Sludge suction system

Following the trail left by the four, the Crimson Flame Rhinoceros rampaged through the mountains and forests, finally arriving at the cave entrance hidden within. In an instant, the entire world seemed to be paused, only to be reactivated by a devastating force.

The demonic rhinoceros stood at the cave entrance, its massive body completely blocking out the sunlight, plunging the cave into darkness as if night had fallen prematurely. Flames raged around it, distorting and warping every inch of air, and the rocks at the cave's edge sizzled under the intense heat, like a low groan of unbearable pressure.

The demonic rhinoceros's eyes, as large as copper bells, gleamed with a terrifying blood-red light as it stared intently at the four people inside the cave, as if scrutinizing its prey. It opened its blood-red maw and let out a deafening roar, the sound waves rumbling as if to collapse the cave. This roar, filled with boundless rage and brutality, caused Zhu Xiang'er, Wu Dongzi, Shi Linnan, and Shi Yuan's hearts to clench violently, as if gripped tightly by an invisible hand.

Shi Linnan's legs went weak and he almost collapsed to the ground. The wooden stick in his hand fell to the ground with a "thud." He shouted in a trembling voice, "What... what kind of monster is this!" Zhu Xiang'er's face was as pale as paper, and her lips trembled slightly, but she suppressed her fear and hid behind Wu Dongzi.

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Wu Dongzi's forehead, but he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to remain calm. The staff in his hand shone brightly, and spiritual energy surged around him, trying to reassure his companions. He knew that he had to step forward at this moment.

Shi Yuan's expression was cold and stern, a glint of ghostly light flashing in his eyes. He quickly formed hand seals, summoning a group of vengeful spirits that slowly circled inside the cave, emitting mournful cries that intertwined with the roar of the demonic rhinoceros, making the whole scene even more terrifying.

The Crimson Flame Rhinoceros seemed enraged by the vengeful spirits summoned by the Corpse Yuan. It took a sudden step forward, its thick horn aimed directly at the cave entrance. Blazing flames burst forth from its mouth like a raging tongue of fire, instantly engulfing the cave entrance. The temperature inside the cave rose sharply, as if one were in a furnace.

Inside the cave, a scorching heat swept in like a tidal wave, and the terrifying pressure of the Crimson Flame Rhinoceros nearly suffocated everyone. In her extreme fear, a thought suddenly flashed through Zhu Xiang'er's mind, and she silently cried out in her heart, "Little Zha, please help us!"

In an instant, a faint light flashed beside Zhu Xiang'er, and the previously invisible Xiao Zha revealed itself. It was no longer the docile and cute cat; its body surged with light, and its form rapidly changed. In the blink of an eye, Xiao Zha transformed into a spirit guardian radiating mysterious runic light.

Runes flashed all over Xiao Zha's body as he charged towards the Crimson Flame Rhinoceros at the cave entrance. Sensing the threat, the rhinoceros turned around and spewed a blazing pillar of fire at Xiao Zha. Xiao Zha moved nimbly, performing a side somersault in mid-air to easily dodge the surging fire pillar. Then, taking advantage of the brief opening after the rhinoceros's fire breath, he dashed towards the rhinoceros's head like lightning.

Upon reaching it, Xiao Zha swung its claws, which shimmered with runic light, and viciously clawed at the Demon Rhino's eyes. The Crimson Flame Demon Rhino, in pain, let out a deafening roar, wildly shaking its head in an attempt to shake Xiao Zha off. However, Xiao Zha clung tightly to the Demon Rhino's head, constantly searching for an opportunity to attack.

Taking advantage of the fact that the Demon Rhino was preoccupied with Xiao Zha and unable to attend to other matters, Wu Dongzi quickly gathered his spiritual power, preparing to unleash a powerful spell. Shi Linnan also mustered his courage and picked up the wooden stick from the ground again. Although he knew that the stick wouldn't be of much use against such a powerful Demon Rhino, it was the little he could do for his companion at this moment. Shi Yuan, on the other hand, rapidly formed hand seals, controlling vengeful spirits to surround the Demon Rhino from all directions, attempting to disrupt its movements and create more opportunities for Xiao Zha.

Seizing the moment the demonic rhinoceros's eye was exposed again, Xiao Zha launched an all-out attack. Its claws gleamed with a blinding light, striking the rhinoceros directly in its left eye. With a piercing scream, blood gushed from the rhinoceros's left eye. It spun wildly in place, the gushing crimson blood instantly vaporized by the surrounding flames, turning into wisps of blood mist. The excruciating pain surged like a tidal wave, instantly overwhelming its reason, leaving only endless rage and a thirst for revenge in its heart.

It first shook its head wildly, with such force that the surrounding air vibrated violently. The veins on its thick neck bulged, and each swing produced a whooshing sound. It tried to shake the little scum off its head, but the little scum was agile and narrowly avoided it several times.

When its first plan failed, the demonic rhinoceros pawed the ground with its front hooves, kicking up a cloud of dust and gravel. Then, like an arrow released from a bow, it charged headlong toward the direction where Xiao Zha had been thrown. The earth trembled under its heavy footsteps, making a dull thud.

Upon approaching its target, the demonic rhinoceros charged with all its might, concentrating all its power into its horn. The horn, already incredibly sharp, was now engulfed in a layer of scorching flames due to its fury, as if it could pierce through everything.

At the same time, it opened its gaping maw and spewed out a thick pillar of flame. This flame was different from the previous one; it was accompanied by billowing black smoke, and the temperature was astonishingly high. Wherever it went, vegetation instantly turned to ashes, the ground was scorched and cracked, and magma faintly flowed in the cracks. The pillar of flame, like a raging torrent of fire, swept towards Xiao Zha, determined to burn him to ashes.

Under the frenzied counterattack of the Crimson Flame Rhinoceros, Xiao Zha's situation became increasingly difficult. The rhinoceros's attacks, as heavy as Mount Tai, came wave after wave, like an endless tidal wave, forcing Xiao Zha into a desperate situation.

The rhinoceros horn, wreathed in scorching flames, repeatedly pierced Xiao Zha with overwhelming force. Although Xiao Zha desperately dodged, its figure weaving through the flames, the relentless frequency of the attacks left it almost no chance to breathe. Each time the horn grazed past, it brought with it a blast of scalding heat, scorching Xiao Zha's fur and leaving behind horrifying scorch marks.

The terrifying pillar of flame followed like a shadow, scorching and distorting the air wherever it went. Little Scum nimbly flipped through the air, trying to avoid being engulfed by the flames, but the range of the fire was simply too vast, and the scorching shockwaves repeatedly sent it flying. Little Scum crashed heavily to the ground, its body leaving a long trail and raising a cloud of dust.

Little Zha struggled to its feet. The once-shining runes had dimmed, and its body was covered in wounds, from which blood seeped and dripped onto the scorched earth. Its breathing became rapid and heavy, each inhale accompanied by a violent cough—a painful manifestation of the flames burning its lungs.

Seeing that Xiao Zha was no longer able to resist, the demonic rhinoceros's eyes gleamed even more fiercely. It let out a deafening roar and launched another attack. Xiao Zha tried its best to dodge, but its body wouldn't obey its commands, its movements becoming sluggish and stiff. A hint of despair flashed in its eyes, as if it already foresaw that it was about to be completely defeated by this raging demonic rhinoceros.

Outside the Illusionary Forest, Grand Master Liu Jun frowned, her eyes fixed on the crystal ball emitting a faint glow before her. Inside the crystal ball, everything happening in the Spirit Deer Illusionary Forest unfolded like a dynamic scroll.

When he saw Zhu Xiang'er secretly summon Xiao Zha, Grand Preceptor Liu Jun's gaze was instantly drawn to it, his eyes filled with doubt and inquiry. He leaned forward slightly, chanting incantations, and used a more profound secret technique, trying to penetrate the mysterious mist of power surrounding Xiao Zha and see its true origin.

"What kind of spiritual creature is this? Why have I never seen any records of it in the ancient texts?" Grand Preceptor Liu Jun muttered to himself, deep wrinkles appearing on his forehead. In his long life, he had almost mastered all kinds of spiritual creatures and spells in the Spirit Deer Kingdom, but the appearance of Xiao Zha was completely beyond his comprehension.

In an instant, Xiao Zha transformed, runes flashing around its body, becoming a spirit guardian as it charged towards the Crimson Flame Demon Rhinoceros. Its fighting style and the power it displayed astonished the Grand Preceptor. Xiao Zha's movements were agile and precise, each attack perfectly avoiding the rhinoceros's defenses and striking its vitals. The runic light it emitted contained an ancient and powerful energy fluctuation, a fluctuation completely different from any known spiritual energy system in the Spirit Deer Kingdom.

National Preceptor Liu Jun rapidly formed hand seals, channeling streams of spiritual energy into the crystal ball in an attempt to capture the more subtle energy characteristics of Xiao Zha. However, whenever he was about to touch the core secret of Xiao Zha's power, it was as if an invisible force was blocking him from entering.

"Where did Zhu Xiang'er come to know such a mysterious being?" the Grand Preceptor pondered to himself. He knew that this suddenly appearing little rascal might completely change the future fate of Zhu Xiang'er and the Spirit Deer Kingdom. At this moment, he had to find out the little rascal's origin as soon as possible in order to make the right decision before the situation became more complicated.

Just as Xiao Zha and the Crimson Flame Demon Rhino were locked in a fierce and evenly matched battle, Shi Yuan, standing to the side, closed his eyes tightly and chanted incantations. The incantations were deep and obscure, as if they came from the abyss of endless darkness. As the chanting became more urgent, Shi Yuan's body began to tremble slightly, and his hands quickly formed hand seals, each seal emitting a deep black light.