Blood Refinement Saber, a One-Star Artifact

Although the Asura Sect branch where Zhuge Xiang and the others were stationed lay only on the outskirts of the Endless Mountain Range, they still often encountered fierce beasts such as Jackals along the way. Though these beasts posed a great threat to ordinary people, after a year of grueling training—and having comprehended Qi Energy—Zhuge Xiang did not need to expend much effort to kill them. The gap between comprehending Qi Energy and not comprehending it was enormous.

Although these fierce beasts could only give Zhuge Xiang a mere five or six experience points, even a mosquito was still meat, no matter how small.

It was worth mentioning that after Zhuge Xiang comprehended Qi Energy, he needed a full 800 experience points to Breakthrough to the Qi Cultivation Realm Second Layer. Since he needed experience to level up, whenever they encountered fierce beasts, Zhuge Xiang always volunteered to rush forward.

Asura Sect disciples like Lu Yuling often ventured deep into the Endless Mountain Range to seek out fierce beasts and Monster Beasts to temper themselves. Seeing how enthusiastic Zhuge Xiang was, Lu Yuling was naturally happy to take it easy. Besides, for someone at the Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer like her, training against these fierce beasts had no effect at all.

Although they encountered quite a few fierce beasts along the way, there was no danger. After traveling for most of the day and casually roasting some meat to eat, they finally saw that Century-Old Ganoderma by evening. Having killed more than a dozen fierce beasts along the way, Zhuge Xiang had also gained over a hundred experience points.

Amid the dense forest stood a small hill only several dozen zhang tall. In an open patch at its foot, tucked into the corner beside a boulder, was a grayish-white Ganoderma nearly the same color as the stone. If one did not look carefully, it would be easy to overlook. Hidden in the shadows, Zhuge Xiang and Lu Yuling both spotted it. From its appearance, it was clearly fully mature.

However, beside the Ganoderma, there was a small cave in the hill's stone wall. At its entrance lay a yellow-furred fox, dozing lightly. Its body was thin, as though its vital energy and blood were lacking, yet it was enormous. If it stood up, it would likely reach an adult's waist. The chief distinction of Monster Beasts was that their size completely surpassed the limits of their species.

"Strange. This fox looks injured. Compared to a few months ago, not only has its aura not grown stronger, it has actually weakened," Lu Yuling said softly, watching the Fox Demon lying at the cave entrance from concealment.

"Wouldn't a weakened aura be even better? The Ganoderma is already mature. Hurry up and take it, then leave. We don't have much time." Zhuge Xiang shook his head at Lu Yuling's doubts. Such a question clearly could not be answered by mere speculation. Rather than waste time thinking about it, they might as well snatch the Ganoderma first.

"Mm." After pondering for a moment without finding any reason, Lu Yuling nodded at Zhuge Xiang's words and stopped dwelling on it. She revealed herself and pounced toward the Fox Demon.

Wild beasts were generally more vigilant than humans. Though Lu Yuling made no sound as she moved, the Fox Demon still awoke when she approached. It let out a fierce roar and sprang forward like a rabbit released from a snare. Its sharp claws and fangs gleamed with chilling light beneath the setting sun.

This Monster Beast was close to One-Star Mid-Grade. Originally, Lu Yuling had been no more than evenly matched against it, perhaps even half a notch weaker. Yet for some reason, this Fox Demon appeared to have been injured long ago, and its strength had instead declined. Once they began fighting, Zhuge Xiang could tell that the Fox Demon was now slightly weaker than Lu Yuling.

However, Lu Yuling's Clear Wave Palm focused on entanglement, and its offensive power was not especially fierce. Though she held a slight edge in strength, the Fox Demon itself excelled in speed and agility. Clear Wave Palm suppressed it, but defeating it in a short time would not be easy.

To avoid dragging things out until trouble arose, Zhuge Xiang sprang out while Lu Yuling had the Fox Demon suppressed. He would pick the Hundred-Year Ganoderma first.

Yet as he harvested the Ganoderma, Zhuge Xiang sighed inwardly. With the Fox Demon's strength diminished, the role he could play was even smaller. He was only responsible for picking the Ganoderma; even Zhuge Xiang himself felt ashamed to accept thirty percent of the profit.

Seeing Zhuge Xiang harvest the Ganoderma, the Fox Demon grew frantic. Its attacks became much fiercer, and it repeatedly cried out in anger. However, Lu Yuling's strength was there for all to see. Her cultivation at the Qi Cultivation Realm Third Layer, even if she had only broken through a few days ago, was not to be underestimated. Moreover, Clear Wave Palm specialized in entanglement, so suppressing it was not much of a problem.

"Roar!!!" A fox's fierce roar suddenly rang out without warning, drawing nearer from afar. A fox's cry was usually somewhat shrill, but this roar was like a tiger's howl shaking the mountain forest, brimming with vigorous force.

The sudden roar made both Zhuge Xiang's and Lu Yuling's faces change. At the same time, the Fox Demon being suppressed by Lu Yuling raised its head and gave a sharp cry, echoing the deep roar from afar.

"Damn it! This Fox Demon has a companion, and it seems stronger than this one!" Lu Yuling and Zhuge Xiang exchanged a look, each seeing the gravity in the other's eyes.

"Blood Thunder Slash!!!" Zhuge Xiang lowered his body slightly as his muscles bulged. His essence and blood surged, Qi Energy churned, and he held his palm upright like a blade, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on the Fox Demon restrained by Lu Yuling.

Lu Yuling naturally saw Zhuge Xiang's reaction and understood his meaning. Fox Demons excelled in speed and agility. Judging by the roar approaching from afar, the Fox Demon rushing over had to be even faster. Even if they ran now, they might not escape. Rather than be hunted down by two Fox Demons later, they might as well kill one first.

Clear Wave Palm followed move after move, its Qi Energy wrapping around the Fox Demon like a spider's web and binding it tightly. Its movements became slower and more sluggish.

Poised to strike, Zhuge Xiang waited for a full seven or eight breaths. Veins bulged across his face like earthworms. Just as his body was about to give out, the gathered Qi Energy suddenly erupted. Zhuge Xiang turned into a swift shadow and lunged toward the Fox Demon bound by Lu Yuling's Clear Wave Palm.

The faint sound of wind and thunder arose. A bleakly brilliant blood-red glow appeared along the edge of Zhuge Xiang's palm. With a savage palm-blade strike, Zhuge Xiang hacked viciously at the Fox Demon's neck. A crisp crack rang out—the sound of its cervical vertebra breaking.

Whether Qi Cultivation Realm cultivators or One-Star Monster Beasts, they had only just comprehended Qi Energy or demonic energy and stepped onto the path of cultivation. Though their attacks had become stronger under the effects of Qi Energy and demonic energy, their physical bodies had not been strengthened. They were the very definition of high attack and low defense.

Zhuge Xiang's fully charged Blood Thunder Slash, the Martial Arts Pavilion's strongest offensive Martial Art, consumed half his Qi Energy. It struck the weak point of the Fox Demon's neck directly, achieving a one-hit kill.

With a miserable cry, the Fox Demon collapsed to the ground. Its cervical vertebra was broken, its neck twisted at a bizarre angle. It exhaled more than it inhaled, clearly at death's door. After a few low mournful cries and several spasms, it stopped moving.

"Ding. Killed a One-Star Low-Grade Fox Demon above your level. Obtained 133 experience. Obtained Blood Refinement Saber. Obtained Healing Pill ×1."

As the Fox Demon was slain, the mechanical system prompt sounded in Zhuge Xiang's mind. The massive 133 experience points stunned him. The experience from this kill was actually so high—it seemed to be because he had killed an enemy above his level.

And not only had it given him 133 experience points, it had also dropped a medicinal pill and a weapon?

Following the system prompt, a Horse-Slaying Saber had appeared in Zhuge Xiang's hand at some unknown moment, while a pale-red pill had appeared in his other hand. When he lowered his head to inspect them, the information for the Blood Refinement Saber and the pill naturally surfaced.

Blood Refinement Saber (One-Star Artifact): Required level: Qi Cultivation Realm First Layer. Attack: 12–16. Unique passive: Lifesteal 10%. Weight: 10. Durability: 12/16.

Healing Pill: No level requirement. Continuously restores health. Restores 10 HP per second for 10 seconds.

HP was what was known as one's health value. Before comprehending Qi Energy, Zhuge Xiang had 100 HP on his Character Interface. After comprehending Qi Energy, he had only 110 HP. This Healing Pill could restore 100 HP, so its effect was clearly quite good.

From killing the Fox Demon, to the system prompt announcing the equipment drop, to lowering his head to inspect the Blood Refinement Saber and Healing Pill in his hands, all of it seemed to take a long time, but in truth it happened in only an instant.

After killing the Fox Demon, Zhuge Xiang and Lu Yuling did not linger. They turned to flee. Without even looking at the Fox Demon rushing toward them, both knew that it had to be very strong.

Yet they had barely moved before stopping, because a massive dark-yellow fox appeared before Zhuge Xiang and Lu Yuling. This fox was as large as a calf. Fourteen-year-old Zhuge Xiang was only about as tall as it was.

"One-Star Mid-Grade, equivalent to the Qi Cultivation Realm Fifth Layer." Looking at the dark-yellow fox and sensing the thick demonic energy radiating from it, Lu Yuling's tone remained calm, but her eyes were more grave than ever.