Chaotic World Book
Chapter 331 - 324: Only Affection

Chapter 331: Chapter 324: Only Affection

Zhao Changhe was dumbfounded.

He had initially thought that such a strong fire attribute female expert from afar was Vermilion Bird... It turned out to be Huangfu Qing?

Oh right, Vermilion Bird did say they’d have Winged Fire Snake or Fire Tiger Tail come to this place. Her appearance wasn’t so unexpected after all.

Her current attire was not only worlds apart from Vermilion Bird’s, but also wasn’t the Winged Fire Snake sacrificial robe from before. She was actually wearing an expensive-looking mink coat, blue and white in color, like the ladies of high society seen in the capital.

The red sacrificial gown she wore before was pretty good-looking, so why change it... Of course, changing into Buzhi Huowu would be even prettier...

No, the question is, is Huangfu Qing really that strong? This performance doesn’t look like it’s just the "Mystical Gate Ninth Layer" at all! With her level, she should be on the Chaotic World List, and I don’t even know if the Human List could hold her, it feels like even Vulture Hunting Teeth is not that fierce...

Earth List?

As the thought crossed his mind, Huangfu Qing sensed someone approaching and suddenly turned her head.

Her eyes, nearly aflame, fixed on Zhao Changhe’s face, her expression ferocious and cruel, with fresh blood still dripping from her hands.

Zhao Changhe’s heart skipped a beat, and he turned to run.

This young lady has also succumbed to her inner demons; dying by her hand would be a joke!

Zhao Changhe was quite experienced with this state. When someone was overcome by Blood Evil, they would not recognize even their kin – that’s how it was. At such times, they indeed stacked up full BUFFs, their combat power far exceeding their normal state, but afterwards, the exhaustion was severe. Essentially, it was a result of fully activating one’s potential. Huangfu Qing’s state was likely even more ferocious than his own Blood Evil state. Suppose he was enhanced by ten or twenty percent, her state might increase by more than a hundred percent.

No wonder she was so fierce!

Those besieging Huangfu Qing were the same. Otherwise, with Zhao Changhe now infinitely close to the Human List, where else could he scoop up a big bunch of people he felt were even stronger than him? Everyone here was a frenzied being, far exceeding their normal state, which is why no matter how many die or get injured, no one fled. They relentlessly fought to their last breath, vowing to tear every creature they saw to shreds.

Actually, Zhao Changhe didn’t dare get close enough to find out that Huangfu Qing hadn’t reached the level of frenzy the others had. She was rational, recognized people, it was just that she couldn’t bear the murderous intent within her. Zhao Changhe’s favorability in her heart wasn’t enough to suppress the awakening of her Heart Demon and inspire tenderness – on the contrary, it reminded her of the several times she had harbored the desire to kill him. If she didn’t kill him now, what was she waiting for, New Year’s?

In other words, her strength hadn’t been amplified; the power she was now displaying was simply befitting of her identity as Vermilion Bird...

Her innate strength alone was tearing through these demon-possessed attackers like slaughtering chickens and dogs, A-ing them all together... which meant even if there were a few dozen Zhao Changhes teaming up, they’d all be A-ed by her alone.

Vermilion Bird of the South, virtually supporting the notorious reputation of the Four Symbols Sect with her power alone! The slacking tortoise barely counted.

Zhao Changhe thought it was Winged Fire Snake who had gotten the boost, which was a misassumption, but his crisis judgment was spot on. He knew that at this moment, Huangfu Qing was beyond communication and beyond reason. If he didn’t run, death was certain. While there was still a group of demon-possessed beings who hadn’t died and were entangling Huangfu Qing, he still had time to extend the distance.

Indeed, just as Huangfu Qing was about to catch up and kill this annoying pest, a barrage of frenzied sword and halberd attacks came at her. Huangfu Qing suddenly stretched out her hand to break a sword, clawing the opponent’s head into mush, then casually twisted, turning the entire head backward: "Scram!"

In a blink, the pest had already run out of sight.

Huangfu Qing raged: "Die!"

"Boom!" Fiery flames burning the sky, melting away ice and snow.

Damn, she’s strong... Seizing the moment, Zhao Changhe pulled out sword pills, using them like a compass to follow the direction indicated by a wisp of Sword Qi, taking a detour straight for the Secret Realm.

Running was definitely not an option against this rampaging lady; the chance to save his own life was if he could rush into the Secret Realm.

If he could just hold out for a while, based on Zhao Changhe’s experience, Huangfu Qing would fall into weakness and gradually recover her rationality. If he could last that long, all would be well...

The Sword Qi whirled around, pointing towards the summit.

Isn’t that the volcano crater?

Zhao Changhe couldn’t think too much, as he sprinted up the detoured path.

"Die!" Huangfu Qing had finished off all the demon-possessed beings and was rapidly pursuing.

Zhao Changhe expended every bit of his energy to unleash Water Stepping and Stepping Blood Traceless, flying toward the summit like a shot arrow, surprised to find many corpses along the way - all slain by Huangfu Qing.

How many people had she killed...

Fortunately, the mountain was not high, a mere dwarf surrounded by various perilous peaks. This was also the reason why the volcanic eruption did not cover the surrounding mountains, only confined to this small area.

The shorter the mountain, the shorter the path. As Huangfu Qing feverishly slaughtered all the demon-possessed beings and reached the middle of the slope, Zhao Changhe had already arrived at the crater and peered down, his heart chilling slightly.

Zhao Changhe had explored many Secret Realms and could sense that there was usually a spatial barrier over the crater. A normal leap might have led to a conventional ventricle of a volcano, but in reality, there was a separate independent space inside. However, that spatial barrier was already partially broken by someone at this moment.

Consequently, a flame aura and ferocious Demonic Qi similar to what Huangfu Qing currently emanated were faintly spreading from within the volcano’s belly. It was imaginable that Huangfu Qing and those demon-possessed beings were induced by this Demonic Qi to unleash the inner demons in their hearts, turning into frenzied beings.

But oddly enough, Zhao Changhe felt that he was not much affected by this Demonic Qi. Using the Heart Technique taught by Tang Wanju, "Moon Reflected in Water," he could essentially resist it... If his own modest abilities could resist, why couldn’t Huangfu Qing? Could it be because he’s had Blood Evil episodes frequently and became immune?

No, that’s not it...

Zhao Changhe recalled the old woodcutter’s words once more, "External demons can be slain; internal demons are hard to restrain."

It was because of the murderous rage within that one was stained by Demonic Qi. Especially someone like Huangfu Qing, whose fire attribute cultivation was only a single thought away from becoming demonized by Heart Fire – actually, not even away; she was inherently a Fire Element Witch... And he wasn’t affected because his heart was calm and free of evil thoughts; thus, with Tang Wanju’s Heart Technique for protection, immunity was possible.

Zhao Changhe could almost deduce what had transpired here before.

Due to the rumors of "Fire Flaming Kunlun," Huangfu Qing was sent here by Vermilion Bird to investigate. Because her attributes matched and she was knowledgeable, she likely did find the Secret Realm Space and the method to unlock it.

But it might take some time to solve, and it could be very exhausting for the mind and spirit. Just then, a group of Kunlun villains, also on a treasure hunt in the area, noticed something amiss and attacked Huangfu Qing while she was unable to be distracted.

Could Huangfu Qing’s temper resist erupting in fury... In her rage, external demons invoked her internal demons, throwing her into a berserk state. And with those villains harboring evil intentions, they couldn’t escape the invasion of demonic qi either. Both sides succumbed to their demons, fighting from the mountain top to the base, leaving a trail of corpses along the path.

Zhao Changhe hesitated for a moment.

If analyzed with this pattern, this wasn’t quite the same as Blood Evil losing its head. Huangfu Qing might not be able to recover her sanity on her own, and if things went on like this... eventually, she might truly become an unreasonable Great Demon.

Just as he wavered for an instant, Huangfu Qing had already caught up to him: "Die!"

Zhao Changhe could have easily broken the restriction and jumped in, but he didn’t. Instead, he performed a lazy donkey roll to dodge to one side.

Huangfu Qing’s claw struck where he had been crouching to observe moments before, shattering a swath of rock.

"Clang!" Dragon Sparrow leapt from the ring into his palm. Zhao Changhe had just gripped the handle when he suddenly swung his blade in a wide arc.

Not towards the claw of Vermilion Bird that was attacking again, but in the exact opposite direction, behind him.

A poison dart, coming silently from behind a snowy rock, flew past Zhao Changhe and aimed straight for Huangfu Qing’s throat, only to be deflected by his sword, sending it flying far away.

Simultaneously, Huangfu Qing’s claw had embedded itself in Zhao Changhe’s shoulder.

Zhao Changhe grunted, blood gushing forth.

The air seemed to freeze for an instant. Huangfu Qing’s fingers, plugged into his shoulder, did not make another move, her eyes already shaped like flames, flickered slightly, as if surprised.

Zhao Changhe, enduring the pain, had large beads of sweat rolling down his forehead, yet he was smiling.

She still had some rationality left... that was good.

"Whoosh!" Dragon Sparrow was thrown from his hand.

Behind him, a silhouette was stealthily trying to flee. The whistle of Dragon Sparrow coming swiftly pinned him to the ground.

A Kunlun villain who had not been tainted by demonic qi, hoping to sneak in and take advantage.

As he faced death, he couldn’t understand why the man being chased by that terrifying woman would help her block the dart and almost get caught to death for it?

The sun had already set, light snow drifted by, and the mountain wind carried the unique smell of sulfur and fire stone, along with an extremely strong scent of blood. Blood continued to flow from Zhao Changhe’s shoulder, quickly soaking through half of his shirt.

Despite the movement around him, everything still seemed to have come to a standstill.

Huangfu Qing stared at Zhao Changhe for a long time before she managed, with great difficulty, to form human words other than "Get lost" and "Die": "Why?"

Zhao Changhe let out a strained smile and took out a pig mask from his chest, trembling as he placed it on his face: "I wanted to try... to see again, if you still have the heart to kill?"

The flames in her eyes flickered again, like the last flutters of a dying candle, about to go out.

Flames don’t reflect images, and it was unknown what scene she beheld in her eyes.

External demons can be slain, but internal demons are hard to restrain; only emotions remain.

A current of the vitality of grass and trees stealthily seeped from Zhao Changhe’s wound into her fingertips. It seemed to carry with it Zhao Changhe’s fresh blood, spreading through her heart.

Rejuvenation Technique... wasn’t healing his own wounds, but her demons.

It was unclear if it would work... after all, this wasn’t an injury. But according to San Niang’s words, the vitality of Azure Dragon and the bath of fire of Vermilion Bird should, in theory, have the same nature, could it perhaps convey a hint of awakening and rebirth to her?

Whatever the case, this gentle intention of vitality should help soothe her temper a bit, be good now...

It seemed as if the wind was starting to pick up in the distance.

Ye Wuzong, chasing after a mere child, naturally wouldn’t conceal his tracks too much.

Huangfu Qing, who had been silently sensing his Rejuvenation Technique, seemed to notice something and suddenly turned her head, her eyes filling with murderous intent once again.

Zhao Changhe didn’t have her Spiritual Sense, but he guessed Ye Wuzong should be arriving soon and sighed, "You can’t beat him; let’s hide for a bit."

As he spoke, he tentatively reached out to grasp Huangfu Qing’s wrist, which still remained embedded in his shoulder.

Huangfu Qing, seemingly pondering something, watched as he reached out, slowly removed her hand, and then stumbled over to the Dragon Sparrow, reclaiming the weapon. Then he dragged the body to the volcano’s mouth and tossed it down.

He explained along the way, "The bodies here can’t be seen, or else it’ll be easy to guess where we are."

As if understanding, Huangfu Qing caused all the corpses throughout the mountain to ignite, reducing them to ash.

Zhao Changhe grabbed her hand and leaped into the volcano’s mouth.

The body he had just thrown down met the normal mountain interior, but their dive led them to another place.

Huangfu Qing, in mid-air, flicked her fingers upward.

A strand of flame leapt out, concealing the demonic qi leaking from this place with a normal flame’s aura, barely covering the half-open spatial barrier.

Almost at the same time, Ye Wuzong appeared outside the mountain, confronting the scarred aftermath of battle, his head aching tremendously.