Qi Hui was puzzled as to how two cultivators at the Jade Purity Realm could have found their way here.
Logically, in such a remote location, it was unlikely to attract even one Jade Purity Realm cultivator, let alone two. Could it be that these two were simply wandering around, stumbled upon the strange phenomenon at Baiwa City, and followed it to this place? If that were the case, it was truly an unfortunate turn of events.
Without hesitation, Qi Hui unraveled the formation sealing the Lava Heart Cave.
When the other cultivators saw the formation being undone, they were momentarily stunned, all turning to Qi Hui.
They couldn't understand his intentions. Why would he let them leave? Was this some kind of trap?
"Go!" Qi Hui shouted at the remaining disciples of the Black God Sect.
The Black God Sect disciples exchanged glances but ultimately did not defy their branch master's orders and left the Lava Heart Cave.
The cultivators from various sects and factions watched as the Black God Sect disciples fled and naturally didn't want to wait around either. They rushed out of the cave, fearing the formation would seal them in again.
Neither Bi Fang nor the Black Dog paid attention to the fleeing cultivators.
After all, what they truly wanted was control over the Baiwa Secret Realm. However, arriving at this Lava Heart Cave, they realized there were additional surprises in store.
They were intrigued by these half-human, half-beast cultivators and wanted to understand how they had been created. As for the small fry fleeing for their lives, their survival was of no consequence to them.
"Are you really not going to reconsider?" The Black Dog glanced at Xu Ming. "Once you're dead, nothing will matter. Even if you keep that Baiwa Secret Realm, what good will it do? Don't you humans have a saying? 'As long as the green hills remain, there will be no fear of running out of firewood.'"
Xu Ming chuckled. "I don't intend to hand it over to you."
"Alright then." The Black Dog spread its paws and turned to Qi Hui. "What about you?"
Qi Hui met the gazes of Bi Fang and the Black Dog and smiled faintly. "I should've died long ago. What difference does it make if I die now?"
With those words, Qi Hui wasted no time, pulling out a seal and slotting it into a groove in the rock wall.
In the next moment, the entire Lava Heart Cave began to quake violently. Rocks tumbled from the ceiling, crashing into the magma below and sending waves of molten rock splashing upward.
Magical beasts embedded in the cave walls broke free, their roars echoing through the chamber.
Qi Hui drew out a formation flag and pointed it at Bi Fang and the Black Dog.
As if receiving a command, the magical beasts charged at Bi Fang and the Black Dog without hesitation.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Xu Ming leaped into action, aiming a punch directly at the Black Dog.
But the Black Dog merely glanced at Xu Ming, and he instantly felt as though his body was about to be crushed under an immense pressure.
The overwhelming aura of a Jade Purity Realm cultivator left Xu Ming gasping for air.
Even so, Xu Ming forced his punch forward, striking the Black Dog squarely.
"No wonder you seemed familiar, little brother. So, it's you," the Black Dog sneered, recognizing Xu Ming. "Eight years ago, you ruined my plans. You really made my life miserable back then."
Xu Ming narrowed his eyes and continued to rain down blows with his Thunderous Drum Technique of Heaven Splitting Fist, each strike landing squarely on the Black Dog.
However, the Black Dog stood motionless, as if Xu Ming's fists were nothing more than stones striking iron.
"Little brother, are you giving me a massage?"
With a casual swipe of its tail, the Black Dog sent Xu Ming hurtling through the air like a meteor. He crashed heavily into the ground, leaving a massive crater in his wake.
Qi Hui, meanwhile, was burning his life essence to temporarily elevate his cultivation back to the Nascent Soul Realm.
But the gap between the Nascent Soul Realm and the Jade Purity Realm was more than just a single great realm.
The Nascent Soul Realm marked the pinnacle of the middle five realms, while the Jade Purity Realm was the starting point of the upper five realms.
The disparity between the two was akin to the gap between the Furnace Foundation Realm and the Cave Mansion Realm—perhaps even greater.
Bi Fang let out a piercing cry, and dozens of fiery red threads shot forth, piercing through the magical beasts. These threads then looped back, stabbing through Qi Hui's body, making him look like a marionette on strings.
Qi Hui's eyes turned bloodshot as he burned his life essence to ignite the red threads impaling him. Channeling his strength, he launched a Lava Cannon straight at Bi Fang.
But Bi Fang didn't even flinch.
A fire escape technique manifested in front of him, effortlessly blocking Qi Hui's strongest attack.
As the molten remnants dissipated, Qi Hui summoned a whirlwind of fire, forming a fiery tornado that forced the Black Dog back several meters.
Qi Hui tossed a set of keys toward Xu Ming, who had just managed to get back on his feet.
Xu Ming stared at the keys now lying beside him and exchanged a glance with Qi Hui.
"This guy… wants me to take her with me? What's going on?"
Xu Ming felt conflicted about Qi Hui. By all rights, someone like him would typically drag as many others down with him as possible in his final moments. Why would he want Xu Ming to escape with Shen Sheng's wife?
But Xu Ming only hesitated for half a heartbeat.
Picking up the keys, he used them to unlock the chains binding Zhao Qiongman's hands and feet.
"Water Pear Pill Pavilion," Qi Hui said, his back to Xu Ming and Zhao Qiongman, before charging forward again. Joining forces with the magical beasts, he worked to stall the Black Dog and Bi Fang.
"Let's go! Hurry!" Zhao Qiongman clung tightly to Xu Ming's hand, her urgency palpable.
Seeing her anxious expression, Xu Ming couldn't shake the feeling that something critical couldn't be allowed to fall into the wrong hands.
"Think you can run? Not a chance," Bi Fang's voice rang out.
With his words, a searing ring of fire spread through the air. Magical beasts plummeted from the skies like fiery rain, crashing into the magma below.
When Xu Ming turned back, the Black Dog was already blocking the exit, with Qi Hui pinned beneath its paw.
"This is your last chance," Bi Fang said, staring at Xu Ming. "Hand over the Baiwa Secret Realm, and I'll let you leave alive. I'm not exactly known for my patience."
Xu Ming's gaze hardened as his fingers subconsciously fidgeted.
First of all, the Baiwa Scroll wasn't in his possession, and he couldn't undo the imprint on the Baiwa Secret Realm even if he wanted to. Secondly, even if he handed it over, could he trust them to let him go? Would they really leave someone alive who might one day come seeking revenge?
The Baiwa Scroll was his last card. Without it, death was certain.
Xu Ming's reasoning was spot on.
The Black Dog had already recognized him.
Eight years ago, after being forced to flee Wudu in disgrace, the Black Dog had realized Xu Ming was very likely the Eternal Spirit Root that the Prime Minister intended to use. However, due to certain delays and Xu Ming's presence in Wudu, the Black Dog couldn't act at the time.
But now, capturing Xu Ming was entirely feasible. After all, the ritual would proceed sooner or later.
Just as Xu Ming was deliberating how to deal with these two monsters, a childlike yet fierce voice broke through the tension:
"Awooo!"
Startled, Xu Ming turned to see a young girl leaping through the air, sinking her teeth into the Black Dog's neck.
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