Of the three types of first-rank Demon Beasts depicted on the Heavenly Beast Cauldron, only the Earth Dragon Beast remained. Jiang Han knew little about this creature, having only ever seen one from afar.
He was not the only one; martial artists from the surrounding towns and villages rarely hunted them. Earth Dragon Beasts lurked deep underground for extended periods, suddenly bursting forth to ambush their prey, making them exceptionally dangerous.
Jiang Han adjusted his body and mind to their absolute peak, waiting until nightfall to make his move.
Cloaked by the dark, he carefully advanced toward the Heavenly Fox Mountain Range. At the slightest rustle of wind through the grass, he stopped, sweeping his surroundings with his gaze, only pressing forward once he was certain it was safe.
A little over two hours later, he arrived at the foot of the Heavenly Fox Mountain Range. Instead of entering the mountains, he found a towering ancient tree, climbed into its branches, and strapped himself to the trunk with thick vines to rest.
Just as dawn broke, Jiang Han awoke. He watched his surroundings for a long while before cautiously making his way toward the Seventh Peak, Twin Camel Peak.
He traveled with extreme caution. Whenever he sensed a Demon Beast, he immediately detoured, leaving no tracks behind. He could not afford to expose his whereabouts before hunting down ten Earth Dragon Beasts and claiming his third Bloodline Divine Ability.
Arriving at Twin Camel Peak without incident, Jiang Han began his search. Unfortunately, these creatures remained buried deep underground year-round. After two hours of fruitless searching, he had only stumbled across two other breeds of first-rank Demon Beasts.
He had no choice but to head for the Eighth Peak.
Shortly after he crossed onto the Eighth Peak, the ground ahead of him exploded. A colossal beast clad in black scales, resembling a giant crocodile, erupted from the earth and snapped its bloody maw violently toward him.
“Earth Dragon Beast!”
Jiang Han had maintained a high state of alert. Rather than panic, a surge of joy rushed through him. He immediately triggered the Phantom Shift. His figure vanished, instantly reappearing behind the Earth Dragon Beast. Igniting the Power of Frenzy, he brought his blade crashing down upon the beast’s neck.
Thud!
The furious impact sent the Earth Dragon Beast flying. A deep gash was cleaved into its neck, leaking thick yellow blood. Yet, the beast did not die. It rolled across the dirt, red light flaring around its sharp claws as it desperately attempted to burrow back into the earth.
Whoosh!
Like he would let his prey escape so easily. Jiang Han rushed forward, seized the Earth Dragon Beast by its thick tail, and viciously hauled it into the air. His long blade flashed out once more.
Boom!
This time, the Earth Dragon Beast could not endure the blow. It smashed into the ground, convulsed for a brief moment, and lay dead.
“Excellent.”
Jiang Han’s heart surged with triumph. He had finally secured his first Earth Dragon Beast. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
He swiftly carved out the beast’s inner core and refined its essence blood. Leaving nothing to chance, he tossed the ruined carcass into a nearby ravine.
After that, Jiang Han scoured the entirety of the Eighth Peak, but only managed to track down three more Earth Dragon Beasts.
Taking a moment to restore his stamina, he pushed forward to the Ninth Peak.
Fortune favored him. On the Ninth Peak, he discovered a sizable cluster of the creatures. By the time the sun began to dip below the horizon, he had successfully hunted down seven Earth Dragon Beasts.
“Tomorrow should be enough.”
Glancing at the darkening sky, Jiang Han decided to head down the mountain.
He had no intention of returning to the waterfall cave, but lingering on the peaks overnight was tantamount to courting death. Far too many Demon Beasts slumbered during the day to hunt under the moon.
He planned to find a sturdy tree at the base of the mountain and make do for the night. The lower altitudes were vastly safer. Even if Demon Beasts prowled there, they would be of an extremely low rank, posing little threat to him.
Night was rapidly falling. Estimating that the Jiang Clan’s search parties had long since withdrawn, he dashed quickly toward the foothills.
“Who’s there?”
Just as he reached the Second Peak, a sharp shout broke the silence. Jiang Han’s gaze swept over like lightning, locking onto two figures stepping out from the dense brush.
Beneath the hazy moonlight, he made out their features. His heart sank. He knew them. They were Jiang Clan cultivators.
“Jiang Han!”
One of them roared, wild ecstasy twisting his face as he charged forward. The second man hung back, swiftly drawing a hollow bamboo tube from his robes. He yanked the cap. A piercing beam of light shot into the sky, erupting in midair and bathing half the sky in a stark, glaring brilliance.
Damn it.
Jiang Han’s heart plunged. Every search party in the vicinity would be converging on this spot. One wrong move, and tonight would be his burial.
Whoosh!
Recognizing that the charging man did not belong to Jiang Xiaotian’s lineage, Jiang Han shouted, “We share the same blood! I don’t want to kill you. Don’t force my hand!” Read this novel at novelping(.)com for the best experience.
“Force your hand?”
A sinister sneer twisted the man’s lips. “You practice demonic arts and butcher your own kin! It is an unforgivable crime. The Third Elder has struck your name from the registry. From today onward, you are no brother of the Jiang Clan. You are our mortal enemy. Now, die!”
His long blade cleaved the air, emitting a harsh shriek as it slashed straight toward Jiang Han.
Jiang Han wasted no more words. If the clan wanted him dead, there was nothing left to discuss.
Hum!
The instant the blade threatened to split him open, a faint spiritual light washed over Jiang Han’s body. He instantly triggered the Phantom Shift. His figure reappeared directly behind the man, leaving nothing but an afterimage for the blade to strike.
The man never realized his target had vanished until it was too late. Jiang Han’s long blade cleared its sheath in a flash of cold light. The man’s severed head tumbled through the air, his life instantly extinguished.
“Ah…”
The second man, having just deployed the signal flare, was charging forward with his spear when he witnessed his comrade being effortlessly decapitated. A violent shudder ripped through his body.
While he hesitated between fighting and fleeing, Jiang Han spun around and closed the distance like a rushing phantom.
Flee!
Staring into Jiang Han’s eyes-eyes as cold and merciless as a wild beast’s-the man’s courage broke entirely. He turned to run.
But in the very next instant, a figure flashed directly into his path.
Crunch!
Jiang Han’s heavy blade shattered his skull, ending his life before he even hit the ground.
“Over here!”
“Hurry! Don’t let Jiang Han escape!”
Shouts erupted from the distance. Jiang Han watched as countless torches converged from all directions, writhing through the dark like rivers of fire. They were weaving an inescapable net, closing in to trap and butcher him.
“Come on, then.”
Murderous intent flooded Jiang Han’s eyes. He roared out into the night, “I will not strike unless struck! But whoever dares hunt me down had better be prepared to die. Consider yourselves warned!”