20: Chapter 20: The Lizard Slayer is Attacked! Li Siwen Probes Zhao Lei's Confessions

"Form a formation! Don't panic!"

Chen Yaojia remained calm in the face of danger, attempting to command, but the other two Molten Fire Lizards had already roared and charged into the crowd!

Their sharp claws easily tore through the Utility Disciples' hasty defenses. Their tails swept across with immense force, sending one Disciple flying into a tree trunk, his fate unknown.

"Luo Chen!" Li Siwen saw the slightly plump Disciple nearly get trampled by a Molten Fire Lizard, his eyes narrowed, and his movement technique instantly activated to its Peak, sweeping past like a phantom.

"Chii!"

He pointed his fingers like a sword, and his extremely refined Internal Energy was no longer used for pinpoint strikes, but transformed into a sharp white Qi blade, accurately piercing towards the Molten Fire Lizard's relatively vulnerable eye!

The Molten Fire Lizard cried out in pain, letting out an angry hiss, and its attack slowed.

Li Siwen seized the opportunity, grabbed Luo Chen, and quickly retreated.

[From Luo Chen: Survival after calamity +40, Gratitude +50]

"Th-thank you, Junior Sister Li!" Luo Chen was so frightened that his Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering, he couldn't even speak properly.

Li Siwen had no time to respond, as another Molten Fire Lizard had already locked onto him as its target, its massive body rushing over with scorching wind pressure!

Chen Yaojia was anxious at the sight, wanting to help but unable to abandon the Utility Disciples around her.

If she turned to help Li Siwen, others would surely suffer casualties, so she could only shout a reminder: "Shiwen, be careful!"

Facing the pouncing second-tier Yao Beast, Li Siwen's eyes were calm. The powerful Physical Body strength brought by the Body Tempering Extreme Realm and the vigorous Internal Energy of Pulse Forging Perfection perfectly combined at this moment.

He did not confront it head-on, but used his extraordinary movement technique to nimbly slide to the side and back, narrowly avoiding the fatal pounce.

At the same time, he flipped his wrist, and the bottle of Ice-element Healing Pills given by Tang Jingjing, which he had been holding in his palm, was shattered by his skillful force!

Several pills emitting chilling cold Qi were not for consumption, but were enveloped by his Internal Energy, transforming into several streaks of icy light that accurately shot into the Molten Fire Lizard's gaping maw!

"Awoo—!"

The Molten Fire Lizard's internal scorching fire breath violently clashed with the sudden extreme cold Qi, instantly causing intense pain and confusion!

It let out a mournful howl, its massive body convulsing violently, its movements instantly becoming sluggish and stiff. Icy fragments mixed with sparks even overflowed from its mouth and nostrils, forming a strange mist!

Strike while it's down, finish it off!

Li Siwen's Internal Energy surged, and the bonus from his female disguise was maximized. His figure moved like lightning, instantly closing in!

The scorching white Internal Energy condensed on his fingertips relentlessly struck repeatedly, accurately hitting the Molten Fire Lizard's exposed weaknesses, such as its throat and eyes, due to its pain!

Puff! Puff! Puff!

Accompanied by dull thuds and the sound of scales shattering, the second-tier Molten Fire Lizard finally let out an unwilling wail, its massive body crashing to the ground. After a few twitches, it fell silent.

[From Chen Yaojia: Approval +32]

[From Luo Chen: Disbelief +45]

[From other surviving Disciples: Amazement +38]

Everyone was stunned by this scene!

A Utility Disciple actually killed a rampaging second-tier Yao Beast by himself?!

Although it seemed he used a clever method, his composure in danger, his grasp of opportunities, and his formidable strength were simply shocking!

Chen Yaojia also seized the opportunity, erupting with full power. Her sharp Sword Qi finally found a weakness, splitting the Molten Fire Lizard in front of her in half with one sword strike!

"The last one! Everyone..."

Just as Chen Yaojia was about to order them to concentrate fire to finish it off, the ground beneath her feet suddenly vibrated violently.

It was even more intense than when the three Molten Fire Lizards had stomped simultaneously before, causing even scattered strange rocks to jump.

A thunder-like beast roar exploded from the dense forest on the left, making people's eardrums ache, and even the air seemed to be heated by the shock.

"Be careful! There's a stronger Yao Beast!"

No sooner had Chen Yaojia's warning left her mouth than a dark shadow rushed out of the dense forest.

It was a Black-Veined Lizard, nearly twice the size of a second-tier Molten Fire Lizard!

Its entire body of scales gleamed with a dull black light, and its claws were stained with fresh beast blood. Its crimson eyes stared directly at Li Siwen, clearly having made him its primary target.

Li Siwen had already sensed something was wrong. As soon as he finished off the Molten Fire Lizard, he instinctively condensed Internal Energy to protect himself.

The Black-Veined Lizard's speed was faster than he expected. Its massive claw swept down with a powerful gust of wind. He had no time to dodge and could only use the buffer of his Internal Energy to turn sideways.

With a "bang," the claw grazed his shoulder guard and struck empty air, but the immense force still sent him flying!

"Shiwen!!" Chen Yaojia exclaimed, and the other Utility Disciples also shouted.

[From Chen Yaojia: Worry +35]

[From Luo Chen: Worry +45]

[From other Disciples: Worry +80]

Fortunately, Li Siwen was prepared. The moment he was sent flying, he adjusted his posture, enveloped his entire body in Internal Energy, and when he hit the trunk of a large tree, he merely slid down using the momentum, not even a corner of his clothes was scraped by the bark.

He landed steadily, brushed the dust off his shoulder, and looked up at the distant group, only to find himself knocked deep into the dense forest. The thick canopy blocked his view, and he could only vaguely hear Chen Yaojia and the others shouting.

On the other side, Chen Yaojia had no time to pursue.

After the Black-Veined Lizard sent Li Siwen flying, it actually turned and pounced on the remaining Utility Disciples!

Luo Chen and the others turned pale with fright. Just as they were about to retreat, they were entangled by a second-tier Molten Fire Lizard that hadn't completely died yet.

Chen Yaojia could only grip her short sword, blocking in front of the Disciples, fending off the Black-Veined Lizard's pounces, and urgently shouting, "Shiwen, don't come over! Find a safe place to hide! I'll protect them and get them out, then I'll come find you!"

She saw clearly that the Black-Veined Lizard was at least at the Peak of the second-tier, far stronger than the previous Molten Fire Lizards. With her needing to protect the injured Utility Disciples, she couldn't afford to be distracted to help Li Siwen.

For now, she could only hope that Li Siwen could temporarily avoid it, and she would deal with the situation once she had stabilized it.

Li Siwen had just stabilized himself against the tree trunk and hadn't had time to listen closely to the distant sounds of fighting when a sharp gust of wind suddenly attacked from behind him.

It carried the unique Qi fluctuation of an Aperture Opening Stage Cultivator, heading straight for his back!

His heart tightened. When he had just landed, he vaguely felt that the aura of the grass and trees behind him was off, as if someone was hiding there. Now it was confirmed.

Without time to think, he instinctively rolled forward and to the side. His movements were hurried but precise, barely dodging the attack.

With a "chii," a Long Saber struck the tree trunk he had just been leaning on, embedding three inches deep, sending wood chips flying.

Before he could get up, the saber wind arrived again!

The Long Saber pursued relentlessly, each strike aimed at a vital point.

Li Siwen continuously retreated, stumbling unsteadily on loose stones, appearing disheveled, but his peripheral vision had already clearly seen the assailant.

It was none other than Zhao Lei, with the Cracked Jade Pendant hanging from his waist!

"It's you!" The moment Li Siwen turned around, he deliberately showed a look of "astonishment," but his heart was already certain.

The dark shadow that lured the Yao Beasts earlier, and the mastermind behind Yu Qing's disappearance, were indeed all related to him!

The Internal Energy of Pulse Forging Perfection had already condensed in his palm. He only needed to raise his hand to disarm Zhao Lei's saber, but he forcefully suppressed it.

Acting now would be too easy for him. He needed to extract information about Black Wind Ravine and the method for luring Yao Beasts.

"Quick reaction, indeed!" Zhao Lei saw him dodge, a cruel smile played on his lips, and he swept his Long Saber horizontally, forcing Li Siwen to lean against another tree, with no way to retreat.

"But do you think you can escape? That idiot Yu Qing died in Black Wind Ravine long ago. You, his 'lover,' should go down and accompany him!"

Li Siwen deliberately let his arm graze the back of the saber, leaving a shallow wound, and blood instantly seeped out.

He was "deathly pale," propping himself up against the tree trunk with both hands, his voice "trembling": "Senior Brother Zhao, Yu Qing and I are just ordinary fellow Disciples. Why do you want to kill us all? Those Yao Beasts... were they also lured by you?"

These words both feigned "fear" and precisely threw out two key questions, waiting for Zhao Lei to take the bait.

Zhao Lei was indeed pleased by his "feigned weakness," stopped his attack, pointed his saber at Li Siwen's chest, and smugly snorted: "Ordinary fellow Disciples? Who are you fooling! Yu Qing protected you every day, and he even dared to stop Senior Brother Chu when he wanted you!"

"But it's useless to talk about that now. I lured the Yao Beasts to make your deaths look like an 'accident.' Then who could trace it back to me?"

Li Siwen's "body stiffened," seemingly scared out of his wits, but he rapidly noted down the information in his mind.

Yu Qing was in Black Wind Ravine, Zhao Lei killed him to curry favor with Chu Youcai, and luring the Yao Beasts was to disguise it as an accident.

He wanted to ask Zhao Lei if he had accomplices, but Zhao Lei impatiently raised his Long Saber: "Stop talking nonsense! Today, you will surely die. More words are useless!"