I Only Stomp on Weaklings

Chen Ming said, "Thank you for your kindness, sir, but I cannot approach the core area, so I won’t be going with you. I have matters to attend to with the Sect Leader of the Cangyue Sect."

With that, he pulled Deng Ziyang along and left.

Seeing Chen Ming associating with people from the Blood Demon Sect, Master Jin furrowed his brow but knew this wasn’t the time for questions. He left with his entourage, and the others present followed suit.

The Senior Brother Zhu from the Blood Demon Sect stayed behind until everyone else had left, then pursued in the direction Chen Ming had taken.

Feeling a carefree cat-and-mouse sensation, he moved through the passage.

After a short while, he reached the end of the passage, where another cave opened up before him.

His carefree feeling disappeared.

"Interesting!"

Senior Brother Zhu looked at the empty cave and murmured to himself.

That kid managed to bring two people and still flee so fast. He was only a dozen breaths behind them, yet they had disappeared without a trace.

"Let’s see where you can escape to."

A hint of murderous intent flashed in his crimson eyes as he casually entered a passage.

Given the circumstances, he could only use the clumsiest method—rely on luck.

After all, these passages are all interconnected; he would eventually run into them.

As for that key, in his heart, it couldn’t compare to the "Blood God Pearl." The Longevity Technique seemed too distant to him. Competing with so many experts for it, even if he managed to acquire it, it would ultimately benefit that envoy.

No one would dispute the "Blood God Pearl" with him; all he had to do was eliminate these little rats.

Is there any question about the choice?

...

"Put me down."

In a passageway, Chen Ming finally slowed down, and Deng Ziyang, seeing him standing there regulating his breathing, spoke up, aware of the considerable exertion.

Unwilling to burden Chen Ming, he said, "You’re no longer alone. This young lady has deep feelings for you, willing to live and die together. You cannot let her down."

As Deng Ziyang said this, he inevitably thought of his late wife, Zhu Xixi, feeling a stabbing pain in his heart.

Earlier, seeing Yu Haitang protect Chen Ming at all costs reminded him of his own experience with his wife. Not wanting Chen Ming to follow in his footsteps, he stepped forward, choosing to confront the three Blood Demon Sect disciples.

He intended to sacrifice his own life to help Chen Ming and the young lady escape to safety.

After his wife’s death, he had already resolved to die, sustained only by the hatred within his heart.

He believed that as long as Chen Ming managed to escape, he would one day avenge him and his deceased wife.

Then he could reunite with his wife in the afterlife sooner.

Who would have thought, Chen Ming’s cultivation technique was so miraculous, he pulled Deng Ziyang back from the brink of death.

Now, that dog thief Zhu has come after them again.

Deng Ziyang was fully aware that Chen Ming already had a tough time with just the young lady, and with him included, they might soon be caught by that Zhu.

"He’s only after me—"

"Why did you save us even knowing it was certain death?"

Chen Ming interrupted him, "You stood up for me. Does that make me, Chen Ming, a coward afraid to die?"

Deng Ziyang angrily said, "Why must you? Are you determined to lose her life over someone from the Demonic Dao like me?"

"Just a mere First Grade can’t kill me."

Chen Ming took a deep breath, his internal Gang Yuan fully restored.

With Phoenix Dance of Nine Heavens fully unleashed, his speed was incredibly swift, leaving even First Grade experts trailing in the dust.

But the consumption was massive, just a short distance consumed thirty percent of his Gang Yuan.

He could only take out the "Fire Element Pearl" to absorb its power and replenish the exhausted Gang Yuan.

This "Fire Element Pearl" contained extremely pure Fire Elemental Power, allowing direct absorption to quickly replenish.

"Let’s go."

Chen Ming lifted him again and continued on their way.

Deng Ziyang was anxious but helpless; Chen Ming had sealed his Gang Qi to prevent disruption.

Soon, they reached another cave, where two demon beast corpses lay on the ground.

Chen Ming didn’t linger and entered a passage.

"This direction leads to the core—"

Deng Ziyang had circled the area enough to roughly discern the directions. Generally, the passages toward the center led deeper into the core.

The side passages were meant for circling around.

Outside earlier, everyone heard Shang Jianfei and Yuan Xingzhi’s words; those cultivating Fiery Sun Divine Skill could not enter the core of the cave.

Moreover, everyone was heading towards the core, and though they seemed peaceful now, after defeating the Fire Flood Dragon, a battle for the key would erupt.

Such a chaotic battle would be extremely dangerous.

Chen Ming said, "He surely doesn’t expect us to head over there, which makes it the safest place."

Deng Ziyang worriedly asked, "But would entering the core be dangerous for you?"

"Rest assured, I have my ways."

...

About a cup of tea’s time passed.

The trio had ventured close to the core area, where the Fire Elemental Power in the air was incredibly concentrated. Without Chen Ming’s protection, Deng Ziyang would rapidly become a dried corpse.

The issue was, the Fire Elemental Power here was extremely violent, even containing Fire Poison. Directly absorbing it would contaminate the Gang Yuan, causing significant harm to the body.

The danger originated from the Fire Poison here.

Suddenly, Deng Ziyang was shocked to discover that Chen Ming’s Protective Essence had transformed, becoming a pale green.