Chapter 709: Like a Ghost That Won't Leave

"

Ugh?

"

Ling Feng's eyelids twitched as he suddenly realized he'd instinctively pulled Tuoba Yan in front of him, prioritizing shielding her from the molten rock, only to be knocked over by its impact and toppled to the ground. Naturally, this left Tuoba Yan pinned beneath him.

The position they ended up in was more than a little awkward.

If Ling Feng hadn't genuinely saved her, Tuoba Yan would likely have snapped and gone all out against him.

"What are you staring blankly at? Get off me already!"

Tuoba Yan's voice was a mix of embarrassment and anger. What kind of terrible karma was she paying off to be stuck with this guy?

"

Oh,

right!" Ling Feng quickly sprang up, and of course, he didn't dare leave Tuoba Yan behind. Channeling his Cold Spirit True Qi continuously into her body, he helped her withstand the searing temperature of the place.

Truth be told, the Heart-Devouring Red-Dust Gu was a real nuisance. If he could just leave Tuoba Yan inside the Five Elements Heavenly Palace, he'd be rid of so many headaches!

Dealing with women was such a mental strain!

Tuoba Yan took several deep breaths, silently lamenting her tragic fate. Resigned, she simply accepted her situation.

Just accept your fate!

At this point, I can only accept my fate!

"Miss Tuoba, brace yourself!"

Ling Feng hoisted Tuoba Yan onto his back and glanced back at her. "I need to cross this molten area up ahead. Hold on tight!"

With that, Ling Feng immediately picked up speed, leaping straight into the shadowy abyss below.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

As soon as they entered the pitch-black depths, a barrage of scalding molten rain pelted down on them like bullets. Carrying Tuoba Yan on his back, Ling Feng swung his sword, Eradicator of Realms, with his right hand, creating a wall of sword qi around them that deflected every piece of molten rock that dared to approach his seven-foot protective zone. He continued pressing onward into the depths of the Earth Vein.

In pursuit of fortune lies danger. Since Zifeng had already sensed that there were elemental life forms for his evolution ahead, and with this place possibly being the lair of an ancient expert, Ling Feng couldn't help but be tempted to explore.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

As Ling Feng delved deeper into the earth vein, the airflow within the cavern intensified violently, with windholes riddling the rock walls. These furious gusts were created by these holes, varying in direction.

Fortunately, Ling Feng's movement art blended the Boundless Sword Steps and Shadow's Face—an advanced movement art. After learning a bit of the

Light-Fleeting Shadow Technique

from Ye Xingnan of The Shadow organization, he'd incorporated all three techniques. His movement art now reached the level of a top-tier prodigy, even rivaling the likes of Feng Yan.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Wind blades joined with the earth vein's molten rain, fiercely shaking the tunnel. The further down he went, the more intense the danger grew.

Ling Feng pushed his movement art to its limits, swinging his sword to emit sword qi that deflected the gales pouring out from a nearby windhole. These windholes didn't constantly emit gusts but operated under some special rhythm—alternating between starting and stopping, weakening and strengthening, making it nearly impossible to predict.

Hoo!

One wave after another came. Just as Ling Feng dispersed the front winds, dozens more wind blades mixed with molten rock and debris tore toward him from four or five nearby windholes.

Ling Feng's physical toughness was monstrous. Focusing his protective qi shield entirely on his back to safeguard Tuoba Yan, he used his body to endure the debris head-on. Swiftly moving forward, he managed yet another breakthrough.

Finally, after making it through the area riddled with windholes, Ling Feng and Tuoba Yan found themselves at the banks of a molten river.

Fire surged upward as magma bubbled and churned, making even the air around them scorching hot.

Each breath felt as if his lungs were about to burst into flames.

"Master, we're close! We're very close to the elemental life form now!"

Zifeng's excited voice echoed in Ling Feng's mind. It had been a long time since Zifeng's last evolution, so it was understandable it felt a bit stirred up.

"Got it."

Ling Feng activated his true qi shield to block the burning heat. Carrying Tuoba Yan on his back, he continued along the magma river.

After about a quarter of an hour, they were almost directly above the earth vein itself, and even the blazing flames of the earth vein had begun to shimmer faintly in the distance.

But there was only magma in sight. At that point, even with Ling Feng's strong physique, a light layer of sweat had begun to form on his forehead.

Tuoba Yan was faring even worse. Despite being protected by Ling Feng's Cold Spirit true qi, she was drenched in sweat, which evaporated almost instantly in the scorching air, leaving her thin clothes clinging to her, accentuating her curves.

Yet Ling Feng had no time to appreciate such scenery.

Since they entered the magma river, Tuoba Yan hadn't even bothered to speak, exhausted by the relentless heat. Ling Feng, in turn, was grateful for the peace and quiet.

At that moment, a low growl sounded from behind. A dark figure rushed toward them at high speed—it was none other than Shen Lang, who'd been pursuing Ling Feng all this time!

"

Heh heh heh...

Ling Feng, did you think hiding in here would keep me from finding you?"

Shen Lang looked utterly disheveled, clearly having struggled through the molten windholes outside. His clothes were tattered, his face covered in soot.

"You really are like a ghost that won't leave!"

Ling Feng scowled. Tuoba Yan was in no condition to fight, and he couldn't simply force her to disregard her life and activate the Tiance Mirror. Yet despite the circumstances, Ling Feng showed not the slightest trace of panic. In fact, he wore a faintly sinister smile.

"

Hehe,

it seems this place hides great opportunities as well. As expected, fate must favor me—I'm destined for fortune!" Shen Lang laughed maniacally, glaring fiercely at Ling Feng. "Hand over the Divine Desolation Treasure Box, and I'll let you die in one piece!"

"

Sigh...

" Ling Feng sighed lightly and shook his head, laughing. "Shen Lang, Shen Lang... I don't know if I should call you clever or just plain foolish. Do you have any idea that my expertise is fire techniques? This molten river here is my domain!"

Ling Feng looked at the bubbling red river of magma and grinned. "Home-field advantage—surely you understand?"

As powerful as Shen Lang was, he wasn't of the fire attribute. In fact, his Wine God Sword Dao, reliant on the essence of wine, was inherently suppressed in this magma-rich environment.

"

Hehe,

no matter how skilled you are or how well the environment suits you, what difference does it make?"

Shen Lang sneered menacingly. "The woman behind you can't fight anymore. This time, I'll see who can save you!"

Saying this, Shen Lang reached for the wine gourd at his waist and took a swig, but the intense heat caused the liquid to evaporate before it even reached his mouth.

"What...? My wine... Damn it!"

Shen Lang's pupils shrank, finally noticing the sinister curve of Ling Feng's lips. At last, panic crept into his expression!