Chapter 6: Crisis of the Venomous Flame

Deep within the Wildwood, sunlight barely pierced through the thick canopy, casting scattered patches of light onto the damp forest floor. Lin Jin and Su Yao walked side by side, weapons in hand, as a faintly pungent scent lingered in the air. Yesterday's successful hunt had boosted their confidence, and today, they ventured deeper into the forest, seeking stronger Flame Beasts.

"Stay alert," Lin Jin cautioned in a low voice, his sharp gaze scanning the surroundings. "Something feels off. We might be stepping into the territory of a Flame Beast at Initial Flame Fifth Stage or higher."

Su Yao, as lively as ever, hopped ahead, her bright eyes gleaming with excitement. She twirled her short sword and grinned. "What's there to be afraid of? With me here, we could even take down a Flame Master if we wanted!"

"Don't be reckless," the ancient voice of the Flame Soul Ancestor echoed in Lin Jin's mind. "I sense a poisonous aura. There's something dangerous lurking in this forest."

Lin Jin's expression darkened. Just as he was about to warn Su Yao, the underbrush ahead suddenly rustled violently. A dark blur shot out like lightning—a three-meter-long serpent with glistening black scales and eerie green patterns. Its fangs dripped with purplish-black venom, and its presence exuded the pressure of an Initial Flame Sixth Stage beast.

"A Venomscale Python!" Su Yao gasped, her playful demeanor instantly replaced with seriousness. "Careful! Its venomous flames can paralyze the meridians!"

Before she could finish speaking, the python opened its massive maw, spewing a jet of violet-black flames straight at them.

Lin Jin reacted swiftly, swinging his wooden staff as Netherflame surged forth, forming a protective arc. The two flames collided, but the venomous energy corroded his Netherflame, weakening its power. What remained of the toxic fire continued toward him.

"Dodge!"

With a quick leap, Su Yao slashed her short sword, sending out a blade of cyan energy that dispersed the venomous flames just in time. She landed gracefully and turned to Lin Jin with a determined look. "I'll distract it! You find an opening to strike!"

Lin Jin clenched his jaw and nodded, channeling his inner flame. Netherflame coursed along his arms, ready to strike. He circled to the side, analyzing the python's movements.

Enraged by Su Yao's interference, the beast whipped its tail in a deadly arc, aiming to crush her. Su Yao was quick, springing onto a tree branch as her sword flickered, sending three streaks of cyan sword light toward its head.

"Shhhhaaa!"

The python hissed, its scales cut but not deeply wounded. It suddenly reared back, forming a concentrated sphere of venomous fire in its mouth before launching it at Su Yao at terrifying speed. With no foothold to evade, she was directly in its path.

"Watch out!" Lin Jin roared.

In a split-second decision, he dashed forward, his wooden staff sweeping up in a crescent arc. Netherflame surged, colliding with the venomous orb. A deafening explosion erupted, toxic mist scattering through the air. Lin Jin staggered backward from the impact, a trickle of blood escaping his lips. Taking on an attack from a beast three stages above him was beyond his limits.

"Lin Jin! Are you alright?" Su Yao landed beside him, her bright eyes filled with concern.

"I'm fine," he said through clenched teeth, wiping the blood away. "This thing is too strong. We have to coordinate better."

Su Yao nodded, but before she could speak, the python seized its chance. Its body coiled, and its tail lashed out like a whip, slicing through the air toward Lin Jin's exposed back.

His eyes widened—he had no time to react.

"Move!"

In an instant, Su Yao threw herself at him, pushing him aside. The python's tail smashed into her back with a sickening crack, sending her flying into a tree. Blood spurted from her lips as the impact sent a jolt of venomous energy surging into her body.

Her face paled instantly, her lips tinged with an ominous black.

"Su Yao!"

Lin Jin's mind went blank. Never before had he seen her so fragile—her once-bright eyes dimming, her breath weak. He rushed to her side, cradling her trembling form. "How bad is it?"

"Cough… nothing serious," Su Yao forced a smile, but her voice was barely a whisper. "Forget about me… just kill that thing… be careful of the poison."

Lin Jin gritted his teeth, rage boiling in his chest. He turned toward the python, his eyes burning with unrestrained fury. "You. Are. Dead."

"Stay calm!" The Flame Soul Ancestor's voice thundered in his mind. "She's been poisoned by Venomscale Toxin. If she doesn't get treatment, she won't last three days. But if you lose yourself in anger now, you'll both die! Kill the beast and take its venom core—it might buy her some time."

Lin Jin inhaled sharply, forcing his rage into focus. The Netherflame within him roared to life, flaring more fiercely than ever before.

He charged.

With each strike of his staff, Netherflame blades slashed through the python's defenses. The serpent shrieked, spewing venomous fire, but his flames devoured it. Lin Jin leaped onto its head, gripping his staff with both hands as Netherflame surged into a concentrated spear of destruction.

"Die!"

He drove the staff down, piercing through its skull. The python convulsed violently before finally falling still.

Panting heavily, Lin Jin dug out the venom core—a dark purple gem pulsing with toxic energy. He turned and sprinted back to Su Yao, kneeling beside her. Her breathing was shallow, her skin clammy.

"Can this save her?" he asked, his voice hoarse.

The Flame Soul Ancestor hesitated before sighing. "It will suppress the poison for now, but the only cure is a Clear Spirit Herb—something you won't find in Emberstone Town. You must travel to Bluestone City, a hundred miles away."

"A hundred miles…" Lin Jin clenched his fists. He looked down at Su Yao—her once-lively eyes struggling to stay open. "Wait for me. I swear I'll come back."

Su Yao barely managed a faint smile. "Don't… do anything stupid… I trust you…"

Lin Jin squeezed her hand tightly. "You risked your life for me. I won't let you die."

Without another word, he stood, placing the venom core in her palm to slow the poison's spread. Then, without looking back, he dashed into the night, heading for Bluestone City.

Inside the hut, Su Yao leaned weakly against the bed, her lips curving into a barely perceptible smile.

"Idiot…" she murmured. "Don't go throwing your life away…"

Closing her eyes, she focused her remaining strength on suppressing the venom, silently awaiting his return.