Chapter 722: Save Xue Ling

Chapter 722: Chapter 716: Save Xue Ling

“Damn it!”

Staring at the Magma Chains, which showed no signs of losing momentum, Shen Haoran cursed under his breath and immediately shot backward in retreat. The aura emanating from the chains made his heart pound; if they so much as touched him, he would likely be bound in place just like Xue Ling.

Shen Haoran flew rapidly around the high platform, but the Magma Chains behind him clung to him like a persistent shadow, impossible to shake off. The lava ocean below roiled violently as one Fire Dragon after another surged out to attack him, making his situation utterly miserable.

“Damn it! You think I’m some kind of pushover just because I haven’t shown my claws?” Shen Haoran suddenly halted his frantic flight, spun around, and roared in fury. Fierce Sword Qi converged upon the Soul-devouring Sword in his hand. In an instant, a colossal, violet-black longsword materialized behind him.

“One Sword Asura!”

Shen Haoran bellowed, bringing his Soul-devouring Sword down in a heavy slash. A blinding Sword Light flared and instantly slammed into the pursuing Magma Chains and Fire Dragons behind him.

BOOM!

A deafening roar echoed throughout the Lava World. A terrifying heatwave mixed with razor-sharp Sword Qi instantly rampaged outward. The violent storm of Energy it created pressed down on the lava ocean below, forming a deep vacuum. Nearby, pillars of lava erupted, transforming into a torrential rain of magma that fell from the sky, creating a massive Fire Curtain in front of the high platform. The scene was spectacular.

BANG!

A moment later, with a dull thud, a dark figure wreathed in violet-black flames burst out from the Fire Curtain. The fierce Sword Intent on his body was still raging. Like a Sharp Sword, he shot straight toward the high platform, his unstoppable momentum shattering the remaining chains!

BOOM!

Shen Haoran’s body slammed onto the high platform like a cannonball. The terrifying impact made the entire platform tremble. Arm-thick cracks spread out from his landing spot, sending dust and shattered rock flying everywhere.

After Shen Haoran broke through the blockade of Magma Chains, the giant head below began to tremble. Its originally crimson skin started to turn gold as the head slowly rose, revealing a nose and mouth that had been submerged in the lava ocean.

The violent shaking made it impossible for Shen Haoran to keep his footing. He had no choice but to drop to the ground, using his hands to steady himself and keep from being thrown off the platform.

“Quick! The giant is waking up! Use this time to save Xue Ling!” Changmao gripped Shen Haoran’s shoulder tightly and shouted in his ear.

Hearing this, Shen Haoran nodded heavily. His Vermilion Bird Wings flapped powerfully, and his body turned into a streak of light, darting toward Xue Ling.

In the blink of an eye, Shen Haoran was in front of Xue Ling. Looking at her pale face, chapped lips, and body covered in wounds, he had no time for heartache. He raised his Soul-devouring Sword and slashed at the two chains forged from magma.

CLANG!

A crisp, metallic ring echoed as the Soul-devouring Sword struck the Magma Chains, yet it didn’t leave so much as a scratch. These Magma Chains were far, far harder than the ones that had just been attacking him.

“Damn it!” Shen Haoran cursed under his breath. He channeled all his Spiritual Power into the Soul-devouring Sword, causing violet-black flames to erupt from the blade. Using every ounce of his strength, he hacked at the Magma Chains.

However, no matter how much power Shen Haoran used, the Soul-devouring Sword still couldn’t cut through the Magma Chains. At best, it left a shallow mark, but the chains quickly regenerated, becoming even harder than before!

“Dammit!” Shen Haoran’s expression was frantic. The platform had now risen to an extreme height, and he could hear the giant’s heavy breathing from below. ‘This thing… it’s actually alive!’

Just as Shen Haoran was growing desperate, a weak voice sounded in his ear. “Shen Haoran, is that you?”

Xue Ling had been awakened by the massive disturbance. When she saw Shen Haoran in front of her, a flash of joyful surprise lit up her eyes, like a drowning person grabbing a life-saving straw.

“It’s me! I’ll get you out of here!” Seeing Xue Ling awake, Shen Haoran quickly nodded while continuing to hack at the Magma Chains with his Soul-devouring Sword, trying to cleave them apart.

Watching Shen Haoran’s desperate efforts, Xue Ling’s eyes grew moist. ‘This is the man who took my first time. This is the man who nearly got me killed. This is the man I’m supposed to kill. So why… why does seeing him now make me feel so warm? Why do I feel so at ease? I shouldn’t be feeling this way at all.’

“Why?” Xue Ling murmured. “I’m the one who’s supposed to kill you. Why are you saving me?”

“Because you’re my woman,” Shen Haoran said without turning his head. “Even if you are to die, it should be in a blaze of glory, not in a place like this!” The force behind his strikes increased, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

“Your woman…” Shen Haoran’s words seemed to touch the softest part of Xue Ling’s heart. The tears she had been holding back could no longer be contained and streamed down her cheeks. The torment she had suffered recently was becoming too much even for someone as strong as her; she had even begun to wish for death. But Shen Haoran’s declaration was like a ray of sunshine in the darkness, filling her with immense warmth. ‘So, there’s still someone in this world who cares about me… someone who would risk his life for me!’

RUMBLE…

As Xue Ling was lost in this feeling of bliss, the platform began to shake violently once more. Giant rocks rained down, slamming into Shen Haoran’s back. The impacts sent his Qi and blood into turmoil, and he couldn’t help but spit out another mouthful of blood.

“Shen Haoran, go! Just leave! You’ll die if you don’t! There’s no need to die here for my sake! You still have your mother to save, and so many other things you need to do!” Xue Ling shouted at the injured Shen Haoran. But he paid her no mind, forcefully using his body to block the falling boulders while continuing to swing his Soul-devouring Sword mechanically, still trying to sever the Magma Chains.

“Shen Haoran, you…”

“Shut up!” Before Xue Ling could say anything more to persuade him to leave, Shen Haoran brutally cut her off.

His eyes were wide with fury, veins bulged on his skin, and his face was twisted into a ferocious expression. He let out a low snarl at Xue Ling. “Remember this: you are not going to die, and I am not going to die. We *will* get out of here alive! We will!” With that, Shen Haoran put away his Soul-devouring Sword. His right Qilin Arm and left Demon Dragon Claw manifested as a burst of berserk Qi and blood erupted from his body. The next moment, to Xue Ling’s utter astonishment, he grabbed hold of the two Magma Chains. He was going to try and snap the chains that even the Soul-devouring Sword couldn’t cut… with his bare hands.