In the vast forest on the mountain behind the inner courtyard, a six-winged figure soared above the trees.
Above, Liu Yu gazed at the beautiful face in his arms, whose paleness made it appear charmingly delicate. He spoke in a cold, clear voice, "It's time to wake up."
Liu Yu hadn't expected the Fallen Heart Flame to attack the woman before him. He had no way to stop the silent fire. If he hadn't immediately sensed something was wrong with the woman, and if she hadn't possessed Dou Ling power, barely able to resist the fire, she would have been instantly incinerated.
The commotion caused by the Fallen Heart Flame naturally attracted the attention of the elders of the Skyburn Refining Qi Tower. Helplessly, he temporarily gave up on "teaching the Fallen Heart Flame a lesson" and departed the tower via a space jump.
If this woman hadn't appeared, none of the subsequent events would have occurred, but she did.
Truthfully, everything was caused by him; she was merely the unlucky one caught in the crossfire.
At Liu Yu's words, Han Yue's tightly closed eyelashes trembled slightly. As she slowly opened her eyes, a mixture of fear, suspicion, and shyness filled her. Her cheeks flushed, perhaps from the burning heat of her inner fire or something else entirely.
Han Yue's emotions were complex. She had simply gone to the Tianfen Refining Qi Tower for her usual training, and she had nearly died! As her consciousness began to fade, this "strange" man appeared and saved her.
At that moment, she could faintly sense another powerful and mysterious flame emerging within her, devouring the invisible flame and saving her life. Although her eyes were closed, she regained consciousness once the invisible flame faded.
Being suddenly embraced for the first time, she felt overwhelmed and could only continue to feign unconsciousness.
Looking at the silent woman in his arms, Liu Yu said nothing and flew towards a small valley he had sensed.
A moment later, Liu Yu landed in the small valley. After setting the woman down in his arms, he was unsure what to do with her. A moment of silence fell.
Han Yue gazed pretentiously at the man with six wings on his back. Or rather, a young man? At least in her opinion, he looked very young, perhaps only seventeen or eighteen.
He was dressed in an exquisite red, tight-fitting brocade robe. His upright figure and unparalleled handsome features were tinged with a hint of coldness. Combined with the enormous, mystical six blood-red wings on his back, he created an unparalleled visual impact that even the aloof Han Yue was struck by.
Unfortunately, in this world where strength reigns supreme, good looks are far less attractive than power. However, if someone is both powerful and good-looking, they can be as alluring as a poppy.
Meanwhile, Han Yue was curious about Liu Yu's identity. There was no way such a person existed in the Inner Court. Even his appearance alone, despite his strength, would have made him famous, yet she had no idea what he was.
But this person had appeared within the Tianfen Qi Refining Tower. The Tianfen Qi Refining Tower was presided over by Dou Wang and Dou Huang-level elders. How could anyone outside the academy be allowed in? Furthermore, the inner courtyard was hidden, making it inaccessible to ordinary people.
Mysterious wings, seemingly a form of flying fighting technique, capable of staying within the Tianfen Qi Refining Tower, and mysterious flames... Suddenly, an absurd thought crossed Han Yue's mind. Could this person be the Great Elder's illegitimate child... (Liu Yu: ...)
As Han Yue pondered Liu Yu's identity, he also contemplated how to deal with this woman.
Now that she knew he had appeared within the Tianfen Qi Refining Tower, she would inevitably become suspicious of his identity. In that case, he couldn't release her until he obtained a trace of the Fallen Heart Flame's essence. As for silencing her, he couldn't do it, as he was the one who had caused this incident.
Just then, heavy footsteps suddenly echoed within the valley, drawing both Liu Yu and Han Yue's attention. Their gazes shifted to the vast cave entrance in the distance.
A massive white ape, roughly thirty or four feet tall, emerged from the cave entrance, walking upright.
A sharp, icy aura emanated from the ape, its heavy breaths puffing out from its large nostrils like streams of white smoke. Its arms were long, its claws as big as two adult heads.
The ape had sensed Liu Yu and Han Yue's presence, angering it. It decided to take a stroll, only to encounter two despicable humans trespassing on its territory, attempting to steal the "Earth Core Tempering Milk."
Clearly, without a second thought, the ape mistook Liu Yu and Han Yue for thieves seeking to steal its treasure.
"You damned humans! I'm going to kill you!" the ape's maw yawned, its eyes gradually bloodshot, brimming with rage and murderous intent. Its aura, comparable to that of a three-star Dou Wang, was evident as it spoke directly in human language.
"It's the Snow Demon Sky Ape! A full-grown Snow Demon Sky Ape's power is enough to shatter gold and split mountains, rivaling that of a Dou Wang!" Han Yue, standing nearby, couldn't help but exclaim in amazement. The small valley they were in was actually the Snow Demon Sky Ape's territory, and it could even speak!
Han Yue didn't bother to explore how a fifth-tier magical beast could speak. She was only a Seven-Star Dou Ling, and in poor condition. If she didn't flee quickly,
she would be dead! Han Yue glanced anxiously at Liu Yu. Although he gave her a mysterious aura, she didn't think he was a match for the full-grown Snow Demon Sky Ape. She hurriedly said, "Let's run!"
However, Liu Yu didn't respond, simply staring at the frantic ape.
He felt it was a coincidence. Could this be the "protagonist's halo"? He had just wandered into a small valley and encountered this Snow Demon Sky Ape. If he remembered correctly, its cave contained a treasure like the Earth Core Tempering Milk.
The earth's power contained in this Earth-Tempering Milk can help those who have reached the pinnacle of their rank break through the barriers of advancement, and it also has the miraculous effect of cleansing the marrow and strengthening the bones.
However, it's useless for someone like him, whose body has been enhanced by the system. Even Yun Yun wouldn't need it, as he had already used the energy to cleanse her marrow and strengthen her bones during his time in the Jia Ma Empire.
But Liu Yu wasn't about to let go of this Earth-Tempering Milk. After all, he was now the master of Yu Pavilion, with a host of hungry subordinates. This Earth-Tempering Milk could be used as a reward for those who have made significant contributions to Yu Pavilion, and it would also be of considerable benefit to elders like Yuan Yi and Su Mei.
Han Yue, seeing Liu Yu's lack of movement, assumed he was being youthful and bravado. Feeling a little helpless, she grabbed Liu Yu's hand, but found it impossible to pull.
Liu Yu glanced at Han Yue in surprise, but at that moment, the Snow Demon Sky Ape's massive body leaped up, leaving two massive footprints on the ground.
"Whoosh! Whoosh!"
With a piercing sound, the white ape's icy paw slammed down fiercely towards Liu Yu and Han Yue, seemingly intent on smiting both humans to death.
Liu Yu's calm red eyes reflected the gradually enlarging paw. Han Yue, holding Liu Yu's hand, gritted her teeth, her clear eyes slowly closing, giving up hope. A wave of regret washed over her. Why had she pulled him back? Why had she gone to the Tianfen Refining Qi Tower to train today? What if...
Alas, there's no medicine for regret. A trace of sadness crossed Han Yue's cold and beautiful face. He saved her life, and she died with him...
"Mountain-Smashing Finger!"
A slender finger, shrouded in a chilling icy-blue flame, met the chilling ape's palm.
"Bang!"
The unequal finger and palm collided head-on, a terrifying wave of air emanating from the space between them. In an instant, dust flew up, scattering the grass across the already somewhat bald earth, leaving only a swathe of earthy yellow. The surrounding trees were severed in half, their branches and leaves dancing in the air.
"Roar!"
A massive figure flew backward like a cannonball, crashing into the mountain wall. A painful ape cry echoed through the small valley.
Han Yue, eyes tightly closed, felt only a gust of wind, followed by a loud noise and the ape's miserable cry.
Startled, Han Yue opened her eyes, only to see a towering figure, while the mountain wall in the distance was shrouded in dust.
Just as Han Yue was stunned by Liu Yu's prowess, a thick, blood-red fog began to rise from beneath the mountain wall, accompanied by a chilling aura. A thin layer of ice began to spread across the ground, and ice crystals in the air condensed. For a moment, the temperature of the entire valley dropped by several degrees.
Han Yue nervously gazed at the area suffused with bloody energy. The white ape seemed to be undergoing a startling transformation. She considered alerting Liu Yu, asking him to attack and interrupt the transformation, but then she realized she had already noticed, so he couldn't be unaware. She held her ground.
Her hopes now rested on Liu Yu. If he could send the Snow Demon Sky Ape flying, he should be able to handle the next changes.
Watching the movements beneath the mountain wall, Liu Yu knew the white ape had likely awakened its violent bloodline, and its strength would increase significantly.
However, he didn't care. How could a Dou Wang (a Dou King) truly stand up to a Dou Huang (a Dou Zong)?
"Can you let go?"
a gentle voice suddenly echoed in Han Yue's ears.
Han Yue was stunned, biting her red lips slightly as she released her grip on Liu Yu's hand.
"Bang!"
Just as Han Yue was lost in thought over Liu Yu's words, a sudden crackling sound of ice shards echoed from the cliff below. Following the sound, a faint red light flashed out, as fast as lightning, but to Liu Yu's spiritual power, it seemed as slow as a snail's crawl.
Liu Yu extended his finger again, but this time, his slender fingers were coated in icy-blue flames, emitting a scorching heat that could warp space!
A single pointed gesture!
A red shadow instantly appeared before Liu Yu, and a gust of extremely cold wind ripped through the air, fiercely striking the finger.
Once again, the finger and palm collided, but this time there was no expected loud crash.
The slender fingers, encased in flames, crushed the white ape's bloody palm with overwhelming force. Simultaneously, the icy-blue flames at the fingertips flared, instantly transforming into a monstrous maw that swallowed the ape whole.
Han Yue stared blankly at the dreamlike scene. Was the white ape dead?
The icy blue flames burning between heaven and earth dissipated. Liu Yu was quite satisfied with the power of his single, careful finger strike. He'd overreacted to a Dou Wang, but with the blessing of the Mysterious Lotus Ice Flame, a normal Dou Zong would be instantly killed if he engaged him in close combat!
"Mountain-Smashing Finger" is a mid-level Xuan-level fighting skill, primarily focusing on concentrated energy attacks. It can also be performed using the finger as a carrier, but this approach involves killing one thousand enemies while injuring eight hundred of
one's own. Practitioners of this fighting skill generally avoid the latter option. Liu Yu, however, was unique, with his enhanced body and the lethal weapon of the Mysterious Lotus Ice Flame. An invisible force flashed, leaving a soul mark on the woman. Then, Liu Yu headed towards the cave entrance. This wasn't close to the inner courtyard, and if she wanted to return, he could capture her after obtaining the Earth Core Body Tempering Milk.
Han Yue hesitated for a moment before following Liu Yu.
Liu Yu moved swiftly, reaching the valley's edge and stepping into the Snow Demon Sky Ape's lair. The moment he caught the whiff of the foul odor, he gently waved his hand, sending a wisp of icy blue flame surging outwards, piercing the cavern's interior.
Within a few breaths, a stream of icy air slowly emerged, and Liu Yu confidently entered.
The cavern was vast and empty. Illuminated by the icy blue flames, he could clearly see everything frozen, with icy flakes drifting through the air. Purified by the Mysterious Lotus Ice Flame, the cavern had become a frozen cavern.
Liu Yu reached a corner of the cavern, where a large depression lay, covered in ice crystals. With a flick of his finger, a burst of red Dou Qi emanated, shattering the ice. A dark, subterranean entrance came into view.
Without hesitation, Liu Yu leaped through the cavern's opening, slowly making his way along the vast, winding underground passage.
Liu Yu was now shrouded in icy-blue flames. Due to the nature of the flames, and Liu Yu's lack of restraint, countless ice crystals spread with every step he took. Despite the cold, the temperature within the passage was incredibly scorching.
Han Yue, following closely behind Liu Yu, found each step more difficult than the last. The air was filled with unbearable heat, while the ice felt a biting chill. This forced her to release her Dou Qi, enveloping her entire body. Fortunately, she possessed an ice attribute, otherwise she wouldn't even be able to keep up with Liu Yu.
Watching Liu Yu's back, Han Yue felt a surge of anxiety. He could easily slay a fifth-tier demon beast, especially one as exotic as the Snow Demon Sky Ape, so he must be at least a Dou Huang. And with this strange flame, perhaps the legendary exotic fire was no more than this.
She came from Zhongzhou to hone herself at Canaan Academy. There were many geniuses in the inner courtyard, and some of them had surprised her a bit, but compared to the person before her, they were as different as a firefly and a bright moon. Even in Zhongzhou, where geniuses abound, she had never heard of such a monstrous person!
So, it was very likely that he had secretly sneaked into the Tianfen Refining Qi Tower, and the abnormality on the sixth floor was also very likely related to him, Han Yue thought silently. After witnessing Liu Yu's strength with her own eyes, everything that had happened before seemed to have a reasonable explanation.
(End of this chapter)