C36 The Slaughter and Chaos in the Depths of the Mountains

The sun had set, casting a gray hue across the sky. The Blazing Giant Rock Lizard, despite its severe injuries, had ventured out in search of food.

Not all were biding their time in the tavern. Some, eager for an early advantage, had ventured into the mountains, yet the ceaseless screams echoing through the terrain spoke volumes.

A starving camel is still larger than a horse, and a wounded Blazing Giant Rock Lizard could easily dispatch a Cultivator from the Spirit Origin Realm, let alone those from the Spirit Mastery Realm who attacked with abandon. Those Cultivators who had entered the mountains early in hopes of gaining the upper hand had merely become fodder for the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard.

The Cultivators who had dashed from the tavern were acutely aware of the crux of the situation. Despite each force operating independently, they remained within close proximity to one another—never more than five zhang apart—ensuring that another human force was always nearby.

This strategic clustering of human forces allowed for immediate mutual support and expedited the discovery of the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard's whereabouts.

As the search parties ventured deeper into the mountains, signs of the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard's havoc were evident throughout.

Given its status as a formidable Fourth-Tier Demon Beast, the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard dwarfed a buffalo in size. Its body stretched over twenty feet long, its massive form reminiscent of a dragon slithering across the ground, leaving behind unmistakable, thick trails.

Following these extensive tracks, the searchers sought any sign of the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard.

Suddenly, another agonized scream pierced the air.

A chorus of shouts followed the scream, signaling that the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard had targeted a group that had recently left the tavern.

The network-like formation of the forces sprang into action as people from all directions converged on the source of the scream with utmost haste.

Liu Xingchang and his companions, alerted by the commotion, hurried to the scene. By the time they arrived, the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard had effortlessly broken through the encirclement. The crowd quickly banded together, charging in the direction of the fleeing Blazing Giant Rock Lizard.

"Come on, keep up!"

Liu Xingchang and his companions kept pace with the crowd, quickly pursuing their target. It wasn't long before the group ahead came to a halt.

Upon catching up, Liu Xingchang and his group raised their eyebrows in anticipation. The Blazing Giant Rock Lizard had reached a mountain wall, effectively cornered by human forces. To escape, it would have to break through the encirclement once more.

Previously, the human forces had not yet organized, allowing the creature an easy escape. But now, with the mountain wall at its back and the human forces fully assembled, a breakout would be significantly more challenging.

A burly man wielding a nine-ringed machete bellowed, "Let's all attack together and slay the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard. Fate will decide who reaps the rewards!"

Given the circumstances, cooperation was essential to defeat the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard. The man's call to arms was met with unanimous support.

"Kill!"

It was unclear who gave the command, but the group surged forward in a collective assault.

The one to land the killing blow on the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard would naturally stand the best chance of claiming their desired prize. With this in mind, each person charged valiantly, unleashing their most powerful trump cards and Spirit Techniques.

Fireballs and energy beams bombarded the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard, but they failed to penetrate its thick hide. The first three Cultivators to reach it were violently struck by its lengthy tail, sending them flying backward with blood-curdling screams, blood spewing from their mouths.

"Swoosh!"

Just then, an arrow shot through the air like a shooting star, piercing the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard's side wound.

"Ow!"

The creature's emerald eyes filled with blood, and its body reared up like a towering mountain, emitting a thunderous sound wave from its gaping maw.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The arrow exploded from the wound, and the Cultivators nearest to the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard, who had not yet engaged it directly, were flung away by the force of the sound wave.

Hong Tengqing clenched his jaw, took a deep breath, and thumped his chest. Then, with a burst of resolve, he too grabbed his Fine Gold Sword and charged at the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard.

He was determined to show the other four members of his team that he had courage, and that he wasn't just a fatso who nearly passed out at the sight of someone dying in front of him!

However, Hong Tengqing's headlong charge made him an easy target for the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard.

"Pfft!"

With a fierce roar, the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard unleashed a fireball, concentrated to the extreme, hurtling through the air like a meteor.

The fireball was massive, and it was clear that whoever it hit would be in for a world of pain.

Hong Tengqing's face was instantly seared by the flames, terror written all over his eyes.

He had never been this close to death before and was petrified with fear.

The others who had charged with Hong Tengqing narrowly avoided the blast, but Hong Tengqing himself was paralyzed with fear, standing still as if resigned to his fate.

In the nick of time, Liu Xingchang grabbed his collar and flung him to safety, the fireball's edge grazing past Liu Xingchang's arm.

Liu Xingchang's arm turned black with burns, and he winced in severe pain.

He shot Hong Tengqing an angry look and kicked him, shouting, "You damn fool! Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Hong Tengqing, now coming to his senses, began to sob in fear. Catching sight of Liu Xingchang's charred arm, he fought back his tears and stammered, "Does it hurt... Liu Xingchang, are you okay?"

Liu Xingchang gave him a withering look and advised, "Kid, you lack combat experience. Spend more time observing and learning at the beginning. Don't rush into battle; it could be the death of you! And keep your mouth shut until you can hold your tongue. Maybe get yourself a new set of teeth in the next city before you speak again!"

At that moment, any resentment Hong Tengqing had harbored towards Liu Xingchang vanished, replaced by a sense of admiration as if Liu Xingchang was an older brother. He nodded meekly in agreement.

Hu Gewan, looking concerned, interjected, "This Blazing Giant Rock Lizard is incredibly strong. What do we do if our attacks don't work for much longer?"

Liu Xingchang replied, "If we can't break through after a prolonged attack, then it's time to stop attacking."

Yan Tianni was taken aback and asked, "Why?"

Liu Xingchang gestured to the injury on his arm and replied, "Because of this."

"I don't understand," Yan Tianni admitted.

Liu Xingchang explained, "While my defensive abilities are still quite formidable, the Blazing Giant Rock Lizard is a creature on par with a cultivator of the Heavenly Path Realm. Its Blazing Giant Rock Fireball is among its deadliest attacks. Even though it's wounded now, when the fireball grazed my arm, it should have melted like it touched magma. Yet, my arm has only suffered surface burns..."

Yan Tianni's eyes brightened as she asked, "What are you implying?"

Liu Xingchang elaborated, "I noticed just now that there's a fresh, severe wound on the lizard's neck, which appears to have been inflicted recently. That area is precisely where the Demon Core forms. This means... it has already extracted its most valuable Demon Core and hidden it elsewhere!"