Within the surging magma, countless red figures gradually emerged, as the magma raged and relentlessly approached Xiao Yan's location.
With its crimson body covered in scales, triangular head, eerie red eyes, and a thick tail over ten feet long, the creature resembled a lizard and was so strange that even Xiao Yan was slightly surprised.
" Fire-Scaled Lizard, huh? I didn't expect to encounter one here."
Xiao Yan stared at the lizards in the lava with narrowed eyes, his mind involuntarily recalling his encounter with the lava beneath the Blazing Sky Qi Refining Tower. The situation then was just like this now, and he never expected that a scene from his youth would be repeated now.
With a flick of his wrist, a massive ruler appeared in his hand. Xiao Yan glanced around before his gaze returned to Tang Ye.
"I see. It seems that Bai Zijing is not the only one who died because of you."
"Heh heh, who told you there would always be greedy fools like you in this world, thinking you have some strength and can stand shoulder to shoulder with me, bossing me around and giving orders? How many self-important people have come to this Fire Banyan Forest? So what if you're Eight-Star Yuan Zong? You still ended up in my pocket. In the end, you only have yourself to blame and deserve to die!"
Tang Ye danced exaggeratedly, his face filled with mad disdain. This ferocious display made Xiao Yan shake his head, coldly saying:
"Nonsense! You clearly lured passersby here, causing them to fall into your trap, yet you still have the audacity to claim it's your own fault. I think you're the one who deserves to die!"
The moment he finished speaking, Xiao Yan's figure vanished into the void like a ghost.
"That speed..."
Before Tang Ye could even utter a cold laugh, his pupils suddenly contracted, and he unleashed a furious attack without hesitation. In the empty void, what confronted him was a massive, wide ruler!
The heavy ruler blade, carrying astonishing pressure, struck head-on. Even though Tang Ye's cultivation was not weak, he was still forced back by this fierce blow. In the instant he stopped, Tang Ye realized with shock that his right arm, which he had just used to counterattack, was now completely immobilized!
Despite his madness, Tang Ye wasn't a fool. With just this one strike, he knew that Xiao Yan's combat strength was far more than his apparent cultivation level suggested.
"What terrifying physical strength!"
A gasp escaped his lips, and before he could think further, Xiao Yan appeared before him once more like the wind. Realizing something was wrong, Tang Ye quickly threw out the banner in his hand, which instantly transformed into a giant flag to block his way. The surging blue Origin Qi roared towards Xiao Yan like a tidal wave, only to be cleaved in two by the latter's foot. Tang Ye then managed to retreat.
Damn, I almost underestimated you!
Tang Ye, who had retreated to a distance, rubbed his still numb right arm vigorously, stared at Xiao Yan with a sinister gaze, and said with a face full of cold sweat.
Xiao Yan remained expressionless, his gaze lingering briefly on the blue banner beside Tang Ye before noticing the magma drawing ever closer. He exhaled deeply, finally mobilizing the Origin Qi within his body.
Tang Ye clearly noticed this, grabbed the banner with one hand, and waved it fiercely. A blue water curtain quickly enveloped it, followed by a cold laugh.
"Hehehe, I admit you're not weak, but this is the Fire Banyan Forest after all. If you want to kill me, you'll have to get past the Fire-Scaled Lizard first. This place is a graveyard for you, but it's a hunting ground for me. I want to watch you get torn to pieces by them! Hahahaha..."
As soon as the laughter subsided, Tang Ye abruptly retreated, disappearing directly into the magma. Upon closer inspection, it was clear that the magma in his path was completely blocked by the protective water curtain around him, and even the Fire-Scaled Lizard Beast seemed unaware of his presence.
"No wonder Bai Zijing was swallowed by the lava, while you escaped unscathed; it was all thanks to this flag."
Upon seeing this, Xiao Yan suddenly realized what was happening, and then slowly raised the giant ruler in his hand, flames igniting on his palm and spreading across the ruler.
"It's Heavenly Flames!"
Tang Ye, protected by the water curtain, changed his expression instantly when he saw the flames burning on the ruler. But what happened next shocked him even more.
The veins on Xiao Yan's arm throbbed, and he suddenly swung the giant ruler. The howling wind was like thunder, accompanied by an invisible aura sweeping across the area. In an instant, the magma that was rushing towards him retreated as if it had received a command. The Fire-Scaled Lizard that were only a few steps away from Xiao Yan's body were also frozen in mid-air. Without the magma's embrace, the crimson scales on their bodies suddenly cracked open, and scarlet blood spurted out. Painful hisses immediately resounded.
As the surrounding Fire-Scaled Lizard Beast retreated in fear, a path was cleared in front of Xiao Yan once again, leading directly to Tang Ye.
"The idea is insane, but unfortunately, such methods are useless against me."
"What!"
What happened in the blink of an eye filled Tang Ye with immense horror. He never imagined that these man-eating magma would become so docile in front of Xiao Yan.
"If it were Bai Zijing coming up now, I might have to put in more effort, but since it's you, then quietly listen to this final movement of life!"
With these calm words, the Heavy Xuan Ruler was swung, and several overlapping rays of light condensed into a rainbow that slashed straight at Tang Ye.
"How arrogant! Three-Star Yuan Zong, do you think I'm afraid of you!"
Tang Ye's face was filled with rage. How could he, a dignified Four-Star Yuan Zong, be easily intimidated by a few words from the other party? He immediately raised the banner in his hand again, twisting and waving it in front of him. The surging blue Origin Qi instantly transformed into a huge whirlpool, extinguishing the surrounding magma. Like a storm, it roared out with astonishing momentum.
"Bang!"
In the end, both the ruler-shaped beam and the vortex shattered. Xiao Yan, fearless, charged forward, brandishing the giant ruler. Tang Ye suddenly rolled up the banner, transforming it into a long spear that pierced through the void and met the attack head-on. Almost simultaneously, the countless Fire-Scaled Lizard Beast around him also controlled the magma to surge upwards!
The spear thrust straight forward, while the ruler slashed furiously. Sparks flew the moment they collided. The terrifying force on the ruler forced the spear back, and then the spear trembled violently, unfurling its banner and rushing towards Xiao Yan's face.
Xiao Yan was fearless, easily dodging several attacks. Then, he directly used the massive ruler in front of him and charged forward. Blazing flames erupted from the ruler. Just as Tang Ye's expression changed in shock, Xiao Yan struck the ruler with another palm. With the added force of this powerful blow, the giant ruler charged forward unstoppably!
Tang Ye hurriedly unfurled his banners to defend himself, but just as he managed to deflect most of the force from the giant ruler, Xiao Yan suddenly stomped his feet on the ruler. His powerful strength swept through Tang Ye's defenses with unstoppable force, and the remaining power poured onto Tang Ye's body behind him!
"Puff!"
Blood gushed out as Xiao Yan's powerful attack inflicted a severe injury on Tang Ye. What shocked him even more was that when he regained his senses and looked up again, the banner he had used to save his life was now in Xiao Yan's hands. The latter was now smiling and staring at him with a mocking expression.
At this moment, having lost the protection of that banner, the Fire-Scaled Lizard Beast, which had originally targeted Xiao Yan, have now turned their attention to him, and countless fierce gazes are now fixed on his body, making him feel a chill run down his spine.
It's easy to imagine the cruel situation he'll face next.
"No... you can't do this, Xiao Yan! You can't do this to me! There's no mortal hatred between us, and I'm only here to seek wealth. I'm willing to share what I get with you, I'd even give you everything, just give me back the flag!"
Tang Ye looked terrified. Compared to Xiao Yan, he was even more afraid of these Fire-Scaled Lizard. He had personally witnessed countless powerful individuals die under their attacks and bites. He would rather die than face the horror of these beasts.
With a warm smile on his lips, Xiao Yan slowly raised the banner under Tang Ye's hopeful gaze and said softly:
"Since you're willing to give up everything, then this flag should rightfully be included."
As soon as he finished speaking, a flash of light appeared in his palm, and he put it into his Storage Ring. In an instant, Tang Ye's face froze, and countless Fire-Scaled Lizard, baring their fangs, suddenly pounced!