Book I Chapter 43
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Il Kwan did not have time to worry about anything as he focuses his attention on solidifying his Qi barrier. He knew that if his Qi barrier would not stand this attack, he would end up being engulfed in this flame and be turned into ash.
Arrgghh!!!
He shouted as the Qi in his body are slowly depleted.
Meanwhile, in the bushes, the figure of Hyuna is hidden while watching this scene.
She knew that once this attack weakens, then that was the time that she could make her move.
She secretly threw a talisman on the ground near Il Kwan's feet. Though she knew that this barrier will not hold that much, it is still effective in preserving one's life.
Suddenly, she noticed the flame weakening and she was about to make her move when she saw the beast actually turning its tail and running away once again.
"What the hell!" Hyuna cursed as she frowned.
Il Kwan on the other hand regained his composure and quickly chases after the creature like a madman.
"That crazy fellow…" Hyuna muttered as she followed behind him.
She did not want to stop Il Kwan as she is also curious about where this thing is actually hiding.
She also wanted to end things with that guy. She did not want a hidden danger hanging by their neck and just waiting for the enemy to strike them.
She has heard of the cultivators that have disappeared and died in this forest, so she wants to find the culprit and finally end this farce.
Soon, the two of them ended up deeper in the forest in front of a large tree.
Then she saw the fire wolf suddenly entering the tree like it was nothing.
"Illusion!... This is an illusion array!" she exclaimed deep in her heart.
Suddenly, Il Kwan rushed inside the illusion array and Hyuna followed without hesitation.
Il Kwan suddenly stopped as if his rage subsided as he looks at the gloomy cave in front of him.
"Hey, have you regained your sanity?" Hyuna asked with a teasing tone.
A little bit perplexed, Il Kwan looks at the unhurt figure of his little brother.
"You're fine… you did not suffer any wounds?" he asked with a hint of concern in his eyes.
"Of course I was fine… Why would I not be?" Hyuna muttered with a grin.
"You… I… I thought."
"Hey, let's focus on this problem right now, okay? Now that we've found the lair… we should tread carefully. I could feel an ominous atmosphere inside…"
The two looked at each other and nodded their head.
Both knew that entering this place would be dangerous but they also could not help but be curious about what is inside.
Hyuna on the other hand showed confidence on her face as she has encountered that guy before. At that time, she was still weak and could not fully control the use of the rune array. But now that she has partially perfected it, she is confident that even if this person is strong, she would be able to escape this place with her and Il Kwan's life.
"Let's go in…" Il Kwan said as he readied himself while taking a step forward.
Meanwhile, Hyuna secretly threw a few rune stones on the ground and stepped on them with her feet as she walks.
In case something might happen inside, those stones would be her way out of this place.
As the two enter the underground cavern, they noticed the terrible stench coming from deep within the cave.
From that smell alone they could tell that this was someone's home. If they make a wrong move then they would surely die in this place.
Following that fire wolf was a good idea, but being careless at this time would make them regret that decision.
As the two walked deeper into the cave, they sound could hear a light growling sound from deep within.
Il Kwan has already drawn his blade and positioned it in front of him.
"Stay behind me…" he said subconsciously.
Hyuna nodded her head and stood behind him. But both of her hands are already holding two daggers she unsheathes from behind her back.
From the sound she could pick up deep within this cave, she could tell that there is more than one creature in there.
Suddenly, right in front of them, the fire wolf jumps, and its fiery fur illuminate the dark cave.
But what frightened Il Kwan at this time is the presence of another fire wolf. However, this fire wolf is actually bigger than the one they have fought before.
Il Kwan took a step back upon seeing the large creature. From the size of that thing, he is sure that it is no ordinary fire wolf.
As he searched his mind for what this creature is, a dark premonition enters his mind.
"This… This could not be right… Is that… a… a fire wolf king?" he muttered with a trembling tone.
From the size of that thing, he is now sure that it is what he thinks it is. Plus, from the flame mane of that wolf, he is sure that it is truly a fire wolf king.
But how could such a powerful creature be in this place?
Is this what has caused some of the Outer Sect disciples to disappear?
The baffling and horrifying scene in front of him made Il Kwan feel that something is really wrong with this scene.
As he looks at the creature he could not help but take a glance at his side as he is now worried for his little brother's safety.
He could run away from this cave if he wanted to but how about his little brother?
How could he run away from that thing?
While his mind is in deep thought, his attention was grabbed back when he heard a loud growl.
Then he saw the smaller fire wolf rushes in his direction.
Without a choice, he uses his blade to block the attack from that thing.
Clang! Clang!
Two rapid strikes from the claws of the beast sent Il Kwan tumbling to the ground. But he was able to regain his composure and balance as he uses his blade to parry the other claw of the beast. Though he is worried about Wu Jin, he also could not look down on his opponent though that thing was already wounded.
"Rapid Shadow blade strike!" he shouted as he strikes the fire wolf in front of him.
A series of blade shadows appear right before the fire wolf's eyes which almost scared it into retreating.
But before it could dodge, the series of shadow blades has already landed on its body sending it tumbling to the ground.
Though it was hurt, it was not hurt that badly which made Il Kwan frown. He did not expect that the beast would be this strong that it could withstand his strike.
"I guess… I have to put more power in my attacks…" he muttered as he quickly gesture his hand in the air and began to gather more Qi to the sword's blade.
The sword suddenly vibrated and then it began to float around him like a fly.
While this is happening, Hyuna on the other hand stands calmly while looking at the fire wolf king.
She could tell that it was the same beast that she has encountered back then which has saved that cultivator that she has crippled.
As she squinted, she watches from the corner of her eyes that Il Kwan is battling against the fire wolf.
"It seems that you are still hiding behind this thing's back… What a coward…" she said with a sarcastic smirk on her beautiful face.
"Little boy… you are challenging this powerful me. You are overestimating yourself…" a voice from the darkness of the cave echoed through the air.
"Hehe… I'm not overestimating myself… I'm just thinking that you are a gutless coward. That is my opinion of you by the way…" she insulted further.
"Hahaha… Are you trying to provoke me? I'm not that easily provoked little imp. But I'll be happy to show you me power…" the voice said as he suddenly kept silent and the fire wolf king lounged at Hyuna.
The fire wolf king is twice as big as the ordinary fire wolf. But from the aura, it is exuding Hyuna could tell that the beast is truly terrifyingly strong.
So far, it has the strongest aura that she has ever felt from before out of all the beasts she has encountered.
Of course, it is not as strong as any of the elders in the sect. But it by far can be compared to an inner sect disciple.
"A Dantian Condensing strength…" she muttered as she has already fully adjusted the gemstone hidden in one of her pockets.
Though she knew that the gemstone would not be able to hold such vital energy for long, she is confident that before it would shatter, she has already defeated this thing.
And so, as the beast lunges at her, she too moved her body to attack the beast.
However, she was suddenly overwhelmed by the push of the inertia coming from outside of her body.
Though her physique has already been improved, she still could not help but feel a pang of pain coming from the calf of her legs and her thighs as she forces her body to run faster using borrowed energy.
Swoosh!!!
Hyuna and the fire wolf king exchanged blows, and Hyuna's figure was sent flying to the cave wall.
The reason for this is that she missed a step and was sent tumbling to the ground. Because the speed she is experiencing is new to her, she still could not control her body.
The Qi barrier she has put up was destroyed by the strike of the creature which in turn sent her flying.
A part of her robe was torn near her shoulder and her snow-white skin tainted in red was partially revealed.
Though she has a man's body, she subconsciously covered her left chest.
"That's hurt a bit…" she grumbled as she picks herself up.
She then saw the fire wolf king charging at her again.
This time, she did not meet the attack head-on; instead, she waited on the spot.