Chapter 24: The Enraged Flame Beast

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Xiaobaxia, the mystic turtle, also took off running. As for how a turtle could run so fast, it could probably only be explained by its divine bloodline.

What is known as a spirit field is a place rich in innate spiritual energy. People would survey and explore these areas, and once found, they would clear the land, set up formations, build farms, and recruit tenants, forming a business.

Some spirit fields can be hundreds or even thousands of acres large, forming a massive farm, and sometimes even a castle. These are usually controlled by large forces.

Spirit fields also vary in quality. Some excellent spirit fields produce spirit rice with both high yield and quality, known as mid-grade or high-grade spirit fields. The small spirit field of Chen Mo's family, however, is only of low grade.

Spirit rice is not ordinary rice; it is planted sparsely with thick stems. Each large ear of rice only bears seven or eight grains of spirit rice. But each grain is several times larger than ordinary rice, long and spindle-shaped. At this point, the spirit rice has started to fill with grain, gradually becoming plump and swollen.

This is one of the most critical moments for the maturation of spirit rice. The quality of the spirit field and the richness of the nutrients during the filling stage will affect the final quality of the spirit rice. After removing the husk, the grains of spirit rice are beautiful and full of spiritual energy.

No wonder Chen Mo was worried; the farm was the only asset the small family could offer.

In addition to about a hundred acres of ordinary farmland, there was one precious acre of spirit field. If properly cultivated, this acre of spirit field could produce a hundred pounds of spirit rice annually.

After deducting the portion to be paid to the family and other expenses, the family could still have about thirty pounds of spirit rice left.

Eating spirit rice regularly can subtly refine the tendons, bones, and blood, enhancing physical strength. It makes cultivation much more efficient.

In the family, the eldest son, Chen Hao, had his legs crippled and was already a cripple. Chen Mo, due to his poor aptitude, was considered to have a "leaky body" and had his monthly resources reduced by the clan. The third child, Helian Huo Wu, at just thirteen years old, showed astonishing cultivation talent. Unfortunately, she was a foster child and not a direct descendant of the Chen clan, so she was not allowed into the ancestral hall and received a lower monthly allowance than other clan members.

If the spirit field's yield were to drastically decrease, it would exacerbate their current difficulties.

A series of shouts echoed within the farm. At the edge of the central spirit field, a large, red beast weighing three to four hundred pounds was wreaking havoc.

The beast had fierce fangs and a body covered in dark red scales like flames, looking mighty and ferocious as it rampaged through the area, leaving destruction in its wake.

It was a Flame Beast, and it was surprisingly large.

Four or five strong tenants, armed with spears and bows, were shouting from a distance, forming a human wall to prevent the beast from entering the spirit field.

A middle-aged man with a limp, wearing armor and wielding a ring-headed saber, was fiercely battling the Flame Beast. Each swing of his saber was enveloped in a layer of pale flame, showing considerable power, as if it could split rocks.

His movements were steady, accurate, and ruthless, but he could only cut through the beast's skin. Blood flowed, and the beast's ferocity increased. It roared and lunged with its fangs, pressing forward step by step.

Despite this, the man, relying on his agility, managed to wound the beast several times.

The injured Flame Beast roared in anger, circling around and suddenly lowering its head to charge at one of the tenants. The speed was so sudden that there was no time to react.

The Flame Beast, whether in terms of its fiery aura or physical strength, far exceeded that of a normal person. Even if two or three middle-aged men were to fight it with all their might, they would likely end up dead or severely injured.

"Beast! How dare you!" The middle-aged man was both shocked and angry, but it was already too late. The tenant was about to be gutted and die on the spot.

"Hmph." A cold snort echoed, and everyone's eyes blurred. Before they could react, a loud thud was heard.

When they refocused, they saw a young man standing majestically, his hand retracting, while the Flame Beast was forced back three meters.

"Second Young Master!" The crowd was overjoyed. This young man was none other than Chen Mo, who had just arrived.

"Everyone, step back. Don't give it a chance to attack again." Helian Huo Wu had wanted to join the fight, but Chen Mo stopped her with the excuse of testing his skills. She watched from the side to prevent any unforeseen events and to allow the tenants to disperse, so as not to interfere with Chen Mo.

"Ao ao~" The Flame Beast, looking battered, shook its body and head, roaring loudly, the sound piercing the eardrums. In its anger, a thin layer of flames burned around its body, making it look even more formidable.

The Flame Beast pawed the ground with one leg, its eyes fixed on Chen Mo. Its entire body radiated a fierce aura, making it a formidable opponent. After a brief standoff, it charged at Chen Mo with its vicious fangs.

The attack was fierce, and in the blink of an eye, it was only half a meter away. For close combat, this distance meant an inevitable defeat.

Suddenly, the Flame Beast raised its head and kicked, increasing its speed. Its fangs, like a spear, aimed straight for Chen Mo's throat. If it hit, Chen Mo would surely be splattered with blood.

The air compressed into a strong wind, and Chen Mo's hair was blown back, creating an invisible pressure.

"Second Brother!"

"Master, get out of the way!"

The sudden change in the situation caught everyone off guard. Even Helian Huo Wu would not have dared to face such an attack head-on. Everyone was on edge.

"Vajra Path Clearing"

Chen Mo roared, his aura surging, transforming him into a wrathful Vajra.

His fist met the beast's forehead, a hard collision.

"Bang"

The Flame Beast shook its head after landing, having been injured by the impact. However, it was known for its thick skin and tough flesh, so the injury was not severe.

Chen Mo took three steps back to steady himself. The strength of the Flame Beast was indeed formidable, and the counter-shock had caused him some internal injuries.

In the past, such an attack would have left him severely injured.

A faint green light of Bright Aura circulated within him, calming his boiling blood.

Chen Mo's face was resolute and calm, his eyes burning with fighting spirit. By all accounts, this Flame Beast was a second-stage beast, with combat strength similar to a mid-level Spirit Apprentice, but this one was even stronger.

People only improve when forced, and only by constantly challenging themselves can they reach new heights.

The Bright Aura circulated, and the practice of Vajra Fist made him even more imposing.

The Flame Beast seemed to have some intelligence and did not attack recklessly. Its aggressive eyes stared at Chen Mo.

"Ao..." It snorted and charged, its fangs aimed at Chen Mo.

Chen Mo, having learned from the previous hard collision, did not repeat the mistake. He used his leg strength to sidestep, and the Flame Beast, missing its target, left a pit in the ground.

The Flame Beast, being large, was slower than Chen Mo. But as soon as Chen Mo landed, the Flame Beast stopped, its hooves stirring up dust, and it turned, its fangs gleaming, quickly lunging at Chen Mo.

Chen Mo, just as he landed, felt a strong wind. He remained calm and used a move called "Ten Thousand Year Green," positioning himself to block.

He hard-blocked the Flame Beast's charge, the fierce and domineering force pushing him back three to four steps, and he almost spat blood.

Beasts are beasts, with brute strength.

"Vajra Power Display"

Chen Mo stopped, then lunged forward, his body like a Vajra, his shoulders like a battering ram. This move, though seemingly slow, was actually fast. The Flame Beast, just as it raised its head, was hit by Chen Mo's powerful body, rolling several times before stopping.

Dust and dirt covered its body, making it look pitiful. But Chen Mo knew that with the Flame Beast's resilience, it was far from being killed.

Sure enough, the Flame Beast shook its body, and dust swirled, making it hard to see.

Suddenly, a flame appeared, growing larger, and the surrounding air felt scorching. The dust had a burnt and pungent smell. Chen Mo's heart sank, but his steps did not retreat.

"Roar!" Accompanied by a deafening roar, the flames surged, and the Flame Beast's fierce form darted out.

Although the beast was enraged, Chen Mo did not dodge. He roared, his fighting spirit surging.

"Vajra Path Clearing"

Chen Mo roared, taking a large step forward, his body charging. With the power of the Bright Aura, he was like a Vajra descending, majestic and imposing.

He seized the opportunity, gathering all his strength into one punch. He rose and charged, breaking through like a bamboo shoot, striking with irresistible force.

"Bang!" His fist was like an iron hammer, and the Flame Beast's belly like a heavy drum. If it were a drum, it would have been shaken violently. Unfortunately, the beast, though strong, was still a living creature. The punch, though not breaking the skin, hit its heart.

Almost all living beings have weak points. For the Flame Beast, like humans, if its head were crushed, it would surely die.

Chen Mo knew this, but the beast's head was as hard as steel. He had to hit its heart indirectly, and the Flame Beast let out a tragic howl in mid-air.

As Chen Mo landed, a heavy thud echoed behind him, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

The beast, after all, was just a beast, lacking sufficient intelligence. It could not adapt, and the once arrogant Flame Beast now lay on the ground, moaning and spitting blood, its body convulsing.

Chen Mo walked up, touched its throat, and squeezed hard.

The Flame Beast kicked its legs twice and then died.

"Second Brother, you're amazing." Helian Huo Wu's eyes sparkled with admiration as she ran over, cheering, "Second Brother, you've worked hard. I'll take care of the spoils." She went over to help.

Seeing her happiness, Chen Mo let her do as she pleased. Such a large Flame Beast could provide meat to replenish blood and qi.

Everyone was delighted. Although the Flame Beast had destroyed buildings and walls, it had not damaged the spirit field. As long as the nearly mature spirit rice was not harmed, everything was fine.

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(End of Chapter 24)