Usually, the Outer Sect Disciples of the Five Spirit Sect who head to the Mystic Yin Mountains to hunt for Demon Crystals do so in small groups of threes or fives. Encountering strong Barbaric Demons, they would attack together, and even then, casualties would occasionally occur,

Yet Wang Xiaoqiang ventured alone into the depths of the mountain range, which was tantamount to seeking death.

However, Wang Xiaoqiang was not afraid because his true Cultivation Base was at the Solidification Realm. He possessed the Immortal River Mystic Serpent, the Penglai Immortal Sword, and he could also release all the Spiritual Power from his Spiritual Spring within his body, not generating the slightest Spiritual Energy Wave on himself. Since Barbaric Demons locate their targets through the sensing of blood scent and Spiritual Energy Waves, even if Wang Xiaoqiang encountered those powerful Barbaric Demons, he could evade them.

At the periphery of the Mystic Yin Mountains, there were only Barbaric Demons of the first to third levels, which were not a concern for Wang Xiaoqiang.

However, the mountain range's interior was infested with fourth to ninth level Barbaric Demons, presenting a threat to Wang Xiaoqiang's life. Therefore, before entering the deeper parts of the mountain range, he had no choice but to release all the Spiritual Power from his Spiritual Spring.

Then, he let the Sea Dragon scout ahead and, fortunately, all went smoothly. By noon that day, Wang Xiaoqiang had killed a Seven-Horned Demon Wolf, obtained a Demon Crystal, and found a cave where he skinned the Demon Wolf and roasted its flesh to eat.

After eating, he slept for a while in the cave.

Suddenly.

"Roar~~~~"

On the patch of green outside the cave where Wang Xiaoqiang was hiding, an Ironclad Rage Fox, over five meters in length, let out a deep roar as it slowly passed by.

The Ironclad Rage Fox was a fifth-level Barbaric Demon, and its weapon was a set of sharp teeth. However, compared to other Barbaric Demons of the same level, Ironclad Rage Foxes were smaller and weaker, notorious for their low Attack Power, but they were covered with scale armor as hard as steel, giving them famously formidable Defensive Power.

Due to their weakness in attack, Ironclad Rage Foxes were a favorite among the Outer Sect Disciples. Also, since these beasts often roamed alone, fighting them was not too risky.

Inside the cave, Wang Xiaoqiang woke up startled and, upon noticing the Ironclad Rage Fox, his face brightened. He peered out of the cave entrance, sweeping his gaze around, and when he was sure there were no other creatures nearby, his figure burst into motion. He shot out of the cave like an arrow from a bow, charging towards the Ironclad Rage Fox.

The Ironclad Rage Fox's ears were extremely sharp, and before Wang Xiaoqiang could get close, it had already sensed him. It turned its head, opened its mouth wide, and let out a threatening roar at Wang Xiaoqiang, its sharp teeth shining coldly in the sunlight like a collection of daggers.

Wang Xiaoqiang, unafraid, advanced with the Penglai Immortal Sword in hand.

Although there was a significant gap between his Cultivation Base and that of the fifth-level Barbaric Demon, he was not fearful with the Penglai Immortal Sword in his grasp.

At that moment, Wang Xiaoqiang was still outwardly projecting 3,000 Spiritual Springs, disguised as a Divinity Transformation Stage Cultivator, so when the Ironclad Rage Fox saw him as merely a Transformation Cultivator, it naturally looked down on him, let out a loud roar, and pounced towards Wang Xiaoqiang.

Wang Xiaoqiang stepped back, drew in the 3,000 Spiritual Springs into his body, and his inner Spiritual Power surged, his momentum climbing higher by the second. An unnamed intimidating force radiated outward.

The Ironclad Rage Fox, taken aback by this change, immediately tried to flee. However, Wang Xiaoqiang was not about to allow this, slashing his sword upon its body.

Clang!

A single strike brought it crashing down to the ground.

"Waaao!"

In pain, the Ironclad Rage Fox opened its mouth in a pained howl. Its body was covered with steel-like scales, and this heavy blow was not enough to inflict a serious wound. The cunning creature let out a howl and immediately curled up to tuck its body into a ball, attempting to protect its most vulnerable underbelly.

Wang Xiaoqiang would not consent to this, he pressed forward, stepping on its abdomen.

The back scales of the Ironclad Rage Fox were ten times harder than those on the belly. Forget fists and feet, even an Immortal Sword could not breach them. Once it curled up into a shiny, hard, spherical form, it was impossible to extract the Demon Crystal smoothly.

Wang Xiaoqiang stepped on the Ironclad Rage Fox's belly, skillfully drew a dagger from his waist, bent down to remove two scales from its abdomen, and then brutally stabbed into the belly of the Ironclad Rage Fox...

After a short while, a blood and flesh-blurred Demon Crystal was extracted from within the Armored Rage Fox. It was the size of a peach with vein-like patterns covering its surface, giving it a somewhat eerie appearance.

Staring at the Demon Crystal, Wang Xiaoqiang's face broke into a smile. The Demon Crystal of a Fifth-Level Barbaric Demon was rich in demonic power essence, sufficient for 500 Spiritual Springs to absorb and assimilate.

Just then, a jarring voice rang out, "Ho-ho, isn't that the trash? Seems like you've got some loot!"

Following that were two smug laughs:

"Boss, no matter how much he's got, it's all being prepared for us, right... hahaha..."

"Exactly, we're really in luck today, getting a Demon Crystal without lifting a finger or throwing a punch, hehe..."

Wang Xiaoqiang placed the Demon Crystal into his chest.

The three men who approached were Outer Sect Disciples of the Five Spirit Sect: Zhao Xiong, Wang Hong, and Zhang Kunlun. Unlike others, these three had been in the Sect for six years already, making them seniors among the Entry-Level Disciples.

The Five Spirit Sect selected its disciples through a step-by-step process, starting with the recruitment of commoners as Entry-Level Disciples, also known as Outer Sect Disciples.

Then, from among the Outer Sect Disciples, they would select those to become Inner Sect Disciples. From there, Elite Disciples would be chosen from within the Inner Sect ranks.

These three were notoriously infamous among the Outer Sect Disciples for their bad behavior and extremely brutal nature. They formed a small group, always sticking together, and frequently bullied the new disciples at the Trial Arena, seizing their hard-earned Demon Crystals with violence and cruelty. Any slight resistance would result in them being ruthlessly slain by this trio.

Within the Five Spirit Sect, inter-disciple killing was strictly prohibited. If the Sect Leader or officials discovered such acts, the culprits would face severe punishment. However, this rule only applied within the Sect itself; once outside the Sect's gates or in the Trial Arena, it was as good as a worthless scrap of paper.

In other words, within the Trial Arena, disciples' actions were not constrained.

"Hmph? Hidden away..."

"How unsensible!"

As the three, Zhao Xiong, approached Wang Xiaoqiang's side, they saw him stashing the newly acquired Beast Core inside his clothes, and their expressions immediately darkened,

In such situations, if it were anyone else, they would have already offered the Demon Crystal with a smile to avoid trouble and protect themselves!

There was no help for it, for here, it was the law of the jungle, with strength signifying everything. No reasoning needed to be discussed.

Wang Xiaoqiang's actions had visibly annoyed them.

"You little brat, you'd better hand over the Demon Crystal yourself. If we have to get our hands dirty, heh, you're going to suffer!"

Zhao Xiong's narrow eyes narrowed, a brutal cold light flashing through the slits.

Wang Xiaoqiang glanced at the three, seeing that they were all in the Void Transformation Boundary, deemed them unworthy of concern, and after staring at Zhao Xiong for a moment, he said with a sneer, "All right, since you are courting death, I'll grant your wish..."

As he spoke, Wang Xiaoqiang pulled 3000 Spiritual Springs into his body. Instantly, his internal Spiritual Power climbed, his aura unfurling around him.

"What? He's actually at the Solidification Realm..." The three of them showed a look of shocked doubt, appearing somewhat panicked.

Zhao Xiong, as the leader, quickly steadied himself and reassured his comrades, "So what if he's at the Solidified Realm? The three of us together can still kill him."

"Really? What if I add this to the equation?" Wang Xiaoqiang said with a cold laugh, taking out the Penglai Immortal Sword.

The Penglai Immortal Sword emitted a myriad of glows and let out a beast-like howl, exuding an unrivaled malevolent spirit that shook all three of them. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please go to m.qidian.com to read.)

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