C8 Someone Was Following Him!

The Accompanying Essence of the Lion Tiger Beast is a top-tier herbal medicine. When combined with the right Spiritual Materials, it can be refined into a pill that is undoubtedly a premium Innate Level medicine capable of enhancing one's bloodline.

The third elder and his peers couldn't help but be captivated by the sight of the Lion Tiger Beast's Accompanying Essence.

"So, these Beast Tides have been drawn here by the Accompanying Essence of the Lion Tiger Beast?"

The Accompanying Essence can elevate the Bloodline Level, a fact well-known not only to humans but also to the retail industry. Driven by the desire to advance their bloodlines, these Spirit Beasts dared to venture out of the forest.

Within a hundred miles of the forest, the highest-ranking Spirit Beasts were only Rank Three or Rank Four. Yet, the Lion Tiger Beast stood at Rank Five. If they could consume its Accompanying Essence, their bloodlines could ascend to new heights!

"Third elder, we're on the brink of death. Entrust the Accompanying Essence to me, and I'll divert the Beast Tide, ensuring your safety."

This Martial Master's loyalty was unwavering, even in the face of life and death, as he put the lives of his companions before his own.

The third elder and another Martial Master were deeply touched. With a heavy heart, the third elder handed a Space Ring to the selfless Martial Master, saying, "The Accompanying Essence is inside. Just open a slit in the Space Ring, and the essence's aura will escape."

"Third elder, please look after Seventh Elder Brother."

The Martial Master saluted with a fist and, undeterred by the menacing Spirit Beasts surrounding him, opened a crack in the ring. The aura of the Lion Tiger Beast's Accompanying Essence wafted out, instantly drawing the attention of the Spirit Beasts, whose blood-red eyes had been fixed on the third elder's Spirit Beast.

"Xu Hao, the Xu family's side branch will always remember your sacrifice."

The third elder returned the salute, his face etched with solemn gratitude as he glanced at Xu Hao before swiftly breaking away from the Spirit Beasts' siege. Curiously, the beasts only gave a fleeting look to Zhong Le and Seventh Elder Brother, showing no interest in pursuing them. Their focus was entirely on Xu Hao, or more precisely, on the item within the Space Ring he held.

"This is the mark of a true hero!"

It's often said that adversity reveals one's true nature. In the face of life and death, the terror is immense, and the will to survive can drive people to betray everything. Yet, Xu Hao chose to sacrifice himself for righteousness, trading his life for the survival of the third elder, Xu Le, and seventh elder brother, Xu Meng.

Despite Xu Ming's grievances against the third elder's lineage, he couldn't help but admire Xu Hao's loyalty and bravery.

"Little creatures, I've secured the Accompanying Essence, so my game with you ends here."

As the third elder Xu Le and seventh elder brother Xu Meng made their departure, and as Spirit Beasts swarmed around him, Xu Hao, encircled and seemingly doomed, let out a triumphant laugh. He popped a pill into his mouth, and a shroud of bloody mist enveloped him. In an instant, he soared into the sky, breaking free from the Spirit Beasts' siege and rocketing off to the southeast.

"Once my Bloodline Level increases, I'll be back to thank you all."

Xu Hao's voice echoed across the heavens as the Spirit Beasts, realizing what had happened, surged forth like a dam bursting, in hot pursuit.

"What in the world is happening?"

Perched atop the towering tree, Xu Ming was visibly taken aback. The turn of events had defied all expectations. Had Xu Hao been prepared all along, not truly intending to sacrifice himself?

"The flash of blood mist... he took the Burning Blood Essence Pill. I can't believe Xu Hao would go to such extremes, burning his Blood Essence, risking the loss of his cultivation and becoming a cripple, all for the Accompanying Essence of the Lion Tiger Beast," Xu Ming was startled by Xu Hao's audacious move, but then he realized the potential payoff. "All of it is worth the risk. Even if it means becoming a cripple, if he can harness the raw power of the Accompanying Essence, he can rise from the ashes, reborn!"

"However," Xu Ming's lips curled into a sly smile, "the effects of burning Blood Essence won't last long. And just three miles out lies a canyon a thousand feet deep. The only way to elude the Spirit Beasts' chase is to leap into its depths."

"But after burning your Blood Essence, Xu Hao, how much fighting strength do you have left?"

A flicker of killing intent crossed Xu Ming's mind, and a glint of excitement sparkled in his eyes. "The Accompanying Essence, I'm quite tempted by it too."

With a mere thought, Xu Ming gracefully descended from the towering tree. Employing his movement technique in harmony with the Gale Divine Soul, he pursued the Spirit Beast with lightning speed.

Thirty miles from Xu Ming's abode, a vast river cut through the mountain range, flowing southeast. The river was incredibly broad, spanning thousands of feet, flanked by towering cliffs on either side.

At that moment, atop the cliffs, numerous Spirit Beasts roared at the swift river currents. Several, in their haste, plunged into the water and were promptly devoured by the river's monstrous fish.

The Beast Tide roared in frustration for a good while before finally dispersing with reluctance.

A thousand meters away, the Lion Tiger Beast, realizing its young's Accompanying Essence had been taken, glared with bloodshot eyes and left the scene with bitter unwillingness.

"Xu Hao, you may know of a hidden path here, but I assure you, I'm even more familiar with it," Xu Ming whispered from his hiding spot. "I'm confident it won't be long before you show yourself."

Greed shimmered in Xu Ming's eyes as he brimmed with anticipation.

The moon hung high, casting sparse light among the stars as night enveloped the land. The distant, ethereal roars of beasts echoed, and the river below the cliff teemed with lurking dangers. The cliff faces themselves were home to many fearsome creatures.

Suddenly, the sound of rustling weeds broke the silence. Shortly after, a figure emerged, clambering up from the base of the cliff. "Thank goodness I'm well-acquainted with this area; it's the only reason I managed to escape."

Under the veil of night, the figure's outline was indistinct. Clutching his chest, he spat out curses: "Damn, so much Blood Essence wasted. Who knows how long it'll take to recover."

The man was Xu Hao. Having ignited his Blood Essence for a burst of formidable power, he had broken free from the Spirit Beast encirclement. Leveraging his knowledge of the terrain, he had scaled the cliffside. The Spirit Beasts, unfamiliar with the territory beyond the forest, were at a disadvantage, allowing Xu Hao to narrowly avoid disaster.

The burning of his Blood Essence had severely depleted Xu Hao's vitality, causing his strength to plummet from Martial Master Grade Seven to the current Martial Disciple Stage. Additionally, he was riddled with injuries, making it unlikely for him to regain formidable combat power anytime soon.

"Yet, it's all worth it," he mused. "Once my injuries heal and I consume the Accompanying Essence, my Bloodline Level will surely rise, and my Blood Essence will be restored. Xu Le, oh Xu Le, you've spent your life plotting, but now the tables have turned. And when I eventually return to our family, you'll be overwhelmed with gratitude."

Elated, Xu Hao shuffled forward, his steps unsteady as he sought a safe haven. "I must find shelter. With wild beasts lurking, even a mere Martial Dao Grade Six could easily end me."

"There's some Xu family reject thirty miles from here. I'll head there; he'll be thrilled to see me. I'll offer him a few tips. If that fails, I'll usurp his place and silence him. After all, no one cares about a family's castoff."

Despite his grave injuries, dulled senses, and the excitement of acquiring the Lion Tiger Beast cub's Accompanying Essence, Xu Hao's guard was down, and he failed to notice the shadow trailing him.

"Xu Hao, you're digging your own grave!"

Xu Ming had been plotting to kill Xu Hao and seize the Lion Tiger Beast cub's Accompanying Essence. Little did he know, Xu Hao had already set his sights on him.

With Spiritual Energy coursing through him, Xu Ming's palm lifted, his right arm swelling noticeably.

Eight Extremes Fist!

His Dark Strength aimed to damage the internal organs, shattering meridians within.

Xu Ming crept closer to Xu Hao, seizing the moment of his distraction and lowered guard to strike a deadly blow.

Despite his weakened state, Xu Hao remained a Martial Master Stage powerhouse. Even with most of his Blood Essence burned away and his injuries severe, Xu Ming proceeded with caution. After all, a skinny camel still looms larger than a horse, and he could take nothing for granted.

If he could pull off a successful sneak attack, it would save him a considerable amount of effort.

"Whoosh whoosh~~"

The Eight Extremes Fist technique was executed to perfection, his blood coursing through his veins like a mighty river.

With the Gale Divine Soul enhancing his movements, he closed a dozen steps in the blink of an eye. "Prepare to die~~"

Xu Ming mentally shouted, unleashing his full power without reservation.

The speed of the Eight Extremes Fist was unmatched, and coupled with the Gale Divine Soul, Xu Ming's speed was more than tenfold that of a Martial Dao Grade Nine practitioner!

But at that moment, Xu Ming noticed Xu Hao's neck muscles tense slightly, and he surged forward with a velocity nearly matching Xu Ming's own.

"Darn, Xu Hao has noticed me!"

Xu Ming lamented internally, yet his eyes sparkled with determination. He didn't slow down, continuing his pursuit of Xu Hao.

"So it's you, you little wretch~~"

In that brief moment, Xu Hao had already spun around. Upon recognizing his assailant as Xu Ming, flames of fury and humiliation nearly burst from his eyes. "You piece of trash, daring to ambush me~ Well, since you've come to me, you've saved me the trouble later on~~"

"Hmph~~"

Xu Ming let out a cold snort, choosing not to engage in conversation.

Failing to ambush Xu Hao was something Xu Ming had anticipated. Xu Hao was, after all, at the Martial Master Stage. Even with his Blood Essence severely depleted and suffering from grave injuries, he was not someone a mere Martial Dao Grade Nine could easily contend with.

Despite Xu Hao's loss of Martial Master Stage strength, his heightened perception remained intact, his sensitivity to qi movement far beyond that of an average warrior. Had Xu Hao not been gravely injured and weakened, even a successful ambush by Xu Ming would have yielded no advantage, and he might have been injured by the Martial Master Stage's protective energy.

The disparity in strength was an insurmountable gulf!

Xu Ming remained silent. In Xu Hao's eyes, he was still the worthless Martial Dao Grade Two, not worth a second glance.

In the Martial God Continent, prior to reaching the Martial Disciple Stage, the Spiritual Energy cultivated by an individual is confined to the Dantian and does not circulate through the meridians. Consequently, it becomes challenging to discern someone's cultivation level within the Martial Dao Grade Nine based on their aura alone. This is why families have a specialized testing rock designed to gauge the cultivation level of the Martial Dao Grade Nine.

For Xu Ming, achieving Martial Dao Grade Nine represented a significant milestone!

Moreover, Xu Ming's mastery of the Eight Extremes Fist, a form of Internal Fist Arts, endowed him with incredibly potent destructive power.