Fierce Battle

"It's useless. This Vermillion Fruit isn't for healing, and its medicinal power is incredibly potent. Swallowing it directly would be quite dangerous."

"Given our current condition, taking it directly would be no different from courting death."

Li Gang shook his head and did not accept the Vermillion Fruit.

The Vermillion Fruit was a precious Source Energy Treasure Medicine. It contained immensely pure Source Energy, and after a martial artist consumed it, their internal cultivation would advance by leaps and bounds.

This was their greatest harvest from Phoenix Valley. They had paid a considerable price to kill the Source Energy Fierce Beast guarding the Vermillion Fruits and obtain four incomparably precious fruits.

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

Yet just after they acquired the Vermillion Fruits, before they could retreat, they were suddenly ambushed by the Azure Fang Squad.

At that thought, Li Gang suddenly remembered something. His expression changed drastically as he said, "Not good. Poisonous Snake's external cultivation had already reached perfection. Now that he has obtained Little Qian's and Old Xu's two Vermillion Fruits, his internal cultivation will surely improve."

"We can't delay any longer. We must escape before he makes a breakthrough."

Father Chu's expression changed sharply. He hurriedly picked up his saber, supported Li Gang, and headed out of the cave.

Just as the two emerged from the cave, four figures in the distance revealed cold smiles. The burly figure holding a huge axe said, "They're out. Looks like they realized something was wrong."

"The boss is still in seclusion. Should we call him out?"

The young man holding an iron staff shook his head and calmly said, "One of these two pieces of trash is poisoned, while the other is crippled. Why would we need to disturb the boss?"

"The four of us will attack together. Don't let them get away."

The remaining two were twins. They too showed cruel smiles. "Then make it quick. Finish them early, lest more trouble arise."

As soon as he finished speaking, the four gave chase at high speed and quickly caught up to the badly injured Chu Yang and Li Gang.

"Brother Chu, go! I'll cover the rear."

Seeing the four catch up, despair appeared on Li Gang's face. Gripping his battle saber, he prepared to hold them back.

Chu Yang grabbed him instead, his expression exceptionally grave. "If we split up, they'll only pick us off one by one. If we fight, we still have a sliver of hope."

"None of you are getting away."

At that moment, the man wielding the huge axe attacked. The ten-foot axe cleaved down with fierce astral wind, and the powerful wind alone made Father Chu's expression change from over a hundred feet away.

This man was Luo Tao, the second strongest member of the Azure Fang Squad. His Life Level was as high as 8.1. He cultivated the Savage Elephant Technique, which forged the body and strength, and his Giant Elephant Axe possessed immeasurable power, capable of splitting stone and cleaving mountains.

Before losing his arm, Chu Yang had been highly confident that he could defeat him. But now, not only had Chu Yang lost an arm, he had also suffered serious injuries. Naturally, he did not dare let down his guard.

In an instant, Chu Yang swiftly made his move. Surging waves bloomed from his saber as he sent a Wave Slash straight at his opponent.

Clang—

With a deafening crash, Chu Yang felt his tiger's mouth go numb, and his whole body was knocked back several steps.

Almost at the same moment, the twins attacked. One wielded twin axes, the other twin hooks, and their seamless coordination locked down Chu Yang's weapon.

At that moment, the final man, wielding an iron staff, leaped into the air and smashed down with deadly force directly at Father Chu's head.

At the critical moment, Li Gang raised his battle saber to block the attack for him, though a trace of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth.

"It's useless. The poison is already deep in my system. You won't get out carrying me."

Li Gang's face was pale. He used all his strength to knock aside the iron staff, then swung his saber to block the huge axe that came down again. His expression was exceptionally grave as he spoke.

Luo Tao's axe sent Li Gang flying back. Dark black astral energy bloomed from his huge axe as he cleaved down once more with incomparably immense force.

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

"How dare you!"

Just as the two found themselves trapped between advancing and retreating, a blazing streak of light tore through the air from afar.

Chu Kuang forced back the murderous Luo Tao with a single thrust of his spear. Seeing that Father Chu had not yet died in battle, he finally let out a fierce sigh of relief.

"Kuang."

Seeing Chu Kuang arrive, Chu Yang's expression shifted slightly. He immediately said, "Leave, now!"

Chu Kuang said nothing. He simply raised his war lance and smashed it out, forcing back the staff-wielding youth charging at him with a sweeping strike.

At that moment, Luo Tao's expression turned icy as he said coldly, "Kid, you dare ruin the Azure Fang Squad's business? You're truly seeking death."

As his words fell, his battle axe spun through the air, slicing toward Chu Kuang with a shriek of wind.

Yet Chu Kuang sneered, raised his war lance to block the blow, then grabbed Father Chu and Li Gang and fled.

"Trying to run? It won't be that easy."

Seeing them attempt to escape, the four frantically pursued them.

Along the way, Chu Kuang led the two as they fought and retreated. Before long, they had fled more than ten miles. During this time, the fastest of their pursuers, the staff-wielding youth, charged far ahead and pulled away from Luo Tao and the other three.

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

Although he was only a few dozen meters ahead of the others, and martial artists of their speed could cover that distance in a single breath, it was enough in Chu Kuang's eyes.

"About time."

Chu Kuang murmured inwardly, then transmitted his voice to Father Chu and Li Gang. "You're both injured. Sooner or later, they'll catch us. We might as well turn around and kill one of them first."

"Good."

A trace of killing intent appeared on Li Gang's pale face. Looking at the staff-wielding martial artist, his lips twitched slightly. "This Shen Quan killed Old Qian. Even if I die, I'll take him with me."

Before making their move, Father Chu handed the Vermillion Fruit to Chu Kuang. With an exceptionally grave expression, he said, "This Vermillion Fruit contains potent medicinal power. It will be of great benefit to you."

"If things go wrong, take it and flee on your own."

Chu Kuang accepted the Vermillion Fruit but did not answer.

After that brief exchange, the three attacked almost simultaneously.

Father Chu struck first, slashing out with a Wave Slash aimed straight at Shen Quan's face.

Shen Quan had not expected the three to turn back and attack, but he still raised his iron staff and blocked the strike.

Li Gang attacked at the same time. His Armor Breaking Saber struck directly at Shen Quan's waist and abdomen, bringing speed, precision, and ruthlessness to their utmost.

But Shen Quan was no easy opponent. At the critical moment, he instantly dodged the blow and prepared to pull away and join up with Luo Tao and the other three rushing over.

Yet in that instant, Chu Kuang had already moved. His spear was swift as wind and thunder. With a Heavenly Dragon Pounces on the Moon, he crossed more than a hundred feet in an instant, golden spear-light bursting toward Shen Quan's chest.

At the critical moment, Shen Quan forcibly twisted his body to evade, but Chu Kuang's spear still pierced his armor and tore off his right arm.

"Ah—"

Shen Quan let out a scream. His Life Level was as high as 7.8, but after suffering such a grievous wound, he instantly lost his ability to fight.

This momentary advantage in numbers had a decisive impact on the battle.

"Impudent!"

At that instant, Luo Tao charged in with his huge axe and blocked the spear thrust Chu Kuang had intended to use to finish Shen Quan off.