Chapter 177: Black Crow Netherfire!

"Correct, but... no reward."

Old Man Black Crow's expression flickered. Ye Yuan's strength exceeded his expectations, with an endless array of tricks that were impossible to guard against.

If not for his keen intuition, that strike from Ye Yuan might have cost him half his life.

His injuries were already severe; if he suffered more, he might really fall here today.

"You've actually mastered an external incarnation. Could it be related to the treasure that appeared this time? What exactly is it?" Old Man Black Crow's heart stirred as he asked.

"Want to know? That depends on whether you have the skill to pry it out of me!" Ye Yuan snorted coldly.

Old Man Black Crow was a man of extensive knowledge; with a single glance, he recognized Ye Yuan's technique and connected it to the Pure Sandalwood Fire Lotus.

However, Ye Yuan was not naive enough to enlighten him.

The Pure Sandalwood Fire Lotus was his greatest trump card now; only a fool would reveal such a card.

By refining the Pure Sandalwood Fire Lotus, Ye Yuan naturally gained an external incarnation.

Although this incarnation was not as powerful as the original body, it had one advantage: as long as the original Pure Sandalwood Fire Lotus remained intact, incarnations could be generated endlessly.

Moreover, the external incarnation was almost identical to the original, making it difficult to distinguish without special means. It was most effective for confusing the opponent.

Earlier, Ye Yuan had condensed an external incarnation while his true body quietly burrowed underground, aiming for a surprise attack.

But unexpectedly, Old Man Black Crow was very cautious and barely dodged the strike.

"Kid, I admit you're strong! But this is as far as you go! You can be proud that you forced me to use this move!" Old Man Black Crow's face darkened as he spoke.

He flipped his palm, and a cluster of black flame danced in his hand, sending a chill down one's spine.

The black flame was shaped like a crow, clearly extremely formidable.

"Black Crow Netherfire!" Ye Yuan's expression changed as well.

"I didn't expect you, at such a young age, to be so knowledgeable. Indeed, this is the flame that made me famous—a third-grade primal flame, Black Crow Netherfire!" Old Man Black Crow said solemnly.

Any martial artist familiar with primal flames knew a common truth: black flames were mostly not to be trifled with, regardless of their grade.

Because black flames were often ethereal fires, without substance, and extremely powerful. Ethereal fires were not only difficult to defend against but also directly attacked the martial artist's soul.

Once contaminated by ethereal fire, even if one survived by luck, it would erode the soul like a clinging bone until death!

Old Man Black Crow was famous because, at the Crystal Condensation realm, he had refined the third-grade primal flame Black Crow Netherfire, becoming an extremely powerful existence in that realm.

Now that he had stepped into the Ocean Transformation realm, the Black Crow Netherfire was still not outdated.

On the contrary, his increased strength nourished the Black Crow Netherfire, making it even more powerful.

Now, the Black Crow Netherfire was only one step away from advancing to a fourth-grade primal flame!

Even Ocean Transformation realm experts would not want to provoke the current Black Crow Netherfire. Using it against someone like Ye Yuan, who was at the Spirit Liquid realm, was overkill.

But this was likely Old Man Black Crow's ultimate trump card. That he planned to use it against Ye Yuan showed how seriously he regarded him.

"How despicable, using Black Crow Netherfire against me!" Ye Yuan gritted his teeth, looking very uneasy.

"Kid, don't blame me. If you weren't so troublesome, I wouldn't have used my natal primal flame. Now, you can die!"

Old Man Black Crow's eyes turned fierce, and with a push of his palm, the black crow vanished instantly.

"Ah!"

The next moment, Ye Yuan suddenly screamed, his entire body engulfed in black flames, a terrifying sight.

But Old Man Black Crow showed no pride; instead, he snorted, "Hmph, another external incarnation. Let's see how long you can hide! Once your pill's effect wears off, what will you use to evade my Black Crow Netherfire!"

As Old Man Black Crow finished speaking, the 'Ye Yuan' opposite him dissolved into nothingness amid screams.

Another external incarnation!

Old Man Black Crow waved his hand, and the Black Crow Netherfire instantly pierced through a stone pillar, followed by another scream.

But as before, Ye Yuan dissolved into nothingness.

"Hide! Keep hiding! Let's see how long you can last!" Old Man Black Crow said with a dark face.

He continuously drove the Black Crow Netherfire, destroying one 'Ye Yuan' after another. But what he destroyed were always fake Ye Yuans.

Old Man Black Crow's face turned ashen. This Ye Yuan was too troublesome! A mere Spirit Liquid fifth layer could condense so many external incarnations. Anyone else would have exhausted their primal power by now.

But Ye Yuan kept shifting positions, and Old Man Black Crow couldn't pinpoint his true body.

No matter how powerful his Black Crow Netherfire was, it was useless if it couldn't burn Ye Yuan!

However, Black Crow was not anxious, knowing that the pill Ye Yuan had taken to boost his realm must have a time limit and side effects.

Thus, before the pill's effect wore off, Ye Yuan would surely seek an opportunity to attack him.

He didn't even need to kill Ye Yuan himself; if he could withstand Ye Yuan's final strike, Ye Yuan would be at his mercy!

This kid had many secrets; a soul search later would likely yield plenty.

"Still not coming out? Having fun playing hide and seek? But your pill should be running out of time, right?"

After burning another 'Ye Yuan,' Old Man Black Crow shouted into the empty underground cave.

Just then, Ye Yuan's figure darted out from behind a stone pillar, unleashing the Nine Swords Technique!

This was Ye Yuan's first active attack since Old Man Black Crow had unleashed the Black Crow Netherfire, swift and fierce!

But Old Man Black Crow seemed to have anticipated this, sneering as the Black Crow Netherfire leaped from his palm and struck Ye Yuan instantly!

Before Ye Yuan could scream, the ground behind Old Man Black Crow burst open, and another figure shot out!

This was Ye Yuan's true body!

He had used the external incarnation to draw the Black Crow Netherfire, while his true body launched a fatal strike from behind!

This strike was perfectly timed, leaving Old Man Black Crow no chance to catch his breath!

Canghua Sword thrust straight at Old Man Black Crow's throat, now inches away!

Old Man Black Crow turned around, but his face showed no panic.

He suddenly smiled coldly: "I've been waiting for you!"

At those words, Ye Yuan's expression changed drastically.

Old Man Black Crow extended two fingers and lightly clamped down, catching Ye Yuan's Canghua Sword.

The next moment, black flames spread along the sword, quickly reaching Ye Yuan's hand holding the sword, then engulfing his entire body!

"Repeating the same trick, did you think I'd fall for it again? Naive! Now, you can die!" Black Crow sneered.

This time, the Black Crow Netherfire had burned Ye Yuan's true body!