Martial Arts Overlord

Hearing the call for help, Luo Feng and Yuan Ying accelerated to their maximum speed, dashing towards the cave.

After advancing several hundred meters, a figure suddenly burst out from the cave ahead. It was Xiao Liang, wielder of the Cold Star Spear, the man who had previously argued with Yuan Kong.

At this moment, his silver spear was gone. He was covered in blood, his clothes riddled with small, scorched holes. He looked utterly wretched, constantly glancing back as if fleeing something terrifying.

"Yuan Ying, save me!"

Xiao Liang's face lit up with joy when he spotted Luo Feng and Yuan Ying, and he scrambled towards them.

Just as Luo Feng and Yuan Ying were about to approach, suddenly—

A fierce wave of heat surged from the cave, sending dust and rocks flying.

This blast of heat was no ordinary phenomenon. Even with his Yuan Qi protecting him, Luo Feng felt his skin begin to sear, and the small pebbles on the ground started to melt.

Luo Feng exclaimed in alarm, "Such potent Fire Yuan Qi!"

ROAR!

A terrifying roar suddenly emanated from the depths of the cave, sounding as if it were a kilometer away.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!...

Before the roar faded, a series of violent explosions erupted, and the entire underground mine seemed to tremble violently.

A millstone-sized ball of crimson fire rolled out from the depths of the cave into their line of sight.

"Watch out!"

Luo Feng and Yuan Ying shouted at Xiao Liang simultaneously, but the ball of fire was too fast, reaching Xiao Liang in the blink of an eye.

BOOM!

The crimson fire slammed into Xiao Liang's Protective Gang Qi.

Instantly, a searing shockwave erupted. Xiao Liang was engulfed in flames, his agonizing screams echoing through the cave, lingering for a long time.

Luo Feng landed beside Xiao Liang and extinguished the flames with a wave of his hand. A brief examination was enough for him to shake his head. "He's beyond saving."

Yuan Ying stared at Xiao Liang's gruesome state, her Daimei furrowing slightly. "Such terrifying flames. Xiao Liang couldn't even resist."

Xiao Liang had a minor reputation in the rtiad. He was a mid-stage Ninth Heaven Heavenly Court Realm martial artist and cultivated the Chaotic Cloud Shattered Jade Spear Technique. When performed to its limit, it was said to create a defense so dense that not even water could penetrate. Yet today, he had met such a miserable end.

Luo Feng's brow twitched. His sharp gaze pierced the depths of the cave as he warned, "Careful, something's coming out."

Yuan Ying nodded, standing next to Luo Feng, her beautiful eyes gazing into the depths of the cave.

THUD! THUD...

Heavy footsteps echoed, and two crimson points of light—eyes—emerged from the depths of the cave.

Luo Feng frowned slightly. The Demon Qi emanating from deep within the cave is so strong, far greater than the Blackhead Poisonous Python's! Just its gaze makes my skin burn.

After a few breaths, a lion-shaped Demon Beast appeared before them.

The Demon Beast was enormous, five to six meters tall. Its body wasn't flesh and blood but composed of crimson crystals. Clusters of red flames burned on its four hooves and tail. Wherever it stepped, the ground instantly turned to lava, a testament to its terrifyingly high temperature. If those flames touched a person, they would likely be incinerated, leaving not even bones behind.

"A Crystalline Flame Lion! No wonder Xiao Liang didn't stand a chance."

Yuan Ying observed the Demon Beast, a grave look in her beautiful eyes.

Luo Feng also recognized the Demon Beast. The Crystalline Flame Lion was one of the more powerful Level Four Demon Beasts, its strength equivalent to a late-stage Ninth Heaven Heavenly Court Realm martial artist.

However, Luo Feng sensed something unusual about this Crystalline Flame Lion. There's something off about this one, he thought, an instinctive caution rising within him.

The Crystalline Flame Lion halted, its crimson, fire-like eyes sweeping over Luo Feng and Yuan Ying. Its gaze was haughty, as if it were looking down on ants.

"Crystalline Flame Lions feed on Red Flame Crystals. It seems this is the monster in the mine," Yuan Ying mused, studying the Crystalline Flame Lion, her expression grave.

Just its gaze placed immense pressure on her. This Crystalline Flame Lion's strength is truly extraordinary, she thought.

Taking a deep breath, Yuan Ying said to Luo Feng, "Luo Feng, this Crystalline Flame Lion is no weakling. I might have to fully engage it and won't be able to look out for you. Be careful, and if anything goes wrong, leave immediately."

Luo Feng pulled out his Rage Flame Knife, his gaze calm. With a faint smile, he said, "What are you talking about? We're a team now. We flourish together and fall together. How could I let you face the danger alone?"

Yuan Ying was taken aback. Her long eyelashes fluttered as she looked at Luo Feng, a hint of surprise in her beautiful eyes.

She sensed a peculiar aura emanating from Luo Feng. Having roamed the rtiad for many years, she was no stranger to such an air—it was a quality possessed only by true champions.

She pursed her rosy lips, then flicked Luo Feng's forehead. Smiling, she said, "You're quite bold for your age. But you're no match for the Crystalline Flame Lion. Just stay put."

Luo Feng looked at Yuan Ying, who stood protectively in front of him. He touched his forehead, feeling rather helpless. Do I really seem that weak?

ROAR!

At this moment, the Crystalline Flame Lion suddenly let out a terrifying roar.

Instantly, an overwhelming wave of Demon Qi erupted. The Crystalline Flame Lion opened its mouth and spat a millstone-sized fireball at Yuan Ying.

Even before the fireball arrived, a searing heat wave washed over them, melting the nearby ground into crimson, molten rock.

Having witnessed Xiao Liang's fate, Yuan Ying did not underestimate the power of this fireball.

"Falling Flower Slash!"

With a soft cry, Yuan Ying tapped her foot lightly on the ground. Her slender figure soared into the air, her Cold Pheasant twin swords transforming into a brilliant flurry of Saber Qi that instantly cleaved the fireball in two.

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!...

The sundered fireball didn't vanish immediately. Its fragments slammed into the nearby stone wall, instantly creating numerous large, dark pits.

Seeing the scorched pits on the stone wall, Luo Feng was shaken to his core. What powerful Yuan Qi projectiles! This Crystalline Flame Lion's strength... I'm afraid it's far beyond the late stage of the Ninth Heaven Heavenly Court Realm!

ROAR!

Seeing its attack miss, a dazzling, blood-red light flashed in the Crystalline Flame Lion's eyes. It suddenly let out a piercing shriek. The massive roar seemed to make the entire mine tremble. Stomping its four hooves, its enormous body charged forward.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM...

Each time the Crystalline Flame Lion's hooves struck the ground, the entire mine trembled, earth and stone cracking and crumbling, illustrating the terrifying power behind its charge.

"Luo Feng, be careful!"

Yuan Ying felt the immense pressure. As she spoke, her clothes billowed though there was no wind, and her Cold Pheasant twin swords emitted a clear, low hum.

WHOOSH!

Tapping her foot lightly, Yuan Ying advanced instead of retreating. The Yuan Qi in her body surged to its peak, and a three-foot-long Saber Qi erupted from her blades.

"Myriad Flowers Like Snow!"

Her rosy lips parted slightly. Yuan Ying's entire demeanor changed abruptly, as if the warmth of spring had given way to the killing frost of autumn. Her Cold Pheasant twin swords, moving like lightning, unleashed an unknown number of slashes in an instant. The blade light, like falling snow, caused the scorching ambient temperature to plummet.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!...

The two figures clashed in an instant. A tremendous sound, like a clap of thunder, exploded. Crimson flames and blade aura collided relentlessly, each releasing terrifying energy. The very space at the point of impact seemed to ripple and distort.

The Crystalline Flame Lion's fiery Demon Qi was violently shaken. Its massive head suddenly swung, and its flaming tail, several meters long, lashed out at Yuan Ying from the side.

Sensing the searing heat wave rushing towards her, Yuan Ying's Daimei furrowed. A cold glint flashed in her beautiful eyes. Her body spun, and the Cold Pheasant sword in her left hand swung out, unleashing an astonishing beam of Saber Qi.

Amidst the explosive impact of Yuan Qi, Yuan Ying staggered back two steps, clearly at a disadvantage in the direct confrontation.

The Crystalline Flame Lion, pressing its advantage, did not relent. Its eyes blazed with intense flames. It roared furiously and launched a volley of fiery Yuan Qi projectiles at Yuan Ying, engulfing her.

Yuan Ying's expression grew solemn. This Crystalline Flame Lion's strength is unfathomable! It can unleash such powerful attacks consecutively!

Taking a shallow breath, Yuan Ying crossed her Cold Pheasant twin swords before her and thrust them forward. Two massive, intersecting beams of blade aura suddenly appeared, aiming to block the fiery Yuan Qi projectiles.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!...

The fiery Yuan Qi projectiles bombarded the crossed blade aura. Dazzling firelight shot skyward. The blade aura was struck so hard it trembled violently, and Yuan Ying couldn't help but retreat again and again.

Having suppressed Yuan Ying, the Crystalline Flame Lion suddenly stopped launching Yuan Qi projectiles. Its massive body stood motionless as an increasingly ferocious aura surged from it, wave after wave.

Luo Feng's heart sank. The surrounding Fire Yuan Qi is incredibly agitated, he thought. It feels like something dangerous is about to erupt.

ROAR!

Suddenly, a heaven-shaking roar, carrying immense pressure, erupted from the Crystalline Flame Lion's mouth. The flames engulfing its body blazed ever brighter, making it resemble a scorching sun.

HUM, HUM, HUM…

Strange ripples of energy pulsed from within the Crystalline Flame Lion. In an instant, the air within a radius of several dozen feet around it seemed to ignite. The ground transformed into crimson magma from which bubbles frothed, coalescing into giant magma wolves that surged towards Yuan Ying.

Yuan Ying's expression changed slightly as she watched the giant magma wolves rushing towards her.

This Crystalline Flame Lion's strength far exceeds my expectations, Yuan Ying realized. It's almost on par with a peak Ninth Heaven Heavenly Court Realm martial artist!

Seeing the giant magma wolves drawing nearer, determination flashed in Yuan Ying's eyes. It seems I have no choice but to go all out. An intense ripple burst forth from her body, and her Cold Pheasant twin swords let out a clear, sharp cry, as she prepared to make her last stand.

Just as Yuan Ying was prepared to risk everything, a scorching presence suddenly approached from behind her. A pair of hands appeared out of nowhere, wrapping around her waist.

"Huh?" Yuan Ying was startled. Luo Feng's voice sounded in her ear, "Don't move."

Luo Feng embraced Yuan Ying and, with a tap of his foot in mid-air, they shot backward like a bolt of lightning.

BOOM!

The instant they moved, a colossal wave of magma slammed down where they had stood, throwing up a fiery surge several meters high that instantly melted the nearby rocks.

PAK!

Luo Feng landed, setting Yuan Ying down. He looked at the churning lava before them and let out a breath. "That was close."

Yuan Ying, equally shaken, looked at Luo Feng, surprise filling her beautiful eyes.

I thought I was done for, she mused. To think that Luo Feng, the one I've been trying to protect, would be the one to save me in the end.