123: Let go of that box

On the other side, inside the Houtu Ruins.

The battle between the Demon Tamers Beasts had been called to a halt; they all stood guard to one side, watching the battle in the field.

The battle had reached a fever pitch—three against one, with injuries on both sides.

Mu Tian's left arm was broken, with several wounds between his waist and ribs; Ye Feiyu was stabbed in the abdomen and barely survived; Xie Ning had bruises on his face from two punches, one leg was limping after being smashed by the back of the Tyrant Saber, and there was a hideous, slender gash on his back.

Compared to the three, Zhao Long's injuries were also not small.

His shoulder had a puncture wound from a spear, and there was a large cross-shaped sword wound on his back, with the horizontal part of the wound showing burns—these were wounds left by two different swords. Besides that, there was a scorched tooth mark on his neck, with blood flowing down the charred flesh.

"Pah, Xie Ning, are you a dog or something?" Ye Feiyu spat out some bloody phlegm and said irritably.

Xie Ning shot back, "You're the dog! You think everyone is like you guys, living in wealthy families? Who cares about that much when fighting!"

Mu Tian smiled tiredly, "I think it's pretty good. Give him another bite on the wrist and gift him a watch!"

"Get lost!" Xie Ning snapped back unceremoniously.

Compared to the three bickering, Zhao Long's expression looked much worse. He didn't look at Ye Feiyu or Mu Tian, but stared fixedly at Xie Ning.

"Scum of Ancient Martial Arts, go to hell!" Zhao Long gave a low roar, the energy on the Tyrant Saber in his hand surged, and with a sweep of his blade, a half-moon saber beam sliced through the air, growing larger as it met the wind.

"Scum your sister!" Xie Ning replied, flames rising from his body as he slashed his longsword vertically. A dense flaming sword beam transformed into a rising Fire Wolf, lunging forward to bite at the saber beam.

Mu Tian and Ye Feiyu also used their respective skills, and the three of them joined forces to block this strike, yet they were still forced back a step.

Before the three could catch their breath, Zhao Long had already rushed in front of them. He spun the Tyrant Saber, carrying a gale that knocked Xie Ning away. Ignoring the attacks of the other two, he chased after him and slashed down in a rage, aiming straight for Xie Ning's legs.

"Damn!"

Xie Ning cursed inwardly as flames rose. When the Tyrant Saber slashed down, it only hit a flicker of fire. Xie Ning reappeared near a cluster of flames in the corner, panting heavily.

Although the Fire Shadow skill was good, its consumption of elements was extremely high and could only be used a few times.

Before Xie Ning could catch his breath, Zhao Long rushed up again, parrying Mu Tian and the other with two slashes before delivering an upward stroke, the saber light sweeping in.

"Are you sick? You don't pick on the two Advanced ones, but specifically target me!"

Despite the cursing, at the critical moment, Xie Ning focused his mind. His eyes narrowed, veins bulged on his hands, and he thrust his sword out as fast as lightning. With a 'clang' of the sword, he hit the center of the saber light, shattering it. The immense force also made both his hands go numb.

"They aren't as shameless as you!" Zhao Long said. Seeing Xie Ning's thrust, his eyes couldn't help but light up as he shouted, "Again!"

Four more saber beams followed; three locked onto Xie Ning's left, right, and top, while the fourth aimed straight for his head.

Looking at Zhao Long, who was gritting his teeth a second ago but now looked excited, Xie Ning didn't even have the strength to curse anymore. Just as he was wondering how to break the deadlock, a giant wolf pounced from behind him.

It opened its mouth and bit the crucial saber beam to pieces. Its mouth was mangled into a bloody mess, and bloody wounds were slashed into its sides and back. Yet, its pair of crimson wolf eyes stared fixedly at Zhao Long, letting out a low growl.

Seeing this, Zhao Long's Three-Headed Chimera let out warning hisses from all three heads, and the pressure of a Silver Rank surged over.

The giant wolf met it without fear, its Crimson Pupils flashing as an Aura no less than the Chimera's pressed back. Despite the disparity in strength, the two Demon Tamers Beasts displayed a tense, evenly matched standoff.

This crimson-eyed white wolf was none other than White Fang, who had been absorbing energy earlier. This was its first time using the pressure effect of its Talent [Crimson Pupils].

The Chimera was about to charge, but Zhao Long raised his hand, refusing its help.

Xie Ning frowned, looking at White Fang. Just as he was about to speak, he saw it give a low growl and pounce toward Zhao Long.

"Looking for a beating."

Zhao Long dodged the sword and spear from the left and right, pulled his arm back and released it, his fist slamming heavily into White Fang. He knocked the seven-meter-tall White Fang to the ground, and with his other hand, he slashed the Tyrant Saber again, still aiming for Xie Ning.

"Dammit!" Xie Ning supported his limping leg, did a forward roll while running to dodge the saber beam, and then thrust his sword out again.

Clang~

The longsword and the blade met, producing a humming sound. Zhao Long's body swayed, while Xie Ning retreated two steps.

Just as the three were locked in close combat with Zhao Long and the situation became deadlocked, flames rose from White Fang, who had been knocked down. Its body grew another section, reaching eight meters in length. At the critical moment, it had activated its potential.

[Ding! (Crimson Pupils) Poison Flame White Wolf has stimulated its potential during battle, reward: intermediate energy potion * 2]

With its potential stimulated, it was shrouded in flames and disappeared the next second. When it reappeared, it was above a cluster of sparks behind Zhao Long. One claw swiped across Zhao Long's back, tearing several bloody gashes and sending him flying.

While in mid-air, Zhao Long slashed out more saber beams to block the three attempting to surround him. He landed steadily on the ground and raised his saber with both hands, about to erupt, when he heard a 'ding'. He looked at his bracelet, his brows twitching slightly. With a wave of his hand, over a dozen saber beams flew out again. Without looking back, he rushed toward the Burial Zone, disappearing in the blink of an eye.

Seeing this, the three were stunned for a moment before reacting and chasing after him, shouting, "Don't even think about getting away!"

As they spoke, the three also rushed into the Burial Zone, chasing after Zhao Long. If anyone were looking down from above, they would find that the three were not moving fast, seemingly struggling against the stones of the Burial Zone.

The four disappeared, leaving only the crowd standing at the very edge, looking on in daze, and the anxious Demon Tamers Beasts, all looking at each other, momentarily unsure whether to continue fighting or not.

At this moment, someone pointed:

"Look!"

Everyone looked over and saw strands of light of evolution seeping out from White Fang. Under the envious and jealous gazes of the crowd and the Demon Tamers Beasts, the light grew more and more, finally forming a brilliant sphere of light that flickered unsteadily.

Just when everyone thought it was about to evolve, flames surged from its body—purple-red and golden-yellow. The two colors of flames intertwined, and when the flames burned out, it had also disappeared without a trace.

"This... where did it go?" Mu Xiaolong and Fei Shanqiu looked at each other, seeing confusion in each other's eyes... Xie Ning and the other two chased Zhao Long across the entire Burial Zone. When they crossed the Burial Zone and reached the flame boundary, they saw that the originally calm fire source area was now swirling with turbulent golden flames. The flames were mixed with traces of purple-red and strands of white light, like red and white carp swimming in a golden sea.

"This is..." Xie Ning was slightly stunned.

Just then, a figure rushed out from the sea of fire; it was Zhao Long.

He was wearing a strange set of armor. Just as he stepped out of the Fire Source Zone, the armor disintegrated, revealing skin that had been scorched red underneath. His eyes, which had always been indifferent, also held a trace of lingering shock.

Clearly, the surging sea of fire had exceeded his expectations.

The three didn't care about his attire but looked at the large circular disk Zhao Long was holding in his hand—that was precisely the box containing the holy yuan fruit.

The three of them exchanged glances before quickly rushing toward Zhao Long. Sword beams, firelight, and spear winds surged toward him.

"Let go of that box!"