Chapter 77

"Murder and arson, the ancients were very honest."

Muttering to himself, Chen Zong put the three thousand white jade money tickets and some energy pills and red blood pills into his bosom, then pushed Bai Zhongping's corpse off the Sea-Viewing Cliff to destroy the evidence.

The treasure iron sword used by Bai Zhongping had white characters, which was the Bai family's emblem, and Chen Zong discarded it as well.

In terms of strength, Bai Zhongping was stronger than either of the two black-clothed men who had pursued him before. Chen Zong's victory was due to the corpse of the scorpion-tailed wolf and its tail, as well as the heavy iron arm guard, which he used to their full potential. Most importantly, his cultivation and sword technique had improved, making him even stronger.

"Combat also requires knowing how to utilize the surrounding environment, combining the advantages of time and place." This battle made Chen Zong understand the essentials of combat even more.

After taking the energy pills and beast blood pills, and sprinkling medicinal powder on the wound on his left arm, Chen Zong immediately began practicing the True Sword Heaven-Cutting Technique to restore his physical strength and blood energy. He then left with sixteen scorpion tails.

The Essence Blood Fruit has high requirements for its growing environment. On Dragon Horn Peak, there is only one place where the Essence Blood Fruit might exist, called Dark Blood Land, located at an altitude of over 1,300 meters on Dragon Horn Peak.

After continuous climbing, Chen Zong finally arrived at Dark Blood Land. At first glance, it was a relatively flat area of mountain land, reddish-brown in color, with no green grass, only withered trees and scattered rocks. Chen Zong also saw many unknown beast corpses, half buried in the soil and half exposed.

Chen Zong was unclear about the origin of Dark Blood Land, and the records were vague. It was speculated that it was formed after multiple battles with blood soaking the ground, suitable for the growth of some unique plants, such as the First-Class herb Red Flower, the Second-Class herb Blood Vein Grass, and the Third-Class herb Tibetan Red Knot Root, etc.

All these herbs were related to blood and suitable for refining beast blood pills and red blood pills, etc.

The Essence Blood Fruit is currently the highest-grade herb found in Dark Blood Land, with a small number. Once it appears, it will surely be contested by many people.

Whether Chen Zong could obtain it was unknown, but he had to try.

As he walked deeper into Dark Blood Land, Chen Zong found other herbs along the way, such as Blood Vein Grass, and dug them up to keep. He could sell them to the Hundred Herbs Tower, no matter how much he found.

He successively killed two Blood Wolves and a Blood Python.

As he walked, three figures appeared ahead. Through the subtle fluctuations of their auras, Chen Zong determined that two of them were at the Seventh Layer of Blood Qi Realm, and one was at the Eighth Layer.

The three turned to look at the sound of footsteps, and Chen Zong felt that the Eighth Layer of Blood Qi Realm person's eyes seemed to flash with a sharp light.

"Are you a disciple of the Sword Radiance Hall?"

The uniform martial robes of disciples from different halls were different. The uniform of the Sword Radiance Hall was silver-gray, the uniform of the Weapon Radiance Hall was gray-white, the uniform of the Martial Radiance Hall was black, the uniform of the Weapon Radiance Hall was pure gray, and the uniform of the Earth Radiance Hall was brown.

The Chief Senior Disciple was not restricted.

These three were from the Earth Radiance Hall and the Saber Radiance Hall.

"There is an Essence Blood Fruit tree ahead, with nine Essence Blood Fruits on it, almost ripe." The Eighth Layer of Blood Qi Realm martial artist from the Saber Radiance Hall said in a low, quick voice, "However, a Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast is guarding it."

"You know the Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast, a Second-Class Medium beast, but its iron armor is incredibly strong, making it difficult for an Eighth Layer of Blood Qi Realm martial artist to break through. Only a Ninth Layer of Blood Qi Realm martial artist can better deal with it," the Seventh Layer of Blood Qi Realm martial artist from the Earth Radiance Hall said with a sneer. He could see that Chen Zong was only at the Sixth Layer of Blood Qi Realm, giving him a sense of superiority, especially since he was a disciple of the Earth Radiance Hall.

The Earth Radiance Hall was different from the other four halls. Only those who reached the Seventh Layer of Blood Qi Realm before the age of eighteen could directly enter, like Yang Yigu and Tang Junhao. Therefore, the Earth Radiance Hall was defined as a gathering place for elite martial artists. Of course, it was not absolute. Some people, although their cultivation had not yet reached the Seventh Layer of Blood Qi Realm, were still young and could potentially reach it before the age of eighteen.

However, reaching it and not reaching it were two different things. Not reaching it meant the possibility of being stuck at a bottleneck or even dying halfway.

"Since you're here, you can attract the Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast's attention, and we three will attack it by surprise, aiming to kill it. The Essence Blood Fruits we obtain can be given to you one," the Eighth Layer of Blood Qi Realm martial artist said.

"I think the nine Essence Blood Fruits and the precious materials from the Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast should be divided equally," Chen Zong said, his tone calm and unhurried.

"What are you? Giving you one Essence Blood Fruit is already showing respect, and you still want to divide it equally?" The Seventh Layer of Blood Qi Realm martial artist from the Saber Radiance Hall, who had not spoken before, suddenly became furious, his tone aggressive and mocking.

Chen Zong shrugged without responding.

"Equal division is based on strength. Do you have it?" the disciple mocked again.

Suddenly, a dazzling sword light appeared, like a lightning bolt tearing through the air, so sudden and fast that it startled the three. The sword light flashed and disappeared, leaving a sword hole in a withered tree trunk as thick as a man's waist, piercing it through.

"Is this enough?" Chen Zong asked calmly, the scorpion tail placed to the side.

The three were stunned. That sword was too fast, not something a Sixth Layer of Blood Qi Realm person could emit. It was definitely at the Seventh Layer of Blood Qi Realm level, and might even be a bit better, but not as good as the Eighth Layer. Its power was not weak, comparable to the Seventh Layer of Blood Qi Realm, indicating a genius.

"Since that's the case, let's each rely on our own abilities," the Earth Radiance Hall disciple said, giving Chen Zong a deep glance, and the other two exchanged glances and nodded secretly.

"Fine, let's each rely on our own abilities," Chen Zong also said.

"Let's introduce ourselves. I'm Huang Biao, he's Meng Yuanchong, and he's Xiao Wei," the Eighth Layer of Blood Qi Realm martial artist said, first introducing himself, then pointing out the Seventh Layer of Blood Qi Realm martial artists from the Saber Radiance Hall and the Earth Radiance Hall.

"My name is Chen Zong," Chen Zong said.

"Chen Zong..." Meng Yuanchong repeated, "You're the new disciple who recently forfeited a battle, disgracing the Sword Radiance Hall?"

Chen Zong remained silent, and the three's gazes became more surprised and doubtful.

"Enough talk, let's go kill that Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast now," Xiao Wei said coldly.

"You should agree to Senior Brother Huang's proposal, or you won't get even one Essence Blood Fruit," Meng Yuanchong sneered.

"Maybe he can get more Essence Blood Fruits," Huang Biao said, his words full of mockery.

The Essence Blood Fruit tree was three meters tall, leafless, with strange branches, and nine red fruits the size of eggs, each dripping with fresh red, as if about to seep blood.

"The Essence Blood Fruits are ripe," Huang Biao said happily, but he also looked very wary of the beast under the Essence Blood Fruit tree.

The Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast looked like a large wild boar but was more formidable, nearly two meters tall and over three meters long, with dark red scales covering its body. Its mane from head to back was blood-red like fire, and the hair at the end of its tail was also fiery red, like burning flames. On its large pig head, two sharp tusks over half a meter long resembled swords.

Its limbs were not hooves but lion or tiger-like claws, more lethal.

The red scales gave the beast stronger defense, its tusks like swords, claws sharp, tail like a steel whip, and the protrusion on its forehead incredibly hard. If hit, it would surely break bones.

In short, this was a beast that could attack with its entire body, possessing terrifying killing power and astonishing defense. No wonder it was said that only a Ninth Layer of Blood Qi Realm martial artist could better deal with it. Chen Zong estimated that even a typical Ninth Layer of Blood Qi Realm martial artist might not be able to handle it.

"The Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast is very strong. We should first lure it away, then take the opportunity to pick the Essence Blood Fruits," Huang Biao said. Initially, they did not plan to fight the Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast to the death.

The idea of having Chen Zong attract its attention while they three killed it was probably just to fool Chen Zong.

The Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast also noticed the four of them, emitting a deep, thunderous roar from its throat, its face full of ferocity, eyes glowing with blood-red light, and drooling from the corners of its mouth, exuding a violent aura.

Even so, the Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast did not charge over. It had to guard the nine Essence Blood Fruits, which were ripe and ready to be enjoyed.

If it ate them all, it might further improve.

"Attack," Xiao Wei said coldly, one hand holding a long knife and the other a short knife, making it more difficult to wield two knives than one.

Huang Biao and Meng Yuanchong also drew their knives, Huang Biao's wide and thick, Meng Yuanchong's slender like a willow leaf.

Chen Zong also drew his sword, the sword light clear and bright.

They approached the Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast step by step, but it did not intend to charge over, seemingly concerned about the nine Essence Blood Fruits.

"Looks like we have to kill the Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast first," Huang Biao frowned. "We four will spread out, and since the Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast will not leave the Essence Blood Fruits, we can find an opportunity to strike and deliver a fatal blow."

The four spread out, with Chen Zong facing the right side of the Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast.

Among the four, Huang Biao had the highest cultivation, and in the Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast's perception, his blood qi fluctuation was the strongest. The Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast's eyes were fixed on him, then it guarded against Xiao Wei and Meng Yuanchong, while Chen Zong, the weakest in cultivation, was underestimated.

Not taking the initiative to attack, the Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast crouched on the ground, assuming an attacking posture, its terrifying violent aura spreading, as if about to stir up a beast wind.

"Attack!" Huang Biao shouted, his blood qi bursting forth, both hands gripping a thick-backed mountain-splitting knife, slashing down with a dazzling blade light, carrying a layer of blood light, powerful and heavy, as if it could split a mountain with one strike.

A First-Class Upper human-level Mountain-Splitting Knife Technique!

Meng Yuanchong thrust his knife, like a bolt of lightning tearing through the air, producing a sharp sound, the tip of the knife flashing with cold light.

A First-Class Medium human-level Thunder-Striking Knife Technique!

Xiao Wei slashed with his long knife, followed by his short knife, the two knives crossing, one long and one short, the blade light sharp and weaving a net-like cover over the left side of the Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast.

A First-Class Medium human-level Small Reversing Knife Technique!

Chen Zong burst with blood qi, his sword transforming into a solitary star descending to the world, dissipating as it struck the Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast's body.

A counter-shock force made Chen Zong retreat, the Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast's scales being incredibly hard, surprising Chen Zong.

Although the Solitary Star Technique was only at the beginner level, its power was not weak, more adept at single-point attacks than the Light-Splitting Sword Technique. However, it only left a small wound on the Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast, failing to break through its defense.

The violent aura of the Bloodthirsty Iron-Scale Beast surged toward Chen Zong, like a long river of waves, almost suffocating him. Its eyes, filled with terrifying ferocity, directly fell on Chen Zong, the cold and violent gaze seemingly trying to crush Chen Zong's will.