Flames flickered along Ao Yuan's spine, as if his very hair was being gently stirred by a breeze. The mist collided with the fire, rapidly dissipating.
*Crack!*
A bloodcurdling scream erupted from the water ghost. The mist surrounding it, even from the ground, retreated into its body as if encountering a natural predator.
This was not the end.
The next second, the Konggang, which had been gripping Ao Yuan, was suddenly engulfed in an inexplicable flame.
*Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle.*
The Konggang's fur instantly ignited. The searing heat caused its face to contort in shock, and its arms could no longer hold Ao Yuan. With a surge, it fell from Ao Yuan's body to the ground.
"What kind of flame is this!"
The Konggang rolled on the ground, desperately trying to extinguish the fire. But no matter what it did, the flames clung to it like a persistent parasite, impossible to quench.
This scene sent a wave of shock through everyone present, their hearts threatening to stop. They never imagined that Ao Yuan, without making any overt move, could defeat the water ghost and the Konggang with just a few wisps of flame.
"How... how is he so strong?" The Mummy stared blankly at Ao Yuan in mid-air, his entire body trembling uncontrollably.
*Whoosh!*
At this moment, Ao Yuan's body erupted in flames, making him appear like a fire dragon emerging from a blaze.
"This... this is the aura of heavenly fire!"
Shadow seemed to understand something, its face contorting in fear, its body trembling.
However, before it could finish speaking, its voice abruptly ceased. The flames emanating from Ao Yuan surged forth like a fiery dragon, opening its maw and swallowing the strange light that Shadow had cast into the air.
"Ah..."
Following the water ghost and the Konggang, Shadow cried out in agonizing pain, clutching its eye sockets.
"My... my eyes, I can't sense my eyes anymore!"
"Ah..."
The Troll stared at Shadow beside it, its face frozen in a daze. In mere seconds, after the flames erupted, the water ghost, the Konggang, and Shadow had all been struck down. In contrast, Ao Yuan remained completely unharmed. He hadn't even unleashed his full power; all he had done was manifest a wisp of flame. How could they possibly fight back?
*Rumble!*
A thunderous roar echoed from the sky. Looking up, they met Ao Yuan's eyes, as large as lanterns. The expression in his eyes was calm, as if everything he had just done was utterly insignificant to him.
"Escape! Quick, escape!"
"If you can stand, don't hesitate, hurry and go!"
The Troll roared, swiftly moving its legs and leading the charge towards the distance. At this point, it had no inclination to fight Ao Yuan any longer. Escape! Escape immediately.
Seeing the Troll flee, the others didn't hesitate either, utilizing their full strength to escape. Even those who were injured forced themselves to move, fleeing into the distance. Being injured was a minor matter; staying here would be a matter of life and death. No one was willing to gamble their lives, especially these ancient remnants who had lived for eons. They feared death far more than ordinary people!
However! Their intentions were good, but could they truly escape Ao Yuan's grasp?
At this moment!
Shadow dissolved its form, transforming into a streak of black light that moved along the tall trees. Enveloped in darkness, it merged with the shadows cast by the towering trees. Shadow made no further movements, quietly waiting for Ao Yuan to leave. At this point, it was incredibly difficult to detect. Within the field, even its presence seemed to have vanished.
However, not long after it merged into the shadow of the tall trees, a thunderclap suddenly sounded from the sky. Without hesitation, it struck directly down at Shadow.
"How can he see me?" Sensing the aura of tribulation lightning within the lightning strike, Shadow was both shocked and terrified. Under normal circumstances, nothing should have been able to detect it. It had used this very technique to evade the pursuit of countless powerful enemies; without this secret art, it would have been annihilated long ago.
"No, run!"
Watching the tribulation lightning draw closer and closer to its location, Shadow felt an ominous aura engulf its heart. It transformed into a black light and rapidly traversed beneath the shadows of the tall trees, attempting to escape the scene. But the lightning seemed like a guided missile; as it moved from its original position, the lightning beam changed direction, heading straight for it. Moreover, the lightning was incredibly fast, its speed far surpassing Shadow's own.
"How is this possible!"
Turning to look at the lightning chasing directly behind it, Shadow's face was filled with disbelief. This was something it had never experienced in its long existence. This lightning! It was as if someone was controlling it.
At this moment, it inadvertently looked up and saw Ao Yuan's gaze directed this way. Despite its excellent concealment, under Ao Yuan's eyes, it felt as if there was nowhere to hide.
"He! He can see me!"
Shadow's expression changed, and its speed abruptly increased, attempting to escape. But a sense of despair began to spread wildly from its heart.
*Boom!*
The next second, thunderclapped! Shadow's speed was ultimately no match for the lightning, and it was struck.
Instantly! The area beneath the tall trees was filled with flashing lightning, transforming into a sea of electricity! Shadow didn't even utter a single scream, nor did any trace of its presence remain. It seemed to have vanished from this world.
Witnessing this scene, Ao Yuan's expression remained unchanged. He merely tilted his head slightly, his golden eyes looking in another direction. With a flick of his finger, a water droplet shot out like a bullet!
Simultaneously.
The Konggang, its body still smoldering with flames, was desperately fleeing across the water! As it ran, it kept looking back. It had already traveled a great distance from the small island, to the point where the island's outline was barely visible. Ao Yuan had not pursued. It seemed to have escaped and was now in a safe position. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, a sense of crisis continued to envelop it, a persistent feeling that refused to dissipate no matter how far it fled.
And at this moment, a single water droplet struck its body. The Konggang visibly flinched, but in its state of terror, it didn't register anything amiss.
"Is there still danger?" it muttered to itself, involuntarily glancing at its own body. If there was danger, it suspected it must be these flames.
"Huh?"
"The flames... why have they extinguished!"
Looking at its body, its eyes widened abruptly. Because! The fierce flames had already been scorched out. At that very moment, before it could make any further move. Its expression suddenly changed.
...