Golden Core Path

Boom!

A loud noise echoed far into the quiet night.

Immediately after, a series of rumbling sounds continued.

Liu Gu was thrown back by the initial blast of air and landed on the ground.

He looked at the frenzied scene before him and couldn't help but swallow.

Not far away, the giant Fox Demon was like a tattered sack in Kong Wu's hands, being thrown around wantonly.

Dust flew everywhere, and most of the surrounding trees did not survive, all snapped in half.

After a while, Kong Wu stopped, looked at the dying Fox Demon in front of him, and grinned, revealing his neat, white teeth.

"After eating, it's good to get some exercise to aid digestion."

As he spoke, he twisted his neck and walked up to the Fox Demon.

He wrapped his arms around the Fox Demon's neck, his muscles rippling all over his body.

The Fox Demon seemed to sense the aura of death and struggled incessantly, its massive body rolling uncontrollably.

But Kong Wu was completely unfazed, his arms wrapped around the Fox Demon's neck gradually tightening.

Crack~

With a crisp sound, the Fox Demon's body stiffened and stopped struggling.

Its blood-red tongue lolled out, and the blood in its eyes gradually faded.

"Congratulations on defeating the 'Ancient Tomb Fox Demon,' you have gained 8 Free Attribute Points."

A system prompt sounded. Kong Wu stood up, clapped his hands, and stretched.

"Done!"

[Kong Wu]

[Vitality: 102]

[Strength: 33.6]

[Skill: Blood Burst Technique Lv1 (0/10)]

[Free Attribute Points: 18.6]

[Special Attribute Points: None]

Seeing a full 18.6 Free Attribute Points, Kong Wu laughed heartily with joy.

Beside the desolate ancient tomb, a figure resembling a god or demon stood beside the giant fox corpse, laughing heartily.

This scene, as seen by Liu Gu, suddenly made him feel pity for the Fox Immortal.

The next moment, the laughter suddenly stopped.

The smile on Kong Wu's face faded as he looked to the side.

At some unknown time, a Taoist priest in a green robe suddenly appeared under the moonlight.

Following Kong Wu's gaze, Liu Gu's face showed a hint of surprise the moment he saw the Taoist priest.

"Daoist Master, you..."

Before he could finish speaking, Kong Wu's back suddenly appeared before him.

Then, with a muffled thud, Kong Wu stumbled back several steps.

Liu Gu quickly stepped forward and found that Kong Wu, who had not sustained any damage in the previous battle, was now bleeding from the corner of his mouth, his arms trembling slightly.

Opposite them, the Taoist priest's fingertips emitted a faint glow, pointing directly at the two of them.

"I didn't expect your luck to be so good, to actually find such assistance."

The Taoist priest's voice was gentle. He looked at the Fox Demon's corpse and said regretfully, "What a pity."

"Daoist Master, what is this..."

Liu Gu's thoughts were a bit jumbled, and he couldn't understand why this Daoist priest would attack him.

"Pah!"

Kong Wu spat out a mouthful of bloody saliva and grunted, "It's obvious that this Taoist priest is in league with that demon fox."

"May infinite blessings and longevity be with you," the Taoist priest murmured softly. "If it weren't for that young lady from the Liu family, it would have been able to form a demon core. You have ruined my great plan."

"Oh?" Kong Wu's expression was calm. He asked, "What use is its demon core to you?"

The Taoist priest shook his head. "It doesn't matter anymore. My century-long plan has failed... alas."

Sighing, he turned and pointed at Kong Wu again.

A black stream of light shot out and instantly struck Kong Wu.

This time, Kong Wu couldn't react in time, and a small hole was blasted into his left shoulder.

"I have cultivated my qi for many years, and I believe I have controlled my seven emotions and six desires."

The Taoist's tone grew increasingly urgent, his impassive face beginning to twitch.

"But today, you have successfully angered me."

Whoosh!

Another finger was pointed, this time creating a hole in Kong Wu's thigh.

"I won't let you die quickly. I will let you suffer endless torment, begging for death but unable to find it."

As he spoke, another bloody hole was created in Kong Wu's left hand.

"After I show you the most cruel torture in this world, I will refine your soul into a magic item, ensuring you are tormented day and night even in death."

At this point, the Taoist's face was contorted with a sinister expression, his voice filled with an endless chill.

Seeing the once mighty Kong Wu utterly helpless in the Taoist's hands, Liu Gu quickly interjected, "Venerable Taoist, whatever you have lost, the Liu family will surely provide compensation that satisfies you. Could you please spare him?"

"Compensation?"

The Taoist turned his head, casting a contemptuous glance at Liu Gu. "You ruined my path to the Golden Core. What compensation can a mere Liu family offer?"

"So, you wanted the demon core to break through to the Golden Core stage?"

Kong Wu, with several holes in his body, spoke as if he felt no pain, his tone casual.

The Taoist showed a hint of surprise. "You do have some knowledge."

"So, you must be at the late stage of Foundation Establishment."

Kong Wu's lips curled into a smile. "Then I know my current position in the food chain."

System, allocate points!

The moment he spoke, Kong Wu poured all his remaining Free Attribute Points into the Strength attribute.

Boom!

A chaotic surge of energy emanated from him, kicking up dust around him.

Not good!

The Taoist's pupils contracted slightly. He pointed several fingers in succession, but the black streams of light that shot into the dust cloud elicited no response.

Thump thump thump!

A sound like a drum being beaten echoed from within, as if some ferocious beast were awakening.

The Taoist frowned and shouted, "Playing tricks!"

He waved his sleeve, dispersing the dust cloud surrounding Kong Wu, revealing his figure.

Kong Wu's upper body clothing was torn, his muscles contorting.

As his muscles shifted, Kong Wu's body gradually shrank. In a short while, he was a head shorter than before, and his once robust physique had also reduced in size.

If the previous Kong Wu had been unnaturally robust, the current Kong Wu was less exaggerated. Some mighty generals in the army could achieve this level.

However, in the Taoist's eyes, Kong Wu now exuded an inexplicable threat.

Within that body flowed a power that could threaten him.

At the same time, he noticed that the bloody holes he had inflicted on Kong Wu were no longer visible.

Is this some secret technique?

The Taoist grew wary.

Kong Wu clenched his fists, familiarizing himself with his strength, then looked up and smiled, "Now, let me return what you did earlier."

Above the Taoist's grim face, his status panel was displayed.

[Hu Qiying] [Vitality: 279] [Strength: 51] [Skills: Three Tribulation Finger, Sword Control Technique, Demon Taming Method, Soul Seizing Art.]

With a Strength attribute of 51, he was the strongest person Kong Wu had encountered so far.

Very strong!

Kong Wu felt that this person would be considered skilled even throughout Qingzhou.

But fortunately...

He wasn't weak either!

[Kong Wu]

[Vitality: 102]

[Strength: 52.2]

[Skills: Blood Burst Technique Lv1 (0/10)]

[Free Attribute Points: None]

[Special Attribute Points: None]