Chapter 22: The Escape in the Molten Flame Mountains

The night in the depths of the Molten Flame Domain was like an endless black curtain, shrouding the towering peaks of the Molten Flame Mountains. The mountains stretched in continuous undulations, and the rugged rocks loomed faintly in the darkness, resembling countless silent beasts lying in wait. From the cracks in the mountains, the dim red light of lava seeped out. Heatwaves rolled, making the air distort. The stench of sulfur and scorched earth filled the air, pungent and sweltering. The wind howled through the valleys, like the wailing of ghosts and wolves, picking up dead branches and fallen leaves, which lashed at the three fugitives, stinging their wounds.

Lin Jin staggered forward. The wounds on his left shoulder and left rib were blood - stained. Although the Flame Grass Ointment had stopped most of the bleeding, the intense running made the injuries tear deeper. Blood trickled down his arm and dripped onto the scalding ground, instantly evaporating into white mist. He tightly gripped his wooden staff. The purple flames of a First - Tier Flame Master circulated within his body, barely supporting his weak body, but his steps became heavier and heavier. Sweat mixed with blood trickled down his cheeks, blurring his vision. However, he gritted his teeth, his gaze sharp as a knife as he scanned the front, and said in a low voice, "We can't stop. The terrain of the Molten Flame Mountains is complex. We have to shake them off!"

Su Yao supported him. Her big, agile eyes were bloodshot, and the bloodstains at the corners of her mouth had dried into a dark red color. The azure flames were coiling around Lin Jin's wounds like a mist, trying to relieve his pain. Her aura at the Fourth - Tier Initial Flame Realm was disordered. She held her short sword tightly in her hand. Her steps were light but a bit staggering. She said in a low voice, "Lin Jin, your injuries are too serious. We have to find a place to rest, or you won't be able to hold on!" Her voice was clear and crisp, but there was a hint of sobbing. Her agile figure clung closely to him, protected by azure flames, as if she was doing her best to guard him.

Duan Hao carried his broad - bladed sword and guarded the rear. His rugged face was covered with sweat and bloodstains. The whip wound on his shoulder was deep enough to expose the bone. Blood trickled down his arm, staining the handle of the knife. The crimson flames of his newly - broken - through First - Tier Flame Master Realm were leaping on the blade. His heroic momentum remained undiminished, but the fatigue in his eyes could not be concealed. He growled, "I can still fight. If those dogs from the Skyflame Pavilion dare to come, I'll chop them to pieces!" He pressed his thick palm against the wound, turned his head to scan the back, with the crimson - flame blade glow ready, and the killing intent in his eyes boiling.

It had been half an hour since the three of them left the lava cave. The pursuers from the Skyflame Pavilion were like shadows following them. Three auras of Flame Masters loomed in the dense forest, carrying a cold - murderous intent. The middle - aged man held a flame spear, with the crimson flames wriggling. The wound on his shoulder, stabbed by Lin Jin's purple flames, was still bleeding. The anger in his eyes burned even more fiercely. The whip - wielding man lashed his whip shadow like a dragon, with the crimson flames coiling around it. His arm, pierced by Su Yao's azure flames, had a disordered aura but undiminished killing intent. The huge ax - man carried his massive battle - ax. His flame armor was scorched black, and the bloodstains on his chest were obvious. His steps were as heavy as a mountain. Behind the three of them, seven black - robed Initiates at the Initial Flame Realm followed with their blades drawn. The glint of the blades flickered in the night, closing in step by step.

"Flame Soul Ancestor, how close are they?" Lin Jin asked in a low voice, his voice hoarse and tired.

The Flame Soul Ancestor said solemnly, "One li away. There are three auras of Flame Masters and seven auras of Initial Flame Realm. They will catch up within five hundred zhang! Kid, although the Molten Flame Mountains are complex, your injuries are too serious. You can't hold out for long! Find a terrain to counter - attack or hide, otherwise, you will surely die!" The ancestor's tone was urgent, full of a strong sense of crisis.

Lin Jin's heart tightened, and he said in a low voice, "Five hundred zhang..." His eyes swept across the mountains. Under a low - lying peak ahead, a narrow canyon was faintly visible. The entrance of the canyon was covered by lava vines, with steam billowing. He gritted his teeth and said, "Go to that canyon. The terrain is narrow. We can hold them off for a while!"

Su Yao nodded. Her big eyes flashed. Her agile figure leaped onto a strange rock, pointed at the canyon, and said, "There's a lava flow there. It can cover our aura. Hurry!" She supported Lin Jin, activated her azure flames, and quickened her pace.

Duan Hao carried his sword and followed, growling, "I'll guard the rear. Brother, go quickly!" With a wave of his thick hand, the crimson - flame blade glow swept across the ground, burning the bloodstains to ashes and covering their tracks.

The three of them rushed towards the canyon. The entrance of the canyon was only wide enough for two people to walk side by side. The rock walls on both sides were towering, covered with scarlet cracks. Lava seeped out from the cracks and dripped onto the ground, making a hissing sound. The heatwaves in the canyon were overwhelming, and the ground was so hot that the soles of their feet faintly stung. Su Yao's agile figure was the first to drill in. After peeking out to confirm safety, she said in a low voice, "Come in quickly!"

Lin Jin entered the canyon and leaned against the rock wall, gasping for breath. Su Yao helped him sit down. Duan Hao was the last to enter. He waved his sword with his thick hand, and the crimson flames swept across the entrance of the canyon, burning the lava vines black and blocking the entrance. Then he squeezed into the canyon and said in a low voice, "I'll keep watch. You two rest!"

The space in the canyon was narrow, about ten zhang deep. The ground was scattered with lava rubble, and steam was billowing. The scarlet crystal stones on the walls emitted a faint spiritual flame fluctuation, like the after - rhyme of the earth veins. The air was hot and thin. When inhaled into the lungs, it was as if being burned by fire, but it also covered their auras.

Lin Jin panted heavily and said in a low voice, "We can hold them off here for a while, but we can't stay for long." He took out the last piece of dry rations from his bosom and distributed it to Su Yao and Duan Hao. "Eat something to recover your strength. The Skyflame Pavilion will arrive soon."

Su Yao took the dry rations. Her big eyes swept over Lin Jin's wounds. Seeing the blood mixed with sweat trickling down, her heart trembled. Her agile figure squatted down, and she said in a low voice, "You eat first. Your injuries are worse than ours!" She tore off a piece of dry rations and stuffed it into Lin Jin's mouth, protected his wounds with azure flames, and her tone was a bit stubborn.

Lin Jin chewed the dry rations and smiled bitterly. "You have to eat too. Don't just worry about me." His eyes fell on Su Yao's face. Seeing her pale face and the dried bloodstains at the corners of her mouth, he said in a low voice, "We have to survive."

Su Yao nodded. Her big eyes flashed, and she said in a low voice, "Survive, together!" She took a bite of the dry rations, circulated her azure flames, and her aura became a bit more stable.

Duan Hao chewed the dry rations and said in a rough voice, "I'm fine. These injuries won't kill me! If the Skyflame Pavilion dares to come, I'll chop them up!" He pressed his thick hand against the wound on his shoulder, activated his crimson flames, and the bleeding gradually stopped. His heroic spirit remained undiminished.

A moment later, a series of low footsteps came from outside the canyon. Lin Jin suddenly opened his eyes and said in a low voice, "They're here!" He stood up, tightly gripped his wooden staff, and purple flames surged out. Although his left shoulder was in pain, he was ready to fight.

Su Yao's agile figure leaped up. Her big eyes stared at the entrance of the canyon and said in a low voice, "So fast!" She held her short sword across her chest, and the azure flames diffused like a mist. Her aura was solemn.

Duan Hao grabbed his big sword, and the crimson flames burst out. He growled, "I'm waiting for them!" His rugged figure blocked the entrance of the canyon, and the blade glinted coldly.

Outside the canyon, the middle - aged man held a flame spear, with the crimson flames wriggling. He coldly shouted, "The bloodstains end here. They're hiding in here!" Behind him, the whip - wielding man lashed his whip shadow like a dragon, and the huge ax - man was ready with his ax. The seven black - robed Initiates at the Initial Flame Realm approached with their blades drawn, and the murderous intent filled the air.

"Charge in!" The middle - aged man waved his flame spear, and a crimson - flame torrent rushed towards the entrance of the canyon. Heatwaves rolled, and the ashes of the lava vines scattered. The whip - wielding man lashed his whip shadow down, with the crimson flames coiling around it like a dragon. The huge ax - man swung his ax, and the crimson flames pressed down like a mountain.

"Defend!" Lin Jin growled. The purple - flame vortex met the torrent, devouring part of the crimson flames, but he was shaken back three steps and hit the rock wall. Blood gushed out. Su Yao's azure - flame whirlwind rolled towards the whip shadow, and her sword qi cut off the crimson flames, but she was shaken and staggered back by the after - wave. Duan Hao's blade glow slashed towards the ax, and the crimson flames burst out. He endured the blow hard, was shaken back five steps, and vomited blood continuously.

"Kid, draw the lava!" The Flame Soul Ancestor shouted urgently. "The lava in the canyon can be used for a counter - attack!" Lin Jin gritted his teeth, and the purple flames rushed towards the ground, devouring the spiritual flames of the lava. The ground suddenly trembled, and the lava spurted out like a pillar, rushing towards the outside of the canyon.

"Watch out!" The middle - aged man growled. His crimson - flame torrent blocked the lava, but he was shaken back several steps. The whip - wielding man's whip shadow was broken. The huge ax - man's flame armor was scorched black by the lava. The three of them roared angrily.

"Run while in chaos!" Lin Jin growled. He led Su Yao and Duan Hao out of the canyon. The lava eruption covered their tracks. The three of them rushed towards the depths of the mountains. Behind them, the middle - aged man coldly shouted, "Chase!" The three auras of Flame Masters closely followed. The seven black - robed people scattered to search. The murderous intent filled the air.

Lin Jin gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, "Run towards the core of the Molten Flame Mountains. There's a Molten Flame Volcano there. We can hide there!" Blood was flowing continuously from his left shoulder. Su Yao supported him, and her big eyes were glistening with tears. "Hold on. We can't die!"

Duan Hao carried his sword and guarded the rear. He swept his crimson - flame blade glow around and growled, "I'll fight you to the end!" The figures of the three disappeared into the mountains. The lava spurted out like blood, and the escape route was full of twists and turns.