Chapter 198: Unknown Realm

The gale howled, space twisted, and that powerful suction was like an invisible giant hand, mercilessly dragging Ji Chen and Ceng Yue into an unknown vortex.

The two felt their eyes go black, as if passing through a time-space tunnel, and when they could see their surroundings again, they were already in an eerie place.

The air was filled with unsettling energy fluctuations, like countless invisible tentacles, crazily testing their nerves.

Ji Chen instinctively gripped Ceng Yue's hand; that warm touch was his only comfort at this moment.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here," he said in a deep voice, his eyes sharp as knives, scanning the surroundings, as if wanting to see through this eerie place.

He knew this was definitely not a good place; a moment of carelessness would lead to total destruction.

Ceng Yue leaned tightly against Ji Chen, feeling the temperature of his palm, and the unease in her heart calmed down slightly.

She didn't speak, only using practical action to show her attitude, leaning tightly against him, as if as long as Ji Chen was there, she wouldn't be afraid of anything.

The coldness in her eyes also turned into a hint of reliance; this change could only be felt by Ji Chen.

However, this unknown place clearly didn't intend to give them a chance to catch their breath.

The surrounding environment began to change crazily; one second it was a sea of fire with raging flames, the scorching temperature wanting to burn everything to ashes; the next second, it turned into an ice cave with bone-chilling cold, the biting cold wanting to freeze their souls.

This extreme change was caught them off guard, as if they were in a giant purgatory.

Ji Chen tried to use his ability to stabilize the surrounding environment, only to be shocked to find that the ability within him was greatly suppressed here, as if shackled by an invisible layer, completely unable to exert its original power.

"Damn, is this place poisonous?" Ji Chen couldn't help but curse, his forehead covered in fine sweat; he had never encountered such a tricky situation, which was like having his skills banned in a game, simply making him want to go crazy.

The environment grew worse, the speed at which the ice and fire alternated increasing; Ji Chen could feel the ability within him being consumed rapidly, and this was just the beginning.

He gritted his teeth, knowing that if he couldn't find a way to break the situation quickly, he and Ceng Yue would probably really be buried here.

Just then, Ji Chen suddenly felt a strange energy surging within him; this energy was like a sleeping beast, slowly awakening...

Ji Chen suddenly remembered his Golden Finger, that special ability to absorb and convert supernatural energy!

Wasn't this strange energy fluctuation a special supernatural ability?

Bet on it!

He immediately concentrated, activated the Golden Finger, and tentatively absorbed the violent energy around him.

At first, this energy was violent, like a wild horse that had broken its reins, charging about, almost bursting his meridians.

Ji Chen groaned, his face instantly turning pale, and beads of sweat the size of beans rolled down his forehead.

"I'm fine," Ji Chen gritted his teeth, enduring the intense pain, and continued to activate the Golden Finger.

He knew this was his only hope; if he couldn't successfully absorb this energy, he and Ceng Yue would both be buried here.

Gradually, Ji Chen discovered that this violent energy began to become docile, like a tamed beast, flowing obediently through his meridians.

The ability within him also began to recover, even becoming more powerful than before.

"It worked!" Ji Chen was ecstatic, excitement flashing in his eyes.

He activated his ability again; this time, he felt a powerful force surge from within his body, and the oppressive environment around him began to turn around.

The changes of the ice and fire gradually slowed down, and the energy fluctuations in the air became less violent.

Ji Chen took a deep breath, feeling his whole body filled with strength.

He turned to look at Ceng Yue and found her looking at him with admiration, her eyes full of love.

Ji Chen felt Ceng Yue's passion, his heart filled with love; he pulled Ceng Yue into his arms and whispered in her ear: "Don't worry, I will protect you."

Suddenly, a trace of energy fluctuation that was hard to detect came from afar...

"Who?" Ji Chen turned his head suddenly, his eyes looking sharply toward the direction of the energy fluctuation.

That energy fluctuation was like a poisonous snake in the dark, approaching silently.

Ji Chen shielded Ceng Yue behind him, his eyes sharp as a hawk's, locking onto the source of the energy fluctuation.

"You hiding rat, get out here!" He roared, his voice like a bell, making the surrounding space tremble slightly.

"Hehehe..." An eerie laugh, as if from the depths of hell, made one's hair stand on end.

A man wearing a black cloak appeared out of thin air before them like a ghost.

He wore a ferocious mask, making it impossible to see his true face, and one could only feel endless malice from his cold eyes.

"Kid, your ability is not bad, actually able to absorb the energy of this space." The man in black's voice was hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing, making one's ears ache.

Before the words had finished, he raised his hand and waved, and a black energy wave, like a sharp blade, attacked Ji Chen.

Ji Chen's pupils shrank; this black energy wave gave him an extremely dangerous feeling, and he dared not be the slightest bit careless, hurriedly dodging to the side.

That energy wave flew past his cheek, bringing a stinging pain.

Ji Chen's heart froze; the strength of this man in black was absolutely not to be underestimated; it seemed he was going to encounter a tough nut today.

"Yue, be careful, this guy has some stuff!" Ji Chen said to Ceng Yue in a low voice, while activating the ability within him; streaks of dazzling light flickered on him.

He kicked off the ground and charged toward the man in black like a leopard.

The man in black's mouth curled into a cold smile; he brought his hands together, and a black barrier instantly appeared in front of him.

"Just by you, you want to hurt me?" His tone was full of disdain.

Ji Chen's fist slammed into the black barrier, emitting a dull roar; the barrier only shook slightly and was not broken.

Ji Chen secretly thought it was bad; the man in black's ability seemed a bit unsolvable, actually able to directly defend against his attacks.

"This guy's defense is a bit perverted!" Ji Chen complained in his heart, his eyes rolling; he changed his strategy, no longer clashing head-on, but using his agile footwork to constantly wander around the man in black, looking for flaws.

The man in black seemed provoked by Ji Chen's agile footwork; he let out a roar, and the black energy on his body erupted, forming streaks of black blades that attacked Ji Chen indiscriminately.

Ji Chen could only dodge constantly, feeling like he was playing dodgeball—so exciting.

"Damn, did this guy cheat?" Ji Chen complained in his heart, but he didn't give up; relying on his strong willpower and rich combat experience, he gradually adapted to the man in black's attack rhythm and began to look for a chance to counterattack.

Finally, Ji Chen seized an opportunity; he concentrated all his strength and slammed a punch, hitting the man in black's chest hard.

"Aww—" The man in black screamed, his body flying backward, hitting a piece of rock, and the rock instantly shattered into pieces.

"Finally broke the defense, just this?" Ji Chen grinned, his hands forming seals, and streaks of golden chains flew out from within him, instantly binding the man in black tightly.

The man in black was bound, his eyes under the mask full of terror; he struggled desperately but couldn't break free at all.

Ji Chen looked at the man in black triumphantly, feeling he looked simply cool.

"With your level, you dare to come out and act cool? Truly overestimating yourself!" He stood with his hands on his hips, looking arrogant, feeling he had already won.

Just when Ji Chen and Ceng Yue both thought the battle was over, the surrounding space suddenly began to shake violently, and a massive portal appeared before them out of thin air, a terrifying aura rushing toward them like a tide.

Ji Chen felt this powerful aura, his heart palpitating; he looked up at the massive portal, his expression solemn. ===== CHAPTER 199 =====