Soldier-Tier Stage Three Demon Core

"A Demon Core..."

As the bead landed in Lin Baichuan's hand, Li Da and the other four's eyes lit up, while Niu Zhenye exclaimed in surprise, his eyes widening and glowing green.

Demon Cores are condensed essences of demons, top-tier materials for refining elixirs and spiritual artifacts. This Mountain Fiend was a peak-tier Rank 3 Soldier-class demon, even having one foot in Rank 4 Soldier-class. Its Demon Core was naturally incredibly valuable.

A Demon Core from a peak-tier Rank 3 Soldier-class demon would fetch at least ten thousand taels of silver in the outside world.

If it were handed over to the Demon Suppression Division, it could earn at least three hundred contribution points.

Keep in mind that an Intermediate Demon Slayer like Niu Zhenye only earned a few hundred taels of silver in annual salary, and a mission would only yield about ten contribution points. Seeing the Demon Core in Lin Baichuan's hand, they were naturally filled with envy.

In fact, let alone Niu Zhenye, even Li Da, a Senior Demon Slayer, had a covetous look in his eyes at this moment.

Tens of thousands of taels of silver, or hundreds of contribution points, was a colossal sum for Li Da as well.

The only one who could maintain their composure was Qin Qing.

This woman came from the prefectural city, clearly from an extraordinary background. Although she also envied Lin Baichuan obtaining a Rank 3 Soldier-class Demon Core, she didn't have the same burning gaze as Li Da, Niu Zhenye, and the others. She was clearly much calmer.

Lin Baichuan casually wiped the Demon Core clean and unassumingly put it into his embrace.

In reality, he had used this action to directly transfer the Demon Core into the Space Ring on his finger. After all, the Space Ring was even more precious than the Demon Core, and its exposure would likely bring great trouble.

After securing the Demon Core, Lin Baichuan's gaze rapidly swept over Li Da and the others, observing the expressions of all five.

"Lin Baichuan, the Demon Core is the team's spoils of war and belongs to the entire team. Hand it over to the captain for safekeeping."

Just then, Niu Zhenye suddenly reprimanded Lin Baichuan sternly.

Everyone was stunned and simultaneously glanced at Niu Zhenye, then at Lin Baichuan. No one spoke; it was as if everyone implicitly agreed with Niu Zhenye's words. This was a Rank 3 Soldier-class Demon Core, worth at least ten thousand taels of silver, possibly more.

If Lin Baichuan took it alone, it would have nothing to do with them.

But if it were the team's spoils, then it was different; they would all have a share.

Lin Baichuan's pupils contracted sharply, his gaze falling on Niu Zhenye like a blade. He then sneered and said, "Heh heh... Your calculations are so loud, they could probably be heard in the imperial capital!

You deliberately let the Mountain Fiend go just now, wanting to use it to kill me. I haven't settled that score with you yet, and now you dare to covet my belongings. Who gave you the guts..."

As the word left his mouth, Lin Baichuan moved. Like a tiger descending from a mountain, he took a stride spanning several yards, lunging directly at Niu Zhenye.

The killing intent in his eyes was dazzling. He had tolerated Niu Zhenye causing trouble for him repeatedly on the way. But just now, this fellow had deliberately exposed a weakness, wanting to use the Mountain Fiend to take his life. If he tolerated this any longer, there would be no point in practicing martial arts; he might as well become a ninja turtle.

Clang...

His Battle Saber was unsheathed, and a saber strike was unleashed. The saber light whistled, like a flowing ribbon across the sky.

The sheer power of the attack stunned Niu Zhenye, leaving him frozen on the spot. He watched as the Battle Saber descended, completely oblivious, motionless.

"Stop!"

Just then, a flash of sword light appeared. A long sword, like a water snake, thrust forward and sharply parried Lin Baichuan's saber strike.

It was Qin Qing.

She had reacted even faster than Li Da. The moment Lin Baichuan attacked, she moved with him. Her long sword swung, and the saber and sword clashed, sending sparks flying. A surge of immense power erupted, forcing both Lin Baichuan and her to retreat repeatedly.

However, Lin Baichuan was pushed back more than ten steps, while Qin Qing only took two and a half.

Even so, it was enough to shock Qin Qing, as well as Li Da and the others. Lin Baichuan's strike had actually forced Qin Qing back. This was sufficient proof that Lin Baichuan indeed possessed strength comparable to a Seventh Rank Organ Forging Realm cultivator!

Most importantly, they knew that Lin Baichuan hadn't even used his Saber Intent.

"He's this terrifying without even using his Saber Intent? Is this guy really only in the Ninth Rank Skin Refinement Realm?" Wu Xiaoqi gritted his teeth and growled, gasping in disbelief.

"Lin Baichuan, what do you think you're doing!"

At this moment, Li Da finally reacted and angrily shouted at Lin Baichuan, "Attacking a colleague, you have quite the nerve."

Lin Baichuan glanced at Li Da, his eyes as cold as ice, a sneer on his lips, full of disdain.

He didn't even bother to say another word to Li Da, instead looking at Qin Qing and saying coldly, "You want to stop me? With your strength and perception, you couldn't possibly not see that they deliberately let the Mountain Fiend escape, trying to kill me."

"Lin Baichuan, don't make baseless accusations!"

Li Da immediately shouted angrily, "The Mountain Fiend's escape was an accident. You say we deliberately let it go, but do you have any proof?"

"That's right, Lin Baichuan. Without evidence, you dare to slander us."

"You're too audacious, trying to slaughter your comrades. I think you're the one with a problem, perhaps a demon spy."

"Investigate... We must investigate thoroughly. This guy is definitely suspicious."

Li Da's reprimand gave Niu Zhenye, Luo Kang, and Wu Xiaoqi the courage to step forward and echo his accusations, turning the tables on Lin Baichuan.

Lin Baichuan's expression grew even more somber, killing intent boiling within him. His long saber trembled slightly, its cold glint flashing. However, he didn't attack because he was wary of Qin Qing. This woman's strength seemed to be much greater than what she displayed.

This woman had definitely hidden her strength, and he wasn't confident he could handle her, even with his Saber Intent.

"Enough!"

Just then, Qin Qing suddenly shouted sternly, "What time is it? Why are you arguing? Do you think we're out of danger? Open your eyes and look around, we're trapped."

As soon as Qin Qing spoke, everyone was stunned. Even Lin Baichuan frowned and subconsciously looked around.

Instantly, their faces changed drastically.

Suddenly, an eerie, dense fog had appeared in the village, chilling and pervasive, silently engulfing the entire place.

"Something's wrong, where's Ying Que? I don't see him..."

Li Da's expression darkened as he realized they were missing someone. It was Ying Que, the Intelligence Officer who had been leading them, who had vanished without a trace at some point.

"Could something have happened to him!"

Luo Kang said gravely, "This fog is so strange. It wasn't this thick before. I can smell the aura of a demon."

"This is Profound Yin Malevolent Qi. There's a demon hidden in the village, most likely a Malevolent Ghost among the specters," Qin Qing stated with a cold, somber tone. "Ying Que is missing, I fear something has happened. Everyone be careful! If we can't survive this ordeal, we'll all die here. Arguing is pointless..."

As she spoke, Qin Qing subtly glanced at Lin Baichuan.

It was clear she was mostly addressing Lin Baichuan, hoping he would temporarily set aside their personal grievances and unite against the common enemy.

Lin Baichuan sneered upon seeing this. "I naturally know what's important. I just hope some people aren't ungrateful."

He then glanced at Li Da and the other three, especially Niu Zhenye.

That guy was the most detestable. If the situation weren't so dire, he would have killed the bastard.

"Lin Baichuan, why are you looking at me? You don't think I'm going to kill you, do you!" Niu Zhenye immediately scoffed, his face looking extremely displeased.

Whoosh...

Suddenly, before his words even finished, a gust of chilling wind swept in. A figure flashed, violently grabbing Niu Zhenye and dragging him straight into the dense fog.