The instant they stepped into the cavern, the duo was washed with a wave of intense heat, making them squint in discomfort.

Seraph scrunched up his nose and looked around.

The cavern was unlike any he had ever seen—even on Earth. It was perfectly shaped like an egg, with lava flowing down the walls into the ground.

There were jagged lines across the ground through which the lava moved, forming a pool of lava around a stone platform where a nest made from strong bones rested.

Seraph’s eyes were immediately drawn to the nest, feeling an intense aura being radiated from within the bone nest.

"The mother doesn’t seem to be around. We have to grab it and run."

Sylvia said, a flicker of resolve in her eyes.

Seraph nodded, though he couldn’t shake off the unease he was feeling.

Even though the cavern was empty, it felt like... there were other presences around.

Sylvia had already stepped forward, jumping over the lava lake to reach the nest.

Seraph’s eyes widened. "Sister Sylvia, wait!"

His warning came a bit late. Something shot out of the lava, slamming into the girl midair.

Followed by that, several other figures burst out of the lava, landing on the solid ground.

Sylvia was flung back, falling to the ground not far from Seraph. The boy immediately rushed to her side, propping her up quickly.

"How injured are you?"

He knew she wasn’t alright so he just went straight to the point.

The girl groaned, then with his support, stood up.

"I blocked the attack thanks to your warning, but I couldn’t stop the elemental residuals.

Her robes were scorched by the midsection, revealing her tender flesh and white sash she used to tie her blossom.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t a sight Seraph could admire because her flesh was singed.

’It must hurt a lot.’

He thought, then turned to the five people who were in the cavern with them.

Clad in red and black robes, they really looked like an occultic group.

Seraph glared at them coldly, bringing out a silver spear from the storage ring Elder Song had gifted him.

Sylvia also took out her sword, ready to fight.

"Hah? I didn’t expect that the Soul Cross Sect would be lusting after our property."

One of the black-robed individuals said, a scornful expression on his face. He looked a bit older than Sylvia, but his aura was just as strong as hers.

Sylvia frowned. She recognized his robes.

"Your property? I didn’t know the Inferno Sect had a property ’this’ close to our sect. Could it be that you’re planning something?"

Seraph also spoke up, his gaze suspicious.

"And you claim its your property? Alright show me your certificate of ownership."

Turning his gaze to the white-haired boy with rainbow eyes, the lead disciple of the Inferno Sect frowned.

"What’s that supposed to mean?"

Seraph only chuckled. "Jokes on you."

Suddenly he winced, feeling Sylvia elbow him in the ribs. When they locked eyes, he could read her mind.

’Not the time to joke!’

Seraph rolled his eyes and nodded. Indeed, they weren’t in a favorable situation. Outnumbered, they could only act carefully.

"Jokes?" The disciple growled, then laughed maniacally. "Since you want to play jokes so well, why don’t I take your girlfriend right before you?!"

Sylvia’s face paled. Even if she was strong, she was still a lady. The primal fear of being assaulted was something that was always present.

Seraph elbowed her slightly. "What’s that look? You think he can actually beat you in a fight?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Sylvia blushed and lowered her head. In a hushed tone, she reprimanded him.

"You brat. I’m not as strong as you think. I’m not in the Master Stage yet."

Seraph’s expression darkened. "Ah... oh, well."

He had thought that with Sylvia’s strength at the Master Stage, she would be strong enough to chase them back. Unfortunately, he was wrong.

He turned back to the five Inferno Sect disciples.

"Since you said it’s your property, we’ll take our leave. Goodbye."

Smiling amicably, he turned around to leave.

"Where do you think you’re going?"

The lead disciple’s arrogant voice roared from behind them, and a wall of earth rose, blocking the path they had come from.

Seraph and Sylvia froze, looking at the sealed pathway with dark gazes.

"Senior Brother Sam, let’s just kill these two. They dared to come to us and want to leave like that?"

"Yeah, he’s right! I like the little boy though. Maybe I’ll keep him as a dog."

Seraph slowly turned his head, his face devoid of any smile. His eyes, usually bright and colorful, were dark and chilling, making even Sam step back.

"You want to kill me?" Seraph’s voice was as cold as ice. "Sure, you can try. But at the same time, try to survive while doing that."

The next second, a reappeared right before Sam, his spear aimed at the boy’s heart.

"Seraphim Spear: Second Form—Piercer."

His voice was low, but it sent shivers down the disciples’ spine.

Sam reacted fast enough, raising a shield to block the blow.

However, he underestimated Seraph’s attack.

The spear sliced through the shield, only stopping after digging into his arm.

"Arrggh!"

Sam stumbled back, shock written all over his face as he tried to understand how his shield had been pierced.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t given time.

"Wind blades."

Over thirty wind blades shot at him, their sharpness felt even before they reached him.

"Senior Brother!"

The other four disciples shouted in shock, seeing him facing such a deadly attack at close range.

Sam’s expression became enraged and he quickly erected a three meter thick wall before himself.

The wind blades struck the wall, gradually shredding it into pieces.

Sam’s face paled, and he immediately reinforced it.

Finally, the last wind blades struck the wall, breaking it apart. Just as he was about to sigh in relief, he saw Seraph flying through the rubble straight at him.

’What’s with this persistence?!’

He froze, stunned by the intensity of the boy’s gaze.

Another disciple hurriedly rushed before him, his hands spread apart protectively.

"Stop! You can’t injure out Senior Brother! He’s the son of—"

Seraph didn’t even let him complete his sentence. With a swing of his spear, the disciple was smacked into the lava pool, destined to burn to ashes or barely survive half burnt.

"You..!"

Enraged, Sam took his sword and attacked Seraph.

"All of you! What are you waiting for?! Attack him!"

Hearing his roar, the remaining three disciples took up their weapons and moved to attack Seraph.

"You’re going nowhere."

Sylvia’s voice stopped them, followed by a wind blades that was as large as a human.

The three of them quickly scattered, hastily dodging the attack.

"Crazy! She wants to kill us too!"

Although injured slightly, Sylvia was still a Peak Advanced Stage cultivator. Against three Initial Advanced Stage cultivators, she was absolutely terrifying.

"Hmph!"

Snorting coldly, she attacked one of them with her sword. The disciple barely blocked, his wrist almost snapping.

"Ah!"

Another tried to sneak attack her, but a blunt wind punch struck her stomach. The pitiful girl was sent flying, slamming into the cavern wall.

The last one stood terrified, too scared to approach her.

Meanwhile, Seraph and Sam were engaged in a fierce battle. The two had equal cultivation levels, so the fight was balanced.

In the start at least. Soon, Seraph began to push Sam back, almost inflicting deep wounds on him.

’What’s this?! It’s almost like he can read my attacks!’

Furious and frustrated, he went berserk. However, this only brought him greater disadvantage.

Seraph seemed to grow sharper and faster, even mixing wind blades and water blades with his spear attacks.

’Fuck! He has double affinity like me?! Shit!’

Sam was dismayed, almost driven to the point of despair. Although his opponent was smaller than him, he felt as if he was fighting a giant.

The pressure was intense. A single mistake could cost his life. Even though his injured arm hurt badly, he didn’t dare to entertain the pain.

He fought with everything he had. Yet, it wasn’t enough.

Seraph sliced apart an earth wall, sliding between the two parts only to face an incoming fire tornado.

Unfazed, his cold eyes glinted and he snuffed out the tornado with several water blades, producing steam in the air.

Through the steam, Seraph shot out, stabbing his spear straight into Sam’s shoulder.

"Argh! Bastard!"

Sam cursed, feeling powerless. It felt like he wasn’t fighting a human but a beast. How could someone so young be so dreadful?

If he knew that Seraph was even younger than he looked, then he might have fainted from shock and despair.

’Damnit! Damnit! Damnit! Damnit!’

Frustrated, he glanced back and retreated, only to see the other disciples being bullied by Sylvia.

’Damni—AHHHHH!’

Seraph’s spear raked his chest, slicing open his flesh and touching his ribs.

Heavily injured, he lost all the will to fight and immediately shouted.

"I surrender! I surrender!"

Unfortunately, it didn’t seem like Seraph registered his words.

The spear rose, then fell sharply.

"Seraph, stop!"

The spear froze right next to Sam’s neck, almost cleaving through his flesh.

His eyes were wide in terror as he looked at the boy who had almost claimed his life.

Sylvia hugged Seraph from behind, stopping him from moving further.

"Don’t... kill him."