38: Chapter 38 Red Fire Lizard

"This is the place."

"Last time the Cangshan Secret Realm opened, the Grade 4 Spirit Medicine, red lotus grass, was found on that mountain ahead."

A moment later.

Qin Miaoyi gazed at the towering mountain ahead, her expression turning a bit more solemn. "But last time, they encountered a first-level Golden Core Stage Red Fire Lizard. Of a team of over a hundred people, more than eighty were killed or injured. The remaining dozen or so only survived because they ran faster than their teammates..."

Hearing this, Qin Wenhua subconsciously shrank his neck and moved to shield Qin Miaoyi.

"You all stay here as backup. Young Master Yang and I will sneak into the mountain to search for the red lotus grass."

Qin Miaoyi made a startling decision.

"You mustn't, County Princess!"

The disciples of the Prince's Mansion were all startled and hurriedly said, "A Golden Core Stage Great Yao dwells inside. How can you and Young Master Yang withstand it? Your Highness the County Princess, you must take us with you..."

Qin Miaoyi countered, "Can you withstand the attacks of a Golden Core Stage Great Yao?"

"Uh..."

The disciples of the Prince's Mansion opened their mouths, expressions of sheepish laughter appearing on their faces as they awkwardly scratched their heads.

There were many of them, but the one with the highest cultivation was only at the eighth level of the Foundation Establishment Stage. There was no way they could withstand a Golden Core Stage Great Yao!

"But Second Sister, you haven't entered the Golden Core Stage either. Isn't this a bit too risky?"

Qin Wenhua couldn't help but speak up.

"Since I dare to enter, I naturally come prepared with a trump card."

"As for Young Master Yang..."

Qin Miaoyi took a deep look at Ji Taichang, a strange light in her beautiful eyes. "I believe that with Young Master Yang's strength, nothing will go wrong!"

Qin Miaoyi's direct gaze made Ji Taichang subconsciously rub his chin.

This woman's gaze is a bit off... Could she have fallen for me?

Does this young master really have that much charm?

Before Ji Taichang could figure it out, Qin Miaoyi had already taken the lead. Her jade-like feet lightly tapped the ground as she performed an exquisite movement technique, her figure agile and elegant as she quickly ascended the mountain.

Ji Taichang's figure flashed as he followed closely behind.

Although the mountain was majestic and towering, it was filled with an eerie silence. There was no sign of Yao Beasts, not even the sound of insects or birds.

Only because...

At the summit, a large, crimson-red lizard was perched!

This Red Fire Lizard was a full five zhang long, its body covered in scales and red markings. From afar, a terrifying, malevolent aura emanated from it, striking fear into the heart!

In a rock crevice not far from the Red Fire Lizard, a palm-sized crimson grass grew, swaying in the wind. It was indeed the Grade 4 Spirit Medicine, red lotus grass!

"Next, I will pin down the Red Fire Lizard. Young Master Yang, take the opportunity to pick the red lotus grass, and then we will retreat together!"

Qin Miaoyi spoke in a low voice.

Although she had prepared a trump card, she didn't expect to be able to kill a Golden Core Stage Great Yao across levels. It would be good enough if they could retreat safely.

Ji Taichang nodded and flashed away, silently circling to another direction.

Qin Miaoyi took a deep breath. A silver-white longsword appeared in her hand, and with her spiritual power surging, she strode toward the Red Fire Lizard.

Swish!

The Red Fire Lizard, resting on the ground, suddenly snapped its eyes open. Its lantern-sized eyes were full of wildness and bloodlust, and it immediately charged toward Qin Miaoyi!

Qin Miaoyi took a deep breath and waved her left hand. Three precious Talismans flew out and were instantly detonated!

Boom!

A bolt from the blue came from the heavens as a dozen massive heavenly thunders, as thick as water buckets, crashed down. They struck the Red Fire Lizard fiercely, letting out deafening booms that even caused the mountain to shake.

The power of these heavenly thunders was no less than a full-strength strike from a Golden Core Stage expert!

Even as strong as the Red Fire Lizard was, it couldn't help but let out a roar of pain after being struck by the heavenly thunder. Large patches of scorched black appeared on its body, and a large section of the hard scales on its back was blown away, leaving it a bloody mess.

Seeing this, Qin Miaoyi was overjoyed.

Taking advantage of the Red Fire Lizard's daze, she gave a light cry, poured her spiritual power into the precious sword without reservation, and slashed at the lizard!

Bang!

The next moment, the Red Fire Lizard suddenly whipped its tail. Its long, narrow tail, covered in bone spikes, smashed down like a meteor hammer. With an explosion, it sent Qin Miaoyi flying, sword and all, as she coughed up a large mouthful of blood!

Ji Taichang was sneaking toward the red lotus grass when suddenly, a graceful figure flew toward him like a cannonball.

Ji Taichang was quick-witted and hurriedly reached out to catch Qin Miaoyi.

Qin Miaoyi's delicate and graceful body crashed into Ji Taichang's arms. The two held each other tightly, even able to feel each other's heartbeat and breath.

Qin Miaoyi's beautiful face instantly turned bright red, and her heart raced.

"Your Highness the County Princess, it seems you didn't quite pin down the Red Fire Lizard."

Ji Taichang sighed. These words made Qin Miaoyi even more embarrassed, and she bit her lip.

She was just about to scramble out of Ji Taichang's arms.

But by then, the Red Fire Lizard had already pounced fiercely. The previous heavenly thunder strikes had wounded it significantly and completely enraged it!

"Roar!"

The Red Fire Lizard let out an earth-shaking roar. Its eyes were red, and its thick limbs stepped rapidly on the ground, leaving cracks in the solid rock as it moved with incredible speed!

Ji Taichang slightly bent his knees and stomped the ground, dodging the Red Fire Lizard's charge in the blink of an eye.

With one arm around Qin Miaoyi, he shifted and turned repeatedly, leaving behind a series of afterimages at extreme speed!

In the blink of an eye, Ji Taichang rushed in front of the red lotus grass and plucked it by the roots!

"Awoo-roar!"

Seeing the precious medicine it guarded being snatched away, the Red Fire Lizard went completely berserk!

It let out a roar and opened its mouth, actually spitting out a crimson pillar of fire that blasted toward Ji Taichang!

"Holy crap!"

"Are you Godzilla?"

Ji Taichang was startled and immediately exerted his full strength. Vast spiritual power gathered in his feet, and in an instant, he exploded with incredible speed, narrowly avoiding the pillar of fire.

Only a loud "boom" was heard.

The pillar of fire spat by the Red Fire Lizard struck a giant boulder, instantly shattering it to pieces. Dust flew everywhere, the power terrifying.

Seeing its attack miss, the Red Fire Lizard immediately pounced, opening its bloody maw toward Ji Taichang to swallow him whole.

"Have you had enough?"

Ji Taichang's eyes turned cold. The Quick Sword at his waist suddenly unsheathed. He leaned back and performed a sudden sliding tackle!

The Quick Sword burst with brilliant Sword Qi, its sharpness fully revealed. The Red Fire Lizard's incomparably hard protective scales were sliced open like tofu, and a massive wound was instantly carved into its belly!

Ji Taichang began to literally tear its heart out!

"Awoo—"

Even as strong as a Golden Core Stage Great Yao was, with its belly sliced open and its internal Yao Core cut down by Ji Taichang's sword, it could only let out a mournful cry and perish!

"It... it's killed just like that?!"

Qin Miaoyi, who had witnessed the entire process, felt like her eyes were about to pop out, and her head was buzzing!

That was a Great Yao with a first-level Golden Core Stage cultivation!