Chapter 22: The Assault and the Awakening of the True Self

Chapter 22: Ambushed, Awakening the True Self

Following the heavy footsteps of the giant, they ventured deeper into the scorched earth, gradually distancing themselves, yet never drawing too close.

Qin Zhe estimated that the giant had already traversed a distance nearly spanning the entire Sea City, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Chief, we don’t know where the giant is heading, and it shows no sign of stopping. Should we stop following for now?" Qin Zhe suggested cautiously.

"We've already gone too deep. Recklessly pursuing further might be unwise. Besides, I believe none of the academy students who ventured into the scorched earth would have gone this far. You saw the way here — the land is desolate, most things incinerated. If students entered, it was likely in search of spiritual creatures, not to waste time wandering," Liu Qingzhi replied.

"Mm," she agreed softly, slowing the speed of their flying sword, her expression hesitant as she watched the giant fade into the distance.

It was clear she was intrigued by the giant’s destination.

Yet Liu Qingzhi was not stubborn; she had considered Qin Zhe’s reasoning. The priority was to find people.

In the end, Liu Qingzhi decided to turn the flying sword around and retrace their path.

But no sooner had they flown a short distance than a mountain spewing molten lava suddenly erupted with a deafening roar, erupting without warning!

Scorching lava shot into the sky, scattering like meteoric fire rain—a calamity falling from the heavens.

Even with her cultivation at the fourth stage of the Immortal Dao, Liu Qingzhi’s face remained grave as she faced this natural disaster at close quarters.

She quickly formed several sword seals, accelerating the flying sword’s speed while reinforcing its aura shield.

With the chief protecting her, Qin Zhe remained calm despite the sudden catastrophe.

However, as the flying sword pierced through the meteor shower of lava and rock toward the volcanic crater, Qin Zhe’s expression changed.

Amid the swirling black rocks and continuous volcanic eruptions, he saw a gigantic human face!

Without hesitation, Qin Zhe urgently spoke.

"Chief! There’s more than one giant in the scorched earth! One’s hiding in the volcanic crater below!"

Liu Qingzhi, concentrating on reinforcing the aura shield against the scattered lava, visibly paled at the news.

Without hesitation, she abruptly raised the flying sword to respond, but it was too late.

A tremendous explosion echoed as the volcano erupted fiercely once more.

Unlike before, besides the lava and debris shooting into the sky, an enormous molten lava hand suddenly thrust out, reaching upward and striking toward them fiercely from behind the flying sword!

"It’s too late!"

Liu Qingzhi’s face darkened, pouring all her strength into bolstering the aura shield.

But the molten hand’s searing heat corroded the shield’s defenses, causing it to falter.

It couldn’t hold!

Liu Qingzhi instantly judged the situation and instinctively tried to pull Qin Zhe in front of her to switch positions.

Yet Qin Zhe moved faster.

Seeing the molten hand about to strike, and unable to escape by the flying sword’s speed, Qin Zhe decisively let go of Liu Qingzhi, grabbed her waist, and without a word, leapt downward.

A crisp crack echoed as Liu Qingzhi’s shield was shredded by the molten hand, and their flying sword was smashed away.

Qin Zhe, holding Liu Qingzhi, left the flying sword behind but still couldn’t avoid disaster.

Even before he could savor the softness in his arms, a tremendous force slammed into his back, and both plummeted rapidly toward the ground!

Though the molten hand’s blow seemed like swatting a fly, the immense force was terrifying!

Despite his tough skin and flesh, Qin Zhe felt stars dance before his eyes and nearly lost consciousness.

Fortunately, his physical strength did not disappoint; he clearly felt only dizziness, without serious injury.

Shaking his head to clear the fog, Qin Zhe saw the ground rushing toward them and bit his lip, twisting his body forcibly.

With a thunderous crash, Qin Zhe landed on his back with Liu Qingzhi in his arms, confirming his earlier calculation.

The kinetic energy from falling at near-supersonic speed was comparable to a small nuclear warhead!

He created a hole dozens of meters deep in the barren, hardened scorched earth, yet felt little pain.

Compared to the molten hand’s strike, the impact with the ground was far more bearable—at least it didn’t cause severe dizziness.

But when Qin Zhe looked down, he discovered that Liu Qingzhi had fainted in his arms, the moment of unconsciousness unknown.

This was a serious problem!

Qin Zhe’s astonishment was overwhelming, disbelief flooding him.

Liu Qingzhi was powerful—how could she faint so easily?

Had he failed to protect her adequately?

Qin Zhe had no idea…

Since entering the secret realm, Liu Qingzhi had almost constantly borne him on her flying sword, consuming a vast amount of aura.

Otherwise, with her cultivation at the fourth stage of the Immortal Dao, she wouldn’t have had her aura shield torn apart so easily.

Coupled with the molten hand’s heavy blow, even with Qin Zhe’s protection, she suffered a severe shock and lost consciousness.

After hastily checking her breath, Qin Zhe relaxed slightly upon confirming her breathing was steady.

But before he could exhale, a massive shadow loomed overhead.

Qin Zhe looked up in shock to see a huge lava-formed foot descending with a thunderous stomp!

Damn!

Was this an extermination attempt?

Having just been struck, Qin Zhe was not panicked.

At least from the recent encounter, he knew his small frame could endure such an assault.

The only problem was…

He looked down at the unconscious Liu Qingzhi and clenched his teeth, springing to his feet.

Damn it!

No matter what!

Flaming Blood True Self Technique!

Hold it!

Qin Zhe summoned his qi and blood, his body rapidly radiating intense heat, distorting the surrounding air.

Feeling the terrifying surge of burning potential, Qin Zhe remained calm, knowing he would soon lose control of his body.

Sure enough, with the eruption of potential brought by the Flaming Blood True Self Technique, his dormant true self awakened.

He raised his head to see the molten foot nearly upon him and let out a primal roar, like a wild man throwing a punch without hesitation or flourish.

Qin Zhe watched the true self punch forward boldly, feeling both exhilarated and exasperated.

Trying to control the true self through sheer will was clearly ineffective!

He wanted it to defend, yet it threw a punch — not considering just how heavy a giant’s foot could be!

But what surprised Qin Zhe even more…

The true self’s fist collided with the descending molten foot, and the immense force caused the foot to shatter instantly!

Not only that, the destruction spread upward along the ankle, and within moments the entire leg exploded into fragments!

Then, a mighty rumble echoed from the ground, as if a tremendous weight had collapsed.

(End of chapter)