The Beastly Battle

Wang Quan hid behind a crystal wall by the edge of the lake, his spiritual sense spread out to monitor the intensifying spiritual energy fluctuations. The distant tremors were growing stronger by the minute.

"The Crystal Scorpion is breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage. This powerful energy fluctuation will definitely attract nearby beasts... Could it be..."

A bad premonition stirred in his heart. As expected, the rumbling grew louder, and before long, a massive figure appeared from another tunnel in the crystal cave.

It was a colossal Crystal Earth Dragon!

The Crystal Earth Dragon's body stretched over dozens of meters, covered in thick, translucent crystal scales. Its massive tail dragged behind it, and even the slightest movement caused the ground to tremble. Its eyes glowed coldly with killing intent, and a faint mist of frost occasionally billowed from its mouth.

"A Crystal Earth Dragon? Has it come to disrupt the scorpion's breakthrough?"

Wang Quan held his breath, waves of shock surging within him. This Crystal Earth Dragon's aura was no weaker than the Crystal Scorpion's, clearly another beast at the peak of Qi Refining. For two beasts of such immense power to meet in this crystal cave meant an earth-shattering battle was about to unfold.

"It seems there's bad blood between them..."

Wang Quan could vaguely guess that these two beasts had a longstanding grudge. Now, with the Crystal Scorpion attempting to break through, the Crystal Earth Dragon saw the perfect chance to exact its revenge. Sensing the scorpion's breakthrough, the dragon had clearly come to interrupt it.

As soon as the Crystal Earth Dragon approached the crystal lake, the tension in the air skyrocketed. The once calm Crystal Scorpion suddenly opened its eyes, raising its massive stinger high, which shimmered with a dangerous purple glow, indicating its deadly venom. Though it continued to absorb spiritual energy, its gaze was now filled with fury and murderous intent.

"Roar—!"

The Crystal Earth Dragon let out a deep growl, and with a powerful stomp of its massive claws, the ground split into several large fissures. It charged straight at the Crystal Scorpion, its frost-covered tail like a giant hammer smashing toward the scorpion's crystalline shell.

"Boom!"

A thunderous sound echoed as the impact caused the Crystal Scorpion's massive body to tremble, with cracks appearing on its crystal armor. The Earth Dragon's immense power had successfully interrupted the scorpion's breakthrough.

The Crystal Scorpion let out an enraged roar and instantly retaliated with its venomous stinger, aiming directly for the Earth Dragon's head. Its speed was astonishing, and the stinger almost immediately reached the dragon's face.

"Ssshhh—!"

The Earth Dragon twisted its head, and its enormous horns deflected the deadly strike. The venom dispersed into the air, producing a low hissing sound as it struck the dragon's horns. Though the Earth Dragon managed to block the blow, the sheer force still caused its head to shift slightly. Its long tail then whipped around, striking toward the scorpion's exposed belly.

The battle between the two beasts immediately escalated into a violent clash.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

With every collision between the scorpion's tail and the dragon's tail, the entire crystal cave trembled. The sheer force of their strikes caused several crystal pillars to shatter, and cracks began spreading across the cave walls, producing eerie cracking sounds that sent shivers down one's spine.

Wang Quan remained hidden in the distance, feeling the overwhelming destructive energy radiating from the battle. He knew that these two beasts, both at the peak of Qi Refining, were far beyond his ability to confront directly. Their furious attacks could easily bring down the entire cave.

"I must leave quickly…"

Wang Quan's eyes darted around the surroundings, knowing that staying here any longer would put him in mortal danger. The power of these two beasts was enough to tear the ground apart, and if caught in the fray, he'd have no chance of escape.

Meanwhile, the battle between the Crystal Scorpion and the Crystal Earth Dragon intensified further.

The Crystal Scorpion, having missed with its venomous strike, quickly switched from defense to offense. It opened its massive pincers, aiming to clamp down on the Earth Dragon's body. In response, the Earth Dragon let out a furious roar and slammed its frost-covered claws down with immense force, trying to push the scorpion back.

The two behemoths clashed repeatedly above the crystal lake, the sound of their battle and roars echoing through the cave. The spiritual energy on the lake's surface rippled violently, and even the once-still waters began to churn.

"Boom—!"

Suddenly, the Earth Dragon's tail struck the scorpion's abdomen, sending it reeling back several paces. The sheer power of the blow caused a massive dent in the rocky wall near the lake. The scorpion barely managed to regain its footing, its stinger raised high as it prepared to strike back.

At that moment, the ground began to shake violently.

"Crack—!"

A piercing crack echoed through the cave as the ground surrounding the crystal lake started to collapse. Crystal pillars toppled, and the entire cave seemed like it was about to collapse. Fissures spread rapidly across the floor as if the cave itself was being torn apart.

"This is bad, the cave is going to collapse!"

Wang Quan felt the ground beneath him shake violently. Spiritual energy surged chaotically from below, a clear sign that the beasts' battle had caused irreparable damage to the cave's structure.

The Crystal Scorpion and the Crystal Earth Dragon remained locked in combat, oblivious to the impending collapse. Every one of their blows created new cracks, and even the ceiling of the cave began to fracture, with rocks and debris falling all around them.

"I can't wait any longer!"

Wang Quan's heart raced. He immediately activated his Earth Element technique and made a run for the cave's exit. The rumbling behind him grew louder, and the ground was fracturing at an alarming rate. He could feel the destructive energy closing in on him, threatening to swallow everything.

In one final leap, Wang Quan dashed out of the cave just as the crystal lake collapsed completely. A deafening roar filled the air as the entire cave was swallowed by a cloud of dust and rubble.

Standing at the cave's entrance, Wang Quan turned to look at the now-ruined crystal cave, still feeling a lingering sense of dread.

"That was close… If I'd been a moment slower, I'd have been buried alive in there."