Chapter 821: It Ran Away
"I’ll distract it; you find a chance to attack," Ye Qingchen whispered, then resolutely moved forward to face the Volcanic Behemoth.
The Volcanic Behemoth saw Ye Qingchen approaching, roared angrily, and slammed its massive claws down with destructive force. Ye Qingchen swiftly sidestepped and swung his sword, sword light slashing like lightning toward the beast’s claws.
However, those claws were as hard as refined iron, and the sword light only sparked upon impact.
The Volcanic Behemoth, enraged, swung its wings, stirring up a heated wave that forced Ye Qingchen back several steps.
It opened its maw, spewing out a fiery blaze directly at Ye Qingchen.
Ye Qingchen quickly jumped, narrowly dodging the fire’s assault, secretly lamenting: The beast’s defensive power and attack were so strong, how could it be defeated?
At that moment, Xue Zhao had already maneuvered to the side of the Volcanic Behemoth. Her hands quickly formed seals, and she murmured, "Frost Seal the Heavens, freeze the world!" A powerful chill surged from her hands, striking the side of the Volcanic Behemoth.
The chill instantly froze part of the beast’s body, causing its movements to stutter amid its roar of pain.
Seeing this, Ye Qingchen rejoiced and took the opportunity to unleash his swordsmanship.
A hotter, bluish light ignited on his sword, thrusting toward the heart of the Volcanic Behemoth. Although its body was partially frozen, the beast reacted swiftly, meeting Ye Qingchen’s sword with its massive claws.
The clash of sword and claw erupted into fierce sparks, forcing Ye Qingchen back several steps, but his attack left a deep cut on the beast’s claw. The beast roared continuously, its wings flapping violently, a powerful wave knocking both Ye Qingchen and Xue Zhao to the ground.
Ye Qingchen and Xue Zhao were sent tumbling by the powerful wave, achingly disoriented, but they barely had time for relief as the Volcanic Behemoth closed in again. Ye Qingchen clenched his jaw and once again stood with determination, his sword now enveloped in a faint green glow.
"Willow Curtain Drooping Green!" Ye Qingchen murmured, as countless emerald vines sprouted around him, forming a sturdy shield encircling him and Xue Zhao.
Determination flashed in Xue Zhao’s eyes; she quickly stood, hands sealing once more: "Frost Seal the Heavens, freeze all things!" Powerful chills from her hands transformed into myriad ice arrows, shooting toward the Volcanic Behemoth.
The Volcanic Behemoth faltered from the simultaneous assault of vines and ice arrows, though its fury remained undiminished.
The beast suddenly opened its maw, spewing another fiery blaze, aiming to incinerate vines and ice arrows alike. Ye Qingchen and Xue Zhao quickly scattered to avoid the fiery onslaught.
"Xue Zhao, now’s the time, suppress it!" Ye Qingchen shouted.
"Understood!" Xue Zhao responded, her hands moving to gather the Power of Frost at her fingertips, shaping into an ice dragon that charged toward the Volcanic Behemoth’s chest.
Meanwhile, Ye Qingchen focused intensely, channeling the Wood Elemental Power into his sword. He swung down, unleashing countless vines that coiled around the Volcanic Behemoth’s limbs, attempting to restrain its movement.
The Volcanic Behemoth roared continuously, its claws pounding the ground, shattering some vines, but the ice dragon left a deep frozen scar on its chest. The beast’s rage intensified, wings whipping up another scorching wave towards the pair.
Ye Qingchen quickly evaded, anxiety gripping his heart: "This creature’s power is overwhelming; I must find a way to weaken its fiery force!"
Xue Zhao pondered the strategy, then her eyes gleamed with inspiration: "Ye Qingchen, I have an idea. Together, let’s use the Power of Ice and Wood to extinguish its flames!"
Ye Qingchen nodded: "Alright, I’ll keep it distracted, you attack!"
Ye Qingchen maximized the Wood Elemental Power, his sword glowing increasingly green. He swung, and countless vines surfaced again, frantically entwining toward the Volcanic Behemoth. The beast, entangled in vines, struggled to break free, roaring incessantly.
Xue Zhao seized the chance, raising her hands high, chill gathering in her palms: "Frost Seal the Heavens, freeze the world!" A massive swirling frost wind erupted from her hands, charging toward the Volcanic Behemoth. Where the wind passed, the temperature plummeted, chilling even the air.
The icy whirlwind clashed harshly with the beast’s body, extinguishing many surrounding flames. The Volcanic Behemoth’s movements visibly slowed, frost forming a thin layer of ice crystals on its body.
The beast’s roar became low and filled with pain; it struggled mightily, yet Ye Qingchen’s vines tightly held it fast.
"Now’s the time!" Ye Qingchen shouted, channeling all his Wood Elemental Power into his sword and striking the Volcanic Behemoth’s heart again. Vines wrapped around the beast’s body, persistently injecting Life Force, intertwining with the Power of Frost.
Under the dual forces’ suppression, the Volcanic Behemoth’s roars gradually weakened. Its eyes, akin to fiery gemstones, showed the fading rage, replaced by exhaustion and helplessness. Finally, the beast ceased its struggles, its massive form slowly collapsing, with the heated wave dissipating alongside.
Ye Qingchen and Xue Zhao gasped heavily, their faces covered in sweat and dust.
The two exchanged glances, Ye Qingchen grinning: "This beast didn’t seem so formidable after all."
Xue Zhao stood upright, nodding: "Indeed, not as fearsome as imagined, though something feels off."
While Ye Qingchen and Xue Zhao caught their breath briefly, not yet fully relaxed, a low roar echoed.
To their astonishment, the Volcanic Behemoth’s enormous body rose again. Both stared wide-eyed, hearts tightening, swiftly adopting defensive postures to brace for new attacks.
Yet unexpectedly, the Volcanic Behemoth didn’t launch an assault.
Its eyes ceased burning with rage, instead shining with strange light, seeming alert and fearful. Growling low, it turned, running deep into the cave, soon vanishing in the lava’s red glow.
Ye Qingchen and Xue Zhao exchanged bewildered looks, completely at a loss.
Ye Qingchen frowned: "Why did it suddenly flee? Wasn’t it just laid down?"
Xue Zhao looked equally puzzled, alertly scanning around: "I’m baffled too. It appears to have been frightened by something."
Ye Qingchen inhaled deeply, glancing about, seeking any clues around.
Suddenly, he noticed where the Volcanic Behemoth fled, a faint light flickered deep in the cave, eerily pronounced against the lava.
"Xue Zhao, look over there," Ye Qingchen pointed toward the cave’s depths.