The cave was dimly lit, and a strange sweet fragrance filled the air. The deeper they went, the richer it became.
The surrounding stone walls were slick with moisture, covered in patches of faintly glowing moss that provided a little illumination.
Su Changqing kept his spiritual power highly focused as he carefully scanned ahead. Hu Liena followed close behind, her fox martial soul possessed, her fingertips sharp as she vigilantly watched their surroundings.
Following the source of the fragrance, the two traveled about a hundred meters through the winding cave before the view suddenly opened up.
A massive natural grotto appeared before them. A small gap at its ceiling allowed a beam of daylight to shine down, illuminating a small patch at the center of the cavern.
Right beneath that pillar of light, a strange plant grew quietly.
The immortal herb was entirely crimson-gold, radiating an intense glow. It was incomparably beautiful and looked extraordinarily valuable at a glance.
"Rainbow Sun Flower... It really is one! Judging by its form and fragrance, it has cultivated for at least eight thousand years!"
A flash of delight appeared in Su Changqing's eyes.
If he absorbed a Rainbow Sun Flower with this level of cultivation, not only would his Light Attribute become purer, it might even vaguely break beyond the limits of Extreme Light and become something above it!
Hu Liena was also drawn in by the immortal herb's beauty and mystique. Her lovely eyes sparkled. "What a beautiful immortal herb. Its energy fluctuations are so pure."
The two carefully stepped closer, confirming that there seemed to be no trace of any other guardian spirit beasts nearby.
Su Changqing took a deep breath, intending to pluck it and absorb it on the spot.
However, at the instant he bent down, an accident occurred!
"Boom—"
The ground to the side suddenly exploded! Rocks and dirt flew everywhere as a massive black shadow covered in savage bone armor shot out like lightning.
Immediately after, a gaping maw carrying an overwhelmingly foul stench lunged straight at Su Changqing's head!
It was unimaginably fast! It was even a bit faster than the Soul Emperor's attack from earlier!
It was a spirit beast over five meters long, shaped like a crocodile but entirely covered in black bone armor, with a terrifying bone hammer at the tip of its tail!
It had been hiding beneath the dirt beside the immortal herb, blending its aura with the earth and perfectly evading Su Changqing's spiritual detection, all to launch a fatal ambush at the moment they were least guarded!
"Changqing!!"
Hu Liena's cry was filled with unprecedented terror.
Su Changqing reacted swiftly. He forcefully bent backward at the waist, while his left hand shot out like lightning and wrapped around Hu Liena's slender yet supple waist, shielding her tightly in his arms.
Then he stomped his right foot hard against the ground and used the recoil to dart backward, widening the distance between them and the spirit beast.
The crocodile spirit beast's huge jaws snapped shut almost against Su Changqing's nose. The teeth-grinding collision and foul wind were nauseating.
Having missed its strike, the crocodile spirit beast let out a low roar, revealing its fang-filled maw and a pair of tiny, brutal eyes.
Faint black patterns emerged across its body.
"A Ten Thousand Year Cave Clawed Crocodile! It excels at lurking and ambushing, with tremendous defense and bite force. The bone hammer on its tail can unleash heavy blows!"
Su Changqing instantly recognized the spirit beast. His heart turned grave. This thing was far more troublesome than that Soul Emperor just now, especially in this relatively cramped cave.
"Sister Nana, fall back and look for a chance to interfere. Leave it to me," Su Changqing said solemnly.
"Alright, be careful!"
"Second Spirit Ability, Rainbow Flowing Light!"
"Fourth Spirit Ability, Holy Light Armor!"
With the release of two great spirit abilities, Su Changqing transformed into a streak of Golden Light and appeared before it in an instant. Then, a massive fist of light smashed forward!
"Boom—"
The blow slammed viciously into its body!
The Cave Clawed Crocodile roared in pain and became even more violent, opening its jaws to bite again.
"First Spirit Skill, Holy Light Radiance!"
A powerful light burst forth. The terrifying burning sensation immediately halted its attack. A series of sizzling sounds came from its hide, and its supposedly indestructible skin actually began to peel away!
Seizing the instant it was restrained, the light around Su Changqing erupted to its utmost limit!
"Self-Created Soul Skill, Blazing Heavenly Light Fist!"
"Boom—"
That punch sent it flying, its enormous beastly body soaring dozens of meters into the air.
The Light Element seemed to deal extra damage to this spirit beast that lived in the dark underground, making it let out a pained shriek.
Before it could land, Su Changqing's third soul ring lit up.
"Third Spirit Skill, Divine Steed: Extreme Light Wave!"
"Buzz—"
A beam filled with ultimate destructive force shot out and instantly devoured it. Its screams ceased, drowned out by the piercing sound of the light tearing through the air.
As the light faded, the Cave Clawed Crocodile's enormous, mangled body crashed to the ground before collapsing with a heavy thud. It had long since lost all signs of life. Then, a profound black soul ring slowly rose from its corpse.
"Little Brother Changqing, you're incredible!"
Hu Liena hurried forward, her beautiful eyes full of astonishment and admiration.
First, he had challenged a Soul Emperor across ranks, and now he had single-handedly slain a Ten Thousand Year Spirit Beast. Such achievements would cause a sensation if brought back to Spirit Hall.
Su Changqing smiled. "Sister Nana, guard me. I'm going to begin absorbing the immortal herb."
"Alright!"
Su Changqing went to the Rainbow Sun Flower, plucked it, and began absorbing it.
While waiting, Hu Liena's gaze was suddenly drawn to something faintly glowing beside the Cave Clawed Crocodile's corpse.
"A soul bone dropped?"
She walked over curiously to inspect it.
She picked up the "soul bone" and looked closely. It was an organ that resembled a gallbladder, yet it emitted an eerie pink glow.
"What is this?"
Hu Liena became puzzled.
However, in the very next moment, the pink organ seemed to become unstable due to the spirit beast's death. With a soft pop, it ruptured on its own, and an extremely thin yet exceptionally sweet and cloying pink mist instantly spread out at astonishing speed!
It happened so suddenly that Hu Liena had no time to react at all!
At once, she felt an unusual hot current rise from her lower abdomen and rapidly spread through her limbs and body. An uncontrollable flush crept onto her cheeks.
Her eyes began to turn moist as well, and when she looked at Su Changqing, who was absorbing the immortal herb, an indescribable longing unconsciously entered her gaze.
Her body went slightly weak, and her breathing became somewhat hurried.
Su Changqing, who was absorbing the immortal herb, frowned slightly. He sensed that something was wrong with his body, yet he had no idea what was happening and could only place his hopes on Hu Liena, who was guarding him.
"Changqing..."
Hu Liena's gaze grew increasingly feverish. She bit through her red lips, using the pain to suppress the desire in her heart!
Who knew how much time passed before Su Changqing finished absorbing it, but his expression did not look good!
His eyes were faintly red, and his breathing had grown heavy. When he looked at Hu Liena beside him, her flushed cheeks, seductive eyes, peerless face, and softly panting red lips exerted a fatal attraction on him.
Seeing that Su Changqing had finished absorbing it, Hu Liena's eyes brightened considerably, as if she had found a lifeline!
She unconsciously moved closer to Su Changqing, her jade-like hand gripping his arm as though doing so could ease even a trace of the emptiness and burning within her.
"Chang... Changqing... It's so hot..."
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