KAEL Beast cores were among the most valuable resources a cultivator could obtain from the wilderness. They were formed within the bodies of beasts after years of absorbing and refining Qi. The stronger the beast, the purer and more concentrated the core. A beast core from a low-level beast might only be worth a few low-grade spirit stones. But once a beast reached the higher stages of Qi Gathering, its core became considerably more valuable. A Fourth Stage Qi Gathering beast core could fetch several low-grade spirit stones. A Fifth Stage could be worth dozens. A Sixth Stage was even more precious, with two Sixth Stage Qi Gathering beast cores already being worth around two hundred middle-grade spirit stones in total. As for cores from beasts beyond Qi Gathering... Their value could no longer be measured so simply. Powerful cultivators could use them to refine pills, forge weapons, construct formations, or directly absorb the energy contained within them. And th

The dragon-scaled snake lunged. Its enormous jaws snapped toward Kael, revealing two rows of dark, razor-sharp fangs. At the same time, its tail whipped around from behind. Kael's expression remained calm. He raised his sword. CLANG! The blade collided with the snake's fangs and a terrifying force traveled through Kael's arm. He slid backward several meters, his boots carving two deep lines into the earth. Before he could regain his footing BOOM! The snake's tail came crashing down. Kael twisted his body. The tail passed within inches of his chest and smashed into the mountain. Rocks exploded. The snake didn't stop. Its massive body coiled and uncoiled repeatedly, attacking from every direction. Its head lunged. Its tail swept. Its enormous body slammed against the ground. Then its mouth opened. A crimson sphere condensed between its fangs. Kael's eyes narrowed. "Poison?" The sphere suddenly shot forward. BOOM! Kael slashed. A brilliant sword arc

The group had barely moved when Lucian suddenly stopped.His expression changed.He raised his head and stared toward the mountain.The others immediately noticed."Senior Brother?""What did you see?"Lucian didn't answer.His eyes narrowed as he released a thread of Spiritual Energy toward the battlefield.A few breaths later, his expression became strange."There is a human up there."The group froze."A human?""Fighting the dragon-scaled snake?"Lucian nodded slowly.The younger disciples exchanged uneasy glances."Is it a Martial Arts Master?""It has to be!""Only a Peak Qi Gathering cultivator could possibly fight a Peak Qi Gathering beast!"Another disciple shook his head."Even then, fighting it head-on would be suicidal. This is its territory, and it's been guarding that treasure for who knows how long.""Exactly."The dragon-scaled snake had occupied this mountain for years.With the Bloodheart Vine growing at its center, the beast had absorbed traces of the plant's spirit

Kael's chest rose and fell heavily.His Qi was almost completely exhausted. After everything he had gone through, there was barely enough energy left within his dantian to keep his body moving, let alone use another powerful technique.But Kael had never been the type to give up simply because the odds were against him.His gaze remained fixed on the distant valley.The treasure plant was still there, and so was the enormous snake beast.Kael narrowed his eyes.There was no time. If he stayed here any longer, the six martial artists would arrive before him, and if that happened... the treasure would no longer belong to him.Kael slowly raised one hand. A faint golden light gathered around his fingertips.It was weak. Far weaker than usual.His remaining Qi was so little that even gathering it caused a dull pain to spread through his meridians."Just one more." Kael clenched his teeth.The golden light suddenly brightened.Space trembled. A small golden portal appeared before him.Kael

BOOM! The dragon-scaled snake slammed into the six-man array. The entire formation shook violently. For one breath, it looked as though it would hold. Then— CRACK! A web of fractures spread across the formation. "What?!" Lucian's expression changed. "Hold it!" He bellowed out loud but it was too late. They had been focusing on Kael so much and didn't even realize when the snake beast arrived behind them. BOOM! The array shattered. The backlash exploded outward and the the cultivators felt the impact. The impact on the ones at the front were lighter but it was enough to send them flying. "AH!" They crashed into the ground several meters away, rolling repeatedly before finally coming to a stop. The three behind them suffered even worse. They were directly caught in the collapsing formation. "Pfft!" "Pfft!" Blood sprayed from their mouths as they were thrown backward. One slammed into a tree. Another crashed against a boulder. The third landed heavily on the ground and v