"Junior Xiao Tian, be careful. This is its berserk bloodline activating."
Senior Han Yue looked at the Bloodfiend Sky Ape shooting toward them and warned. She pulled Xiao Tian's hand to run, but found she couldn't budge him no matter how hard she tried.
"Senior Han Yue, stand behind me and don't move."
Xiao Tian gently shook off Han Yue's hand, pulled her behind him, and with a wave of his hand, a golden-red giant shield appeared, held level in front of him.
The Bloodfiend Sky Ape, which had launched itself at them, clawed at the giant shield, producing a teeth-grinding creak, creak friction sound.
Xiao Tian seized the opportunity. His feet covered in Red colored lightning, he heavily kicked the Bloodfiend Sky Ape's body. Upon contact, a dazzling flash of light erupted, and the giant ape was sent flying by Xiao Tian's kick, making intimate contact with the ground with a boom. A large scorched patch of fur was left on its waist.
Han Yue watched as the shield in Xiao Tian's hand instantly transformed into a long sword. As Xiao Tian gathered power, the energy of heaven and earth continuously poured into the sword, which emitted a Red light.
"Moon Slash!"
Xiao Tian gripped the long sword with right hand and slashed downward at the Bloodfiend Sky Ape. As the sword swung, a crescent-shaped moon arc flew out from it, cutting toward the ape with a terrifying sonic boom.
The Bloodfiend Sky Ape sensed the threat of death. It roared and swung its sharp claws forward, attempting to block Xiao Tian's attack. The crescent moon arc swiftly sliced through the giant ape's body, finally striking the ground behind it and creating a huge crack.
The giant ape remained frozen in its posture with its claws extended. As a gust of wind blew, a bloodline appeared on the giant ape's upper body, extending from its right shoulder all the way down to below its ribs. Its upper and lower halves are separated diagonally. The berserk look in its eyes gradually faded until all life was gone.
"Alright, Senior Han Yue, you're safe now. How did you end up provoking this Magical Beast?"
Xiao Tian knew Han Yue was after the Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid. Now that the guardian Magical Beast was dead, he wanted to see if she would tell him the truth.
In less than half a minute, Han Yue had gone from the brink of death, to being rescued, to the giant ape that had been chasing her lying dead, to being completely safe. She couldn't help but let out a deep sigh of relief.
Her eyes gazed deeply at Xiao Tian, who had saved her like a god descending from heaven. Her heart was filled with gratitude. If it weren't for him, she would have surely died this time.
"I was looking for medicinal ingredients and accidentally discovered the Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid in the place guarded by this Bloodfiend Sky Ape. So I quietly snuck in to see if there was a chance to steal it. But then it discovered me, and I fought with it, only to find out it was a Tier 5 Magical Beast. Then it chased me, and if it weren't for you, I might have already died. Thank you, Junior Xiao Tian."
"The Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid inside is all yours — it's your spoils of war. I will also keep it completely confidential for you."
The Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid had the effect of cleansing marrow and refining bones, and it held immense appeal for both humans and Magical Beasts.
"Are you really willing to give it up?"
Hearing Xiao Tian's words, Han Yue chuckled. "This never belonged to me. This time, being able to keep my life is already a blessing from my ancestors. I dare not hope for anything else."
Xiao Tian looked directly into Han Yue's eyes, and Han Yue also looked back at Xiao Tian. Xiao Tian found no trace of greed or infatuation in Han Yue's eyes. Han Yue was an independent and intelligent woman, which allowed her to clearly understand herself rationally.
"Let's go," Xiao Tian said softly.
Hearing Xiao Tian's words, Han Yue turned around and walked toward the forest.
"Where are you going? I meant for you to follow me."
Behind Han Yue, Xiao Tian's gentle voice came. She turned her head, looking at Xiao Tian with confusion.
"What, are you afraid I have ulterior motives toward you?"
"It's not impossible. Your silver hair looks quite exotic."
Although Han Yue didn't understand what Xiao Tian meant by "exotic," a hint of wariness appeared in her eyes. "I'm not that kind of casual person. You can forget about it."
"You have no legs, no figure. I haven't even taken a fancy to you yet."
Xiao Tian's lips curled into a mischievous smile as he teased her.
"Are you talking about me?"
Han Yue glanced at her curvaceous figure and her long legs, then pointed at herself and asked.
"Otherwise, is there anyone else here? Don't waste time. Hurry and follow me. If there's no Earth Core Body Tempering Fluid inside, you'll be in trouble."
Xiao Tian turned and walked toward the Bloodfiend Sky Ape's cave.
Han Yue could no longer maintain her usual composure. She gnashed her teeth as she looked at Xiao Tian. Any woman would break down in such a situation.
"I didn't expect you to be this kind of person. I really don't understand how someone as elegant as Xun'er could fall for you."
Han Yue quickly caught up to Xiao Tian, mumbling in a low voice, looking puzzled.
"Otherwise, what did you think I was like? Full of righteous indignation, a perfect gentleman? Don't your seniors call me the Demon King? There's no need to pretend on the surface."
"You have a lot of twisted logic. Be careful, or I'll tell Xun'er later."
Xiao Tian, who was walking ahead, stopped. Han Yue, behind him, quickly halted, almost bumping into him. Xiao Tian turned around and scrutinized Han Yue from head to toe, making her body tingle and her face flush slightly. She had never been stared at so closely and directly by a man before.
"I… I won't say anything else, okay?"
Han Yue no longer looked like a strong woman, but rather like a wronged little wife.
Xiao Tian chuckled, then turned and continued walking. Sensing Han Yue still standing behind him, he said, "Senior Han Yue, are you planning for me to carry you?"
"You wouldn't dare. I'll walk on my own."
Han Yue moved her long legs and walked toward Xiao Tian. For the rest of the way, she followed Xiao Tian in silence, occasionally glancing at him. Xiao Tian also stopped teasing this cold beauty who was on the verge of breaking down.
They arrived at a dark mountain cave at the end of the valley. The entire cave entrance was about twenty meters high. Xiao Tian could feel the lingering aura of the Bloodfiend Sky Ape inside. He took out a moonstone, placed it in Han Yue's hand, and gestured with a nod. "Let's go."
Han Yue glanced at the moonstone in her hand, then at Xiao Tian, muttered quietly that he had no gentlemanly manners at all, and then walked into the cave entrance.
Under the illumination of the moonstone, the two walked for about a minute, arriving at the end of the mountain cave. Han Yue looked around, finding nothing but a deep pit and a pile of white fur. Her face stiffened, and her eyes constantly scanned the cave ceiling, trying to find something different. But no matter how she looked, it was just ordinary rock. Internally, she cried out, I think I'm doomed.
Seeing Han Yue's expression, Xiao Tian's playful side emerged. "Senior Han Yue, it seems there's only a pile of Bloodfiend Sky Ape fur here. I told you before, if there wasn't any, you'd be in trouble. Look at this dark, desolate place — just a man and a woman."
Xiao Tian pretended to give a mischievous grin, looking at her. She stumbled, pressing herself against the wall like a startled little white rabbit. Looking at Xiao Tian, who was standing toward the exit, Han Yue desperately tried to think of a way out, but realized that with Xiao Tian's formidable strength, she couldn't escape no matter what.
"Xiao Tian, look at me, Senior Sister. I have no legs, no figure. I suppose you wouldn't be interested. How about you let me go first, and let me go back to recover a bit?"
Xiao Tian didn't speak. He directly raised his right hand, and Dou Qi continuously gathered on it. Han Yue felt the Dou Qi in Xiao Tian's hand, pressed herself tightly against the wall, and squeezed her eyes shut.