C20 The Crisis of Death 2

"It's a shame the tomato and egg stir-fry I made at noon didn't turn out right."

In the blink of an eye, the last thought that popped into his head was somewhat amusing.

"Hu!"

Before Wu Dayong's punch could land, Xia Liang suddenly sprang into action, hurling his phone with all his might.

Clearly outmatched, he wasn't about to just sit there and accept his fate; that wasn't in his nature.

Regrettably, this time his phone didn't strike Wu Dayong as it had his teacher's head. It was snatched out of the air by Wu Dayong with blinding speed, and then a burst of red flames erupted from his hand.

The phone, composed of plastic, glass, and metal, rapidly vaporized in the fiery grasp of Wu Dayong's palm, turning to ash.

The metal and glass stood no chance against the fierce flames, melting and then vaporizing in moments.

"Kid, in your next life, be sure to open your eyes a bit wider."

Wu Dayong, his fist ablaze with a basketball-sized flame, raised it with a cold smirk.

The thrill of vengeance surged through him like adrenaline.

But just as he was about to bring his fist down, it suddenly...

Stopped.

Out of nowhere, a vine as thick as a wrist sprang forth, coiling around his arm.

"Shan, what's this about?" Wu Dayong looked back in mild shock at the vine's owner, King Xiaoshan.

"Brother Dayong, I hate to let you down, but he... he's Xia Quanhai's son. I can't just stand by and do nothing," King Xiaoshan stammered, his voice quivering as he remembered Wu Dayong's frightening power in the restaurant bathroom.

"So what if he's Xia Quanhai's son? Is Xia Quanhai your father? Why are you defending him?" Wu Dayong was puzzled.

"Mr. Gould must have told you, I'm an orphan. Seven years ago, a fire in Nightmare City claimed my parents' lives. I was on the brink of death when Xia Quanhai arrived just in time to save me. So..." King Xiaoshan glanced at Xia Liang, who was returning his gaze, and explained with a wry smile.

"I... I..."

"Shan, loyalty is admirable, but sometimes, you've got to match it with strength!"

Wu Dayong was torn, unsure whether to show anger or approval. With a light tug, the vine that Xia Liang couldn't budge split in two.

The severed vine writhed as if trying to entangle him again, but suddenly, it burst into flames with a loud "boom," crackling fiercely.

"Out of respect for Mr. Gould, I'll let this slide. Now get lost."

With that, Wu Dayong turned to see Xia Liang, who had used his clothes to shield his face, leaping through the fire. His clothes caught fire, and he was now awkwardly rolling on the ground trying to put out the flames.

A smirk played on Wu Dayong's lips. "Run? Where do you think you're going?"

He reconsidered his approach, unclenched his fist, and the basketball-sized fireball dissipated. In its place, his broad palm ignited with a thin layer of flames, reaching for Xia Liang.

His intent was clear: to seize Xia Liang and let him burn slowly in his grasp, satisfying his thirst for vengeance.

But just as he was about to catch Xia Liang, another vine wrapped around his foot, slightly hindering his movement.

"Shan, you're really pushing your luck!" Wu Dayong was now visibly irritated.

He had been looking forward to savoring his revenge, but his new underling was proving to be as bothersome as a persistent fly.

In the heat of his anger, King Xiaoshan's eyes, which had been tightly shut in agony, snapped open.

"Go!"

He bellowed, and another vine burst from the shadows, coiling around Xia Liang's feet and hurling him over ten meters away. King Xiaoshan then channeled all his strength into three thick vines that rushed towards Wu Dayong, hoping to buy some time.

With a sigh, Wu Dayong stamped his foot, and a potent surge of Soul Power erupted, radiating outwards from him.

A fiery ring expanded rapidly, incinerating everything in its path—bushes, lawns, fences, and streetlights. The vines manipulated by King Xiaoshan caught fire upon contact and were reduced to ash.

The ring of fire continued to expand until it collided with the ashen-faced Jing Xiaoshan.

"Boom!"

Jing Xiaoshan was engulfed in flames, and as the fiery circle expanded, he was catapulted away, crashing to the ground not far off. His clothes and hair were singed, his skin charred black, and the air was filled with the scent of charred flesh. His fate, alive or dead, was uncertain.

The ring of fire vanished in a flash, leaving behind a scorched circle on the ground. Wu Dayong strode across the blackened earth, quickly overtaking Xia Liang, who was tumbling and scrambling away.

With a fiery grasp, Xia Liang was lifted helplessly into the air and then sent flying backwards into Wu Dayong's blazing grip.

In a moment, Xia Liang's body was alight, and he let out a harrowing cry of agony.