Mike came back with two rabbits hung from his hands, where Jian wu had lighted fire.
Jian Wu stood up when she saw him. Oh, you're back, Brother Mike.
Mike smiled lightly. Looks like I caught two instead of one.
The fire crackled softly as time passed. Mike crouched near it, carefully checking the meat. He turned it once more, then nodded to himself. It's cooked. He handed one portion to Jian Wu. It's edible. Eat.
She took it and began eating, her eyes lighting slightly. Mm… it tastes good. But if we had some seasoning, it would be even better.
Mike chuckled. Unfortunately, I don't have any. He paused, then added, Enjoy it. I don't really need much.
She looked at him in surprise. Why?
Mike stared briefly at the fire. I don't even remember when I last ate properly.
Jian Wu frowned slightly. Then you should eat more. But i heard from dad, once a cultivator reaches a certain realm, these things become meaningless. Hunger stops mattering.
Mike shook his head slowly. That path is still long. And eating isn't just about filling your stomach. He glanced at her. It's also about sharing moments with people close to you.
Jian Wu smiled softly. You're right. She hesitated, then asked, But… Mike, do you already have a flame?
Mike looked at her, surprised, then serious. Master told you?
She said no, I guessed.
Mike raised his hand. A blue, ocean-colored flame bloomed across his palm, fluid and deep. A small flame-python coiled around his hand, its form vivid and alive.
Jian Wu's eyes widened. This… .
It's called the Sea Dragon Flame, Mike said. Right now, it's in its python form.
What rank? she asked.
When fully matured, it will be a high-rank flame, Mike replied. It's rare. I was lucky, very few were attracted to that place.
Jian Wu nodded slowly, then pick out a small glass container where yellow flame seed is kept, a gentle yellow glow. Mine will be only low rank.
Mike smiled. That's fine. If you want, I can give you a seed of my flame.
She shook her head immediately. No. I don't want you to suffer for me.
Mike didn't argue. Then I'll find another flame for you.
Jian Wu smiled warmly. That sounds better, Brother Mike.
The fire continued to burn softly as their conversation drifted on, the quiet of the night wrapping around them.
Morning arrived quietly.
The flying boat cut through pale clouds as the first light spilled over the horizon, painting the sky in soft gold and muted blue. Below them, endless ridges and forests rolled past like a living map. The air was calm, almost deceptively so.
Mike stood near the front of the boat, one hand steady on the railing, the other holding an unfolded map made from aged spirit parchment. The markings were old, some hand-drawn, some etched with spiritual ink. His gaze lingered on a particular region jagged lines converging into a dark symbol.
Jian Wu stepped closer, curiosity getting the better of her. She leaned in, trying to peek over his shoulder.
Mike noticed immediately.
With a casual flick of his wrist, the map vanished back into his storage ring.
She blinked. Then frowned.
Hey, Jian Wu reached out, trying to snatch at empty air. Brother Mike, show me. Where exactly are we going?
Mike didn't even look guilty. You'll see soon.
She narrowed her eyes, then laughed. You're really annoying when you act mysterious, you know that?
One or two more days, he replied calmly. After that, you'll know everything.
Hmph. Fine, she said, crossing her arms. But don't blame me if I imagine something terrifying.
The boat continued forward. Hours passed.
Gradually, the scenery began to change.
Two massive mountain ranges rose ahead of them, running parallel like colossal walls carved by ancient gods. The land between them narrowed into a long corridor of scorched stone and blackened earth. Even before entering, the temperature subtly shifted.
Jian Wu felt it first. It's getting hot, she said, wiping her brow.
Mike nodded. Not natural heat.
As the flying boat moved deeper, the air thickened. The rocks below bore signs of long-term burning cracks filled with hardened magma veins, scorched cliffs, and faint embers glowing beneath the surface.
Oddly, neither of their senses screamed danger yet but that silence itself felt wrong.
Then, A sharp movement flashed atop one of the mountain ridges. A beast leapt.
Jian Wu! Mike reacted instantly.
The fire beast descended like a meteor, its body composed entirely of red flame, lean and fast. Before it could strike, Mike grabbed Jian Wu's arm and shoved her aside. His other fist drove forward, packed with raw force. Boom. The beast was sent flying, crashing into the rocks below and erupting into scattered embers.
Mike didn't relax and said Are you hurt?
Jian wu says at once, yeah I'm fine.
Mike gaze lifted. All around them, flames ignited. More figures appeared, dozens, then more, they are fire tiger beasts which is emerging from cliffs, ridges, and scorched ground. Their bodies burned with pure red fire, flames leaking from their muscles and tails, igniting stone beneath their paws. Their eyes glowed molten yellow feral, aggressive, driven by instinct alone.
Z-level… and some early X-level, Mike muttered.
Jian wu's eyes hardened. Expendable individually. Dangerous in numbers.
Another roar echoed. The beasts attacked from every direction.
Take position, Mike said sharply.
Jian Wu moved without hesitation. She launched herself forward, fists and legs moving in clean, decisive arcs. Each strike carried refined Dou Ba power, smashing fire beasts apart mid-leap. She used the flying boat itself as a foothold, rebounding into the air, landing blows before touching down again.
Mike fought alongside her. His movements were direct, efficient, no wasted motion. Punches shattered flaming skulls. Kicks sent beasts crashing into one another. Still, for every one that fell, two more replaced it.
Minutes turned into exhaustion.
Mike frowned. This won't end. They'll keep coming.
Jian Wu wiped sweat from her cheek, breathing hard. Then stop holding back. Use your flame.
He hesitated only a heartbeat.
Alright. His wings unfolded. With a powerful beat, Mike rose into the air.
This time, the energy that surged from him was different deep, vast, and crushing. An ocean-blue flame poured from his body, not wild or explosive, but heavy, rolling like tides under a moonless sea.
A Sea Python, formed of dense azure flame, coiled around him.
Its scales shimmered like overlapping waves. Its roar echoed between the mountains, not sharp but overwhelming.
Mike swept his arm. The Sea Python surged outward. Fire beasts caught within it didn't burn. They were suppressed. Their flames sputtered and collapsed under superior elemental pressure. One by one, their bodies disintegrated into ash, unable to withstand the dominance of a refined sea-element flame.
The battlefield cleared rapidly. At the same time. Jian Wu drew her sword. Hundred Rotating Sword, Her voice was calm.
A hundred sword projections erupted into the sky, spinning in controlled orbits before raining down like a storm. They pierced through remaining beasts effortlessly, tearing through flame and flesh alike. Soon, silence fell.
Mike descended back onto the flying boat.
Then he noticed something. At the edge of the highest ridge, flames bent inward. A presence.
Jian Wu, he said quietly. There's a leader.
She followed his gaze. There it stood.
Larger. Broader. Refined. This fire tiger was not mere flame, it was flesh bound by perfected fire. A blazing mane burned along its spine, its claws thick and cracked with molten lines. Its eyes held intelligence, cold, dominant, calculating. Almost peak X-level. Below Jing Ying Realm, this beast could slaughter cultivators with ease. Every other fire beast subtly bowed toward it.
Jian Wu inhaled. Let me handle it. You back me up.
Mike shook his head immediately. No.
She looked at him.
I won't send you into danger, he said firmly. And… it's been a long time since i fight in front of you. Let me fight.
For a moment, she see his face. Then she nodded. Alright. I'll support you.
Mike smiled faintly and opened his wings fully.
Sea-blue flames surged through his body like a rising tide, wrapping around his veins and bones. With a sharp burst of force, he shot forward through the air, heading straight toward the leader of the fire tiger beasts.
Several beasts reacted instantly. They leapt upward, trying to intercept him mid-flight.
Before they could reach him, Jian Wu moved. Her sword flashed.
She stepped into the air, her movements precise and controlled, cutting down each interfering beast one by one. Flames scattered across the rocks below as their bodies collapsed.
Go, she said calmly. I'll handle this side.
Mike didn't look back. He gathered all the Sea Python Flame into his right hand.
The leader beast noticed. It lowered its head, jaws opening wide. Fire condensed rapidly inside its mouth, swirling violently as it compressed its power into a single point. The air trembled from the pressure.
Both attacks were released at the same moment. A beam of scorching fire roared toward Mike. Mike thrust his flame-covered hand forward. Boom. The attacks collided.
The beast's fire was fierce, destructive, and overwhelming to ordinary cultivators. But when it met Mike's Sea Python Flame, the difference became clear. The beast's attack struggled, its flames flickering and destabilizing under the heavy suppression of the sea-element energy.
Mike pushed through. He passed directly through the fire and slammed his flaming hand into the beast's head.
A deafening blast echoed through the mountains. Smoke, flame, and shattered rock erupted outward.
Both figures were thrown back, crashing into the ground several dozen meters apart.
For a moment, silence reigned.
The leader beast struggled to stand. Its flames were dimmer now, its body cracked and unstable. Its breathing was heavy, uneven. In contrast, Mike rose calmly from the rubble, his aura steady, his expression unchanged.
The beast understood. This opponent was far beyond expectation.
It lunged again, desperate, claws tearing through stone but Mike dodged effortlessly, stepping aside as if reading every move in advance.
Leader of tiger beasts realizing it could not win alone and then roared. The remaining fire tigers responded. One by one, they rushed toward their leader, not to attack, but to sacrifice themselves.
Their bodies dissolved into streams of fire, merging into the leader.
Jian Wu landed beside Mike, eyes narrowing. Most of the beasts… they're gone. What happened?
They gave everything to it, Mike replied quietly. To protect their king.
The leader beast began to change.
Its body expanded. Flames burned brighter, denser. Its presence became heavier, more oppressive. Power, speed, and ferocity surged far beyond its previous state.
Mike could end this easily. He know that. But he didn't because Jian Wu was there.
He chose restraint. Instead of condensing flame into his hand again, Mike raised both arms and shouted Sea Python Flame.
The sky above twisted as a massive python-shaped flame descended, its body coiling through the air like a falling ocean current. Its roar drowned out the mountain winds.
The leader beast responded with everything it had left.
It gathered all its remaining life energy, burning its own existence into a single, final attack.
The two forces collided midair. For a brief moment, they struggled. Then, the Sea Python Flame prevailed. It crushed through the beast's attack and struck directly. A violent explosion erupted from inside the leader's body.
Flames burst outward, then collapsed inward. The beast was gone. Victory belonged to Mike but Jian wu is shock for a moment.
The remaining fire beasts fled in panic, disappearing into the mountains. When the smoke cleared, something remained.
A glowing red crystal hovered where the leader had fallen.
Mike questioned, what's it.
Jian Wu stepped closer. That's a X-rank fire beast core. Extremely rare. Especially after a sacrificial enhancement. She explained calmly, high-rank beast cores contain condensed spiritual energy. Absorbing them can significantly strengthen cultivation.
Mike nodded, storing the core in his ring and says Let's move on. And they resumed their journey.