C29 Hero Saving Beauty

"Ugh!"

Pfft!

In a forest within the Kun Cloud Mountain Range, Yuu Mo, clad in a flowing green dress, was sent soaring through the air by a punch from the Azure Blue Explosive Essence Bear, a creature whose presence dwarfed even that of a peak demonic beast.

As she was hurled backward, a large mouthful of blood escaped her lips.

Thud!

Landing hard, Yuu Mo's face twisted in agony as she struggled to her feet with great difficulty.

"Damn it, how is it so powerful? I've already reached Essence Gathering Level Two, and yet I'm not even qualified to challenge it. It looks like I have no choice but to use the Flashing Thunder Ball my father gave me!" Yuu Mo thought to herself, unwilling to admit defeat as she eyed the bear's massive claws, now crackling with a green, fiery energy.

As the bear closed in, Yuu Mo's hands now held a small sphere, dark as obsidian, etched with numerous blue lightning symbols.

"Awoo! Awoo! Awoo!"

"Ha!"

But just as the Azure Blue Explosive Essence Bear launched its attack, Ling Yunfan plummeted from the sky. With a thunderous shout, flames erupted from his hands, intercepting the bear's clawed assault.

Caught off guard by Ling Yunfan's abrupt counter, the bear stumbled back, but not without leaving a smear of blood at the corner of Ling Yunfan's mouth.

"Mr. Yunfan, how did you get back here? Are you okay?" Yuu Mo rushed forward, her voice a mix of worry and excitement, as she saw Ling Yunfan stagger and sport fresh wounds.

"I came looking because you didn't show up for the rendezvous as planned. Everyone was worried, and I sensed your aura, so I hurried here. Now, you need to find a place to hide. Together, we might still struggle to handle this Azure Blue Explosive Essence Bear!" Ling Yunfan replied briefly, concern etched on his face as he drew the Cold Water Sword, his gaze fixed on the unscathed bear before him.

The appearance of another human seemed to thrill the Azure Blue Explosive Essence Bear, its eyes gleaming with excitement as if spotting a delectable meal. Its body surged with spiritual force, amplifying its might to an even more formidable level. The bear's aura was so intense, it felt poised to unleash its full, terrifying power.

Without hesitation, the Azure Blue Explosive Essence Bear lunged at Ling Yunfan with an attack. In response, Ling Yunfan swiftly scooped up Yuu Mo, who was still standing behind him, and executed a long-distance backflip at top speed to evade the assault.

Caught unexpectedly in Ling Yunfan's embrace, Yuu Mo's cheeks flushed a delicate pink as she inhaled his robust masculine scent, her heartbeat quickening in the moment. "Up close, Mr. Yunfan is truly a handsome man—noble in spirit and impeccable in character. If only..." Her thoughts trailed off as Ling Yunfan gently set her down and, sword in hand, charged at the oncoming Azure Blue Explosive Essence Bear.

In the midst of the city, man and beast clashed fiercely, each unleashing their swiftest, most ferocious attacks. Ling Yunfan tapped into the full extent of his power, yet he was still at a disadvantage against the bear, which was teetering on the edge of Rank Two, while he remained at Essence Gathering Level One. Each time he parried an attack, he sustained injuries, and his own strikes were effortlessly parried.

Neither the Water Cold Sword nor the Flaming Fist made any impact. The only technique that seemed to have any effect was the Vortex Slash, capable of wounding the Azure Blue Explosive Essence Bear.

Witnessing Ling Yunfan's repeated injuries, Yuu Mo's heart ached with empathy. She urged him, "Mr. Yunfan, find a way to penetrate the Azure Blue Explosive Essence Bear's defenses. I'll use the Flashing Thunder Ball to finish this creature off!"

Upon hearing her words, Ling Yunfan took a strategic retreat after deflecting another blow. "Prepare yourself for my full-force strike. Catch it if you can!" With that declaration, he clenched the Water Cold Sword with both hands, channeling his spiritual force into it. Half of this energy transformed into a vortex, drawing in the surrounding air currents and merging them with the sword's inherent power.

With a swift motion, as the martial technique reached its peak, Ling Yunfan unleashed a sharp, crescent-shaped blast of sword energy at the Azure Blue Explosive Essence Bear charging towards him.

Upon seeing this, the Azure Blue Explosive Essence Bear extended its arms forward, attempting to fend off the attack that was a fusion of sword energy and wind.

Clang!

With a resounding clang, the Azure Blue Explosive Essence Bear managed to block Ling Yunfan's Vortex Slash, but its hands were utterly destroyed in the process.

"Now's our chance!"

Yuu Mo, standing behind Ling Yunfan, saw the wounded bear struggling to recover and knew the moment to act had come. Without hesitation, she hurled the orb in her grasp.

Bang!

Sizzle sizzle sizzle...

The Flashing Thunder Ball hit the Azure Blue Explosive Essence Bear, unleashing an explosion teeming with Thunder Lightning Power. The residual lightning continued to crackle fiercely, and the blast was immensely powerful. Even a formidable creature like the Azure Blue Explosive Essence Bear was obliterated, signaling its death with the fading roar of the explosion.

As the lingering electrical surge threatened to reach him, Ling Yunfan quickly planted the Water Cold Sword into the ground and summoned a barrier of spiritual force with his hands to shield himself.

Fortunately, Ling Yunfan was at a safe distance, and the Flashing Thunder Ball's impact was mostly contained within the initial explosion. The weaker aftermath was easily withstood by his barrier.

"Ugh, pfft!"

Having just steadied himself, Ling Yunfan suddenly coughed up blood, his body wracked with pain.

"Mr. Yunfan, are you okay?" Yuu Mo rushed to his side, concern etched on her face as she helped him to his feet.

"I'll be fine, just a bit wounded. Go collect that creature's Demonic Core quickly, and make sure to bring back enough evidence. If it's unrecognizable, it won't count as a mission item," Ling Yunfan instructed after swallowing some Healing Spirit Medicine and shaking his head.

Yuu Mo nodded at Ling Yunfan's instruction, then approached the fallen Azure Blue Explosive Essence Bear. She gathered the remaining head and a Demonic Core, glowing with an earthy yellow sheen, into her Universe Bag. Then, supporting Ling Yunfan, they began their journey back.

Shortly after Ling Yunfan and Yuu Mo departed, an elder in the sky chuckled to himself, a smile spreading across his face. "Heh, to possess the strength to contend with an Azure Blue Explosive Essence Bear on the cusp of Rank Two while only at Essence Gathering Level One... this young one is quite the prodigy. His exceptional aptitude for alchemy is intimidating enough, and now he's demonstrating such martial prowess? He's undoubtedly a martial arts prodigy as well!"

"Well then," he mused, "let's keep following and see if there are any more surprises in store for me."

With that, the elder continued to glide through the air, following the path Ling Yunfan and Yuu Mo had taken. Had Ling Yunfan been present, he would have instantly recognized the man as Elder Yun, the very person who had assisted him in joining the Dragon Submerge event.