C37 – Protecting and Fighting for It

Liu Xingchang, along with Hong Tengqing, Hu Gewan, and Yan Tianni, stealthily departed from the battlefield. Liu Xingchang speculated, “No matter why the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard removed its Demon Core prematurely, it clearly doesn’t want humans to get their hands on it. Therefore, it must have fled in the opposite direction of where the Demon Core is hidden. We just need to search in the opposite direction of the lizard’s escape to find it.”

Yan Tianni, brimming with excitement, exclaimed, “A Fourth-Tier Demon Beast’s Demon Core could elevate all of our cultivation levels!”

Liu Xingchang affirmed with a smile, “Indeed, it can.”

They conversed while tracing the path they believed the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard had taken.

“There’s a cave over here!” Hu Gewan suddenly called out, pointing to a spot on the mountain wall not too far away. The wall was obscured by tall shrubbery, but a cave entrance was faintly visible.

​”Let’s check it out,” Liu Xingchang suggested, pulling out a fire starter from his pocket. After igniting it, he cautiously led the group into the cave.

The cave was expansive, yet reeked of a pungent odor. It was littered with an assortment of peculiar bones and carcasses, though it was unclear whether they belonged to humans or other Demonic Beasts. Known for its voracious appetite, the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard consumed a substantial amount of meat at each meal, leaving the cave nearly half-filled with the remains. Even the usually fearless Yan Tianni felt a shiver run down her spine, while Hong Tengqing, gripped by fear, clung tightly to Liu Xingchang’s arm.

​Unperturbed, Liu Xingchang pressed on and soon detected the scent of the Demon Core. The energy emanating from the Fourth-Tier Demon Beast’s Core was intensely powerful.

“Look over there,” Yan Tianni suddenly pointed out. Next to the Demon Core, there was a small creature the size of a human palm. It resembled a diminutive crocodile, lying still beside the Demon Core, its bright eyes fixed on it with covetous longing.

Hong Tengqing, the merchant’s son, had been apprehensive just moments before, but the sight of a potential opportunity sparked his enthusiasm. He excitedly proclaimed, “That’s the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard’s offspring—it’s incredibly valuable!”

​Liu Xingchang stepped forward, a furrow forming between his brows. He sensed that this little creature was not like the typical Blazing Giant Rock Lizard offspring.

As Hong Tengqing was about to pick up the creature to sell it in the next city, Liu Xingchang’s eyes narrowed, and he swiftly knocked Hong’s hand away. Hong looked up at Liu Xingchang, hurt and confused.

​”What’s the matter, Liu Xingchang?” inquired Yan Tianni.

Liu Xingchang shook his head. “We can’t move this youngster.”

​”Let’s go. We need to head out,” Liu Xingchang said, nodding to Yan Tianni and the others before leading them outside. Once there, he saw that in addition to Leng Baiyu and his companions, several other groups were watching eagerly.

Clearly, Liu Xingchang wasn’t the only one who had deduced the weakened state of the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard; others had caught on as well.

Holding the Fourth Tier Demon Core aloft, its terrifying energy pulsating, Liu Xingchang drew the envious stares of many.

With a challenging look, he announced, “This Fourth Tier Demon Core is currently in my possession. If anyone believes they’re capable, try to take it from me!”

Leng Baiyu scoffed, “We’ve long been at odds, and I would have sought your life even without the Demon Core. But now, my urge to kill you has reached its zenith.”

Liu Xingchang replied icily, “Big talk is cheap. If you’re so certain you’ll kill me, why not act on it?”

Leng Baiyu held back, not rushing to attack. Liu Xingchang knew all too well that someone as self-interested as him would not hastily act and risk giving others the opportunity to benefit from the ensuing chaos.

Aside from the squads led by Liu Xingchang and Leng Baiyu, there were several other factions present. As the number of combatants fighting the Blazing Giant Rock Lizards dwindled, it was inevitable that the others would sense something was off. This area was bound to become a new battleground very soon. Leng Baiyu certainly wouldn’t be foolish enough to deplete his strength and Spiritual Energy at this juncture.

Liu Xingchang, noticing that no one had yet to act, offered a slight smile and remarked, “If no one is going to claim it, then I shall take my leave.”

Just then, a sharp whoosh cut through the air. An arrow, like a venomous dragon, streaked from a distance, hurtling directly toward Liu Xingchang’s forehead.

In that instant, every hair on Liu Xingchang’s body stood on end.

The arrow was incredibly fast—blisteringly so!

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