King of Ten Thousand Years

Five Molten Rock Crocodiles, all at the Ninth Layer of Spirit Sea Realm or higher, surrounded Yi Jingwen.

Among them, one Molten Rock Crocodile’s Cultivation had even reached the Half-step Earth Element Realm. It was a full seven to eight meters long, its body covered in rolling magma that emanated a scorching, high-temperature aura!

”North Nether Four Techniques!”

Yi Jingwen’s eyes flashed with brilliance. Her Black Jade Treasure Sword released a field of icy, pitch-black sword radiance.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH!

Her figure floated through the air as her Treasure Sword danced. One after another, streaks of icy, pitch-black Sword Qi, filled with a heavy, somber chill, wreaked havoc.

From a distance, a vast expanse of black Sword Light erupted, suppressing the five Molten Rock Crocodiles and leaving bloody gashes on their bodies.

Even the scorching heat of the surroundings dropped slightly.

’Such incredible strength!’

Luo Tian, who was hidden in the shadows, couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

Yi Jingwen’s strength ranked in the top five among the ten Core Disciples. Her Cultivation was at the Half-step Earth Element Realm.

He recalled that the first time Yi Jingwen challenged the Slaughter Grotto Heaven, she had earned fifty thousand Points. Her scores in her subsequent two attempts had continuously set new records.

”Who’s there? Come out now!” Yi Jingwen suddenly shouted.

’I’ve been discovered!’

Luo Tian wasn’t panicked. He walked out openly and said with a smile, ”Senior Sister Yi!”

”Leave at once!” Yi Jingwen snapped after a glance at Luo Tian.

”Senior Sister Yi, I can lend you a hand, as long as you’re willing to give me one Fire Berry,” Luo Tian proposed with a faint smile.

”Can’t you see the situation? I don’t need your help!” Yi Jingwen coldly refused.

”Alright then.”

Luo Tian shrugged helplessly and slowly retreated.

But just then,

The magma in the pool began to churn again. From the distance, two enormous figures swam over.

SPLASH!

Two more Molten Rock Crocodiles appeared. They opened their massive, crimson maws and spat out two searing columns of molten rock, their Attack devastating.

”There are more?”

Yi Jingwen’s expression darkened as her body twisted to evade.

BOOM! BOOM! SIZZLE!

The two Molten Rock Crocodiles’ Attacks missed, striking the rock wall behind them. They blasted two massive craters into the wall, from which molten fire dripped.

The tide of battle had turned once more. Yi Jingwen was now surrounded by seven Molten Rock Crocodiles.

Yi Jingwen’s strength was beyond question, but the environment greatly favored the Molten Rock Crocodiles and acted as a counter to her Swordsmanship.

Within the magma, the Molten Rock Crocodiles’ Attacks were amplified, making them terrifyingly lethal. One careless slip could lead to a miserable fate.

Yi Jingwen’s expression was a bit strained. She glanced at Luo Tian, who hadn’t completely left, opened her mouth, but couldn’t bring herself to speak.

”Senior Sister Yi, do you need help now?” Luo Tian asked with a smile.

”Yes!” Yi Jingwen said, her face taut.

Given her condition, facing seven Molten Rock Crocodiles was far from an optimistic prospect.

If a few more Molten Rock Crocodiles appeared, she would have no choice but to retreat, and all her previous efforts would have been for naught.

And so, Yi Jingwen had to ask for Luo Tian’s help.

”I’ll keep the Molten Rock Crocodiles busy. You take the chance to pick the Fire Berries and the Red Fire Flower. I’ll give you one Fire Berry afterward!”

Yi Jingwen wasn’t worried that Luo Tian would take the treasures and then turn on her.

”Actually, that’s not necessary,” Luo Tian said, shaking his head.

Yi Jingwen’s lovely brows furrowed slightly. Her plan was undoubtedly the best method.

’Was there any better way?’

”You might be able to hold off the Molten Rock Crocodiles for a bit, but if they turn and Attack me while I’m picking the Fire Berries, I’ll be in a miserable spot!”

”I suggest we kill all the Molten Rock Crocodiles first, then pick the Fire Berries. That way, it’s zero risk.”

Yi Jingwen was unimpressed by the first half of Luo Tian’s statement, thinking him timid and cowardly, afraid for his life.

But the second half of his sentence sent a wave of shock across her jade-like face.

”Kill all the Molten Rock Crocodiles?” Yi Jingwen asked, seeking confirmation.

Although Luo Tian had made a name for himself in the Four Grotto Heavens, he had only just reached a score of one hundred thousand Points in the Slaughter Grotto Heaven. Even if the two of them teamed up, killing all of these Molten Rock Crocodiles would be a monumental task.

In Yi Jingwen’s opinion, the most likely outcome was that Luo Tian would be carelessly killed by a Molten Rock Crocodile, leaving her to fight alone once more.

Yi Jingwen was just about to reject Luo Tian’s proposal.

But Luo Tian had already charged out, drawing the Molten Rock Crocodiles’ attention. One at the Ninth Layer of Spirit Sea Realm fixed its crimson eyes on him and opened its cavernous maw, inside which a wave of fiery qi churned and gathered.

”Get out of the way!” Yi Jingwen cried out in alarm.

This Molten Rock Crocodile was at the Ninth Layer of Spirit Sea Realm, strong enough to instantly kill Luo Tian, who was at the Peak of Spirit Sea Realm Sixth Layer.

SWOOSH!

Luo Tian’s figure blurred. He transformed into a wisp of trailing wind and instantly zipped to Yi Jingwen’s side.

He had easily dodged the Molten Rock Crocodile’s Attack.

’So fast!’

Yi Jingwen blinked, a strange light glinting in her eyes.

The speed of Luo Tian’s Body Technique was completely inconsistent with his Cultivation level, far exceeding Yi Jingwen’s expectations.

In the next instant.

VMMMM!

Luo Tian activated his Nether Dragon Divine Vein at full power. A vortex of dark Cold Mist swept out, covering a radius of more than ten meters.

An immense chill instantly overwhelmed the surrounding heat. A layer of frost began to form on the ground and walls, though the magma itself was too hot to show any change.

”This is... an Ice Cold Attribute Martial Vein Power!”

Yi Jingwen’s eyes sparkled.

Luo Tian’s Martial Vein Power slightly negated the Molten Rock Crocodiles’ environmental advantage. If a crocodile got too close, it would be affected by the Cold Power, weakening its combat prowess.

Meanwhile, Yi Jingwen’s Swordsmanship was amplified within Luo Tian’s Cold Mist Domain.

As one side was weakened and the other strengthened, Yi Jingwen once again held a major advantage!

”Slash!”

A black current of water pulsed around Yi Jingwen and coiled around her Black Jade Treasure Sword. She unleashed a heavy, pitch-black, ice-cold Sword Light that directly shattered a Molten Rock Crocodile’s Defense. Scalding blood sprayed out as it died a gruesome death on the spot.

After another ten moves, Yi Jingwen slayed another Molten Rock Crocodile. Then she asked, ”Why aren’t you attacking?”

”I’m too weak. I’m no match for the Molten Rock Crocodiles. If I get killed, it would be a huge loss.”

Luo Tian said with shameless self-assurance, using his Body Technique to stay right behind Yi Jingwen.

That way, Yi Jingwen blocked all of the Molten Rock Crocodiles’ Attacks for him.

”...”

Yi Jingwen’s mouth twitched. In her eyes, it was obvious Luo Tian was just too lazy to make a move.

Luo Tian was even using her as a shield.

A short while later, Yi Jingwen had slain all the Molten Rock Crocodiles. She shot Luo Tian a cold, slightly reproachful glance, beads of sweat trickling down her forehead and jade-like neck.

’So strong,’ Luo Tian thought to himself.

Seven Molten Rock Crocodiles, one of which was at the Half-step Earth Element Realm, had all been slain by Yi Jingwen alone.

As for Yi Jingwen, besides being exhausted and having her clothes slightly burned and torn, she was completely unharmed.

SWOOSH!

Yi Jingwen leaped across the magma pool and reached out to pluck all the Fire Berries and the Red Fire Flower.

With a light tap of her toes on the wall, she flew back to the other side of the magma pool like a swift swallow.

”Here’s your Fire Berry!”

Yi Jingwen was true to her word and tossed a Fire Berry to Luo Tian.

She was still displeased with Luo Tian’s earlier behavior, but the fact that her own gains were substantial while his were minimal helped restore some balance to Yi Jingwen’s mood.

”Aren’t you leaving?” Yi Jingwen asked as she prepared to depart, noticing that Luo Tian had suddenly sat down cross-legged.

”You go ahead! I want to consume this Fire Berry and improve my strength!”

”Unless... Senior Sister Yi wants to team up and carry me?” Luo Tian asked with a laugh.

”In your dreams!” Yi Jingwen turned and left without another word.

Luo Tian spread his Spiritual Sense, and after confirming that Yi Jingwen had truly left, the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but curl up.

He put away the Fire Berry and turned to look at the wall behind the magma pool.

His Spiritual Sense told him there was a hidden space within.

SHIING! SHIING! SHIING!

Luo Tian took out his Ice Trace Sword and launched a furious Attack, relentlessly hacking away with sharp, bone-chilling Sword Qi.

He focused all of his Attacks on a single point, quickly carving out a deep pit.

”Break!”

Luo Tian let out a soft shout, condensed his True Qi, and slashed out a condensed, ice-cold Sword Light.

BOOM!

Luo Tian blasted an oval-shaped hole in the wall.

Luo Tian leaped, leading with his head and turning his body sideways to slip through the oval hole.

Behind the wall was a cave, only ten meters in diameter.

The first thing that met his eyes was a pool built of jade, but it was filled with rolling magma that glowed a brilliant crimson.

The pool was surrounded by a layer of crimson ripples.

”A Spiritual Pool!”

Luo Tian’s face lit up with joy.

Without a second word, he approached it.

Just like with the previous Spiritual Pool, Luo Tian was obstructed by the crimson ripples.

The crimson ripples enveloping the Spiritual Pool released a scorching heatwave that burned at Luo Tian.

Luo Tian activated his True Qi Body Protection, only to find that this flame was unique—it could even ignite True Qi, rendering his defense ineffective.

”Celestial Furnace Treasure Body!”

Luo Tian’s body swelled, and a Cyan Jade Light Membrane appeared on his skin, resisting the searing flames from the Spiritual Pool.

Anyone else trying to obtain the power of the Flame Spiritual Pool would have to rely on their True Qi Body Protection, a method that would consume enormous energy. If they couldn’t sustain it, all their efforts would be for naught, and they might even be burned to ashes.

Fortunately, Luo Tian cultivated Body Refining Techniques, and his Celestial Furnace Treasure Body possessed excellent resistance to flames.

After a long while, even Luo Tian’s Celestial Furnace Treasure Body began to feel the scorching burn. His entire body turned a painful crimson, a testament to the extraordinary power of the Spiritual Pool’s flames.

At that moment, however, Luo Tian finally broke through the crimson light wave barrier and got close to the Spiritual Pool.

’How do I obtain the power of the Flame Spiritual Pool?’

Luo Tian hesitated slightly.

The magma within the Spiritual Pool was even more terrifying than the magma in the outer pool. Dipping his hand in would undoubtedly be a one-way trip.

So, Luo Tian reached out and touched the jade wall of the Spiritual Pool.

VMMMM! GURGLE GURGLE!

The magma inside the Flame Spiritual Pool instantly began to boil, and a terrifyingly hot power surged towards Luo Tian!

On the back of Luo Tian’s other hand, a crimson Flame Mark slowly formed, followed by the outline of a second mark.

...

After getting the treasures, Yi Jingwen left the volcanic region.

She could sense an extremely terrifying presence in that area, so she didn’t linger.

’Something’s not right. Luo Tian must have sensed it too. Even if he wanted to consume the Fire Berry, there was no need to do it there...’

Yi Jingwen frowned in thought.

She recalled the moment when she was facing the Molten Rock Crocodiles.

’Even if he and I had teamed up to kill all the Molten Rock Crocodiles, there would have been risks. It would have been troublesome, time-consuming, and energy-draining...’

’In comparison, me distracting the Molten Rock Crocodiles while Luo Tian took the chance to pick the fruit was more efficient.’

’...So his real goal was to use me to get rid of all the Molten Rock Crocodiles?’

A sharp glint flashed in Yi Jingwen’s eyes.

’I was misled. He deliberately annoyed me so I would leave as quickly as possible... Could there be another treasure there?’

The various inconsistencies linked together in her mind, like the pieces of a shattered puzzle falling into place. Yi Jingwen figured out Luo Tian’s true intentions.

But she had inspected the area carefully. Besides the Fire Berries and the Red Fire Flower, there were no other treasures.

SWOOSH!

Yi Jingwen quickly turned back, her figure flying swiftly into the cavern.