34: Escape

As for Hong Yu, his face was flushed red, and he was drenched in sweat. His heavy, rapid breathing made his lungs feel as if they were about to burst, and intense soreness radiated from his muscles, especially his legs.

No matter how uncomfortable his body felt, in the face of a life-and-death crisis, he could only grit his teeth and endure. He utilized the Blood Shadow Movement Technique at any cost, sprinting toward Wolong City.

Although the Blood Shadow Movement Technique was fast, he was still not as fast as the Cloud-Patterned Snake. Despite Hong Yu using every ounce of his strength, he could not stop the Cloud-Patterned Snake from drawing closer step by step.

Fortunately, he was already very close to Wolong City, and its walls were visible in the distance.

Wolong City had City Lord Wang, who was at the Foundation Establishment Stage, as well as a City Protection Array. As long as he entered the city's perimeter, his life should be saved.

Seeing the hope of survival, Hong Yu felt his spirits lift, and the discomfort in his body seemed to lessen significantly.

Behind him, the Cloud-Patterned Snake grew increasingly restless. Its beastly instincts told it that the area ahead was dangerous, and approaching further might put its life at risk.

However, the killer of its offspring was right before its eyes, and it was loath to give up.

Thus, it let out a furious roar and stopped in place, rearing up. It opened its bloody maw and, after a brief moment of gathering power, fired a dark green breath attack directly at Hong Yu.

This move was identical to the one it had used against Sun Yang, but this breath attack was more than ten times larger than the previous one. After launching the attack, the Cloud-Patterned Snake slumped to the ground, seemingly exhausted, clearly having given its all.

How staggering was the power of a full-strength strike from a Foundation Establishment Stage monster?

Wherever the breath passed, flowers, grass, and trees were instantly turned to ash. The green sphere of light, over ten meters in diameter, clearly carried intense heat, distorting the surrounding light.

Hong Yu felt the extreme heat coming from behind him. Turning his head, he was scared out of his wits. His speed increased slightly as he desperately adjusted his direction, trying to make the attack miss.

However, the green sphere of light seemed to have a navigation System. No matter how Hong Yu adjusted his position, it always accurately aimed straight for him.

The distance between the breath attack and Hong Yu was less than two meters. Hong Yu could already feel the hair on his body singeing, faintly emitting a burnt smell.

Seeing the attack about to descend, Hong Yu was filled with despair. But suddenly, several flashes of light appeared on the ground, and then a radiance soared into the sky. Several streaks of earthy-yellow light crossed in the air, forcefully trapping the green breath in place.

"Bold beast! To dare strike within the boundaries of Wolong City, do you truly think I, Wang, am a pushover?"

Accompanied by a majestic male voice, Wang Lie's tall and burly figure slowly manifested in the air. He then struck toward the green sphere of light with a seemingly effortless palm.

"I'm saved!"

Hong Yu had no time to think about why City Lord Wang had suddenly appeared, but he knew well that only City Lord Wang could save him now. Without a second thought, he hid behind City Lord Wang and shouted loudly, "City Lord, save me! The tiger demon has been slain, but for some reason, the Cloud-Patterned Snake suddenly appeared. Senior Brother Sun and the others are likely dead. I am the only Disciple who managed to escape. I hope the City Lord will seek justice for me!"

Hearing Hong Yu's words, City Lord Wang said nothing. He only frowned slightly and maintained his palm-striking posture.

It seemed like an ant trying to shake a tree, but the scene that unfolded before him caused Hong Yu's jaw to drop.

City Lord Wang's palm had not even directly touched the sphere of light, and there were no flashy light effects. With just a simple strike, the sphere of light containing terrifying killing intent shattered like a bubble, without even any residual energy dissipating.

The more calm and composed City Lord Wang appeared, the higher Hong Yu's estimation of him grew.

Whether it was the teleportation-like appearance or that completely incomprehensible method of attack, it deepened Hong Yu's understanding of Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators and made him more eager to raise his own cultivation.

City Lord Wang stared indifferently at the Cloud-Patterned Snake outside the city and said calmly, "I am Wang Lie, the City Lord of Wolong City. Wolong City has a City Protection Array. How can Your Excellency, a mere Foundation Establishment beast, act so insolently here? Demon cultivation is truly difficult; having cultivated to this step, Your Excellency should know to cherish it. Do not bring about your own ruin."

The Cloud-Patterned Snake had clearly gained sentience and understood Wang Lie's words. It coiled its massive body and flicked its tongue incessantly, making a 'hissing' sound, clearly unwilling to back down.

Wang Lie placed his hands behind his back and continued majestically, "Wolong City is under the protection of the Xuan Yun Residence. For so many years, let alone the Foundation Establishment Stage, even Golden Core Stage Cultivators have not dared to cause trouble in Wolong City. I know Your Excellency has an extraordinary Bloodline and powerful strength, but if you anger the experts Inside the Mansion, let alone having only a trace of Flood Dragon Bloodline, even a true Flood Dragon would not escape death. Besides, does Your Excellency truly think I, Wang, am a pushover?"

He then let out a cold snort filled with anger, the sound so loud it made Hong Yu's eardrums ache.

The Cloud-Patterned Snake's ferocity was also clearly triggered. It thrashed wildly on the spot, and the poor innocent flowers and trees were shredded into wood chips, flying through the air.

Although it was clearly unwilling, it was rational enough not to take the initiative to attack. Its cold, vertical pupils stared intently at Hong Yu and Wang Lie, as if to engrave their appearances deep into its mind.

After raging impotently for a long time, it finally retreated slowly, looking back with every few steps.

Once it had completely disappeared from view, Wang Lie seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. He turned around to look at Hong Yu and asked, "What exactly happened? Tell me in detail."

After quickly organizing his thoughts, Hong Yu recounted the events to Wang Lie in detail.

However, he omitted the part where he was ambushed by Sun Yang and how the System had led him to wipe out the Cloud-Patterned Snake's hatchlings.

Wang Lie stared into Hong Yu's eyes. After Hong Yu finished, he slowly stroked his beard and said, "According to you, after you killed the tiger demon, its roar alerted the Cloud-Patterned Snake. The snake then suddenly attacked you. Sun Yang and the others were not skilled in movement techniques, so they could only struggle to resist, and their fate is unknown?"

Hong Yu nodded quickly and said with a sincere face, "Exactly. However, Senior Brother Sun might still be alive. I saw him take out a Long Banner, and then a figure identical to him appeared while he himself vanished."

"A Long Banner?" A sharp glint flashed in Wang Lie's eyes as he pressed, "What did it look like?"

After Hong Yu described it in detail, Wang Lie's gaze became even more complex. He waved his hand at Hong Yu and said, "Go back and recover from your injuries first. I will go out and look for them. It would be for the best if they are still alive."

Hong Yu had not expected Wang Lie to be so generous. He quickly cupped his fists in admiration and said, "The City Lord is truly noble! I will never forget your life-saving assistance."