Chu Han felt a rush of dry heat all over his body, and the refined blood energy he had previously controlled turned violent.
It was only then that he realized the flesh and blood of the Red Scale Python contained a massive amount of Fire Attribute Elemental Power.
Especially the blood of the Red Scale Python, which contained even stronger fire poison.
Instead of subduing it, taking it directly stimulated the refined blood energy of the Black Blood Stone while adding an extra share of fire-attribute energy inside his body.
The intermingling of the two types of energy overwhelmed his body, making him feel as though he were burning, unbearably hot.
My Body Tempering Pills are already used up, so I can only use another method.
After a moment of thought, Chu Han decided to enter the cold pool once again to suppress the searing energy.
With a wave of his hand, he first stored the massive corpse of the Red Scale Python into his spatial storage.
Then he jumped straight into the cold pool, diving all the way to the bottom.
The temperature at the bottom of the pool was near freezing, which, combined with the immense water pressure, made Chu Han feel a bit better.
Then he began to practice the Nine Heavens Body Tempering Technique, cycling through the thirty-six postures of the first stage.
The moment the elemental power vortex in his dantian appeared, it sucked in both the refined blood energy and the fire-attribute elemental power, transforming them into nourishment for Chu Han to strengthen his physical body.
Chu Han was growing stronger at a rapid pace.
He treated the bottom of the cold pool as his personal training ground, determined to consume all the energy from the Black Blood Stone and the Red Scale Python's blood.
Aside from surfacing every now and then to catch his breath, he never left the cold pool.
Time ticked away bit by bit until the sun in the western sky began to dip, and only then did Chu Han finish absorbing the two types of energy within his body.
"Bang!"
With a loud crash, the originally calm pool water instantly exploded, and Chu Han leaped straight up from the bottom of the pool, kicking up a massive spray of water all around him.
"So strong!"
Feeling the surging power within his body, Chu Han struggled to suppress the excitement in his heart.
The energy from the Black Blood Stone and the Red Scale Python's blood had reborn him, and his physical strength was even comparable to that of a fierce beast, far surpassing ordinary martial artists.
Although that controllable bloody elemental power had vanished, he discovered that the circulation of elemental power in his body now carried a hint of scorching heat, seemingly having undergone a transformation after absorbing the fire-attribute elemental power from the Red Scale Python's blood.
Only, the elemental power within his body remained scarce, and he was still a distance away from becoming a 1st Rank Martial Artist.
"My single-arm strength right now definitely exceeds seven or eight thousand catties."
Chu Han roughly estimated his strength, walked up to a huge black stone, and threw a punch, instantly shattering the massive rock.
"Such formidable power, and the force generation of my fist techniques has also improved. The gains from this trip are truly immense."
During this wilderness training, what he gained was not merely an improvement in strength.
He had also acquired the corpse of a 2nd-rank Red Scale Python, the corpses of two 1st-rank fierce beasts, and a large quantity of other fierce beast corpse materials.
If these materials and corpses were sold, it would definitely be a huge fortune, and perhaps it would be enough to buy spiritual medicine to cure his father's injuries.
Thinking of this, Chu Han felt somewhat eager to return.
As it happened, the sky was now nearing dusk.
It was almost time for the Wilderness Training Camp to assemble.
His current location was quite deep within Black Stone Mountain, so making the trip back would also take up a bit more time.
Chu Han ran wildly all the way, taking the opportunity to collect the materials from the corpses of the Rotten Dogs he encountered along the road.
As he was about to approach the outer perimeter of Black Stone Mountain, a huge red signal flare suddenly shot up into the sky from the distance.
The flare burst open in the heavens, instantly filling the sky with a red glow.
Chu Han furrowed his brows slightly, knowing this was a distress signal used when someone encountered danger.
Yet this signal flare was somewhat different, being a couple of sizes larger than the ones given to them, and certainly not something possessed by students participating in the training camp.
What on earth is happening ahead?
Chu Han hurriedly quickened his pace to go and investigate.
After he crested a hillside, he froze in place.
In the open space ahead, he discovered a massive swarm of Black Stone Scorpions, numbering a full hundred or more!
This pack of Black Stone Scorpions formed a tightly packed, airtight giant circle, and trapped inside the circle were over a dozen humans!
Among the besieged people, more than half were soldiers wearing camouflage uniforms.
These soldiers formed the first line of defense for the human side against the Black Stone Scorpions, striking out to beat back the scorpions whenever they rushed forward.
"They should be military rescue personnel, and their strengths are all around the 1st Rank of Martial Artists."
Chu Han instantly figured out the whole sequence of events.
It must have been students participating in the wilderness training camp who fell into danger, and these soldiers came to the rescue, only to encounter a situation they could not resolve.
That large signal flare must have been fired by these soldiers to summon stronger rescuers.
"Logically speaking, a group of 1st Rank Martial Artists shouldn't be trapped by Black Stone Scorpions."
Chu Han felt a bit puzzled. Could the strength of 1st Rank Martial Artists really be this weak?
Yet very quickly, he changed his mind.
For amid the swarm of Black Stone Scorpions, he spotted a big fellow.
That Black Stone Scorpion's size far surpassed ordinary Black Stone Scorpions, being at least twice as large.
Its carapace was covered in dark red patterns, and its tail stinger was as thick as a finger, shimmering with a black-purple luster that looked thoroughly terrifying.
"It's a Mutated Black Stone Scorpion, a 1st-rank fierce beast!"
"No wonder these soldiers couldn't break through the encirclement—it's because of this guy!"
Chu Han instantly recognized the origin of this Black Stone Scorpion.
Mutated Black Stone Scorpions belonged to a special breed, with strength approaching a 2nd-rank fierce beast, making them even more formidable than the Corrupt Dog King or the Tusk Pig!
Not only was it larger in size, but its defense was also practically invincible, and the potent poison on its tail stinger could instantly paralyze a 1st-rank martial artist. Even 2nd-rank martial artists would require several people working together for a chance to hunt one.
With it present, it was no wonder that a dozen or so 1st-rank soldiers were unable to break through.
"Hmm?"
At that moment, Chu Han caught sight of the students within the soldiers' protective circle.
None other than the members of the squad led by squad leader Jiang Yan.
Jiang Yan was among them as well.
At that moment, Jiang Yan was already injured, bearing a shocking wound on her left arm, yet she still gritted her teeth and persisted in helping the soldiers beat back the Black Stone Scorpions.
"Looks like I have to make a move!"
Chu Han had originally intended to observe for a bit, but seeing Jiang Yan fall into crisis, he could not just sit by and do nothing.
After all, Jiang Yan had taken the initiative to help him at the very beginning.
Chu Han took a deep breath, his feet exerting sudden force, and his body shot out like an arrow released from a bowstring.
His figure traced a lingering afterimage through the air, charging straight toward the direction of the Mutated Black Stone Scorpion!
In the space of a few breaths, he had already plunged into the Black Stone Scorpion swarm.
The Fine Steel Long Blade in his hand danced continuously, and the Black Stone Scorpions on either side of his body immediately tumbled down one after another as if being mowed like grass.
When it came to killing Black Stone Scorpions, he was a professional!
"Who is this person? He's actually so formidable!"
"He doesn't look like one of our rescue personnel. He came from deep inside the mountain—he looks more like a student."
"A student? Cut the crap. His strength is close to a 2nd-rank martial artist; I've never seen such a strong student!"
The soldiers were the first to discover Chu Han charging and slaughtering his way through the Black Stone Scorpion swarm, and all of them were filled with shock.
Right then, the formation of the Black Stone Scorpions was thrown into chaos under Chu Han's assault, greatly easing the pressure on the people inside.
Jiang Yan and the others also spotted Chu Han, but Chu Han's speed was too fast for any of them to recognize him.
"That's great! We're saved!"
"Heaven has eyes! This person is definitely a powerful martial artist!"
"Why does his figure look so much like Chu Han? Could he really be Chu Han?"
"Are you kidding me? Even those 1st-rank martial artist soldiers can't handle those Black Stone Scorpions, yet Chu Han could slaughter them like weeds? I wouldn't believe it if you beat me to death."
"Look, he's charging toward that 1st-rank Mutated Black Stone Scorpion..."
At that moment, Chu Han had already arrived before the Mutated Black Stone Scorpion.
The Mutated Black Stone Scorpion also noticed the person slaughtering its own kind and flew into a furious rage.
It swung its thick pincers to sweep horizontally at Chu Han, wanting to smash this suddenly appearing human to pieces.
"Too slow!"
The corners of Chu Han's mouth curled into a sneer as he executed the Spirit Cat Steps, easily dodging the pincer attack.
With a backhanded slash, he struck the joint connecting the Mutated Black Stone Scorpion's pincer to its body.
"Squish!"
The massive pincer was instantly parted from the body and sent flying away.
The Mutated Black Stone Scorpion flew into a fury, immediately opening its mouth to spew out a large cloud of purple poisonous gas.
At the same time, it whipped its venomous tail stinger, preparing to deal Chu Han a fatal blow.
Chu Han held his breath, lashed out with a single blade strike, and precisely deflected the stabbing poisonous stinger.
Simultaneously lunging forward, the long blade in his hand slashed straight down at the head of the Mutated Black Stone Scorpion.
"Third form of the Seven Forms of the Army Breaker!"
A chilling blade radiance flashed past, and the head of the Mutated Black Stone Scorpion was instantly split into two, cleaved open by Chu Han's single strike.
Its massive body crashed to the ground with a loud thud, as dead as could be.
"What fierce footwork! What terrifying blade technique!"
"He really is too strong!"
Cries of amazement rang out among the group of soldiers.
At that moment, Chu Han flashed out of the range of the poisonous gas, landing on the ground not far away.
His face was immediately revealed in full view.
"It really is Chu Han!"
"How can this be possible?!"
Before you continue