"The injuries are quite severe, and you're both weak and arrogant." Chaos mocked while using Iris's body to launch attacks, his body constantly burning with black flames to repair the damage caused by Rodney.

Iris couldn't retort under Chaos's reprimand and could only silently watch as Chaos controlled her body to engage in combat with Rodney.

Swords clashed and resounded with a "clang" as sword energy filled the air and gusts of wind blew, causing leaves to flutter.

Within a mere ten minutes, Chaos firmly had the upper hand against Rodney. Rodney's body was covered in countless wounds, blood gushing out in an embarrassing manner.

Chaos's swordsmanship clearly surpassed Rodney's, every move exuding a deadly intent, leaving Rodney exhausted from resisting.

"Boom—!"

Rodney suddenly leapt into the air, evading Chaos's attack. At the same time, he spread his demonized wings, charging towards Iris like a projectile.

"Clang~"

With a crisp sound, Chaos raised his sword to block. There was a noticeable depression beneath his feet, his body shook as he moved backward, and traces of blood oozed from the corner of his mouth.

"Vampire girl, your physical condition is really pathetic. There is an obvious decline compared to before!" Chaos wiped away the blood from his lips and said indifferently.

"Chaos, can you defeat Rodney?" Iris anxiously asked.

"The extent of my strength depends on the limits of your body. For now, my swordsmanship surpasses the opponent's, but I am far inferior to Rodney in terms of strength, stamina, speed, and resistance to attacks." Chaos parried Rodney's relentless attacks while speaking, "Vampire girl, please be quiet when I'm fighting. You're distracting me."

Iris: "......"

Rodney's attacks were fierce, but Chaos adeptly evaded them while seeking opportunities to counterattack.

Although Chaos inflicted numerous wounds on Rodney, he didn't harm Rodney fundamentally. At most, he caused more bleeding, making it appear more disadvantaged.

Chaos spread his bat wings while fleeing and engaging Rodney in battle. He occasionally used black flames to launch ranged attacks.

"Vampire princess, are you trying to buy time?" Rodney suddenly shouted, wielding his giant sword and fiercely chopping down. An terrifying beam instantly slashed towards Chaos.

Chaos swung his right arm, and the chains of evil fire burst out, entangling the blade of Rodney's sword and reducing it to a pile of fragments. Meanwhile, the chains of evil fire wrapped around Rodney's left leg, sealing off his magical abilities.

Taking advantage of the situation, Rodney grabbed hold of the chains of evil fire and forcefully threw Chaos towards the ground, causing the ground to crack and revealing a deep chasm.

"Vampire princess, it's surprising that you also possess remnants of a demon. It seems that I should take them from you as well." Rodney smirked, "Now, your time to die."

After saying so, Rodney threw a powerful punch at Chaos's body.

Chaos groaned as a tearing pain spread in his chest, followed by a metallic taste rising in his throat. He opened his mouth and coughed up a mouthful of blood, splattering onto the ground.

Chaos retracted the chains of evil fire, quickly stood up, and immediately distanced himself from Rodney. Looking down at Rodney with a condescending tone, he said, "It's time to end this."

"Hahaha!" Rodney laughed recklessly, "End it? Even if I can't use magic, you still won't be my match. Accept your death."

Rodney waved his hands, and his wings, transformed into a demonic form, flapped behind him as he pounced forward.

Chaos narrowed his eyes, coldly sneering, stood there motionless, waiting for Rodney's attack.

"Bang!"

Rodney's body suddenly dropped from the air, becoming extremely weak, as if he could die at any moment.

"That...that chain has a problem?!" Rodney looked at Chaos, his eyes devoid of fear. Perhaps this was the pride of an elven general, never giving up one's dignity no matter how difficult the situation.

Chaos slowly walked towards Rodney, a cruel arc forming on his lips. "The Lock of Evil Fire has no problem, its ability is just to seal the opponent's magic. Don't you know that the black and red key you used has side effects?"

"Side effects? What side effects?!" Rodney was startled.

"This key is called the 'Chaos Key'. It can unlock its own potential. How much it can unlock depends on the extent of the key's rotation. If you completely unlock your own potential with the 'Chaos Key', you will die within an hour. Everything has a price, there is nothing free in this world." Chaos brandished the Star of Cruelty in his hand, beheading the opponent, and the crimson liquid dripped onto the ground.

"Come back, key." Chaos extended his right hand, and the key obediently returned to Chaos's palm, transforming into a ring worn on his middle finger of the left hand.

"I return control of your body to you!" As Chaos's voice fell, Iris regained control of her body.

The moment she regained control, Iris fell to the ground, trembling all over, sweat dripping from her forehead. She held her painfully throbbing abdomen, panting heavily.

"Chaos, it hurts... I feel like my ribs are broken, please help me heal..." Iris gritted her teeth, weakly pleading with Chaos.

"I don't feel pain, just lie down for a while and you'll be fine." Chaos shrugged.

"Wuwuwu~~~" Iris immediately burst into tears, tears streaming down her face. "You want me to lie down in this place for a year, two years, or even longer, but I don't want to. Please help me heal, wuwawuwawu~~~"

"As expected, crying and throwing a tantrum." Chaos sighed inwardly, then ignited black flame on Iris's body, starting to heal her injuries.

Iris's breathing gradually stabilized, her originally pale face slowly regaining color, and the injury to her abdomen was gradually healing.

"You have to become proficient in swordsmanship and marksmanship sooner or later." Chaos spoke, "Don't fight against guys like Rodney in the future. He is a battle-hardened general who has been trapped here for nearly a million years. I assume he spends his time practicing swordsmanship or magic every day. And you? You've only been practicing for a few years and you think you can win against him? That's just wishful thinking."

"But..." Iris pouted, "it was an accident this time..."

"Accident?" Chaos was somewhat speechless, "You are so stubborn! I was only stronger in swordsmanship than Rodney! In that state, I couldn't withstand his attacks. If Rodney knew that unlocking the full potential of the key would cause him to die within an hour, do you think we could win? Without stalling for time, we would undoubtedly die!"

Iris had no reason to argue and could only silently accept the lecture.

"A half-hearted person is always a half-hearted person. Everything is half-hearted. You will never be a qualified Your Majesty in your life. Do you understand?" Chaos lectured Iris.

"Well... I understand. I will definitely practice my marksmanship harder in the future," Iris said softly, lowering her head like a guilty kitten.

"Remember my words! Be an example for Baixi as well."

"Yes..."

Gradually, the sun set and night fell. The sky grew darker and was shrouded by pitch-black clouds.

Iris's wounds had mostly healed. After all, she was a vampire with strong vitality, and coupled with the fast healing magic of Chaos, her recovery speed was remarkable.

"It's getting late. Let's rest here for the night, and I will keep watch," Chaos said calmly.

"Thank you."

Unconcerned, Chaos conjured a small black flame on Iris's right arm.

...

Shuowang Empire.

Lilanzi had searched for the straw man that Baixi had mentioned all day, but found nothing. She couldn't understand why there would be a straw man in the palace. Could it be that Baixi was mistaken?

Lilanzi also asked the palace guards, but they had never seen a straw man, not even a single straw.

"Could this be Baixi's prank? Making up this straw man, but what is her purpose? Just for amusement?"

Lilanzi then dismissed this idea. If Baixi was really just playing around, she would be far too bored. She decided to inform Iris about these things.

For her safety, Baixi slept with Lilanzu again tonight.

Federer remained in a dormant state, showing no signs of action.