The air within the Ember Valley grew heavier as Ye Fang stepped deeper into the second zone. The once faint orange glow of ember stones was now blazing brighter, coating the walls in molten light. Heat shimmered like ripples across the stone ground, and the faint growl of beasts echoed from within the mist.
Ye Fang glanced at Yanhua, who perched gracefully on his shoulder. The little dragon's crimson scales glimmered faintly, her golden eyes sharp and alert. She sensed the danger before he did — a low, guttural roar resonated through the air.
Ahead, a massive creature emerged from the haze.
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[Lv.2 Ember Fang Panther]
Type: Fire Attribute Beast
HP: 800
Attack: 200
Defense: 150
Agility: 220
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Ye Fang's eyes narrowed. "Fast one."
The panther lunged, a streak of scarlet flame tearing through the dust. Ye Fang sidestepped with fluid precision, feeling the air distort from the beast's heat. His reflexes were faster than before — his body responding instinctively to Yanhua's resonance.
He darted forward, punching the beast across its jaw, sending it tumbling into a burning tree. Before it could rise, Yanhua opened her mouth, a small burst of fire breath exploding from her throat, engulfing the panther in crimson flame.
When the flames faded, the creature was nothing but ashes.
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[You have slain Lv.2 Ember Fang Panther]
[EXP +30]
[Level Up: Lv.3 → Lv.4]
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The feedback surged into him and Yanhua both. His stats jumped, and Yanhua's power swelled — her body glowing faintly as her aura expanded.
By the time they cleared the second zone, Ye Fang's stats had reached 110 in all attributes, while Yanhua had grown to Level 3, her stats soaring past 500 in every category. The Dragon Resonance now granted Ye Fang 30% of her attributes, boosting all his stats by 150.
Power thrummed through his veins — speed, strength, and awareness blending seamlessly.
"Yanhua," he said softly, feeling her tail flick behind his neck. "Let's keep going."
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The third zone was darker — shadows flickered along the red cliffs as rivers of magma bubbled below.
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[Lv.3 Magma Serpent]
Type: Fire Attribute Beast
HP: 1200
Attack: 300
Defense: 250
Agility: 180
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The Magma Serpent burst from beneath the earth, its scales dripping molten rock. Ye Fang dodged its strike as magma splattered across the ground.
"Yanhua!"
She roared, spreading her wings slightly, her fire aura intensifying. A torrent of flame burst forth — her first true "Fire Breath" unleashed with full power.
The serpent screamed as crimson flame devoured its body. Even its molten scales melted into slag. Ye Fang covered his face from the shockwave, heat stinging his skin. When the dust cleared, only smoke and bubbling lava remained.
Ye Fang exhaled. "So that's the power of a dragon..."
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[You have slain Lv.3 Magma Serpent]
[EXP +30]
[Level Up: Lv.4 → Lv.5]
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Yanhua chirped proudly, circling around him, her wings flicking embers into the air. Ye Fang smiled faintly. He could feel her joy echoing through their link.
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By the fourth zone, the air was thick with steam. The ground sizzled beneath their steps.
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[Lv.4 Scorchclaw Lizard]
Type: Fire Attribute Beast
HP: 1500
Attack: 400
Defense: 300
Agility: 260
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This time, the battle was longer. The lizard moved quickly, spitting molten stones. Ye Fang sprinted forward, dodging them by inches. His fists glowed faintly red as his qi surged through his veins.
He struck the lizard's chest, cracking its scales, and Yanhua's tail whipped around, slamming into the creature's face. The two fought in harmony — man and dragon, every movement fluid and synced.
The final blow came from Yanhua's fire breath, incinerating the lizard mid-leap.
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[You have slain Lv.4 Scorchclaw Lizard]
[Level Up: Lv.5 → Lv.6]
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The fifth zone greeted them with roaring geysers of fire.
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[Lv.5 Crimson Horned Bull]
Type: Fire Attribute Beast
HP: 2000
Attack: 500
Defense: 400
Agility: 230
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The bull's charge split the ground apart, flames erupting with every stomp. Ye Fang raised his arm and braced himself, qi reinforcing his body. The impact forced him back a few steps, his boots skidding across the scorched stone.
Yanhua leaped forward with a furious cry, her claws glowing molten gold. She slashed the bull's throat clean through, flames bursting outward like a dying star.
The beast collapsed.
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[You have slain Lv.5 Crimson Horned Bull]
[Level Up: Lv.6 → Lv.7]
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Ye Fang exhaled heavily. His body ached, but he could feel his strength rising with every kill.
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The sixth zone was filled with burning ashes swirling in the air.
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[Lv.6 Ashclaw Direwolf]
Type: Fire Attribute Beast
HP: 2500
Attack: 550
Defense: 450
Agility: 320
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The wolves attacked in packs, flames flickering from their fur. Ye Fang moved like a blur between them, his punches sending shockwaves through their bodies. Yanhua dived from above, her claws wreathed in red fire, shredding through their ranks.
When the last wolf fell, Ye Fang's level surged again.
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[You have slain Lv.6 Ashclaw Direwolf]
[Level Up: Lv.7 → Lv.8]
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Yanhua's body glowed brighter, her form growing slightly larger, her eyes burning with pride.
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At the seventh zone, the valley turned black — charred earth and broken flame crystals surrounded them.
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[Lv.7 Flamehide Bear]
Type: Fire Attribute Beast
HP: 3000
Attack: 600
Defense: 600
Agility: 250
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The bear's roars echoed through the cavern, shaking the ground. It swung its massive arm down — Ye Fang blocked it, the impact throwing sparks into the air.
"Yanhua, now!"
Yanhua soared high, her wings glowing with radiant flame. She unleashed a sweeping fire breath, carving through the bear's back. Ye Fang followed up, slamming his fist into the creature's chest, creating a thunderous explosion of flame and air.
The bear crashed to the ground, motionless.
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[You have slain Lv.7 Flamehide Bear]
[Level Up: Lv.8 → Lv.9]
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The eighth zone blazed brighter than the sun.
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[Lv.8 Volcanic Mantis]
Type: Fire Attribute Beast
HP: 3500
Attack: 700
Defense: 500
Agility: 400
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The mantis moved like a crimson flash, its scythe-like arms slicing through rock. Ye Fang barely parried one strike, the heat scorching his sleeves.
Yanhua's roar pierced through the air, and twin streams of flame shot from her mouth, striking both arms of the mantis and melting them to slag. Ye Fang then leapt in, his right fist bursting with qi, punching through the mantis's core.
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[You have slain Lv.8 Volcanic Mantis]
[Level Up: Lv.9 → Lv.10]
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The ninth zone was eerily silent. Lava rivers turned dark, their surfaces glassy and cold. A single beast prowled ahead.
––––––––––––––––––
[Lv.9 Emberback Crocodile]
Type: Fire Attribute Beast
HP: 4000
Attack: 800
Defense: 700
Agility: 280
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Its body was armored in glowing magma plates. It lunged, jaws wide. Ye Fang vaulted above its head, planting a punch directly between its eyes. Yanhua spiraled downward, striking from the side with a blast of flame that engulfed the entire creature.
The explosion sent shockwaves echoing through the valley, shaking molten stone loose from the cliffs.
When the fire cleared, the crocodile lay still, its body cracked and cooling.
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[You have slain Lv.9 Emberback Crocodile]
[Level Up: Lv.10 → Lv.11]
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The tenth zone was different — silent, oppressive, and glowing red with concentrated spiritual fire. The beasts here moved slower but radiated enormous power.
––––––––––––––––––
[Lv.10 Infernal War Ape]
Type: Fire Attribute Beast
HP: 5000
Attack: 900
Defense: 800
Agility: 350
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It beat its chest, releasing a wave of flame that distorted the air. Ye Fang clenched his fists, and Yanhua landed beside him, eyes burning gold.
"Let's finish this together."
They rushed forward — Ye Fang's punches clashing with the ape's fists, the shockwaves cracking the valley floor. Yanhua circled above, unleashing precise fire blasts each time the ape tried to overpower Ye Fang.
One strike. Two. Three.
The final blow came when Ye Fang's punch connected with the ape's jaw at the exact moment Yanhua's flame struck from above. The explosion engulfed the area in white heat.
When the dust settled, the Infernal War Ape's body lay shattered and burning.
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[You have slain Lv.10 Infernal War Ape]
[Level Up: Lv.11 → Lv.14]
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Yanhua landed beside him, her body shining brighter than ever. Her level had risen to 9, only one step away from completing her evolution.
Ye Fang looked toward the end of the valley, where a massive obsidian gate loomed. Beyond it, an aura so immense that even Yanhua tensed.
He took a deep breath, his eyes calm yet sharp.
By the time Ye Fang reached the boss room, he had already leveled up to 14.