Seeing this, Shen Luo hurriedly activated the Earth-Escape Talisman and pursued it.
However, by the time he returned to the surface, the strange figure had already vanished. All he saw was Huang Ting some hundred zhang away, holding down a bizarre monster with one hand. Its body was made of green vines, while its head was a vibrant, enormous flower.
Its flowerlike face bore humanlike features, now twisted in a savage expression as it glared viciously at Huang Ting. Dense vines grew beneath it, each one rooted deep into the ground.
Just then, Shen Luo suddenly raised his brow and shouted, "Watch out!" At the same time, he flicked his wrist, and the Pure Yang Sword Embryo shot forth in an instant, streaking past Huang Ting's ear and severing a vine that had risen up behind her.
"Still refusing to repent." Huang Ting's expression abruptly turned cold as she cursed angrily.
As she spoke, a dazzling burst of green light erupted from her palm. A mass of green flames surged out and instantly swallowed the vine creature.
The monster's humanlike features immediately twisted in extreme agony, yet it made no sound at all. The vines beneath it writhed frantically as though trying to struggle free, but they were reduced to ash within moments.
"Thank you." Huang Ting let out a breath of relief and quickly thanked Shen Luo.
"What was that thing?" Shen Luo asked.
"A Vine Demon Flower, a Mid-Out-of-Body Stage monster," Huang Ting explained.
"Why are there so many monsters in this secret realm?" Shen Luo could not help asking.
"The Hualian Secret Realm was originally a trial ground Mount Putuo used to train its disciples. It had been closed for many years for some unknown reason. Now that it has reopened, we got to experience it firsthand."