A massive, razor-sharp wind blade slashed across the air. The gale howled, tearing through the space in its path.
"Wind-Splitting Slash!"
The White Tiger had no choice but to dodge sideways, fury surging in its eyes.
Before it could react,
an azure blur shot forward like wind and lightning, pouncing straight for the Earthcore Fire Lotus. It reached the lotus in an instant.
Just as it was about to seize it,
"Seven-Star Big Dipper Sword Formation, activate!"
"First Stance: Dubhe Shines!"
Xie Jinghan barked the command, and the Seven-Star Big Dipper Sword Formation erupted with dazzling light.
A blade of sword energy over ten feet long took shape, blocking the Azure Wolf's path and forcing it back.
"Leaping Art: Treading the Void!"
Seizing the opening, Xie Jinghan stepped through empty air and shot forward, swift as a startled swan, straight toward the Earthcore Fire Lotus.
He reached out his right hand. His fingertips were barely an inch from the Earthcore Fire Lotus.
Just as he was about to touch it, two razor-sharp claws struck at him from either side.
Their killing intent was chilling!
With no other choice, Xie Jinghan pulled back in haste.
The Azure Wolf and White Tiger rushed after him, battling in midair.
The three sides fought for the lotus, each blocking the others.
For a time, they were locked in a tug-of-war.
None could overcome the others!
None could claim the Earthcore Fire Lotus first!
Xie Jinghan, the White Tiger, and the Azure Wolf fought on without pause.
Sword energy crisscrossed, wind blades howled, and their powerful attacks blasted waves of river water and lava into the air.
Each side was wary of the others. They battled fiercely for a hundred exchanges.
Just as the fight reached a fever pitch and settled into a stalemate,
"Rooooar...!!"
A long, ancient cry came from far, far down the underground river.
It rang with overwhelming joy and urgency.
The sound seemed anything but ordinary. Like a dragon's roar, vast and ancient, it pierced through layer upon layer of lava and the underground river.
It was as though only that sound remained in the world. The wind, the water, and the churning lava all fell silent.
At the sound, the Azure Dragon and White Tiger, who had been fighting fiercely, both stiffened. They stopped at once and looked at each other.
The two fearsome beasts' pupils contracted. For the first time, fear and wariness surfaced in their savage eyes.
"Rooooar..."
Another long cry rang out.
Whatever was coming was moving fast.
Xie Jinghan's heart sank. The sound filled him with a sense of danger and dread unlike anything he had ever felt.
Extremely dangerous!
That had to be a fearsome beast of terrifying strength.
After a moment's thought, he spoke at once:
"The Underground Beast is coming! If we keep fighting, we'll only let a fisherman profit from our struggle. Why don't we split it evenly?"
His gaze swept over the wolf and tiger as he spoke quickly:
"The Earthcore Fire Lotus has twelve petals and twelve seeds. That divides neatly into three shares: four petals and four seeds each for me, Brother Tiger, and Brother Wolf. Agreed?"
The White Tiger and Azure Wolf were intelligent. Their eyes shifted as they weighed their options, then both nodded their assent.
Danger was imminent. They dared not delay another moment.
Under the close watch of the two beasts, Xie Jinghan stepped forward.
Calm-faced, he reached out his right hand and gently plucked the Earthcore Fire Lotus.
Its glow shimmered, and spiritual energy surged from it.
He channeled true qi through his palm and divided the Earthcore Fire Lotus into three shares.
Two streams of true qi lifted a share of petals and seeds each, delivering them to the Azure Wolf and White Tiger.
Without hesitation, both opened their mouths and swallowed their petals and seeds whole.
Xie Jinghan swiftly put away his own share.
The White Tiger and Azure Wolf immediately turned to leave.
Neither dared linger another moment.
"Brother Tiger, wait!" Xie Jinghan called out at once.
"Is the young man you took away earlier safe?"
Before you continue