"Lin Feng, how did it go? Did you succeed in upgrading your strange fire?"
Chang Gong Xiaojing's voice reached Lin Feng just as he was admiring the newly evolved Molten Flame. He looked up to find her standing beside him, curiosity lighting her features. She had clearly finished her cultivation earlier but waited patiently to avoid disturbing him.
Lin Feng nodded with a smile. "Yes. My Molten Flame has reached Mid-Grade."
As he retracted the flame, Xiaojing asked, "Shall we leave now?"
Lin Feng checked the time—it was already noon. "We should. Let's get to the surface first."
After packing, they activated Earth Escape Talismans. Moments later, they emerged aboveground.
The sky hung gray and oppressive, betraying no hint of midday. Lin Feng scanned their surroundings: a barren plain stretched before them, flanked by a dense forest and a lone hill.
They were far beyond Half-Moon Swamp's borders. The underground river's current had carried them farther than anticipated.
"Where is this place...?" Xiaojing murmured, frowning as she took in the unfamiliar terrain.
"Unknown territory," Lin Feng confirmed grimly. "No markers on any map. We're deeper into the wilderness than Half-Moon Swamp. We'll need to find recognizable landmarks before locating Zhang and the others." He scanned the horizon. "Stay alert. Powerful beasts may lurk here."
"Understood." Xiaojing instinctively moved closer to him. Though unease prickled her senses, his presence steadied her—a quiet reliance she hadn't acknowledged yet.
...
To survey the land, Lin Feng led them toward the hill. As they reached its base, Xiao Qiu squealed excitedly from his shoulder.
"SQUEE!"
Its paw jabbed insistently toward the left mountainside.
Lin Feng quickened his pace, wary of the unnatural silence—no beasts meant a dominant predator's territory. His left hand clutched a Spirit Light Talisman, his right gripped the Scarlet Soul Flying Sword.
Following Xiao Qiu's guidance, they rounded the hillside. There, clinging to a cliff face, grew a plant with deep azure leaves.
"It's... Butterfly-Blue Fruit!" Xiaojing breathed, eyes wide with recognition before Lin Feng could speak.
The plant resembled a tomato vine, but dangling from its stems were two fist-sized, pale blue fruits. Darker azure patterns swirled across their surfaces like resting butterflies—a Tier-3 spirit herb, essential for crafting Blue Clarity Pills, prized by water-attribute cultivators. As a disciple of the Aqua Spring Sect, Xiaojing knew its value instantly.
"CHII!!"
Xiao Qiu's warning cry shattered the moment. Lin Feng's gaze snapped toward a thicket where Xiao Qiu stared.
"CROAK!!"
An answering bellow erupted as a beast lunged from the brush, positioning itself between the herb and the duo.
"A Six-Legged Frog! Tier 3, Rank 4!" Lin Feng's pupils constricted. He activated the hexagonal talisman without hesitation.
Before them crouched a tub-sized frog with six spindly legs. It opened its maw, and a pale blur—its tongue—shot toward Lin Feng.
Thwack!
The attack bounced harmlessly off the Spirit Light barrier.
"Lin Feng..." Xiaojing's voice held concern. "Should we retreat...?"
"Stay behind me. I'll handle this." Lin Feng's calm was absolute. Having slain a Tier-3 Rank-9 Crimson Loong, this beast hardly intimidated him. Yet instead of summoning his ultimate White Tiger Soul Talisman, he chose to experiment.
He raised his right hand. A dark crimson flame, the size of a fist, materialized. With a thought, it hurtled toward the frog.
The beast recoiled, sensing danger. It spat a sphere of blue energy at the projectile. But as the energies collided—
WHOOSH!
The fireball exploded into a vast, molten net, descending like a raptor's strike!
The blue sphere tore a hole through the center, yet the web held. Trapped mid-leap, the frog could only conjure a shimmering azure shield before the flames engulfed it.
Ssszzzzzzzz...
Fire sizzled like grease on a hot pan against the barrier, mere inches from its skin. Ripples fractured the shield's surface as it strained against the heat.
"CROOOAK!!"
The frog thrashed wildly, pouring energy into its failing shield. But the flames clung like parasites, relentless and hungry.
Within moments—
CRACK!
The shield shattered.
Molten fire devoured the beast whole.
SCREECH—!
A final, agonized croak pierced the air. The creature convulsed, then collapsed. The stench of charred flesh seeped into the wind.
...
Lin Feng and Xiaojing stared, stunned, at the blazing corpse. Even Lin Feng hadn't anticipated Mid-Grade Molten Flame's ferocity—incinerating a tier-four beast with such ease!
Slowly, Lin Feng gestured. The inferno roared back to his palm, condensing once more into that deceptively calm, lava-like orb.
"T-that power..." Xiaojing stammered, eyes fixed on the flame. "Is this Mid-Grade...? It's terrifying."
Heart pounding with triumph, Lin Feng extinguished the flame. He approached the carcass, nudged it with his boot—it crumbled to ash, leaving only a gleaming sapphire beast core.
After pocketing the core, he plucked the two Butterfly-Blue Fruits. Returning to Xiaojing, he offered them. "These belong to you."
"W-what? No!" She stepped back. "You defeated it! I did nothing—"
Lin Feng pressed them into her hands. "I cultivate fire. These are useless to me—but invaluable for your water affinity. Take them."
"Then... thank you, Lin Feng." Her fingers closed around the cool fruits.
"After all we've endured? No need for formalities." He turned toward the plain below. "Let's continue scouting—Hmm?!"
His gaze froze.
Several figures sprinted toward the hill.
And one face made his blood run cold.
"It's him!!"