C6 White Threeclawed Wolf

"Perhaps a trip to the Demon Beast Mountain Range is in order to gather some beast cores for body tempering. Combined with the Three Thousand Lifeless Technique, I'm confident I can elevate my cultivation to the Second Rank of Body Tempering within a month! First, I'll ask Zhang Longhai for some herbs before heading to the mountain range; it's best to be prepared in case of emergencies."

After exiting the Scripture Library, Ye Qinghui mulled over his next steps. Improving his cultivation was his top priority, so he made his way to Zhang Longhai's study.

"Ye Qinghui requests an audience!"

He stood at the door, knocking gently and calling out softly. Being in someone else's home, he understood the importance of courtesy.

"Come in!"

Zhang Longhai's voice beckoned from within.

Without delay, Ye Qinghui entered to find Zhang Longhai busy reviewing the family's daily documents.

"What brings you here, Guest Warrior Ye?"

Zhang Longhai inquired, his gaze still fixed on the papers before him.

"I require three hundred stalks of Blood Spirit Grass, three hundred stalks of Falling Star Root... Additionally, I'll be venturing out. Is there a Demon Beast Mountain Range nearby?"

Ye Qinghui was straightforward, rattling off a list of herbs, each in substantial quantities.

"Hmm? What are you planning, Guest Warrior Ye?"

Zhang Longhai paused his work and looked up curiously.

Without further explanation, Ye Qinghui activated his Spiritual Qi, unleashing the power of his First Rank Body Tempering. After demonstrating his strength, he spoke softly, "I need to enhance my cultivation and hone my martial skills."

"Certainly. Please leave a Blood Essence Spirit Card behind."

Zhang Longhai instructed his attendants to gather the items and tossed a blank Spirit Card to Ye Qinghui.

Catching the Spirit Card, Ye Qinghui bit his tongue without a moment's hesitation and expelled a drop of his Blood Essence onto it.

The Blood Essence didn't scatter on the Spirit Card; it slowly coalesced, and after some time, it transformed into the character 'Ye'.

"Alright, thank you for your assistance, Lord Ye. A hundred miles to the east, there is a place, but be warned, the mountains are rife with demons. Please be cautious and return safely—and swiftly!"

Once Zhang Longhai had finished engraving the Spirit Card, he refrained from further comment. With a casual flick of his wrist, he tossed a storage ring to Ye Qinghui and reclaimed the Spirit Card, then turned his attention back to the paperwork.

Exiting the study, Ye Qinghui wasted no time. He propelled himself eastward with a swift motion. His current level of cultivation endowed him with a formidable physique, and coupled with the ceaseless replenishment of spiritual energy by the three thousand karmic flames, he arrived at the demon-infested forest in under four hours.

The journey there was solitary; beyond the city limits, there were no signs of human life, only towering trees that blotted out the sky. It wasn't until Ye Qinghui ventured another twenty to thirty miles into the forest that he sensed the presence of demonic energy.

"This is the scent of the Three-clawed White Wolf! What a find!"

Perched atop a towering tree, Ye Qinghui closed his eyes to concentrate. After a moment, he snapped them open and gazed eastward. The Three-clawed White Wolf, a low-level demon beast known for its ferocity and aggression, had become a target for many cultivators once its hide—known for its exceptional toughness—was discovered. They hunted the wolves relentlessly, skinning them to craft low-level magical artifacts. As a result, the Three-clawed White Wolf had become exceedingly rare and difficult to encounter.

With a mix of excitement and apprehension, Ye Qinghui traced the faint signs left by the Three-clawed White Wolf and began to track it. He pursued the trail relentlessly for four hours, not pausing until he reached the edge of a small lake. Climbing to the top of a tree, he surveyed the area from his elevated vantage point.

There, by the water's edge, was a snow-white wolf, its fur marred by a deep wound on its back.

"Jackpot! It looks like this one's on the run!"

Elated by the sight, Ye Qinghui leaped from the tree and made a beeline for the lakeside. Opportunities like this were rare and not to be missed.

Shortly, Ye Qinghui arrived at the lake's edge. The Three-clawed White Wolf caught sight of him and instinctively retreated, its eyes glaring fiercely at Ye Qinghui as it bared its teeth and emitted a threatening hiss.

"Little critter, you've got bad luck running into me today!"

Ye Qinghui let out a light chuckle and stepped forward to approach.

But before he could brace himself, the Three-clawed White Wolf charged at him.

Its speed was astonishing, catching even Ye Qinghui off guard. In a moment of panic, he could only shield his face with his hands.

Thud!

The impact sent the Three-clawed White Wolf tumbling several times across the ground before coming to a halt. Meanwhile, Ye Qinghui was sent flying like a kite whose string had snapped, crashing into a distant tree before tumbling down.

"Damn, an adult wolf. Lucky for me it's injured, or I'd be a goner!"

Once he got back on his feet, Ye Qinghui tasted sweetness in his throat. He quickly patted his chest, murmuring softly to himself.

Having learned from his first encounter, Ye Qinghui faced the severely wounded Three-clawed White Wolf with caution, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Hu ~"

Despite its injuries, the Three-clawed White Wolf showed no sign of backing down. Its fighting spirit surged, and with a fierce roar, it lunged at Ye Qinghui once more.

Ye Qinghui stood his ground, forcefully propelling himself forward to meet the wolf's charge.

As they collided once again, Ye Qinghui leaped, his toes deftly tapping the wolf's head.

The Three-clawed White Wolf immediately lost its balance and skidded across the ground.

Seizing the moment, Ye Qinghui spun around and closed in, his right hand morphing into a blade of Spiritual Qi that he thrust deep into the wolf's abdomen.

Using the momentum of his sprint, Ye Qinghui's hand plunged into the wolf, as Spiritual Qi rampaged through its body, wreaking havoc.

The once fiercely struggling Three-clawed White Wolf soon lay silent.

"Phew... Even with such injuries, you still had so much fight in you. Your combative spirit is truly commendable!"

Ye Qinghui, catching his breath, stood up and began to skin the Three-clawed White Wolf, speaking softly to himself.

Before long, Ye Qinghui had skillfully skinned a complete pelt. The only imperfection was a gash across the back, but that didn't bother him. He promptly stored the skin in his storage ring.

Next, he proceeded to shatter the skull of the Three-clawed White Wolf, diligently feeling around for the elusive beast core.

After an extensive search, Ye Qinghui reluctantly withdrew his hand, empty-handed.

As he was about to walk away, something seemed to click in his mind. He reached into the carcass of the Three-clawed White Wolf once more. Moments later, with a triumphant cry, he yanked out the creature's neatly intact spine.

"Ah, this thing could make a decent blade," he mused. "Truly, every part of it is a treasure!"