
A piercing screech echoed through the air as an unknown eagle dove down, its sharp talons ready to snatch up the Fire Spirits.
"Oh no, it's the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle, an ancient Ferocious Beast. How can it be here?" Yao Yaoling exclaimed in shock.
"Run! Everyone hide! Don't let the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle catch you!" the leader shouted.
The Fire Spirits were already in disarray, scattering in all directions, many fully exposed to the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle's deadly claws.
"Leader, quickly take your people and hide. I'll handle this eagle," Jiang Feng called out to the leader.
"It's impossible, you can't defeat it. You should run for your life too," the leader replied.
"Yeah, we're no match for the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle. Let's go. These Fire Spirits won't die with the magma pool around," Yao Yaoling added.
"I agree," Bao Dalong said, crouching on the ground with his head in his hands, terrified of being snatched away by the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle.
"No way, they just saved my life. I can't just abandon them now. If you want to leave, go ahead, but I'm staying," Jiang Feng said resolutely.
"You really don't owe us anything. Staying here won't help because the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle is too powerful. It's been tormenting us for thousands of years without pause, and we've grown used to it," the leader said sadly.
"I've just made a breakthrough, and I want to test my current strength. Don't worry about it, just run for your lives. Leave this to me," Jiang Feng decided, pushing the leader away and turning to face the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle.
At that moment, the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle suddenly accelerated, its talons grabbing a Fire Spirit.
"Help! Save me..." the Fire Spirit cried out.
But the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle's sharp beak had already struck, pecking off half of the Fire Spirit's head and swallowing it in one gulp.
Blood splattered everywhere, causing the Fire Spirits to flee in terror.
"Damn it, come at me if you dare!" Jiang Feng shouted.
The Golden Flame Thunder Eagle quickly devoured another Fire Spirit and indeed charged towards Jiang Feng.
"I'm out of here, can't mess with this monster," Bao Dalong said, darting into a corner to hide.
Yao Yaoling, however, wasn't afraid. He stood on a rock, looking up at the descending Golden Flame Thunder Eagle.
His small size likely wouldn't attract the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle's attention.
With another screech, the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle was already above Jiang Feng.
But Jiang Feng didn't dodge or evade, standing there motionless.
"Hey, Jiang Feng, are you crazy? Move!" Yao Yaoling shouted anxiously.
A slight smile appeared on Jiang Feng's lips, his eyes suddenly flashing with a bright light, his pupils contracting and expanding in a strange manner.
The Golden Flame Thunder Eagle, about to extend its talons, suddenly slowed down, as if under a spell, moving in slow motion like a scene from a movie.
"Kylin Left Fist!"
Jiang Feng suddenly swung his left arm, unleashing a punch. A chilling aura spread, ice crystals forming out of thin air, enveloping the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle in an instant, turning it into an ice sculpture.
Even the flames on the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle were frozen.
Jiang Feng's fist then struck the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle, shattering the ice and sending the eagle flying.
Boom!
The Golden Flame Thunder Eagle crashed into the rock wall, shaking the entire space and causing stones to fall.
"Wow, you're amazing! You even managed to take down the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle," Yao Yaoling exclaimed in astonishment.
"Hehe, I told you, it's nothing," Jiang Feng said with a faint smile.
The move he just used, "Kylin Left Fist," was a skill derived from the Nine Heavens Tyrant Body Technique, appearing at the second level. Jiang Feng hadn't paid much attention after his breakthrough but found it useful now.
Unlike the "Kylin Right Fist," the "Kylin Left Fist" unleashed an icy power, forming a contrast of fire and ice.
The change in his eyes came from the third-level skill, Agile Eye, which could accelerate or decelerate external objects, a formidable skill.
By fully activating it, he slowed down the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle's rapid dive, showcasing its impressive power.
With these two skills, Jiang Feng's combat power was off the charts.
Moreover, with his increased level, abundant True Qi, and enhanced body, he was even more formidable.
The Golden Flame Thunder Eagle, after landing, flapped its wings and took flight again, but a patch of feathers on its chest had fallen, blood flowing freely, clearly heavily injured.
Screech!
But the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle was now enraged, having been wounded by a human, a great humiliation. It had to kill this human.
The Golden Flame Thunder Eagle opened its mouth, spitting out a bolt of lightning aimed straight at Jiang Feng.
No wonder it had "Thunder" in its name; it could indeed unleash lightning.
Crack!
The lightning was incredibly fast, reaching Jiang Feng in the blink of an eye, the scattered currents about to touch his body.
Jiang Feng's eyes flashed again, using the same trick, and it worked flawlessly.
The lightning paused, and Jiang Feng took the opportunity to dodge, then activated the "Divine Dragon Mysterious Steps," instantly reaching beneath the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle.
"Nine Divine Elephant Punches, First Punch!"
"Nine Divine Elephant Punches, Second Punch!"
"Nine Divine Elephant Punches, Third Punch!"
"Nine Divine Elephant Punches, Fourth Punch!"
Jiang Feng unleashed four consecutive punches. Previously, he could only manage two, but with his improved strength, he could now deliver four.
All four punches landed on the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle.
The Golden Flame Thunder Eagle let out several cries, feathers falling everywhere.
Now, the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle was done for, dazed by Jiang Feng's attacks, its previous imposing aura completely gone, only able to take hits.
The Golden Flame Thunder Eagle wobbled, its wings flapping weakly, on the verge of falling but not quite there yet.
"Such a tenacious creature. Hmph, let's see if you can take another move," Jiang Feng sneered, raising the Shui Mang Sword.
The Shui Mang Sword pointed directly at the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle's abdomen.
The Golden Flame Thunder Eagle sensed the immense danger, knowing it had no chance if it didn't fight back.
It couldn't die here.
It was an ancient Ferocious Beast, undefeated for thousands of years.
It couldn't lose now.
So it decided to use its ultimate move.
Even if it meant dying, it wouldn't be killed.
If it had to die, it would die with dignity.
Some might say, what dignity does a Ferocious Beast need? Just be grateful to escape with your life.
But that's not always the case. An ancient Ferocious Beast like the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle had long gained intelligence. Though it couldn't speak human language, it understood everything, its intelligence no less than a human's.
Screech!
Before Jiang Feng could strike, the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle burned its life essence, intending to perish together with Jiang Feng.
Better to die a noble death than live a life of disgrace. Even a beast has this right.
Whoosh!
The Golden Flame Thunder Eagle flapped its wings, its flames intensifying, its feathers gleaming like jade carvings.
Its talons, like swords, clawed madly at the air, leaving white streaks.
Its power surged rapidly, the growing strength making it hard for anyone to stand, even to lift their head.
Jiang Feng was secretly alarmed. Such immense power was rare on Earth, comparable to an atomic bomb.
"Run, you fool! The Golden Flame Thunder Eagle is burning its life essence. It might collapse this place," Yao Yaoling shouted, eyes wide.
"Shut up, stop boosting the enemy's morale and undermining our own," Jiang Feng glared at him.
Yao Yaoling immediately closed his mouth, then leapt to hide behind Bao Dalong.
"Hmph, even if you burn your life essence, you can't escape death," Jiang Feng snorted coldly.
Boom!
The Golden Flame Thunder Eagle's wings flapped fiercely, forming a light sphere that shot towards Jiang Feng.
This was the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle's energy ball, formed by gathering all its power. If it hit, it would obliterate everything.
Facing the energy ball, Jiang Feng's clothes fluttered, his hair stirred, and the Shui Mang Sword he held finally moved.
"Thirteen Divine Gate Swords, First Sword!"
"Thirteen Divine Gate Swords, Second Sword!"
"Thirteen Divine Gate Swords, Third Sword!"
"Thirteen Divine Gate Swords, Fourth Sword!"
"Thirteen Divine Gate Swords, Fifth Sword!"
Sword shadows filled the sky as Jiang Feng unleashed five swords from the Thirteen Divine Gate Swords.
The first sword shadow struck the energy ball, causing cracks to appear.
The second sword shadow hit the energy ball, which exploded with a resounding blast, sending powerful energy waves rippling outwards like water, threatening everything around.
Jiang Feng leapt into the air, a move he had planned to avoid the energy ball.
But it was also the most dangerous move, risking being caught in the explosion and dying.
Boom!
A massive explosion shook the earth, rocks falling, magma splashing, as if the end of the world had arrived, filling all living beings with despair.
Jiang Feng wavered in mid-air but managed to stabilize himself.
The remaining three sword shadows flew towards the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle, unimpeded by the energy ball, striking true.
The Golden Flame Thunder Eagle was instantly cut into three pieces, blood spurting, feathers flying.
Thud, thud, thud!
The three pieces of the Golden Flame Thunder Eagle fell to the ground, becoming a lifeless heap of flesh.
All this happened in a brief moment, incredibly fast. Jiang Feng's body only hovered in the air for a few seconds before starting to descend.
Fortunately, the shockwaves spread far, allowing him to land safely without harm.
But this place was no longer safe. The energy waves had devastated the surroundings, leaving a mess. Though the energy ball exploded in mid-air, it still shook the foundation of this space, and it wouldn't be long before it collapsed.
There was no time to waste; they had to leave immediately.
"Bao Dalong, Yao Yaoling, let's go," Jiang Feng shouted.
But Bao Dalong and Yao Yaoling didn't need reminding; they were already gone.
"Damn, those shameless guys," Jiang Feng cursed.
Jiang Feng turned to run but remembered the Fire Spirits. If this place collapsed, they'd be buried alive, a terrifying thought. Being buried alive was one of the most humiliating and frightening ways to die.
"Hey, Fire Spirits, come with me, hurry, or it'll be too late," Jiang Feng shouted by the magma pool.
The leader emerged from the magma, saying, "We're fine, don't worry about us. There's an exit at the bottom of the magma pool leading elsewhere. We won't be buried here."
"Also, you might not have time to leave the way you came. You should follow us out," the leader added.
Jiang Feng looked back at the path they came from. Bao Dalong and Yao Yaoling were already gone. Calling them back would waste more time.
Jiang Feng thought to himself, those two were useless, not helping and even dragging them down at critical moments. He'd deal with them later.
"No need, we can get out. Since you're fine, I'll be going. Take care," Jiang Feng waved and quickly ran back the way they came, racing against time with death.