so strong..."

Lian Zhan, sitting slumped in a pool of muddy blood, stared blankly at the black-clad figure floating in midair like a God of War, his eyes nearly popping out of his head.

Was this really the "Saobaxing" they had mocked the whole way, believing he was just pretending to be mysterious and powerful?

A single man, fighting alone, suppressing an ancient monster infinitely close to a Tier 2 deity!

Such power! Forget about so-called geniuses of prominent families like them—even if the old monsters from their families who had been in seclusion for years stepped out, they probably couldn't do it with such effortless ease!

"Is this the demeanor of a top-tier powerhouse?" Zhang Hao gulped as well, his eyes filled with feverish admiration and awe.

Just as the two were immersed in the shock of Lin Yunfei's imposing figure...

...Lin Yunfei in midair couldn't help but curve his lips slightly behind his mask into a crafty smirk.

"Though this Blood Demon looks intimidating, it's ultimately just a defective creature lacking full intelligence. Yushi's xuanming heavy water perfectly counters such filthy abominations; wearing it down to death is purely a matter of time."

Lin Yunfei calculated silently in his heart.

But he had no intention of ending the fight right away.

He lowered his head slightly, glancing down at the adoring faces of Lian Zhan and Zhang Hao, as well as Liu Ting, who was still struggling frantically at the edge of the tentacles further away.

"These few definitely have plenty of good stuff hidden on them."

"Earlier, to break the seal, they threw scrolls like throwing hell money. If I don't take this chance to 'rob the rich and give to the poor', wouldn't I be doing myself a disservice after taking such a big risk to save the day?"

Having made up his mind...

...Lin Yunfei's body, previously steady as a mountain, suddenly wobbled slightly in midair, letting out a stifled grunt as if exhausted.

"Ngh!"

Though the grunt wasn't loud, it sounded exceptionally clear on the quiet edge of the battlefield.

Immediately after, the layer of xuanming water shield hovering above Lian Zhan and Zhang Hao to block the Blood Demon's pressure began to flicker violently, as if it could shatter at any second.

"Benefactor! What happened?!" Seeing this, Lian Zhan's heart leapt into his throat, and he shouted anxiously.

Lin Yunfei snapped his head around, his voice behind the mask carrying a raspy, hurried tone of someone at the end of their tether as he shouted:

"This monster's fiendish aura is too heavy! To protect you, I forcibly held open this barrier, and my Creator core's origin energy is drained! I can barely hold on!"

As he spoke, he controlled the wild black water dragons in midair to intentionally ease up a bit, letting several blood-red tentacles slam hard against the protective water shield, causing it to shake violently.

"Bang!"

This slam nearly scared the souls right out of Lian Zhan and Zhang Hao.

If this mysterious powerhouse couldn't hold on and their tortoise shell broke, they would become the monster's snack in the next second!

"Benefactor! You must hold on!"

Lian Zhan was almost brought to tears. This young master who was once arrogant beyond belief didn't doubt a thing right now. In his eyes, Lin Yunfei was an incomparably noble benefactor who didn't hesitate to overdraw his life origin just to save them!

"I have energy here! I have treasures that restore origin!"

Without another word, Lian Zhan pulled off the top-grade storage pouch inlaid with spatial gems from his waist. Without even looking at the contents, he threw it upward with all his strength toward Lin Yunfei in midair.

"Benefactor, inside are over a hundred high-grade star magic crystals, as well as three bottles of [heavenly return nectar] that can instantly restore a Creator's origin energy. Use them as you see fit! As long as you can hold the line, my Lian family will never treat you unfairly!"

"Pa!"

Lin Yunfei reached out casually and caught the storage pouch firmly in his hand.

Scanning inside with his divine sense, Lin Yunfei's heart skipped a beat.

Good grief!

Stacked neatly inside was a massive pile of magic crystals emanating dense energy fluctuations, and those bottles of [heavenly return nectar] were lifesaving divine medicines priceless on the market! This kid was simply unbelievable!

"Cough, cough... Young Master Lian's righteousness is profound! With these items, I can persist a little longer!"

Lin Yunfei coughed intentionally twice, putting on a deeply moved expression as he unceremoniously stuffed the storage pouch into his robes.

Having secured the loot, Lin Yunfei shifted his gaze toward the ruins not far away.

By now, Liu Ting was so terrified she couldn't even cry anymore. Entangled around her ankles by several slender blood-red tentacles, she was being dragged inch by inch toward the Blood Demon's cavernous maw, on the verge of meeting her tragic end.

"Ah well, saving one is saving, saving three is no different."

A glint flashed in Lin Yunfei's eyes. He raised his right hand and flicked his finger.

"Whoosh!"

A stream of black water, sharp as a sword, sliced through the air instantly, cleanly severing the blood-red tentacles wrapped around Liu Ting's ankles with immense precision.

The water stream then turned into an invisible giant hand, grabbing Liu Ting by the nape of her neck like a chick and pulling her back from the brink of death, dropping her with a "thud" right next to Lian Zhan and Zhang Hao.

"Cough, cough, cough... Waaah... I didn't die... I didn't die!"

Liu Ting was drenched in muddy water and foul blood, completely on the verge of a breakdown.

"Don't celebrate too early."

"My protection fee isn't cheap."

Lin Yunfei held out two fingers and rubbed them together; the gesture couldn't be clearer.

Zhang Hao and Liu Ting shuddered violently.

But in the face of terrible fear of death, how could either of them dare show any dissatisfaction? On the contrary, Lin Yunfei's upfront pricing gave them a greater sense of reassurance.

A problem that could be solved with money was always better than losing one's life!

"I'll give it! I'll give everything!"

Zhang Hao took off his storage ring without hesitation, holding it above his head with both hands as he yelled, "Benefactor, this is all the foundation gifted to me by the Zhang family! Not only are there magic crystals inside, but also several high-grade magic treasures and detection array plates. They're all yours!"

Liu Ting scrambled frantically to pull an exquisite brocade box from her clothes, weeping bitterly as she cried, "My Lord! This is my lifesaving [Ten-Thousand-Year Ice Ganoderma], priceless beyond measure! As long as you can get me out of here, I can give you even more once we're out!"

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Two streams of water swept by, instantly carrying Zhang Hao's ring and Liu Ting's brocade box into Lin Yunfei's hands.

Opening the brocade box, a refreshing wave of extreme cold spiritual aura rushed forth. Inside lay a crystal-clear Ganoderma that resembled an ice sculpture; just taking a breath of its scent made his Creator core feel clear and refreshed.

Beneath his mask, Lin Yunfei's smile practically stretched from ear to ear.

These three were truly money-delivering angels!

"Very well! Since you all are so sincere, even if I, Lin, must risk my life today, I will surely guarantee your safety!"

Having taken their payment, he naturally had to perform.

The feigned weakness on Lin Yunfei's face vanished instantly, and his aura surged violently once more. With a fierce wave of his hand, the xuanming water shield enveloping the three doubled in thickness in an instant, completely cutting off the external pressure.

Just as the three were moved to tears and preparing to shout "Benefactor is invincible!" once more...

"Roar—Grrr-gurgle!!!"

The Ancient Blood Demon seemed to be completely enraged by this group of ants doing business right in front of its face.

Its massive mountain of flesh stopped thrashing, and the black blood flowing over its body suddenly began pouring backward into its body frantically. From its two giant, red-lantern-like eyes erupted a powerful black light...