Luo Feng executed the Teng Dragon's Step technique, moving with lightning speed, and quickly reached the small hill where he had arranged to meet up with Lu Shan and the others.

Lu Shan and his group were waiting anxiously. They were overjoyed when Luo Feng arrived.

"Luo Feng, are you all right?" The trio rushed up to greet him. Xu Qing looked at Luo Feng, a smile spreading across her face. She wiped her cheeks; her eyes were slightly red, and her long eyelashes still bore traces of tears.

Luo Feng nodded and laughed, "I'm fine, no need to worry."

Wang Hai, standing nearby, seemed to recall something. "Luo Feng," he asked, "what happened just now? I sensed a terrifying aura."

"I felt it too," Xu Qing nodded.

Luo Feng knew they must have sensed him using the Grand Momentum. He laughed and said, "A fifth-level Demon Beast appeared just now. What you sensed was probably it."

"A fifth-level Demon Beast! What kind of beast was it?"

Hearing this, Lu Shan and the others widened their eyes and gasped.

"I don't know what kind of Demon Beast it was either..."

Luo Feng scratched his nose and described the beast's general appearance.

After listening, Lu Shan stared at Luo Feng, his expression incredulous.

"What's wrong?" Luo Feng asked, puzzled.

Lu Shan gave a bitter laugh. "I'm afraid what you encountered was the Black-headed Trigonometric Python!"

"The Black-headed Trigonometric Python! Isn't that a sixth-level Demon Beast?" Xu Qing covered her red lips with her small hand, a look of horror on her face.

Wang Hai looked at Luo Feng with admiration, remarking sincerely, "To escape unharmed from a sixth-level Demon Beast like the Black-headed Trigonometric Python, you're really something!"

"It didn't attack me; otherwise, I wouldn't have escaped unscathed," Luo Feng laughed.

Lu Shan took a deep breath, looked at Luo Feng, and said, "Luo Feng, we owe you one for this."

Luo Feng gave a slight smile, glanced behind him, and said, "This place isn't safe. Let's leave and find a place to rest."

"Okay."

Hearing about the existence of a sixth-level Demon Beast, even though they hadn't seen it, Lu Shan and the others felt deeply uneasy and wanted to leave as soon as possible.

The group pushed their speed to the limit, racing away. In no time, they had covered dozens of miles and found a cave.

The cave was surrounded by sheer cliffs, making it incredibly concealed.

"Let's rest here and set off when day breaks," Luo Feng suggested.

Lu Shan and the others quickly agreed.

The earlier scenes were still vivid in their minds. Still terrified, they didn't dare continue traveling at night.

The four of them cautiously entered the cave.

The cave wasn't deep, only about twenty-five meters, and very dry inside. Some bleached bones were scattered on the ground, indicating it had once been a Demon Beast's lair.

Xu Qing found some dry wood and started a bonfire in the cave.

"Luo Feng, this is a Snow Ginseng Pill. It's very effective for recovering Yuan Qi," Lu Shan said, handing a white porcelain bottle to Luo Feng.

Luo Feng shook his head. "I have pills."

As he spoke, Luo Feng took out several Rejuvenation Pills to restore his Yuan Qi.

After the fierce battle, he had consumed most of his Yuan Qi, especially with that final slash, which had used nearly a third of it.

Lu Shan sat down beside him, took a deep breath, and said with a smile, "I never thought I'd make it out of that Demon Beast horde alive."

Wang Hai and Xu Qing both silently nodded in agreement.

If Luo Feng hadn't appeared, not even their bones would remain by now.

"The Demon Beasts outside haven't calmed down yet. Don't let your guard down; quickly restore your Yuan Qi," Wang Hai urged.

They had all expended a great deal of energy in the battle. Hearing his words, they nodded, each took out their pills, and began to restore their Yuan Qi.

Luo Feng consumed three Rejuvenation Pills. After a quarter of an hour, his Yuan Qi was fully restored to its peak state.

He opened his eyes. Seeing Xu Qing and the others still meditating, he didn't disturb them and began to contemplate his next move.

The recent battle had given Luo Feng a clear understanding of his own strength.

The Iron Demon Bear is a high-level, fourth-level Demon Beast. Its strength is equivalent to a Martial Artist at the peak of the Ninth Stage Heavenly Court Realm. I can inflict heavy damage on it with my full strength. Against Family Head Duanmu Xiao, I should have a seventy percent chance of winning. But the Duanmu Family doesn't just have Duanmu Xiao as a Ninth Stage Heavenly Court Realm expert…

Luo Feng recalled the information he had learned from Duanmu Ji: the Duanmu Family had nine Ninth Stage Heavenly Court Realm experts. With his current strength, challenging all nine was far from enough.

Moreover, the Duanmu Family possessed a secret technique called Soul Ignition, which could significantly boost their power in a short period. As the Family Head, Duanmu Xiao had certainly cultivated this technique and would be far stronger than an average Martial Artist at the peak Ninth Stage Heavenly Court Realm.

My strength is still far from enough. I wonder when I'll be able to break through to the late stage of the Ninth Heavenly Court Realm. That way, I would have a good chance against the Duanmu Family…

Luo Feng shook his head. Only if his cultivation reached the late stage of the Ninth Heavenly Court Realm would his chances of defeating Duanmu Xiao be significant.

However, Duanmu Xiao's fortieth birthday was only a month away. Without a significant opportunity or a moment of enlightenment, it was impossible to advance his cultivation to the late stage of the Ninth Heavenly Court Realm in such a short time.

The Illusory Blood Demon's Demon Core contains pure blood essence, which should aid my cultivation.

Luo Feng took out the Illusory Blood Demon's Demon Core he had obtained earlier in Wushan Mountain Town.

Unlike ordinary Demon Beasts, Illusory Blood Demons enhanced their cultivation by absorbing the essence blood of other Demon Beasts and humans. Their Demon Cores contained pure blood essence, a great tonic for Martial Artists. Many Martial Artists in the Spiritual Rotation Realm coveted the Illusory Blood Demon's Demon Core.

However, relying solely on the Illusory Blood Demon's Demon Core with the intention to break through to the late stage of the Ninth Heavenly Court Realm within one month is wishful thinking.

"Eh, could this be an Illusory Blood Demon's Demon Core?"

While Luo Feng was deep in thought, a voice suddenly rang out. Lu Shan, who had recovered from his cultivation at some point, saw the Illusory Blood Demon's Demon Core in Luo Feng's hand, his expression shocked.

Luo Feng didn't hide it, nodding. "Correct."

Lu Shan gasped, "Such a large Illusory Blood Demon's Demon Core! It must have absorbed the essence blood of countless people. Luo Feng, where did you get it?"

Luo Feng recounted what had happened in Wushan Mountain Town.

Wang Hai and Xu Qing also emerged from their cultivation. Wang Hai nodded and said, "I've heard about what's been happening in the Wushan Mountain Town area. I didn't expect it to be the work of an Illusory Blood Demon. Illusory Blood Demons are treacherous and ten times harder to deal with than ordinary Demon Beasts. It's impressive that you managed to kill it!"

Luo Feng neither confirmed nor denied, just smiled faintly.

"Luo Feng, what do you plan to do with this Demon Core? If you want to sell it, you can sell it to me. I can offer thirty percent above the market price!" Wang Hai said, his eyes fixed on the Illusory Blood Demon's Demon Core with a look of envy.

Luo Feng shook his head. "I'm afraid not. I need this Demon Core too."

Wang Hai nodded, not seeming too bothered. A treasure like the Illusory Blood Demon's Demon Core was something every Martial Artist dreamed of; it was perfectly understandable that Luo Feng wouldn't want to sell it.

Nearby, Xu Qing glanced at the Illusory Blood Demon's Demon Core and said, "The Illusory Blood Demon's Demon Core, combined with Peaceful Heart Grass, can be refined into the Illusion Heart Pill. This pill can condense Yuan Qi, help open the Heaven Gate, and greatly benefit Martial Artists at the Ninth Stage of the Heavenly Court Realm."

Seeing Luo Feng's puzzled expression, Lu Shan chuckled. "Don't be surprised. Our Junior Sister Xu Qing enjoys refining medicinal pills and is familiar with all sorts of pill formulas."

"My dream is to enter the Mysterious Clearing Hall of the Twelve Golden Palaces and become an Alchemist," Xu Qing said, her face slightly red as she bit her lip and smiled softly.

I see.

Luo Feng thought to himself, then smiled. "I've heard of the Illusion Heart Pill; it's said to be a fifth-grade pill. However, I don't intend to use this Demon Core to refine pills."

"Why is that?" Xu Qing asked, puzzled.

Luo Feng stated plainly, "I don't have time to look for Peaceful Heart Grass."

Hearing this, Xu Qing and the others exchanged glances and smiled.

Among the three, only Wang Hai possessed a storage ring. He swept his hand over it, and a vibrant green herb, emitting a hazy luminescence, appeared in his hand.

The herb was nearly a foot tall with four leaves, entirely emerald green. Light shimmered between the leaves, and a faint mist, exuding a hazy luminescence, swirled around it. Brimming with Spiritual Energy, its appearance instantly filled the cave with a cool, refreshing sensation that invigorated their spirits.

"Peaceful Heart Grass!"

Seeing the herb in Wang Hai's hand, Luo Feng couldn't help but feel his heart race.

Peaceful Heart Grass was as precious and rare as an Illusory Blood Demon's Demon Core. That was why Luo Feng hadn't considered refining pills. He never imagined Wang Hai and the others would possess Peaceful Heart Grass.

Wang Hai smiled. "The three of us stumbled upon this Peaceful Heart Grass two days ago. We originally planned to auction it, but since you need it, Luo Feng, we'll give it to you. What do you two think?"

Xu Qing pouted her rosy lips. "I have no objection."

"I don't either," Lu Shan said.

"This..." Luo Feng was somewhat taken aback. A single Peaceful Heart Grass was worth tens of thousands of gold pieces. Wang Hai, being a young master from a prominent family, might not mind. But for Xu Qing and Lu Shan, who were from ordinary families, tens of thousands of gold pieces was no small sum.

Just as Luo Feng was about to speak, Wang Hai waved his hand dismissively. "Luo Feng, you saved all three of our lives. This Peaceful Heart Grass is hardly enough to repay your kindness. If you refuse again, you're not treating us as friends."

Seeing the resolute expressions on their faces, Luo Feng no longer declined. He smiled and said, "Then, thank you very much."

Wang Hai handed the Peaceful Heart Grass to Luo Feng.

Looking at the Peaceful Heart Grass in his hand, Luo Feng felt immense joy. He hadn't expected that saving them would lead to such an unexpected boon.

With the Peaceful Heart Grass, he could refine the Illusion Heart Pill. There was a good chance he could break through to the late stage of the Ninth Stage Heavenly Court Realm within a month!

「The night passed without conversation.」

That night, the continuous roars of beasts echoed from outside the cave, painting a vivid picture of Demon Beasts rampaging. Fortunately, their hiding spot was well-concealed and remained undiscovered by any Demon Beast.

Early the next morning, the four of them emerged from the cave. The valley floor was strewn with debris, littered with the marks of Demon Beast claws and teeth, and scattered with numerous Demon Beast corpses. It was clear that a heart-stopping battle had taken place there the previous night.

"Luo Feng, how about coming with us to Snow Valley? Senior Brother Hu Yitian has been wanting to invite you for a visit," Lu Shan said, looking at Luo Feng.

Luo Feng shook his head. "I have urgent matters to attend to. Perhaps next time, if there's an opportunity."

Lu Shan looked somewhat disappointed. "Since that's the case, I won't insist. Let's part ways here. Take care of yourself."

"Mm."

After the three had walked some distance, Xu Qing looked back at Luo Feng. A hint of hesitation flickered in her beautiful eyes as she blushed and said, "Senior Brother Luo Feng, you must come to Snow Valley."

Luo Feng nodded. "I definitely will if I get the chance."

Soon, the group disappeared from sight.

Luo Feng retracted his gaze, his thoughts turning to the Illusion Heart Pill. Among the people he knew, there were no Alchemists.

I can only ask the Medicine Ding Store. I hope they don't disappoint me.

Luo Feng murmured to himself, then turned and dashed off in the direction of the Purple Sun School.

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