Sword light crisscrossed as he battled the Flame-Armored Beast. Boulders kept shattering, and thunderous crashes rang out one after another.
Just as he and the demonic beast became locked in a fierce struggle, three figures leaped out of the forest and stood beneath a nearby tree, arms folded, sneering:
"Well, well, if it isn't the renowned Cen Aotian. Struggling this hard against a fourth-rank demonic beast? You're nothing special after all."
"We brothers have our eyes on that Scarlet Flame Fruit tree. Step aside if you know what's good for you, unless you want to get hurt for nothing."
There were other people here!
Jiang Lu exchanged glances with the little beasts. None of them had detected anyone else; these men must have been waiting here for some time.
Her thoughts raced, and she remained hidden, deciding to see how Cen Aotian would respond first.
Cen Aotian's mind jolted. The sharp gleam in his eyes faltered, and his sword stroke instinctively slowed by half a beat.
That fleeting opening was all it took!
The savage Flame-Armored Beast seized the flaw. Its scaled claws, wreathed in searing flames, swept out!
Riiip-
A shrill whistle pierced the air as the claws grazed his forearm. The beast's sharp armored claws instantly tore through his sleeve, leaving a long, deep, gruesome gash.
Cen Aotian's gaze sharpened. Spiritual energy surged beneath his feet, and he sprang several yards backward through the air, cleanly avoiding the Flame-Armored Beast's follow-up assault.
He raised his eyes and stared coldly toward the forest ahead.
The three figures stood atop a boulder, their clothes pristine and their faces full of mocking contempt. Arms folded, they looked coldly down at his wounded, disheveled figure, their eyes brimming with amusement and disdain.
The three exchanged knowing looks, then sneered in unison and