Chapter 234: No idle talk—if you want to fight, then fight

Under the dim sky, Zhang Cheng lay on the ground helplessly, Kelinda anxious as fire, tears blurring her eyes. She clutched Zhang Cheng's hand tightly, feeling his faint pulse at her fingertips; that weak beating was her only comfort at this moment.

The Lan Xing Guardian crouched, carefully examining Zhang Cheng's injuries. He furrowed his brows, his face solemn, the heavy atmosphere like an invisible pressure weighing on Kelinda's heart.

"His wound…" Kelinda's voice trembled, carrying a trace of uncontainable fear, "Is it serious?"

The Lan Xing Guardian was silent for a moment, then said heavily, "His power has been over‑exerted, and a powerful destructive force remains in his body, eroding his life. We must find the 'Star Soul Herb' quickly to disperse this force and heal his wounds."

"Star Soul Herb?" Kelinda was unfamiliar with the name, she anxiously asked, "Where can it be found?"

"The Star Soul Herb is an extremely rare herb on this planet," the Lan Xing Guardian looked up at the surroundings, his gaze deep, "It grows deep within the dangerous 'Mist Forest', where peril lurks everywhere; even I dare not venture lightly."

"Mist Forest…" Kelinda whispered the name, a flash of resolve in her eyes, "No matter what, I will find it!"

A mysterious Elf floated in midair, landing lightly beside Kelinda; in her emerald eyes flickered a strange light, "I can sense that within his body lies a great power, this power might help us."

The Lan Xing Guardian shook his head, his tone carrying a hint of worry, "That power is still too unstable; if we cannot control it in time, it will harm him."

Kelinda clenched her fists, her gaze firm, "I will find the Star Soul Herb, and I will help him control that power! I will never let him…"

Before she could finish, a chilling howl suddenly rose from the distant Mist Forest, accompanied by a tremor that shook the ground, as if something terrifying was awakening.

The Lan Xing Guardian's complexion instantly grew exceedingly solemn; he said in a deep voice, "Bad, a powerful enemy is approaching…" The deafening howl echoed in the air, like the roar of an ancient beast, sending chills down everyone's spine. The Lan Xing Guardian's face remained grave; he turned to Kelinda, his tone urgent, "The Mist Forest is fraught with danger; you take the Elf and go, must find the Star Soul Herb quickly! I'll handle this!"

Kelinda's heart raced with anxiety, but she understood this was no time for hesitation. She looked deeply at Zhang Cheng, her eyes full of worry and love, then resolutely stood and solemnly nodded to the Lan Xing Guardian, "Please, I beg you!"

Having spoken, Kelinda and the mysterious Elf turned into two streaks of light, vanishing swiftly at the entrance of the Mist Forest. Their figures were soon swallowed by the dense fog, disappearing from sight.

The Lan Xing Guardian watched them leave, silently praying they would return safely. He turned his gaze back to Zhang Cheng, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. At this moment, he must summon all his vigilance, guarding this land and the unconscious Zhang Cheng.

Yet, shortly after Kelinda and the mysterious Elf departed, the Lan Xing Guardian suddenly sensed an abnormal fluctuation in the surrounding energy. A cold, evil aura, like a poisonous snake spitting venom, silently surged from all directions, encircling him.

He snapped his head up, eyes blazing, scanning the dense mist around, and shouted, "Who is there? Come out!"

The only response was a hair‑raising silence.

Alarm bells rang in the Lan Xing Guardian's mind, an inexplicable unease rising within him. He realized this enemy was far from ordinary, possibly far stronger than he imagined.

He took a deep breath, pushing his own energy to the limit, readying for battle.

At that moment, a grim voice, as if from the depths of hell, bearing a chilling dread, whispered in his ear, "Jie jie jie… such keen perception… but do you think you alone can stop me?"

The Lan Xing Guardian's pupils suddenly contracted; he whirled to face the direction of the voice, and saw a tall, burly figure slowly emerging from the mist.

"A hidden strongman of the Blood Night Demon Family…" The Lan Xing Guardian recognized the newcomer at a glance, his heart sinking. He realized a fierce battle was inevitable…

He reached into his coat, trying to awaken Zhang Cheng, but found no response. He could only clench his teeth and say softly, "It seems I must rely on myself…"

In the Mist Forest, the atmosphere suddenly grew tense. The Lan Xing Guardian watched the figure materialize before him, a foreboding omen stirring within. The hidden strongman of the Blood Night Demon Family possessed unfathomable strength, far beyond those previous thugs.

He attempted to rouse Zhang Cheng, hoping he would recover quickly to face the crisis together. Yet, no matter how he called, Zhang Cheng remained in a deep slumber, as if trapped in an endless nightmare.

"Damn it!" the Lan Xing Guardian muttered, knowing that now he could count on no one but himself. His eyes burned like torches as he fixed his gaze on the enemy, his entire energy surging, ready for the impending storm.

"Jie jie jie… where's your helper? Hiding in fear?" the hidden strongman of the Blood Night Demon Family let out a bone‑chilling laugh, his tone full of contempt and mockery.

The Lan Xing Guardian ignored his provocation, coldly saying, "Less talk, if you want to fight, then fight!"

"Hmph, you clueless creature!" the hidden strongman of the Blood Night Demon Family roared, about to strike, when suddenly a mutation occurred!

The ground began to quake violently, as if something was about to burst from the earth. Then thick, massive vines, exuding a nauseating stench, shot up from the soil.

These vines moved at breakneck speed, like giant serpents, wildly sweeping toward the Lan Xing Guardian and Zhang Cheng. The Lan Xing Guardian startled, clearly not expecting such a turn. He shoved Zhang Cheng aside, leapt into the air, narrowly evading the vines' assault.

Yet the vines seemed to have eyes, relentlessly pursuing him, coiling around him. The Lan Xing Guardian swung his energy sword, cutting the vines one by one. Horrifyingly, the severed vines quickly regrew, increasing in number and ferocity.

"Damned, what kind of ghost thing is this?!" the Lan Xing Guardian shouted while fending off the vines, frantically searching for a way to break them. Yet the vines seemed endless, impossible to eradicate.

He gradually felt his strength waning, his movements slowing. The vines grew even more brazen, like maggots on a foot, encircling him tighter and tighter.

"Hahaha… enjoy this despair!" the hidden strongman of the Blood Night Demon Family cackled triumphantly, as if he already saw the Lan Xing Guardian being devoured by the vines.

At that moment, his gaze fell on the unconscious Zhang Cheng nearby, a cold smile curling his lips, "Since you so desperately want to save him, then…"

The hidden strongman of the Blood Night Demon Family said no more, but his evil eyes revealed his intent. He flickered, becoming a shadowy silhouette, and rushed toward the unconscious Zhang Cheng.

"Despicable!" the Lan Xing Guardian roared, trying to stop him, but it was too late. Countless vines, like maggots on a foot, tangled him, making escape impossible. He swung his energy sword fiercely, cutting vine after vine, yet they seemed endless, quickly regrowing to trap him firmly.

Watching the hidden strongman of the Blood Night Demon Family close in on Zhang Cheng, the Lan Xing Guardian burned with urgency yet had no solution. He could only watch helplessly, praying for a miracle.

The hidden strongman of the Blood Night Demon Family reached Zhang Cheng, looked down at the unconscious body, a cruel cold glint in his eyes. He slowly raised his hand, his palm forming a black energy sphere that radiated a terrifying, heart‑pounding aura.

"Die!" the hidden strongman of the Blood Night Demon Family snarled, hurling the black energy sphere at Zhang Cheng.

At that critical moment, a green light suddenly descended from the heavens, enveloping Zhang Cheng. The black sphere struck the green light, emitting a deafening boom, yet it did not harm Zhang Cheng at all.

The green light faded, revealing a petite figure beside Zhang Cheng. She wore transparent wings and a jade‑green dress, her long silver hair cascaded like a waterfall, her delicate features as beautiful as an Elf, and her emerald eyes sparkled with curiosity.

"Who are you?" the hidden strongman of the Blood Night Demon Family was startled by the sudden turn, frowned, and eyed the girl warily.

The mysterious Elf ignored the hidden strongman, tilted her head, curiously examined the unconscious Zhang Cheng, extended a slender finger, gently poked his cheek, murmuring, "What a strange human, how does he have…"

Before she could finish, she seemed to sense something, jerked her head up, looking into the distance.

"Bad!" the Lan Xing Guardian's face changed dramatically, shouting, "Stop her, she's about to…"