Beat Back

Deep within the cave, Huang Hu, Yan Qing, and their group found themselves trapped in a dire situation. The enormous Earth Dragon Worm rampaged through the cave, its tough scales impervious to their spiritual attacks. Huang Hu and Yan Qing attempted to fight back several times, only to be forced to retreat, barely avoiding the beast's strikes. Two disciples were already devoured by the worm, their blood splattering across the cave walls in a gruesome display.

Huang Hu's eyes were locked on the Earth Dragon Worm, his long blade growing heavier with each swing as his spiritual energy waned, sweat pouring down his forehead. By now, he understood that they stood no chance in this battle. The Earth Dragon Worm's defense was too powerful—no matter how hard they fought, they couldn't even scratch the beast.

"Yan Qing, retreat! We can't beat this thing!" Huang Hu shouted, his voice filled with urgency.

Fear had already overtaken Yan Qing. Watching his comrades fall one by one, his arrogance and confidence had completely vanished. Nodding quickly, his legs shaky, he stumbled towards the cave entrance in a desperate attempt to flee.

"You won't escape... none of you will escape..." Wang Quan's voice echoed from the distance, low and laced with mockery and coldness. Huang Hu looked up sharply, seeing Wang Quan standing not far from the cave, watching them with icy, pitiless eyes.

"Wang Quan!" Huang Hu roared, seething with rage, nearly drowning in his hatred.

"You set us up! You used a monster against us! How despicable!" Yan Qing shouted, gritting his teeth as he finally realized Wang Quan's plan.

But Wang Quan didn't bother arguing. His gaze remained cold and resolute, knowing that now wasn't the time to waste on confrontations. The Earth Dragon Worm was still rampaging, and no one could predict who its next target would be. Although it was focused on Huang Hu and the others for now, it was still a wild beast, and could easily turn its attention toward him at any moment.

"It's time to go," Wang Quan thought. He had achieved his goal—Huang Hu and Yan Qing's forces had been decimated by the Earth Dragon Worm, and the remaining pursuers were no longer a threat.

Without giving them any further chances, Wang Quan's figure flashed as he quickly fled toward the cave's exit.

Boom!

The Earth Dragon Worm's massive body continued to slam into the cave walls, causing the entire structure to tremble. Huang Hu and Yan Qing were pale, their spiritual energy nearly depleted, leaving them unable to properly defend against the beast's attacks.

Huang Hu's gaze darted to the still-raging Earth Dragon Worm, a flicker of ruthlessness in his eyes. He knew that running was a dead end—if they kept trying to flee, they would be crushed. With no other option, he decided to make a final stand. Maybe, just maybe, there was a slim chance for survival.

"Yan Qing, let's go all out!" Huang Hu roared, gritting his teeth as he channeled the last of his spiritual energy into his long blade and charged at the Earth Dragon Worm, hoping that his most powerful strike could force it back.

The long blade, glowing with brilliant spiritual energy, slashed toward the worm's abdomen. However, as it struck the beast's scales, it made nothing more than a sharp clang, as if hitting solid metal, unable to deal any real damage.

Hiss!

The Earth Dragon Worm, enraged, lunged forward. Its massive tail swung like a gigantic hammer, smashing into Huang Hu. Taken by surprise, Huang Hu was sent flying, crashing into the cave wall. Blood spurted from his mouth, and his aura weakened significantly.

Seeing this, Yan Qing recoiled in terror and frantically retreated. But his speed was no match for the frenzied Earth Dragon Worm. Its massive body surged forward like a tidal wave, and with a wide, gaping maw, it descended upon Yan Qing.

Screech!

A horrifying scream tore through the cave, cutting through the oppressive silence. In an instant, Yan Qing was swallowed by the Earth Dragon Worm, reduced to a bloody mist, leaving no trace of his body behind.

Wang Quan dashed through the forest, the sounds of the pursuit now gone from behind him. He knew that Yan Qing and Huang Hu had most likely fallen to the Earth Dragon Worm. Though the battle had been perilous, Wang Quan had successfully used the beast to wipe out nearly all of his pursuers.

He stopped, catching his breath as the tension slowly faded from his mind. With the circulation of the Five Elements Art, his spiritual energy gradually began to recover. Glancing back at the cave's dark entrance, a cold smirk appeared on his face.

"Huang Hu, Yan Qing... in the end, you brought about your own destruction," Wang Quan whispered, his voice icy and indifferent.

Though this crisis was resolved for now, Wang Quan knew that his true enemy—Li Cang—had yet to return. When Li Cang finally came back to Yunxiao Sect, the real life-or-death battle would begin.

"There's little time left. I must quickly advance my cultivation. A sixth-stage Qi Refining beast is already so powerful, and Li Cang, an inner disciple at the seventh stage, will be even more terrifying. I need to master the Five Elements Art. So far, I've only managed to cultivate the Wood Element through the forest's spiritual energy. I need to figure out how to cultivate the Metal, Fire, Water, and Earth elements to the same level. Only then will I truly have grasped the Five Elements Art."

Clenching his fists, Wang Quan's eyes gleamed with determination. He knew Li Cang wouldn't let him go, and he had to use the remaining time to rapidly increase his strength to face the even greater challenges that lay ahead.