The moment Xu Chuan uttered these words, a deep, furious roar resounded from the magma sea behind the Divine Fire Crystal.
The sound was so immense, its power so potent, that the entire cave trembled.
Immediately after, Xu Chuan saw a colossal beast, entirely crimson and engulfed in flames, appear within the cave.
Upon its arrival, it fixed Xu Chuan with a hostile gaze, opened its cavernous maw, and spewed forth a torrent of terrifying flames.
"Huǒ Qílín?!"
Xu Chuan exclaimed in shock at the sight of the creature before him.
The being before him was identical to the Huǒ Qílín from his memories!
This was precisely why Xu Chuan could identify it instantly!
Having been in this world for so long, he had already encountered both dragons and phoenixes.
This was his first time seeing a Qilin, and moreover, a Fire Qilin!
Records from the Profound Heaven Continent also mentioned Qilins, identifying them as symbols of auspiciousness.
From ancient times, there was a saying among mortals that the appearance of a Qilin dispels a hundred calamities.
However, this Fire Qilin before him was clearly not the mythical creature of legend.
It appeared to be a spirit of fire born from the rules of the Chaos Divine Fire within this Divine Fire Crystal!
Its purpose of existence was to guard the Divine Fire Crystal.
And the Divine Fire Crystal, in turn, helped this Fire Qilin grow stronger.
It was, in essence, the guardian beast of this Divine Fire Crystal!
Xu Chuan sensed that this Fire Qilin possessed cultivation at the peak of the Heavenly King realm.
Just like Xuan Lie before it, it was only one step away from breaking through to the Half-Emperor realm!
However, despite its formidable strength, this Fire Qilin seemed to lack any true sentience.
Xu Chuan had been observing it since its appearance.
But from beginning to end, he saw no glimmer of intelligence in the Fire Qilin's eyes, only ferocity and animosity!
It was clear that Xu Chuan's attempt to collect the Divine Fire Crystal had been perceived as an intrusion.
And for Xu Chuan to obtain the Divine Fire Crystal, he had no choice but to defeat this Fire Qilin!
In an instant, the cave was filled with a tense atmosphere.
On one side stood Xu Chuan, determined to claim the Divine Fire Crystal.
On the other, the guardian beast, the Fire Qilin, whose sole thought was to protect it.
Their strengths were matched, and the surrounding environment was advantageous to both.
It could be said that if a battle were to break out, it would undoubtedly be a fierce and prolonged one.
Xu Chuan understood this well.
He had no desire to fight at this moment.
This was because he could not linger here for long; Ning You Ci and Cui Jiang were waiting for him outside.
The Void Immortal Realm was already incredibly dangerous, and their solo journeys would only amplify the risks!
Therefore, Xu Chuan did not wish to waste too much time here.
Yet, judging by the Fire Qilin's demeanor, this battle seemed unavoidable.
The Fire Qilin, seeing Xu Chuan's continued inaction, was growing impatient.
Its hooves churned restlessly in the magma sea, and two streams of white smoke puffed from its enormous nostrils.
"Roar!"
It let out an enraged roar, so clear that Xu Chuan heard it distinctly even within the magma.
The magma stirred, sending ripples across its surface.
In response, Xu Chuan knew that a peaceful resolution was impossible.
He drew out his Town Prison Demonic Blade, preparing for combat.
Within this magma, close-quarters combat would allow him to unleash his full potential!
Raising his demonic blade, its dark crimson tip stood out remarkably against the magma.
Wisps of blade energy swirled around it, poised to be unleashed.
Xu Chuan spoke, "Fire Qilin, I recognize your arduous cultivation and do not wish to harm you. Retreat immediately, and I will spare your life!"
"I am determined to take this Divine Fire Crystal today!"
"If you continue to obstruct me, you will only meet your death!"
Xu Chuan still attempted to reason with it.
If reasoning worked, that would be best.
If it proved impossible, a deep killing intent flashed in Xu Chuan's eyes, and his entire being radiated malevolence.
At that point, he would no longer care if the Fire Qilin was some auspicious beast!
"Roar!"
The Fire Qilin reared its head and let out a deafening cry, completely ignoring Xu Chuan's words.
Had it not sensed Xu Chuan's considerable strength, it would have likely attacked him instantly.
It wouldn't have waited for Xu Chuan to speak.
After all, the Divine Fire Crystal was crucial for its potential breakthrough to the Half-Emperor realm and the birth of its sentience!
It was naturally impossible for it to relinquish it!
"Since you court death, then do not blame me!"
"Die!"
Xu Chuan roared, his power erupting to its extreme. The Town Prison Demonic Blade blazed with a dazzling crimson saber light.
Carrying the momentum to cleave through all, it descended towards the Fire Qilin's head.
In this strike, Xu Chuan held nothing back.
He wanted to end it quickly; any prolonged engagement would worry the two outside.
Moreover, this place had been arranged by that old man Li Yan, and there might be other hidden dangers.
Therefore, the sooner he ended the battle, the better!
"Roar roar roar!"
The Fire Qilin bellowed and roared, spitting a torrent of flames from its mouth that collided with Xu Chuan's saber light in the magma.
*Boom!*
The saber light and flames exploded, their tremendous energy waves scattering, causing immense surges in the magma sea.
At the center of the battle between man and beast, the Divine Fire Crystal remained motionless, floating upon a fire lotus.
"You have some strength!"
"But with only this much strength, you will not be able to keep the Divine Fire Crystal today!"
"I'll give you another chance. Relinquish the Divine Fire Crystal, and I will spare your life!"
Xu Chuan spoke to himself, regardless of whether the Fire Qilin understood.
"Awoo!"
Perhaps sensing Xu Chuan's taunt, the Fire Qilin spewed a river of fire, instantly engulfing Xu Chuan.
However, its flames were utterly ineffective against Xu Chuan, who possessed the Great Sun Demonic Saint Body!
They exerted less pressure on him than the surrounding magma.
"Stubborn fool!"
Xu Chuan said sternly, raising his long saber. A bloody saber energy descended from the heavens.
*Crack!*
The Fire Qilin's body was incredibly robust, allowing Xu Chuan's attack to land with ease.
With a resounding clang, a massive wound appeared on its mountain-like body, and blood gushed out like a spring.
*Oww!*
The Fire Qilin let out a mournful cry of pain.
In its previously ferocious and hateful eyes, traces of fear began to appear.
In just one exchange, Xu Chuan had inflicted such a heavy blow.
It also realized that its enormous size was its undoing.
Under Xu Chuan's watchful gaze, its colossal body began to shrink rapidly.
Within a few breaths, the Fire Qilin had reduced to the size of a fierce ox.
Its formidable aura also diminished considerably.
The wound inflicted by Xu Chuan on its body began to heal as it shrank, disappearing quickly.
It seemed that while the Fire Qilin's body had shrunk, its various functions had significantly improved.
"Roar!"
It let out another roar, and then its body moved like the wind, lunging towards Xu Chuan.
Its foreclaws were incredibly sharp, seemingly capable of tearing through anything.
It understood that its flames were useless against Xu Chuan, so it decided to engage in close-quarters combat!