I Can See Your Combat Power

Chapter 670: Chapter 666: Final Battle (24)

Who would have thought that the Beast Valley in South Ridge was actually an extinct mega-volcano, and right in the middle of the valley, was a fiery swamp still holding residual heat.

Or perhaps, this marsh was still bubbling with magma because of the Crane King residing in it.

They knew it wouldn’t be smooth sailing, but neither expected the Crane King’s dwelling to be in such a desperate place. This harsh terrain is perhaps only approachable by Xiao Ziyu who has awakened the Fire God’s bloodline, and even for someone as formidable as him, he could only endure with a protective technique.

Xiao Jinlin stood on the cloud with Tang Yao, looking at the impassable fiery swamp and the rising toxic flame, he asked Tang Yao, “This marsh is hostile for miles, without a single sprout of life. Even some wild beasts dare not approach it. Besides the high temperature, there is also a potent poison. How are you going to step into the marsh?”

Resisting the hot marsh was just the beginning. Don’t forget, birds are extremely sensitive to their territory, let alone the Crane King. If a human scent intrudes, a battle to the death is inevitable.

And in this flaming marsh, Xiao Jinlin believed that he was not confident enough to battle the Crane King and come out victorious, not to mention protecting a ascending mortal.

It wasn’t only him who was troubled. The previously smiling Tang Yao was now frowning at the sight of the ground marsh. Looking at the churning waves of fire, he gritted his teeth after a long silence and said, “No problem, please take me down there, sir Xiao.”

“It’s a one-way road to death down there,” Xiao Jinlin blandly said. “The temperature of this marsh is capable of melting gold and iron. Considering your ascendency stage and the defensive ability of your protective art, you will be able to withstand it for a quarter of an hour at most. If you trust me, you could pass me your secret method and let me finish it for you.”

Tang Yao’s face changed. He certainly knew that once he fell into the fiery swamp, escaping was nearly impossible. But, the idea of handing over the secret method made him hesitate.

On one side was his life and on the other side was the secret method that his clan had had a hard time obtaining. In the balance between the two, the tenacious Tang Yao began to waver.

In his heart, a voice kept whispering:

“Give it to him. What’s the big deal? Since the Tang Clan and the Xiao Clan have already formed an alliance, sharing a secret method is not a big deal. You’re still young. As long as you’re alive, you can find more secret methods for the clan in the future.

Once weakness sets in, excuses are endless. Before the whispering voice subsides, a new one emerges:

“In this past year, you have been lying on a bed of straw, sneaking into enemy territory. Every night, you sleep with one eye open, afraid of revealing the secret. Now, one step away from success, you can retreat successfully and complete the trial of the young clan leader. If you die, everything will be gone!”

Xiao Jinlin observed Tang Yao’s changing expressions, not pushing him, but waiting quietly. However, the smile in his tiger-eyes seemed to see the young man’s final decision.

After a while, Tang Yao finally regained his composure, looked up at him as if he had made a decision.

“Don’t worry, young man. I am an Earth Spirit Body. I can use any Spirit Art or secret method as long as I know the operating line. All you need to do is tell me the secret words of your secret technique, and I will finish the last step for you,” Xiao Jinlin comforted him, considering his young pride.

“No need to trouble sir Xiao. I only have one request.” Tang Yao calmly declined Xiao Jinlin’s kindness, his hand clutching the Phoenix Tree Divine Wood tightened, “When I die, please take the Phoenix King Drum back to North Mountain. I would be eternally grateful!”

In the end, between death and leaking secrets, Tang Yao still chose the former. Not because the clan’s secret method was more important than his life, but because, since childhood, he was determined to be the clan leader of the Tang Clan.

His arrogance wouldn’t allow the future clan leader of the Tang Clan to be a coward who leaked clan secrets. Not even if that person was himself.

He is Tang Yao, the ‘Yao’ in his name stands for ‘bringing honour to the ancestors’!

“Since you’ve made up your mind, young man, I won’t say any more,” Xiao Jinlin said, full of admiration in his eyes. “It seems you plan to beat the drum in the flaming marsh, which will surely alarm the Crane King. I’ll do my best to buy time for you. As for how much time I can buy, it depends on your own fortune.”

“This…” Tang Yao was taken aback. Although he knew that the two clans had an alliance, he never dared to believe that the alliance could be so solid to this extent. That’s why he brought Mi Shen directly to their doorstep.

Besides wanting to bring along someone who knew the inner workings of the South Ridge Array, it was even more critical to leave the Xiao Clan no chance to back out. After all, collaborating with outsiders to kidnap the young clan leader of the Mi Clan meant the complete breakdown of relations with the Mi Clan.

Although Xiao Qi had instantly executed all of the servants involved which showed full sincerity, Tang Yao still had doubts about the Xiao Clan as an ally. That’s why he insisted on not revealing the secret method even if it meant death.

He thought Xiao Jinlin would just throw him into the flaming marsh and leave. He never expected the strongest man in Xiling to guard him in the Crane King’s territory. This left the young leader a bit muddled.

“Why?”

“The Xiao Clan and the Tang Clan have a pact.”

“Just for that?”

“Is that not enough?”

“Then, I’m counting on you, Sir Xiao.”

Tang Yao hugged the Phoenix Tree Divine Wood tightly again, his eyes filled with determination.

Dragon Shadow tore through the toxic flames, carrying two figures directly towards the fiery marsh.

The temperature rose as they got closer to the ground. When they were about ten feet from the ground, the temperature had already reached hundreds of degrees. Even though Tang Yao had a well-trained body, he could only activate his defensive art, Ice Body Shield, to maintain his body temperature and avoid getting scorched as soon as he approached the swamp.

When the two guys actually landed on the flaming marsh, Tang Yao truly felt what scorching heat was. What he was standing on wasn’t mud but cooled lava. The surrounding ground transformed between black stones and red lava. Feeling the tremendous loss of spiritual power in his body, he knew he couldn’t delay any longer.

The hands holding the Phoenix Tree Divine Wood glowed with divine light. The piece of wood in his arms seemed to be awakened, sprouting thin roots from its bottom. Tang Yao held the top of the wooden stuff and abruptly pressed it into the lava.

His spiritual power continuously poured into the Phoenix Tree Divine Wood. This dead divine tree seemed to be recharged, regaining its vitality.

The robust vitality of the divine tree was undoubtedly showcased at this moment. Even if the roots were fully submerged in the high-temperature lava stream, the Phoenix Tree Divine Wood hesitated no more, extending its roots to absorb the spiritual power and nutrients.

Feeling the roots of the divine tree growing in the flaming marsh, Tang Yao was overjoyed. But the emptiness of his Sea of Qi signaled him that he had to make a choice.

If he continued to use Ice Body Shield and infuse the Phoenix Tree Divine Wood with spiritual power, his spiritual power would be depleted in a mere five breaths time. Due to being in the flaming marsh, this defensive technique required a large amount of spiritual power to maintain.

But if he released the defensive magic, Tang Yao glanced at his ordinary shoes, gritted his teeth, dispelled the Ice Body Shield and leapt onto the divine tree upside down.