Fierce Battle

"It's useless. This Vermillion Fruit isn't for healing, and its medicinal power is too mighty. Taking it directly is quite dangerous."

"Given our current condition, swallowing it whole would be no different than seeking death."

Li Gang shook his head, not taking the Vermillion Fruit.

The Vermillion Fruit is a precious Source Energy treasure medicine. It contains incredibly mighty and pure Source Energy. After a martial artist consumes it, their internal energy cultivation will advance by leaps and bounds.

This was their greatest gain on this trip to Phoenix Valley. They had paid a considerable price to kill the Source Energy Fierce Beast guarding the Vermillion Fruit, obtaining four incredibly precious Vermillion Fruits.

Father Chu had also received one this time. He had originally planned to take it back to Chu Kuang.

But just as they obtained the Vermillion Fruits and before they could retreat, they were suddenly ambushed by the Azure Fang Squad.

Thinking of this, Li Gang suddenly thought of something and his expression changed drastically. "Not good! That viper's External Martial Arts were already at Perfection. Now that he has obtained two Vermillion Fruits from Little Qian and Old Xu, his internal energy cultivation is bound to improve."

"We can't delay any longer. We must escape before he breaks through."

Father Chu's expression changed drastically upon hearing this. He quickly picked up his long saber and helped Li Gang towards the outside of the cave.

Just as the two of them walked out of the cave, four figures in the distance revealed cold smiles. The burly figure holding a giant axe among them spoke, "They're out. It looks like they've realized something is wrong."

"The boss is still in closed-door cultivation. Should we call him out?"

Another young man holding an iron rod shook his head and said calmly, "These two are useless. One is poisoned, and the other is crippled. There's no need to disturb the boss from his cultivation."

"Let's four of us take action together. Don't let them escape."

The remaining two were a pair of twins. Upon hearing this, they also revealed sinister smiles. "Then let's hurry up and finish them quickly, to avoid any further complications."

As their voices fell, the four of them quickly gave chase and soon caught up to the heavily injured Chu Yang and Li Gang.

"Brother Chu, you go quickly. I'll cover your retreat."

Seeing the four of them chasing, despair appeared on Li Gang's face. He gripped his battle saber, ready to make a stand.

Chu Yang, however, grabbed him, his expression extremely solemn. "If we split up, we'll be picked off one by one. If we fight, there's still a sliver of a chance."

"None of you will get away."

At this moment, the man holding the giant axe attacked. His ten-foot-long axe, carrying a sharp gust of wind, cleaved down. The mighty gale made Father Chu's expression change drastically from over ten yards away.

This person was Luo Tao, the second strongest in the Azure Fang Squad, with a Life Level as high as 8.1. He practiced the Savage Elephant Technique, which forged his physique and strength. His Giant Elephant Axe was immensely powerful, capable of splitting rocks and mountains.

If his arm hadn't been severed, Chu Yang would have had a great chance of defeating him. However, now that Chu Yang was not only missing an arm but also suffered considerable injuries, he naturally dared not be careless.

In an instant, Chu Yang moved swiftly. The long saber in his hand erupted with surging waves, and with a single move, Wave Slash, he directly struck out.

"Clang—"

With a loud clang, Chu Yang felt his hand go numb, and he was forced back several steps.

Almost simultaneously, the twins attacked. One wielded twin axes, and the other wielded twin hooks, their movements perfectly coordinated to lock onto Chu Yang's weapon.

Just then, the last man, holding an iron rod, leaped into the air and smashed down, his attack carrying lethal force directly towards Father Chu's head.

In this moment of crisis, Li Gang held up his battle saber to block for him, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

"It's useless. I'm deeply poisoned. Even with me, you won't be able to get out."

Li Gang's face was pale. He forcefully pushed away the iron rod and simultaneously swung his saber to block the charging Giant Elephant Axe again, his expression extremely grave.

Luo Tao was repelled by Li Gang's axe. The Giant Elephant Axe in his hand glowed with dark, profound energy, and with immense power, it struck again.

"I told you, none of you will escape."

"How dare you!"

Just as they were caught in a dilemma, a scorching stream of light tore through the air from a distance.

Chu Kuang's spear forced back the murderous Luo Tao. Seeing that Father Chu was not yet dead, he let out a heavy sigh of relief.

"Xiao Kuang."

Seeing Chu Kuang arrive, Chu Yang's expression slightly changed, and he immediately said, "You hurry and leave!"

Chu Kuang didn't speak. He merely swung his war spear, a sweeping strike that forced back the youth holding the rod.

At this moment, Luo Tao's face turned cold, and he said indifferently, "Kid, daring to ruin the business of my Azure Fang Squad is truly seeking your own death."

As his voice fell, the battle axe in his hand spun, and with a whistling sound, it slashed towards Chu Kuang.

But Chu Kuang let out a mocking laugh, parried the blow with his war spear, and then grabbed Father Chu and Li Gang, making his escape.

"Trying to run? It's not that easy."

Seeing them trying to escape, the four men madly pursued them.

Along the way, Chu Kuang led the two, fighting and retreating, and soon they had fled for over ten miles. During this process, the fastest youth with the rod took the lead, creating a distance between himself and Luo Tao and the other two.

This person was relatively young and lacked experience in the Dark Domain. Relying on his speed, he rushed to the front.

Although he was only a few dozen meters away from the others, which would only take a breath for these martial artists to cover, it was enough in Chu Kuang's eyes.

"It's about time."

Chu Kuang murmured to himself, then transmitted his voice to Father Chu and Li Gang, "You are both injured. We will eventually be caught by them. Why don't we turn back and strike them?"

"Good."

Li Gang's pale face revealed a hint of killing intent. He looked at the warrior holding the staff, his lips twitching slightly as he said, "Shen Quan killed Old Qian. I'll take him down with me even if I die."

However, before making a move, Father Chu handed the Vermillion Fruit to Chu Kuang, his expression extremely solemn. "This Vermillion Fruit's medicinal properties are Mighty and will greatly benefit you."

"If things go south, you take it and escape alone."

Chu Kuang took the Vermillion Fruit but didn't reply.

After a brief exchange, the three attacked almost simultaneously.

Father Chu struck first, unleashing a Wave Slash aimed directly at Shen Quan's face.

Shen Quan hadn't expected the three to dare a counter-attack, but he still raised his iron staff to block the saber strike.

At the same time, Li Gang attacked, his Armor Breaking Saber aimed at Shen Quan's waist, executing the strike with extreme speed, precision, and ferocity.

But Shen Quan was no pushover. In the critical moment, he dodged the attack and was about to disengage to regroup with Luo Tao and the other two who were charging forward.

But in that instant, Chu Kuang moved. His spear was as fast as wind and thunder. With a Heavenly Dragon Pounces on the Moon, he instantly crossed ten feet, unleashing golden spear light and striking directly at Shen Quan's chest.

In that moment of crisis, Shen Quan forcefully twisted his body to evade, but Chu Kuang's spear still pierced his Battle Armor, severing his right arm.

"Ah—"

Shen Quan screamed. His Life Level was as high as 7.8, but such a grievous injury instantly rendered him incapable of fighting.

This sudden outnumbered situation had a crucial impact on the battle.

"Insolent!"

At that very moment, Luo Tao, wielding his Giant Elephant Axe, struck, blocking Chu Kuang's spear thrust, which was intended to finish Shen Quan off.