Chapter 522: Great Battle with the Red-Mane Tiger

No one had expected to find a Red-Mane Tiger at the Peak of the Spirit Sea Realm lurking deep within the cave.

When Zhao Tiankuo saw Ye Chen block the Red-Mane Tiger’s surprise attack, he froze in stunned disbelief.

Still, he hurriedly shouted a warning, “Let’s go! It’ll be too late if we don’t leave now!”

‘Too late?’

‘What does he mean?’

Ye Chen frowned. But before he could ask for clarification, the Red-Mane Tiger, which had been watching menacingly from the side, sprang forward and pounced on him again.

“ROAR! ROAR! ROAR—”

The hoarse roars thundered through the dark cave. The sound waves were so powerful they made the stone walls tremble, sending a constant shower of rubble to the ground.

Ye Chen’s expression turned grim. This was the first time he had felt a true sense of danger since he had awakened.

After all, he did not yet possess the combat strength of the Primordial Mansion Realm.

Fighting a Red-Mane Tiger at the Peak of the Spirit Sea Realm was, without a doubt, an extremely perilous task.

Ye Chen had no time to think. The crimson figure, like a wave of fire, was already upon him. It raised a forepaw and brought it crashing down toward his head.

This time, Ye Chen didn’t dare to disregard its attack.

If the Red-Mane Tiger’s paw connected with his head, he would be crippled, if not killed outright.

“Get back!”

Ye Chen barked, slamming a backhanded fist into the Red-Mane Tiger’s forepaw.

The sickening thud of colliding flesh echoed in Qing Lian’s and Zhao Tiankuo’s ears. In the next instant, the Red-Mane Tiger opened its cavernous maw and spewed a torrent of scorching flames that surged toward Ye Chen.

This was the Red-Mane Tiger’s innate ability. It was like a divine beast born to command Flame; the purer its bloodline, the more powerful this talent became.

Ye Chen’s expression remained grim; he couldn’t afford to be careless.

He sidestepped the searing blaze and followed up with a sharp side kick that slammed into the Red-Mane Tiger’s flank.

Struck by the heavy blow, the Red-Mane Tiger recoiled in pain, but it was clearly not seriously injured. It quickly stabilized its roiling vitality and lunged at Ye Chen once more.

Brilliant flames raged through the dark cavern, illuminating it as brightly as day and revealing every minute detail.

Zhao Tiankuo’s pale face was illuminated by the firelight. He stared blankly at the scene, a storm of shock raging in his heart that refused to subside.

‘Ye Chen’s strength… he’s actually this powerful?’

‘Even a Red-Mane Tiger is no match for him?’

Qing Lian was just as astonished, finding the scene unbelievable.

This young man, who showed no trace of Spiritual Power fluctuations, was battling a Red-Mane Tiger at the Peak of the Spirit Sea Realm using only his physical strength.

‘If he were to fully recover from his injuries, just how terrifying would his power become?’

“BOOM!”

“BOOM!”

“BOOM!”

“…”

A continuous series of heavy thuds echoed out. Ye Chen unleashed dozens of punches, each one landing with brutal force, driving the Red-Mane Tiger back step by step.

Although the Red-Mane Tiger was a demonic beast, physical combat was not its forte.

Seeing it was about to be backed into a corner, it tilted its head back and let out a piercing shriek. A brilliant light erupted from its eyes, forming what looked like a massive net of fire that descended to envelop Ye Chen.

“Friend Ye Chen!”

Qing Lian cried out in alarm at the sight.

She could no longer stand by and watch. Mobilizing her full cultivation, she prepared to join the fight.

‘Hm?’

But as Qing Lian mobilized her cultivation, Ye Chen suddenly felt waves of searing heat spreading from within him. The injuries on his body began to heal at an astonishing rate.

This made Ye Chen realize that as a member of the White Tiger Tribe, Qing Lian, much like Lin Qiyun, must possess an incredibly potent divine beast bloodline.

It was precisely because he sensed the power of the White Tiger bloodline that the innate ability of his Chaos Divine Fire was triggered. Ye Chen’s full potential was unleashed, and his body began to rapidly repair its injuries.

Of course, relying solely on his body’s latent potential to heal had its limits.

Only by obtaining the White Tiger Tribe’s Tribal Fire Seed could he hope to recover even faster.

“BOOM!”

Ye Chen’s power suddenly erupted. He was now a cut above his previous state, his strength approaching that of a Primordial Mansion Realm Cultivator.

The massive net woven from Flame instantly shattered, dissolving into a rain of countless light particles that scattered in all directions.

The Red-Mane Tiger’s eyes flickered, clearly startled by the sudden change in Ye Chen’s strength.

It took two steps back, its fierce eyes sizing up Ye Chen, seemingly hesitant.

Seeing his chance, Ye Chen immediately pressed his advantage and charged the Red-Mane Tiger.

Surging True Dragon power coursed through every inch of Ye Chen’s body. Faintly, the ancient, desolate cry of a dragon echoed through the cave. Phantom dragon scales materialized over his arms, causing his strength to skyrocket once more!

At that moment, the Red-Mane Tiger finally felt terror.

It was the pressure of a True Dragon! A suppression that came from the very depths of its bloodline!

Faced with the aura of an apex predator at the absolute top of the food chain, the Red-Mane Tiger was utterly powerless. It let out a pitiful wail, its massive body seeming to go limp.

Just then, Ye Chen closed the distance, appearing right before the Red-Mane Tiger.

By now, Ye Chen had fully recovered his Primordial Mansion Realm combat strength.

His expression was cold and detached as he ruthlessly brought a fist down onto the Red-Mane Tiger’s back.

“BOOM!”

With a sickening crunch, the Red-Mane Tiger’s spine was nearly shattered. It let out one last, agonizing howl before its body collapsed limply to the ground, all signs of life gone.

The battle was over. The entire cave fell silent once more.

Ye Chen let out a long breath. Looking at the Red-Mane Tiger’s corpse, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

Thanks to this battle, he had undoubtedly recovered from his injuries a little more.

He now possessed the combat strength of the Primordial Mansion Realm.

Moreover, Ye Chen could even sense a faint stir from his Divine Soul, which had been in a completely depleted state.

This was what pleased Ye Chen the most.

Once his Divine Soul recovered, he would have countless ways to heal his injuries.

Furthermore, with the power of his Divine Soul, he could access the Imprisoned Dragon Grotto Heaven and even contact the Realm Spirit within it.

His trump cards, like the Chaos Prison-Suppressing Cauldron, the Red Lotus Karma Fire, the Cangming Sword, and the Profound Armor Combat Puppet, would all become available.

At that point, he would have more than enough power to protect himself.

Ye Chen had a feeling that after he comprehended the White Tiger Totem, he would be able to use the power of his Divine Soul.

For now, however, he still needed to be cautious.

“Young Master… you’re… you’re just too damn strong…”

“You actually killed that Red-Mane Tiger all by yourself… If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I would never have believed it!”

Nearby, Zhao Tiankuo’s voice was filled with gasps of amazement.

He was clearly stunned by the strength Ye Chen had just displayed.

A demonic beast so powerful it could drive one to despair was still no match for Ye Chen.

How could he not be shaken by the sight?