AGM 0066 – Blood Ember Fruit
When compared to human cultivators, a 4th level demonic beast’s cultivation would be around between the 1st and 3rd level of Arterial Circulation. This Purple Thunder Condor was considered to be one of the strongest 4th level demonic beast, with a cultivation base at the 3rd level of Arterial Circulation. In addition to the power of flight it possesses, it was extremely tough to deal with.
In the airspace above the ancient trees, arcs of purplish lightning flashed as a crackling sound echoed. The arcs of purple lightning landed upon one of the ancient trees, instantaneously exploding it. The remnants of lightning could be seen flickering around the area the lightning had struck.
Qin Wentian and the rest raised their heads and looked at the gigantic Purple Thunder Condor hovering in the airspace above them. Its ferocious, bestial eyes glinted with a cruel light. It already regarded them as nothing but prey to be hunted.
“Boom, boom……” A column of purple lightning, as thick as a human’s arm, explosively cascaded down towards where the three of them was standing.
The countenance of Qin Wentian’s party froze for an instant. Moving like the wind, the three of them splitted off in three different directions, dodging the lightning-based attack. An enormous crater could be seen on the ground in the place where they stood previously. The intensity of that attack caused a slight, lightning-element wind as an aftermath. As the wind began billowing, it gave off a painful, prickling sensation when it blew against their skin.
“Boss, go draw its attack.” Fatty righteously commanded. Among them, Qin Wentian possessed the strongest attack and defense. He was also the only one that remotely had the chance to dodge the condor’s lightning-based elemental attacks.
“My good brother indeed.” Qin Wentian scolded in a low voice. But then again, Fatty’s judgement was right. Qin Wentian’s whole body was stained with dirt and dust as he shivered. Because of the Purple Thunder Condor, an incredible amount of energy was being built up in the air above him, but an instant later, Qin Wentian’s body flickered, displaying excellent footwork. His body was like a willow leaf dancing exquisitely, floating with the wind, and although the lightning struck the ground extremely near to him, it never came into direct contact with him.
“Evil beast, bring it on. Can you try to be more accurate?” Qin Wentian hollered at the Purple Thunder Condor hoving in the air. This was the first time that Qin Wentian utilised the Garuda Movement Technique in actual combat.
Under the provocation, murderous rage could be seen welling up in the eyes of the condor as it gathered even more Astral Energy, continuously spitting out lightning beams from its beak.
“F*ck.” Fatty, exhibiting the opposite of utmost brotherly affection, immediately ran away, jumping on the branches of the ancient trees some distance away. Almost immediately after, Qin Wentian executed the Garuda Movement Technique to its limits in order to avoid the lightning strikes, which were so powerful that they could surely disintegrate him into dust if he came in contact. However, either by miracle or great luck, Qin Wentian always managed to dodge the continuous lightning strikes by the skin of his teeth
“Evil beast, is that all you can do?” Qin Wentian arrogantly continued his provocation. The Purple Thunder Condor visibly trembled with anger, obviously irritated by Qin Wentian’s words. Letting out a shrill cry, the condor angled its body as it dove through the air, flying towards Qin Wentian.
Arcs of lightning were discharged every few moment from the beak of the condor that wanting to bury Qin Wentian in the middle that onslaught of lightning and thunder.
“How fierce.” Standing on top of a nearby tree, Fan Le growled.
Upon witnessing how the events were unfolding, Fan Le was getting worried for Qin Wentian. Clods of earth and dust were dislodged and flying about every time the lightning struck the ground, threatening to bury Qin Wentian alive. The Purple Thunder Condor had no intentions of stopping. It swooped downwards, wanting to devour Qin Wentian’s flesh.
Qin Wentian cut an extremely pathetic figure as he dodged the numerous falling clumps of earth. His eyes flashed with a cold glint of resoluteness. At this moment, he was still incomparably calm; the Divine Energy in his body had already been activated and was flowing to his arms in a frenzy.
Sounds of ocean waves crashing echoed as the Divine Energy was compacted into the shape of the Revolving Sea Imprint. At this very instant, nine Astral Arrows were explosively released by Fan Le, soaring through the air, speeding towards the condor with nine rays of golden light trailing behind them.
Violent gusts of wind ensured, alongside a pitiful shriek as the Purple Thunder Condor discovered that it could no longer fly. The astral wind created by the nine golden Astral Arrows pierced mercilessly against its body, and the energy contained within prevented the condor from flying.
“Die!” Another Revolving Sea Imprint exploded out amidst the earth. The condor let out a miserable keen as it helplessly closed its wings around its body, attempting to block the strike before falling down from the air. The impact carved a huge crater in the ground.
As the dust settled, Fan Le leaped down from the tree and approached. Looking at Qin Wentian, whose whole body was covered with dust and dirt, he cheerfully patted Qin Wentian on his back and said, “That was so impressive!”
“Scram.” Qin Wentian spat out the earth that got stuck in his teeth. Looking at the body of the condor, he sighed in his heart. “To think that I need to use myself as bait just to kill a demonic beast of this level. Not easy at all.”
“Other than this method, we would have never been able to defeat the condor. What a pity that Little Rascal was not a flying-type demonic beast. If not, you could just consume its essence.” Fan Le laughed as he cast a glance at the snowy puppy. Little Rascal, which had been sitting on its hind legs, glared at Fan Le in an extremely adorable manner.
“However, you are truly awesome. If it were me, I would surely be dead if I came across the Purple Thunder Condor.” Zero walked over, feeling somewhat depressed. The disparity between them was too great.
“It seems like being in the same party as you was a mistake. I would have no chance to temper myself at all.”
“Don’t worry, we will leave it the land-type demonic beasts for you to deal with.” Qin Wentian grinned as he used a dagger to cut open the head of the condor, retrieving the demonic core within. The palm-size demonic core was filled with terrifying lighting energy. This was a demonic core from a 4th-level Astral Beast. To lightning-elemental cultivators, this core was priceless.
“Cores from flying-type demonic beasts belong to me. As for land-type beasts, the two of you will split them equally among yourself, alright?” Qin Wentian inquired as he looked at Fan Le and Zero. Fan Le naturally would not go against Qin Wentian. And as for Zero, upon witnessing the combat ability of both of his companions, he understood that he did not have the qualifications to disagree.
Qin Wentian kept the demonic core. He extended his palms, and in the middle of his palms, a faint mark appeared. A strong power of absorption could be felt from the mark as Qin Wentian pressed his palm downwards against the body of the condor. The mark was emitting white rays of light as the faint shadow of a Purple Thunder Condor could be seen getting absorbed by his palm, flowing into Qin Wentian’s body.
“Demonic Beasts naturally possessed demonic spirits. The Garuda Movement Technique requires me to devour the demonic spirit and absorbed the demonic essences within.The only way to hasten the process would be if the demonic beast still possessed a core to aid me in my absorption.” Qin Wentian smiled as he explained to Fan Le and Zero. This was why it was so tough to master the 9 Heavenly Garuda Movement Technique.
After he finished, they continued tempering themselves within the Dark Forest. And every time they met a land-type demonic beasts, Qin Wentian and Fan Le who leave it to Zero to deal with, only helping in moments of crises.
Soon after, a month passed by. Their bodies were all covered with dirt stains that they accumulated from fighting in the terrain. However, the aura they exuded underwent some transformation, especially the look in their eyes, which was many times sharper that before. Needless to say, their combat abilities had risen by another notch.
Finally, upon discovering a nearby lake, the three of them dashed forwards, jumping into the water with a speed similar to that of ferocious wolves preying on helpless deer. After they took a much-needed bath, a crackling fire was built to dry their robes on the bank.
Half naked, Qin Wentian was currently cultivating underneath a tree. A demonic core was clutched in his palm as he unceasingly absorbed the energy within. Rays of white light could be seen emanating from the demonic core, transforming into the image of the flying-type demonic beast from back when it was still alive, before being absorbed into Qin Wentian’s body. After the demonic energies flowed through his Stellar Meridians into his inner organs, energy channels, orifices and bone structure, Qin Wentian could perceive that his body was somehow stronger than before.
Through this period of time, along with the continuous absorption of demonic essence, Qin Wentian easily noticed the rapid improvement of his Garuda Movement Techniques.
“Woof woof…..” At this moment, Little Rascal appeared, running in circles around him. Puzzlement shone on Qin Wentian’s face as he asked, “You want me to follow you?”
Little Rascal gave a bark, indicating agreement, before sprinting away. Seeing this, a light of surprised flickered in Qin Wentian’s eyes before he shouted, “Fatty, Zero, let’s move out.”
As they retrieved the robes that had been toasted dry, he dashed off in the direction of Little Rascal. Fan Le and Zero could do nothing but scratch their heads in bewilderment, but they eventually followed after him.
Little Rascal’s speed grew increasingly faster, forcing the trio to increase their speed as well. Little Rascal led them into a mountain valley, where the terrain was arduously steeped. Here, many different varieties of rare plants and trees could be seen.
“Someone’s in combat.” Qin Wentian and Fan Le locked their gazes together. Little Rascal led them upwards, and after climbing to the top of a small hill, they cast their glance downwards to the source of the commotion in the valley. Qin Wentian’s party narrowed their eyes as they frowned.
“Fish-scaled Pythons.”
In the valley, there were numerous snake-type demonic beasts of immense sizes. Qin Wentian had once saved Liu Yan from this particular breed of snake demons in the Dark Forest.
The might they wielded was extremely terrifying. A particularly gigantic snake that coiled itself around the trunk of an ancient tree, spitting poisonous mist intermittently. The body of this enormous snake was covered with numerous injuries.
At this moment, there was a group of people that was fighting against the Fish-scaled Pythons.
“Students of the Emperor Star Academy.” Surprise shone in Zero’s eyes. The human cultivators, all about 17 to 18 years of age, were at either the 3rd or the 4th level of Arterial Circulation. All of them held nothing back and released their Astral Souls, indicating that they were all Stellar Martial Cultivators.
“You know them?” Qin Wentian asked as he looked to Zero.
“That person is named Logan, a member of the academy. I’ve met him before.” Zero pointed to a cultivator who emitted the aura of peak 4th level Arterial Circulation.
“They are fighting for the spiritual fruits in the tree.” Squinting his eyes, Fan Le looked at the enormous snake coiled around the trunk of a tree. Above the tree were countless bright red fruits with skins coloured so vividly that it was as though the fruits were bleeding.
“Rare and precious spiritual fruits would naturally have a demonic beast standing guard over them. But what is that fruit?” Qin Wentian looked towards Fan Le as he inquired. He glanced at Little Rascal from the corner of his eyes; this little fellow actually knew of this and led them here for this purpose?;
“Blood Ember Fruits. This type of fruit is extremely beneficial for cultivators at the Arterial Circulation Level by expanding the energy channels and opening up a new circular pathway, thus facilitating breakthroughs for Arterial Circulation Realm cultivators. Not only that, this fruit could also be further refined into the Blood Ember Pellets, which provide even stronger effects.” Fan Le intoned in a low voice. Hearing this, a fiery light flickered in Qin Wentian’s eyes.
In the Arterial Circulation Realm, cultivators used Astral Energy to constantly nourish and temper their bodies, stimulating their acupuncture points and expanding their energy channels. The Blood Ember Fruits would enable the cultivators to achieve twice the results with only half the amounts of effort, greatly aiding Arterial Circulation Realm Cultivators in their breakthroughs. No wonder the fruits was capable of invoking such a huge commotion. there were some who were even willing to sacrifice their lives for it!
At this moment, the situation was not looking good for Logan’s party.
“Blood Ember Fruits.” Qin Wentian exclaimed as the glow in his eyes brightened. The current him desperately needed to increase his own strength. There were still many things waiting for him to accomplish!