Dongfang Huaizhu leaped forward and engaged in a fierce battle with the colossal beast without any hesitation. She knew that every second counted at this moment, for she had no idea when Jin Renfeng might launch an attack on the Divine Fire Mountain Manor.
"Roar!" The beast let out a thunderous roar, as if scorning the insignificant human who had dared to intrude into its territory.
Undeterred, Dongfang Huaizhu drew out the flute from her waist and conjured a stream of divine fire. The power of the divine fire was undoubtedly formidable, surging straight towards the beast. However, the beast's body was covered in scale - like armor, incredibly hard and thick. The divine fire merely bounced off harmlessly.
Dongfang Huaizhu never expected that the divine fire would lose its effectiveness once again. The beast swiped its massive claw at her. She quickly dodged and leaped to the side, but still got hit and rolled on the ground several times.
"Cough, cough!" The beast's strike was powerful. Dongfang Huaizhu spat out several mouthfuls of blood and hastily got up.
"Come on!" Dongfang Huaizhu had anticipated the beast's might and even taunted it defiantly.
The beast raised its claw and was about to crush her. She was well - prepared and dodged to the side.
Despite its huge size, the beast was rather slow. Taking advantage of its momentary inaction, Dongfang Huaizhu used her light - footed skills to jump onto the beast's back and drew out the sword she had brought.
"This is the spot!"
No matter how powerful a creature was, it always had a weakness. Although the beast was covered in thick scales, the skin behind its neck was exposed and vulnerable.
Dongfang Huaizhu tightly grasped the hilt of the sword with both hands and drove it deep into the beast's neck with all her might.
"Ow!" The beast thrashed violently, roaring in agony.
Dongfang Huaizhu, who was standing on its back, was flung to the ground and rolled again. But this time, the beast was clearly slower to react. The excruciating pain in its neck immobilized it, and blood oozed from the wound.
Dongfang Huaizhu couldn't help feeling a sense of triumph. Her plan had worked.
"Finally, success is within reach!" Dongfang Huaizhu watched as the beast curled up into a ball.
Just as she was about to use her light - footed skills to go and deliver a finishing blow, a figure slowly emerged from a corner. Dressed in a pale - white long dress, it was none other than Lan Ling.
"I didn't expect you to defeat it so quickly." Lan Ling walked out slowly, as if her appearance here was the most natural thing in the world.
"Again, it's you! What do you want?" Dongfang Huaizhu saw Lan Ling and asked warily, wondering what new tricks she was up to.
Lan Ling didn't answer Dongfang Huaizhu's question. Instead, she calmly walked up to the beast, stroking its curled - up body. Her movements seemed to possess a strange magic.
"I should be the one asking! Why is it always you! You're everywhere!" Lan Ling, who had been calm just now, suddenly flared up in anger. She stopped her hand and pointed at Dongfang Huaizhu.
Dongfang Huaizhu didn't have time to respond, for the beast under Lan Ling's control suddenly had blood - red eyes. It was no longer the same as before it was injured; in fact, it was even more ferocious. It lunged at Dongfang Huaizhu with astonishing speed.
Dongfang Huaizhu quickly dodged. She had no idea what Lan Ling had done to it, but it was much more savage than before. With a fierce look in its eyes, it attacked her like a mad beast. The rapid and intense onslaught left Dongfang Huaizhu gasping for breath.
"What on earth did you do to it!" Dongfang Huaizhu angrily questioned Lan Ling, wondering why she always seemed to be against her.
Lan Ling let out a wild laugh. "Hahaha! You don't need to know! Today is your day of death!"
Lan Ling's face was twisted with hatred. Dongfang Huaizhu couldn't understand why she treated her this way.
During the confrontation with the beast, Dongfang Huaizhu gradually ran out of strength and her speed slowed down. But the beast gave her no chance to catch her breath. Sensing her weakness, it swiped its claw and knocked her to the ground, then pounced on her and stepped on her.
"Cough, cough, cough!" Dongfang Huaizhu was gasping for air under the beast's paw. The beast showed no mercy and pressed down hard.
"Haha! I never thought you'd end up like this! Let's see how arrogant you can be today!" Lan Ling gloated at Dongfang Huaizhu's defeat.
"We have no grudges against each other. Why do you frame me like this!" Dongfang Huaizhu struggled to speak while being stepped on.
"You want to know? Fine, I'll tell you today." Lan Ling paced in front of Dongfang Huaizhu unhurriedly.
"Wangquan Baye was supposed to be mine! Why did you keep stealing him from me? Your appearance is such a nuisance!" Just mentioning this made Lan Ling seethe with anger, and her eyes were filled with boundless hatred.
Dongfang Huaizhu immediately understood. It was because of Wangquan Baye... She should have guessed it earlier!
Dongfang Huaizhu let out a sarcastic laugh. "So that's the case." Then she sighed at Lan Ling's deep - seated affection, but also at her vicious mind.
"Today, I'll give you two choices. One, leave Wangquan Baye, take the medicinal herbs and leave. We'll go our separate ways. Two, you die!" Lan Ling's eyes blazed with hatred. Women were always jealous creatures.
It was Wangquan Baye again...
Dongfang Huaizhu lowered her eyes and thought of that handsome and carefree young swordsman. Although she had feelings for him, if she died here, how could the story continue? And there would be no one to rescue the Divine Fire Mountain Manor. Moreover, she couldn't let her loved ones get hurt again! Dongfang Huaizhu's mind was in turmoil.
"I'll leave him!"
Hearing this, Lan Ling burst out laughing and ordered the beast to release Dongfang Huaizhu.
"So you don't love Wangquan Baye that much after all! Go and get your herbs!"
Dongfang Huaizhu ignored Lan Ling's taunts. She calmly picked the medicinal herbs from the wall and carefully put them into her brocade pouch. When she looked back, Lan Ling was nowhere to be seen.
Dongfang Huaizhu shook her head and slowly followed the path she had fallen in to find the exit.
She didn't know how long she had walked when she finally heard voices. It was none other than Dongfang Qinlan and the others.
"Sister, you're finally back." Dongfang Qinlan's eyes were red when she saw Dongfang Huaizhu return unharmed. She rushed forward and wanted to hug her.
"Sister is all dirty." Dongfang Huaizhu pushed Dongfang Qinlan's little head away. During the fight with the beast, her body was covered in dust, so she couldn't let Dongfang Qinlan hug her.
Zhi Li was also briefly stunned when he saw Dongfang Huaizhu return safe and sound.
Dongfang Huaizhu carefully took out a medicinal herb from her brocade pouch. Everyone's jaws dropped in astonishment. Wasn't this the very herb they had been desperately searching for in vain? How did she manage to get it after falling into the pit and coming back?
Zhi Li, Mei Sanniang and the others were also extremely surprised.
Dongfang Huaizhu shook her head and smiled. Obtaining this herb had come at a great cost. Thinking of her agreement with Lan Ling, a bitter feeling welled up in her heart.