In the next moment—
Huo Yanbao stumbled a step forward.
"I… I broke free from the immobilization?!"
He was utterly shocked.
At first, he thought it was because Yue Guan and Gui Mei couldn't maintain Dark Eclipse any longer. But then, when he glanced up, he met Gui Mei's icy stare.
Clearly, he had been deliberately released.
"What are you standing there for?! Hurry up and move!"
Yan snapped irritably at him, clearly frustrated by his inaction.
Huo Yanbao shot him a look of displeasure. This brat was bossing him around like he owned the place.
"Sect Master, your help today… the Holy Maiden will remember it."
Before things could escalate, Hu Liena stepped forward and soothed Huo Yanbao with a courteous smile and a respectful tone.
If you want someone's help, you should at least be polite.
Huo Yanbao felt appeased by Hu Liena's respectful attitude and finally gave a satisfied nod before stepping forward.
"So this Flame Beast King is finally coming out?"
All eyes turned to Huo Yanbao, eager to witness the Flame Beast King with their own eyes. Some who couldn't get a good view were so desperate they were scratching at their heads in frustration.
Then, they suddenly felt the hold on their bodies vanish.
"Everyone, evacuate the area immediately. Anyone who remains within the domain's range will be treated as challenging Spirit Hall."
Gui Mei's cold voice echoed from above.
"Thank you, Elder Ghost!"
The moment they were released, everyone quickly withdrew from the center and watched from afar.
Even Liu Erlong and Fire Dragon, despite their reluctance, had to step back and observe from the edge.
"Seventh Soul Skill, Martial Soul Avatar!"
Huo Yanbao activated his martial soul, Fire Leopard, and with a mighty roar, bent down and yanked the Flame Beast King out of the lava by its tail.
Gasps of astonishment spread through the crowd. Who would've thought the Fire Leopard Sect's master had such strength?
Yan, seeing the Flame Beast King dragged out, rushed over with Hu Liena, eager to harvest the Fire Crystal.
But the moment they reached its head—
"Huh? Where's the Fire Crystal?!"
The top of the beast's head was empty.
The three of them froze in confusion.
Up in the sky—
Yue Guan's face turned grim at the sight. He instantly released his spiritual power to scan the area but found no suspicious presences nearby.
Could we have failed the Pope's mission…?
A wave of unease washed over him.
"Where could the Fire Crystal have gone?!"
"I don't get it. We were all right here!"
"It's not like it could just vanish into thin air."
"Exactly. And before Elders Yue Guan and Gui Mei used Dark Eclipse, it was definitely still there!"
People began murmuring in confusion.
Far off in the distance, Dugu Bo's lips curved into a slight smile.
This had to be Feng'er's handiwork.
A quick glance around confirmed it—Lin Feng wasn't anywhere in sight. And neither were Yan'er or Lin Ye.
Dugu Bo's heart settled. Now all he had to do was find the right moment to leave.
My grandson-in-law really is something! Hahaha!
Yue Guan caught the look on Dugu Bo's face and a wave of killing intent surged from his body.
If it weren't for the fact that Dugu Bo had pledged allegiance to Prince Xue Xing, Yue Guan would've killed him on the spot.
But Dugu Bo merely looked back at him with contempt, thoroughly enjoying the way Chrysanthemum Douluo was helpless to do anything about him.
Off to the side—
"You! Did you mess with the body?!" Yan turned and accused Huo Yanbao with a furious glare.
"You think I took it?"
"Just look at this burn mark on its forehead. Do you think I have that kind of firepower?"
"Only a Titled Douluo could've made a wound like this."
Huo Yanbao's voice was laced with irritation. Since when did some snot-nosed kid have the right to shout at him?
Still, with two Titled Douluo hovering nearby, he didn't dare push the matter.
"Could there be a fire-attribute Titled Douluo hiding somewhere?"
"Is there really such a hidden expert in the continent?"
"If there is, then sure—it's possible they snuck in and stole the Fire Crystal."
Speculation ran wild among the crowd.
Yue Guan and Gui Mei floated silently above, listening to the chatter as Dark Eclipse faded.
"ROOOAAR!!"
"You damned thing! Die!"
The Flame Beast King barely had time to roar in regained freedom before Gui Mei slammed a palm down on its skull, killing it instantly.
Yue Guan swooped in to examine the body.
"Old Ghost, do you really think there's a hidden fire-attribute Douluo out there?"
Yue Guan asked in confusion.
"No idea," Gui Mei replied coldly, shaking his head.
Dugu Bo wandered over curiously, chuckling inwardly.
Let's see who would ever guess that my grandson-in-law wields fire of this caliber!
"What are you looking at, you old fogey?"
Yue Guan snapped at him, annoyed.
He had suspected Dugu Bo, but after thinking it through, it just didn't add up.
"Hmph. Like I care to look."
Dugu Bo snorted and turned to leave.
"Let's go. We need to report this to the Pope."
Gui Mei sighed as he stored away the beast's corpse.
With Spirit Hall and Dugu Bo's group gone, the once-cordial atmosphere dissolved instantly.
Now that the Fire Crystal was gone, everyone's eyes turned elsewhere—because where there's magma, there's bound to be Flame Beast corpses.
And with corpses came profit.
If someone found one with a soul bone, they'd strike gold.
Even finding a regular Fire Crystal would be worth it.
Still, some people weren't interested in such scraps and chose to leave—like Fire Dragon and his team.
Just then—
A pillar of lava burst from the hole left behind by the Flame Beast King, shooting dozens of meters into the air.
A ten-thousand-year Flame Beast suddenly leapt out of the pit, magma cascading off its black-scaled, eight-meter-long body as it let out a mournful cry.
Its enormous wings beat the air with such force that the shockwave nearly knocked people off their feet.
A dazzling Fire Crystal gleamed from its forehead.
"Hahahaha! There really is more treasure here!"
Huo Yanbao's eyes lit up in excitement.
And soon, more Flame Beasts erupted from the lava.
In an instant, the sky was filled with their shrieks, the winds howling, and the clouds gathering overhead—
The hunt was far from over.
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