“It’s still a Fire Qilin, a very rare Fire Qilin…”
Another cultivator said excitedly.
The one-eyed dragon’s eyes were gleaming with greed at that moment. He licked his lips and said, “This is a rare divine beast indeed. I never thought we’d encounter one in the seventh heaven.”
“And it’s just a cub. If we catch it, we’ll be rich beyond measure…”
The cultivators’ eyes burned with avarice. One of them rubbed his hands together and advanced towards the little Fire Qilin with a sinister grin. “Little fellow, follow us, and you’ll have food and drink aplenty. It’s far better than this desolate wilderness.”
The little Fire Qilin sensed the danger. Its fur bristled instantly, and flames erupted from its body with a whoosh, like a blazing miniature sun.
It let out an furious roar at the cultivator and spat a scorching pillar of flame straight towards him.
The cultivator had not anticipated such a fierce reaction from the little Fire Qilin. He was forced to retreat repeatedly by the flame pillar, his face filled with alarm.
But he soon steadied himself. His hands moved swiftly to form seals, and a curtain of water materialised before him, attempting to block the flames.
“Hmph, little thing. With that much skill, you won’t catch me.”
The one-eyed dragon snorted coldly. He waved his large hand. “Attack together. Don’t let it escape!”
The other cultivators, upon receiving the order, unleashed their spells towards the little Fire Qilin.
Some summoned flying swords that gleamed with cold light, streaking through the air like meteors aimed at the little Fire Qilin. Others cast wind-based spells, howling gales attempting to extinguish the flames on its body.
Under the barrage of attacks, the little Fire Qilin dodged left and right. Although its flames could fend off some assaults, facing so many cultivators’ combined onslaught, it was gradually becoming overwhelmed.
The glow of the flames on its body dimmed, and its movements lost their earlier agility.
Just as one cultivator seized the moment and reached out to grab the little Fire Qilin’s tail, a black shadow suddenly darted out from the side like lightning.
It was the little Swallowing Sky Beast. It opened its maw wide, and a tremendous suction force erupted instantly.
The surrounding air, the flying dirt, and even the hand of that cultivator about to touch the little Fire Qilin were all drawn in by the powerful pull.
The cultivator’s eyes widened in terror. He struggled desperately to break free from the suction’s grip, but his body flew uncontrollably towards the little Swallowing Sky Beast’s mouth.
“Ah! What kind of monster is this!”
The other cultivators cried out in shock upon seeing this. They temporarily halted their attacks on the little Fire Qilin and turned to deal with the little Swallowing Sky Beast.
One cultivator clenched his fists, his body radiating brilliant light as he charged towards the little Swallowing Sky Beast, intending to smash it away with a punch.
The little Swallowing Sky Beast showed no fear. It maintained the suction while nimbly evading the attack.
The cultivator’s fist grazed past the little Swallowing Sky Beast’s body but inflicted no harm.
Seeing the little Swallowing Sky Beast come to its aid, the little Fire Qilin perked up. The flames on its body flared brightly once more.
It spotted an opportunity and charged towards a nearby cultivator, slamming into him headfirst.
That cultivator was sent flying backwards, spewing a mouthful of blood.
The little Swallowing Sky Beast and the little Fire Qilin grew more in sync.
The little Swallowing Sky Beast continued to exert its suction, pulling the surrounding cultivators off balance.
The little Fire Qilin seized the chances to strike, using flames and body slams against the enemies.
Seeing the situation turn dire, the one-eyed dragon bellowed, “Give it everything you’ve got. Don’t let these two little beasts escape!”
His hands formed seals rapidly as he chanted incantations. A massive black palm formed above his head and slammed down viciously towards the little Swallowing Sky Beast and the little Fire Qilin.
The little Swallowing Sky Beast felt the immense pressure but did not retreat. Instead, it intensified the suction force.
At the same time, the flames on the little Fire Qilin’s body transformed into a fire dragon that surged towards the black palm.
