34 Chapter 33

"...Dragon...Burner."

With an intense blue flame taking the shape of a beam, it rushed out of his right hand. This powerful flame of destruction clashed head-on with the incoming beam of freezing cold.

The fiery onslaught didn't falter, persevering as the Dragon Burner relentlessly dismantled the breath attack of the Frostbound Wyrm. The creature, sensing the imminent threat, instinctively increased the intensity of its assault, attempting to slow the blue flame's advance.

However, Cai Wen had no luxury of time for a counter-attack. His hand was in excruciating pain. Ordinary flames were already enough to lift him off the ground, how much more this one? It felt as though his arms were being torn apart. To stabilize himself, he had summoned five chains, locking himself in place. He was grateful for his decision, as the gentle flame he was releasing from his left hand was not sufficient.

Frustrated by the Frostbound Wyrm's resistance, Cai Wen raged on. He had already used forty percent of his spiritual power on his attack focusing it on a single point and decisively cranked it up by another nine percent.

The added spiritual power further intensified his assault, overpowering the breath attack of the Frostbound Wyrm and landing a direct hit.

"Roarrr!" The Frostbound Wyrm roared in pain as even with its freezing cold body was burning fast.

Cai Wen flames passed through the Frostbound Wyrm and continue to destroy whatever is on its track.

The surrounding ice immediately melted due to the intense heat, causing an explosive cloud of mist that envelop the forest.

"Did Cai Wen win!?" Qian Renxue asked anxiously. The intensity of the final confrontation had her so worried for his safety that she didn't even notice the shift in her own emotions.

Peering through the mist, Qian Daoliu spotted a purple light around the Frostbound Wyrm's location.

"Yes, he won," Qian Daoliu informed her calmly, a smile on his face. However, internally, he was astonished. He was amazed at Cai Wen's last attack, it was potent enough to potentially harm a spirit king or spirit emperor, even with their defensive skills in place.

Looking at Cai Wen's current state, he thought, 'It seems like that attack was a bit too much for him at his current level.'

Cai Wen was clutching his right arm, which was limply hanging, severely burned up to his neck. His clothes were in tatters, the right arm and half of his upper body were almost completely burned away.

At present, Cai Wen was overwhelmed with pain, regretting his decision to engage in battle when he had two Douluo titleholders at his side. Yet, there was a sense of satisfaction that stemmed from being pushed to his limits, and unleashing his most powerful attack.

His latest attack had surpassed his heat resistance. Despite his near immunity to regular flames, and particularly his own, he hadn't anticipated the severity of the injury it would inflict.

The strain of the chains anchoring him in place while he wielded the Dragon Burner had left his arms limp.

Struggling to catch his breath, Cai Wen surveyed the aftermath of his powerful attack. As the smoke from the explosion gradually dissipated, he saw the charred carcass of the Frostbound Wyrm. Once a formidable creature, it now lay motionless and defeated on the ground.

The surrounding trees and ground was also turned into ashes, there are still flames left that Cai Wen feared will create a forest fire.

Qian Renxue rushed to Cai Wen's side, her eyes filled with concern. "Cai Wen, are you alright?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry.

With a weak smile and a nod, Cai Wen reassured her. "I'll be fine," he replied, his voice strained. "I just need some time to recover."

Qian Daoliu approached them, his expression a mix of admiration and concern. "That was an incredible display of power, Cai Wen," he said.

"Are you in pain?" Qian Renxue asked, her discomfort evident.

"Hmm, I suppose..." Cai Wen replied vaguely, wincing as she accidentally touched his injured arm.

"Sorry," Qian Renxue quickly apologized, withdrawing her hand. "Why did you choose to fight it in the first place? You wouldn't be so hurt if you had let either my grandfather or Chrysanthemums disable the beast. Isn't most of your damage self-inflicted? That's somewhat lame."

"I suppose..." Cai Wen mused. He didn't understand his own urge to fight the spirit beast. Perhaps it was boredom, or a desire to push his limits once more after his encounter with the Burning Scale Serpent. Most of his recent battles had been against academy students, and he had yearned for a real challenge.

'Why do I sound like a battle maniac?' He pondered, his thoughts filled with confusion and denial. 'No, no, I am not a battle maniac. I am not like those individuals who make senseless decisions just for the thrill of battle.' He shook his fist so vigorously that it reignited the pain in his side.

Qian Renxue watched his pained expression and felt an unfamiliar discomfort. She ruminated on what she could do to alleviate his suffering. An idea struck her.

She called forth her Seraphim, manifesting her three spirit rings. This unexpected turn of events momentarily startled Cai Wen, but he remained composed, curious about her intentions. Her third ring glowed brightly, and in an instant, Cai Wen was enveloped in a golden orb.

"My third spirit ring, Angelic Protection, creates a defensive barrier around me while accelerating my recovery speed. It should help you recuperate from your injuries," Qian Renxue explained, her gaze fixed on his arm with a look of concern.

Cai Wen was taken aback by her level of concern for him. He glanced at his arm, witnessing the gradual healing of the strain caused by the Dragon Burner. The burn marks remained, but they too were slowly fading.

Cai Wen turned towards her with a grateful smile. "Thank you, you're incredible, Miss Renxue."

Upon hearing his words, Qian Renxue smiled, but the formal address made her pause. After a moment of silence, she softly said, "Call me Renxue."

"Excuse me?" Cai Wen responded, unsure if he had heard correctly.

"I said call me Renxue," she reiterated in her usual calm and composed voice. "Friends don't use formalities. So, call me Renxue."

"Friends?" Cai Wen echoed, slightly surprised.

"Yes, friends. Why? Didn't you think we were friends?" She asked, noticing his confusion. Misinterpreting his reaction, she felt a pang of disappointment and a hint of hurt, thinking she was the only one who considered them friends.

Cai Wen noticed the subtle change in her complexion and quickly assured her. "Of course not. I am just joyous because I thought I was the only one who considered us friends. Renxue."

Attempting to diffuse the situation, Cai Wen not only reassured her but also used her given name. His response surprised her, immediately replacing her hurt with happiness.

Meanwhile, Qian Daoliu watched the interaction between the two young individuals. He couldn't help but sigh, his emotions a mix of happiness and concern. He was glad that his Xuer was finally behaving like someone her age, but he also worried that she might be too young for romantic entanglements.