201: This is what real fighting is all about!

The underground passage was deep and winding.

It didn't look artificially dug; it resembled an underground scar violently torn open by some raging force.

The surrounding rock walls displayed an eerie dark red, as if soaked in blood for eons, radiating a scorching heat.

"My King, the temperature here is enough to completely evaporate the protective Source Power of an ordinary Fourth-Tier Card Master within ten breaths," Blazing Flame's voice echoed through the passage.

He walked beside Lu Yuan, a visible crimson aura encircling his body, isolating the violent fire elemental energy.

Lu Yuan said nothing, merely stepping forward calmly.

He didn't even use Source Power to protect himself.

The high temperatures, capable of melting metal, dissipated silently as they approached his body, as if encountering an invisible barrier.

The "Frost Flame Power" within him circulated automatically; the cold Frost Power and the external heat formed a subtle balance, making him feel no dryness or heat, but rather a comfortable sensation like soaking in warm water.

Blazing Flame's murky old eyes swept over Lu Yuan, and his heart stirred once more.

As expected of the one chosen by the crown!

To be able to ignore such fire poison with just his physical body—this physique was even more terrifying than the legendary Dragonkin!

"My King, three zhang to the front left, a geothermic pulse will erupt in three breaths!"

Lu Yuan's steps didn't falter, but his figure moved several feet to the right like a ghost.

Almost the instant he moved—

"Boom—!"

A thick, dark red pillar of fire suddenly shot up from where he had just stood, slamming into the passage ceiling and scattering countless lava fragments.

That terrifying power was enough to instantly vaporize an entire building.

"There's a natural lava trap ahead; we'll go around it!"

"There are fire spirits parasitic within the right rock wall; their aura is unstable and they could self-destruct at any moment! Keep your distance!"

Along the way, Blazing Flame was like the most precise radar.

Relying on the Sai'an Clan Great Priest's instinctive perception of flames, he continuously guided Lu Yuan and provided early warnings.

The deadly traps that could wipe out an elite Card Master squad were easily avoided before them, like child's play.

After delving several hundred meters deeper, the path suddenly opened up.

A massive underground cavern appeared before them.

In the center of the cavern was a bubbling lake of lava.

"Hiss, hiss—"

Intense hissing sounds arose.

Hundreds of giant lizards, each over three meters long and covered in fiery scales, crawled out from various corners of the lava lake.

Their crimson eyes locked onto Lu Yuan and Blazing Flame, the two uninvited guests.

Third-tier demonic beasts, [Blazing Lizards]!

"My King, a small nuisance."

Blazing Flame stepped forward, blocking Lu Yuan, and respectfully bowed, requesting to fight.

"Please allow this old servant to clear the obstacles for you."

Lu Yuan nodded slightly: "Finish quickly."

"As you command!"

A fanatic gleam flashed in Blazing Flame's eyes. He suddenly raised his hand and chanted ancient, hoarse syllables.

"Roar—!"

The Seventh-Tier Venerable [Lava Troll] behind him let out an earth-shattering roar.

The troll took a step forward.

"Thump!"

The entire cavern trembled violently!

That heavy step directly crushed a huge crater into the hard rock floor, and spiderweb-like cracks spread wildly outwards.

The lizard pack stirred uneasily, startled by the terrifying might.

But they were, after all, demonic beasts unafraid of death (and with low intelligence); after a brief moment of fear, their desire to attack became even more ferocious.

Dozens of [Blazing Lizards] opened their mouths and spat out scorching fireballs, raining down on the [Lava Troll].

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The fireballs exploded on the troll's body, yet they couldn't even shake its surface lava armor in the slightest, merely splashing a few insignificant sparks.

The [Lava Troll] seemed to be enraged.

It raised its lava giant fist, thicker than a water vat, and slammed it down hard on the densest part of the lizard pack!

Before the fist even landed, the terrifying force of the punch had already compressed the air to explosion, emitting an ear-splitting sonic boom!

"Bang—!!!"

The punch landed, shaking the earth!

Violent power erupted instantly, and a huge lava pit, over ten meters in diameter, appeared out of nowhere.

The dozen [Blazing Lizards] inside the pit couldn't even let out a scream before being instantly crushed into charcoal, merging with the surging magma.

But this was only the beginning.

With one successful strike, the [Lava Troll]'s fists rained down like a storm.

Each heavy blow was accompanied by the wail of the earth and the demise of dozens of lizards.

The entire scene was not a battle at all.

It was an undisputed crushing and slaughter!

Blazing Flame controlled the troll, unleashing the terrifying power of a Seventh-Tier Venerable like a god, a cruel and delighted smile on his face.

Now this was a battle!

Card Master is eternal!

In just a dozen breaths.

Hundreds of [Blazing Lizards] were all reduced to charcoal.

"Cleared."

Blazing Flame turned and bowed to Lu Yuan, reporting his completion with a respectful demeanor.

"Well done," Lu Yuan said, absorbing the beast core and the dissipated Source Power, giving his approval. "It saved a lot of time."

They continued forward.

The underground passage became increasingly complex, and the branching paths grew more numerous.

The demonic beasts they encountered also grew stronger.

"Howl!"

Over a dozen dark figures, like arrows shot from a bow, suddenly sprang out from a narrow corner of the passage.

They were a dozen hellhounds, built like cheetahs, their bodies burning with black flames.

Fourth-tier demonic beasts, [Lava Burst Hounds]!

Their speed was extremely fast, far superior to the clumsy [Blazing Lizards].

"My King, be careful!"

Blazing Flame shouted, and the [Lava Troll] immediately swung its giant fist to meet them.

But this time, its powerful and heavy attacks repeatedly missed.

The [Lava Burst Hounds]' movements were too agile; they could always dodge the troll's attacks at the last moment, while simultaneously pouncing on Lu Yuan from various tricky angles.

Speed trumps strength; even a Seventh-Tier Venerable beast controller would have to put in some effort.

"Bang!"

One Burst Hound successfully broke through, slamming hard into the [Lava Troll]'s leg, and then exploded with a bang!

The violent explosion finally left a charred mark on the troll's leg.

Although the damage was minor, the insult was immense.

Just then, an even more dangerous aura quietly emerged from the shadows of the rock wall to their rear-side.

A demonic beast, entirely composed of crimson crystal and shaped like a cheetah, silently pounced on Lu Yuan!

Its speed was twice as fast as the [Lava Burst Hounds]!

Fifth-tier demonic beast, [Flame Crystal Guardian Beast]!

It appeared too suddenly, and its timing was perfectly grasped, precisely at the moment the [Lava Troll] was entangled with the Burst Hounds.

"My King! Watch out!"