Zhong Xin didn’t even need to guess who it was. As he prepared to turn and counterattack, he realized with horror that the monster he had just cut into pieces was still moving.
Even without a head or limbs, its mangled torso was still charging toward him.
Zhong Xin was stuck in a dilemma. He had to make a bet.
The creature had no intelligence. If he didn’t defend himself, he’d be seriously injured, or even killed.
He bet that Xu Zimo wouldn’t dare kill him. After all, they were fellow disciples, and the First Grand Elder would demand an explanation.
Gritting his teeth, Zhong Xin raised his sword and slashed at the monster’s torso. The strike shone with blinding light, and the creature exploded under its force.
But in that same moment, a sharp pain burst from Zhong Xin’s back. A curved blade had plunged deep into his chest.
That blade carried a furious storm within. As it pierced him, a deafening roar filled his ears. An uncontrollable energy rampaged through his body, tearing everything apart.
“You dare!?” Zhong Xin turned to glare at Xu Zimo, blood spewing wildly from his mouth.
“Don’t be naïve,” Xu Zimo replied calmly. “There’s nothing in this world I don’t dare do. It’s just a question of whether it’s worth it.”
The next moment, Xu Zimo pulled the blade free. That destructive power within Zhong Xin’s body surged to its peak, and he thought he could hear the roar of a dragon.
Xu Zimo’s quiet voice echoed in his ears.
With a loud BOOM, Zhong Xin’s body exploded into fragments.
Xu Zimo watched the debris scatter across the sky, then turned to look at the monster.
Even though Zhong Xin had shredded it into pieces, its life force was still tenacious. The creature began pulling itself together again, slowly recombining.
It wasn’t that it couldn’t be killed, just that it was exceptionally hard to kill.
If Xu Zimo had to face it one-on-one, he didn’t think he’d win.
After all, he was still only at the Desolate Meridian Realm, while this monster’s power was comparable to someone at the Imperial Meridian Realm, two realms above his.
Fortunately, the creature lacked intelligence. Its attacks were clumsy and reactive, with no skill or technique.
Zhong Xin’s earlier efforts had bought Xu Zimo the time he needed, otherwise, he would’ve had to rely on the protective talisman his father gave him.
Xu Zimo quickly ordered Lin Ruhu and Little Gui to keep attacking the monster’s body, delaying its fusion.
Meanwhile, he ran toward one of the giant pits and started digging with his curved blade.
Before long, he uncovered a massive skeleton.
Though the creature had clearly died tens of thousands of years ago, it still radiated the powerful aura of a God Beast. The ancient, wild energy of the Desolate Era surged from the remains.
Xu Zimo dug at every pit. Altogether, he unearthed nine skeletal remains.
In the heart of each beast’s ribcage floated a single drop of blood.
The blood glowed with an eerie red light, radiating a strange and sinister aura.
Xu Zimo collected all nine drops into a vial, the Starcloud Bottle, the same one Ji Baiyu had given him to store Imperial Blood.
Once sealed inside, the drops seemed isolated in a pocket dimension.
The moment the nine drops touched, they began fusing together.
As they merged, roars of God Beasts echoed out, accompanied by powerful illusions.
The Qiongqi roared. The Taotie opened its massive maw, its devouring aura surrounding it.
The Dark Snake flicked its blue tongue, eyes filled with cold malice. The Arcane Bird soared upward, its sharp cries piercing the sky.
Xu Zimo had just sealed the vial when he heard Little Gui shouting from above.
He shot out of the pit. The monster’s fusion process was nearly complete.
“Run!” Xu Zimo shouted, dashing away.
Little Gui and Lin Ruhu followed closely behind.
The three of them fled at top speed. Any blood demons they encountered were ignored. The monster’s roar shook the blood-red sky behind them.
They ran wildly until the creature’s presence faded into the distance, and only then did they dare stop to catch their breath.
“Senior brother… what about Senior Brother Zhong?” Little Gui asked.
“Don’t worry,” Xu Zimo said. “Every year, someone dies in the Blood Demon Hidden Realm. Just do exactly as I say when we return.”
In the following days, the Blood Demon Hidden Realm became increasingly chaotic.
Rumors spread among the disciples that a hundred-meter tall monster had appeared, wreaking havoc.
Many had suffered grievous injuries at its hands. Some had died.
Disciples grew terrified. Some stopped hunting blood demons altogether and hid away, waiting for the hidden realm to reopen.
During this time, Xu Zimo and his companions worked tirelessly, slaughtering blood demons without pause.
They had collected thousands of Blood Demon Crystals.
But that wasn’t enough. Xu Zimo remained wary of the monster, keeping his guard up at all times.
The three of them fought day and night, their clothes drenched in blood, some their own, most from blood demons.
Finally, the Blood Demon Hidden Realm reopened, and all disciples were forcibly expelled.
Only then did they relax.
Xu Zimo didn’t pay attention to the others. He quietly counted his spoils, nearly twenty thousand Blood Demon Crystals. Enough to last a long time.
After returning, everyone was accounted for, and the elders tallied the numbers.
Due to the monster’s appearance, many disciples had died, including a core disciple, who was also the First Grand Elder’s personal student.
Elder Feng was at a loss. He dismissed the group and immediately went to report the situation to the sect.
As for the monster, Xu Zimo wasn’t worried.
The True Martial Sacred Ground would not allow such an anomaly to exist. They’d take care of it swiftly.
Back on South Goose Mountain, Xu Zimo took out the Starcloud Bottle. Inside, the nine drops of God Beast blood had fully fused.
He was preparing to leave the sect.
Shadow Tyrant had already undergone three stages of tempering through the Six-Domain Weapon Nurturing Technique:
It had successfully advanced to a Low-Tier Earth-Grade Weapon.
Now, he was heading to the Pure Moon God Domain to complete the final stage of its refinement.
After that, he’d begin preparing for the Seven Sacred Grounds Gathering.
That competition was crucial.
Exceptional performers would have the chance to be selected as one of the sacred ground’s Holy Sons...