Chapter 1052: Chapter 1051: Forcible Refinement

"No wonder it’s an ancient sect; to think they have such a treasure."

Ling Chen’s eyes burned with desire, and without any hesitation, he darted towards the center of the lake, stepping on the scorching water, reaching out with his hand towards the red lotus.

Boom!

However, just as Ling Chen’s hand was about to grasp the "Earth Heart Fire Lotus," a sudden sharp sound of wind breaking charged straight at his temple.

The unexpected obstruction made Ling Chen frown, forcing him to retreat to avoid the incoming force. He then looked up to see standing not far away, a familiar and stunning veiled figure.

"Murong Qingcheng?"

Ling Chen frowned again; this woman was indeed the leader of the Azure Dragon Family’s contingent on this journey and the person Ling Chen was most wary of among these powerful individuals.

This lady could in no way be compared to the likes of Huangfu Qi.

Seeing the other party suddenly attacking him, it was clear she was also interested in the millennium Earth Heart Fire Lotus.

"Lady Murong, everything has a sequence. For you to snatch the treasure and secretly attack, isn’t it lacking in demeanor?"

While speaking, Ling Chen’s gaze also swept behind Murong Qingcheng, where a dozen figures stood. These were all experts from the Azure Dragon Family, though their number seemed much smaller than when they first entered the cave mansion. It appeared that four to five dozen Azure Dragon Family experts ventured into the Fire God Sect Cave Mansion and were likely scattered throughout it.

"Treasures belong to the strong; there is no such thing as first come, first served. Brother Chen Ling, surely you are not so naive?"

Ling Chen frowned, realizing the other party was not planning to give up. However, there was no choice; this Earth Heart Fire Lotus was ownerless, and it belonged to whoever had the stronger fist.

"In that case, I will not stand on ceremony."

Ling Chen’s lips curled into a slight smirk, his eyes suddenly narrowed, and the Thunder Sound Sword in his hand transformed into a lightning arc, shooting violently at Murong Qingcheng. Simultaneously, Ling Chen’s left hand reached once again for the Earth Heart Fire Lotus.

Seeing Ling Chen decisively and ruthlessly attacking her, Murong Qingcheng’s beautiful eyes flashed with surprise. The opponent’s sword carried no hint of mercy, fully exerted as an assassin’s blow.

However, Murong Qingcheng was no ordinary person. Despite being slightly caught off guard, she swiftly reacted, raising a hand adorned with a shimmering dark blue ring.

Buzz!

The void trembled slightly, and a blue palm force emerged, forming a barrier in front of Murong Qingcheng as if a water curtain blocked Ling Chen’s lightning arc-like sword light.

The sword light madly seeped into the water curtain, attempting to tear it apart, but only stirred intense ripples, unable to penetrate through.

Meanwhile, Ling Chen seized the opportunity to collect the Earth Heart Fire Lotus, quickly storing it into a brocade box.

"Impertinent!"

As Ling Chen took action, a stern shout rang out from behind Murong Qingcheng. Four males donned in blue armor glared furiously, simultaneously brandishing four long halberds, charging at Ling Chen with the speed of lightning in a flanking assault.

As they advanced, Ling Chen had already drawn the Thunder Sound Sword, unleashing a Thunder Cut.

Clang!

The sound of clashing metal echoed, a violent gust sweeping out, causing the lava lake below to ripple with shockwaves. Those four males clad in blue armor were directly forced back with shock painted across their faces, evidently surprised by Ling Chen’s astonishing sword power.

"Withdraw!"

A cold reprimand sounded from under Murong Qingcheng’s veil, as she swung a newly appeared blue-green long whip like a Blue Dragon, ferociously sweeping towards Ling Chen.

The four blue-armored experts retreated without further commotion, understanding Murong Qingcheng’s pride. She disdained joining forces to outnumber Ling Chen.

Ling Chen’s eyes narrowed, deftly countering the blue-green long whip with his Thunder Sound Sword.

Clang!

Sparks scattered, and a sharp repelling force released from the long whip, deflecting Ling Chen’s sword light.

Ling Chen’s arm trembled, almost losing grip on his sword, forcing him to step back ten paces, a solemn look on his face.

"No wonder she’s the pride of the Azure Dragon Family."

Ling Chen’s gaze fell on the blue-green long whip in her hand, recognizing it not as an ordinary treasure, but a Saint-grade level artifact.

"This whip is called the Sea Dragon Whip. It can rebound a portion of the opponent’s strength. Although your swordsmanship is fierce, it’s less effective against me."

Murong Qingcheng slightly twirled the whip, her smile teasing.

Ling Chen’s expression remained unchanged, chuckling, "The Sea Dragon Whip is indeed formidable. However, this Earth Heart Fire Lotus is in my possession; unless Lady Murong plans to kill me and take it?"

"If Your Excellency can offer something equivalent in value, I might consider giving it up."

Mengqing Qingcheng replied coolly.

"Apologies, I have nothing of equal value."

Ling Chen shook his head. The Earth Heart Fire Lotus was invaluable. Even if he had something of equal value, he wouldn’t trade it.

As his words fell, Ling Chen unexpectedly harnessed True Qi in front of Murong Qingcheng, activating the Earth Heart Fire Lotus. Under many watchful eyes, he began absorbing its power.

Hiss!

As Ling Chen absorbed the "Earth Heart Fire Lotus" power, a red glow emanated from his body, causing every hair on his body to stand on end.

However, Ling Chen ignored her, channeling Divine Dragon Jade’s power, quickly absorbing the pure fiery energy within him.

An ordinary person would find a quiet place to slowly refine the "Earth Heart Fire Lotus," but with the Divine Dragon Jade, Ling Chen spared such trouble. He had mastered its basics; through True Qi, he swiftly turned all entering energy into his own strength.

"Hiss!"

As the vast internal thunder fire power was gradually devoured, Ling Chen subtly felt his muscles and cells seemingly cheering, greedily absorbing this power to strengthen themselves...

"What? He’s forcefully refining the Earth Heart Fire Lotus?"

Murong Qingcheng gazed at the scene, shock crossing her stunning face.