The Demonic Body Holds Treasures, Each a Great Elixir

"Speak. Who tipped you off?"

Lu Yang struck with his blade again and again, the leopard demon's wounds growing heavier with each blow, its blood staining the withered leaves on the ground.

The leopard demon's green, gleaming eyes fixed dead on Lu Yang, their depths brimming with ferocity and rage.

"Lowly blood-meat, you'll get nothing from me!"

In an instant, the leopard demon's eyes turned bloodshot, its demonic aura surging violently. At twice its previous speed, it dodged the blade's edge and lunged, sharp fangs aiming straight for Lu Yang's throat without hesitation.

"Berserk?"

A flicker of thought crossed Lu Yang's mind.

Legend had it that some members of the Demon Race were born with the ability to overdraw their own demonic aura, trading it for explosive power in a short time, dulling pain, and stoking their savage instincts.

The price was a temporary loss of reason and a period of weakness afterward.

Demons with the Berserk ability were relatively outstanding individuals within their own clans.

Lu Yang had only ever heard of it once before, when Captain Yan Liu was boasting, and this was his first time experiencing it firsthand.

"Mountain Splitting Saber Art!"

Facing the bloodthirsty assault of the berserked Big Black Skin, Lu Yang, who had already broken through to the Houtian realm, remained unruffled.

He calmly raised his long blade, parrying the leopard demon's fangs one after another.

The true qi within him flowed like a gentle stream—seemingly frail, yet ceaselessly circulating, providing Lu Yang with an unending supply of strength.

After blocking several more strikes, the leopard demon's blood and demonic aura clearly began to wane.

After all, it was only a first-rank minor demon, with little demonic aura to overdraw.

Coupled with the heavy injuries it had sustained earlier and the significant blood loss, it was now at the end of its rope.

Blocking the leopard demon's attack once more, Lu Yang seized the opportunity. He raised his long blade above his head, exhaled, and shouted.

"Rolling Stone Opens Mountain!"

The true qi of Houtian First Level poured into the long blade, whipping up a fierce, howling wind.

Lu Yang's hand rose and fell, and the Big Black Skin's massive head rolled away with a thud.

Half an hour later.

Niushi Fort.

Niu Hanshan's brow was furrowed with worry.

Chen Fang said, "It's been so long and he's still not back. Captain Lu—could something have happened to him?"

"Probably not." Niu Hanshan clung to hope and said, "Captain Lu is, after all, at Body Tempering Ninth Level, and he seems to have mastered his saber art to perfection. Even if he can't win, he still has a chance to escape."

Even as he said it, Niu Hanshan himself wasn't entirely sure.

Wang Fang said, "If Captain Lu is cautious, he might get away. But if there are more ambushes in the woods, it'll be trouble."

The others felt a chill at those words.

After all, from start to finish, they hadn't figured out how many of these 'Black Skins' were in the group.

If more leopard demons were hiding in the forest to back each other up, Lu Yang's situation would be grim.

Suddenly, a dark figure burst out of the gloomy, dense woods, racing toward Niushi Fort at incredible speed.

The group was startled at first, but as the shadow drew closer and they made out a human silhouette, their surprise turned to joy.

"He's out!"

Zhao Hu jumped up excitedly. "Brother Yang is out!"

Seeing this, Wang Fang and the other constables let out long sighs of relief.

On the fort tower, Niu Hanshan's clenched fists quietly relaxed.

When he saw that Lu Yang was even carrying three bloody leopard demon heads in his hands, he burst into hearty laughter.

"Ha ha ha!"

"Captain Lu is truly a young hero! Today, this old man plays host. Please stay at my Niushi Fort for a day, and we'll drink to our hearts' content!"

If you find this book enjoyable, to avoid losing track next time, remember to add it to your bookshelf.

To refuse a feast of warm wine and hospitality would be ungracious.

That day, Lu Yang and his companions stayed at the fort, celebrating heartily.

Plenty of wine and meat were laid out, and cups clinked back and forth—needless to say.

After three rounds of wine, host and guests were all in high spirits. Niu Hanshan, emboldened by the drink, asked, "Captain Lu, did you manage to dig out any Demon Treasures from those Black Skins? If so, this old man would be willing to trade a heavy sum for them."

What they called a Demon Treasure was the essence of a demon's blood and qi.

In plain terms, it was the most refined lump of flesh and blood within a demon's body.

Legend had it that if a demon succeeded in transforming into a greater demon, this lump of flesh would fully condense into a Demon Core.

But ordinary first- and second-rank demons didn't always produce a Demon Treasure.

Especially for first-tier lesser demons, the chance of giving birth to a Demon Treasure is extremely slim.

Yet these few Leopard Demons had still nearly reached the peak of first-tier lesser demons, so the probability of them nurturing a Demon Treasure was undoubtedly much greater.

And unlike the Demon Core of a transformed great demon—though it is the essence of a great demon condensed, it can only be swallowed after being refined into a pill.

If a martial artist swallowed it directly, they would very likely be eroded by the violent demonic energy within, fall into qi deviation, or even degenerate into something half-human, half-beast.

A Demon Treasure, however, suffers no such calamity.

Although this lump of flesh is nurtured within the body of the Demon Race, before it condenses into a core, its interior is extremely pure, without even a trace of demonic energy.

Because of its low grade, it cannot be used for alchemy, yet due to its mild flesh and lack of demonic energy, even an ordinary person can eat it directly.

After a martial artist swallows it, it can enhance their own blood and qi, and even their true qi.

Even an ordinary person, after swallowing it, can increase their strength and prolong their life.

When Niu Hanshan was young, he happened to swallow a piece of Demon Treasure by chance, which allowed him to cultivate to Body Tempering Eighth Level and become the master of Niushi Fort.

Later, due to injuries, his blood and qi drained away, and his cultivation stagnated as a result.

Now, by inquiring about Demon Treasures from Lu Yang, he undoubtedly intended to use one to replenish his blood and qi and heal his hidden injuries.

At this moment, everyone's gaze fell on Lu Yang.

A Demon Treasure was extremely precious to first-tier and second-tier martial artists, practically a natural miraculous medicine.

Even Zhao Hu and Wang Fang, when they heard those two words, revealed a hint of longing in their eyes.

Lu Yang smiled. "Town Chief Niu has sharp eyes. I did indeed luckily dig up a piece of Demon Treasure."

As he spoke, he turned his hand over, and in his palm appeared a bloodstained cloth.

Without Lu Yang even opening the wrapped cloth, the room was already filled with a rich, exotic fragrance.

Niu Hanshan's eyes lit up, and his face flushed red.

Zhao Hu, Wang Fang, and the others also began to breathe more rapidly.

A glint of greed flashed in Chen Fang's eyes, but perhaps remembering that Lu Yang had saved his life before, or realizing that the man before him was an expert capable of slaying those three Leopard Demons, his gaze soon cleared again.

Zhao Hu suddenly leaned in and whispered, "Brother Yang, wealth stirs the heart. Such a good thing shouldn't be brought out in public."

Lu Yang waved his hand with a smile, indicating it was fine.

An innocent man may harbor a treasure, but that very treasure becomes his crime.

He naturally understood this principle.

However, by now he had already broken through to the Houtian realm and condensed true qi. Even if everyone present attacked him at once, he would not be afraid.

Moreover, Lu Yang had his own considerations.

A Demon Treasure, with its internal exotic fragrance, might go unnoticed by ordinary martial artists once stored away.

But for the Demon Race, with their keen sense of smell, it could be clearly detected from dozens of li away.

Carrying this thing along the mountain road back to Black Mountain County would be nothing short of suicide—it would inevitably attract many demonic creatures along the way.

Furthermore, once dug up, if not swallowed within a day, its medicinal power would quickly dissipate.

In one day, he could not make it back to Black Mountain County.

Swallowing it directly was also an option.

But with his system by his side, as long as he slew demons, he could improve his cultivation. A mere first-tier lesser demon's Demon Treasure meant little to him.

It would be better to exchange it for some money.

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