Slaying a Heaven Yuan Demon Beast! (Seeking Votes and Bookmarks)

Luo Heng noticed that the familiar aura within his perception had finally left.

"This old man."

Luo Heng smiled and gently shook his head, warmth rising in his heart. Ever since leaving the estate, he had sensed his father following him.

His father had been worried that he might encounter danger. After all, Ironwood Stake still belonged to the Lei Clan and carried certain risks. Moreover, he had only shown the strength of a seventh-level Body Tempering Realm martial artist to the outside world. If he encountered an Earthen Yuan Stage expert, he would have no ability to fight back.

He then headed alone toward the depths of Ironwood Estate.

Ironwood Estate covered an enormous area, and its scenery was exceptionally beautiful. If not for the faint stench of blood and beasts drifting in from all around, it would have been an excellent place to escape the summer heat and enjoy the view.

As he went deeper, Luo Heng clearly felt the temperature changing. This was because he had absorbed the Ninth Grade Yin Fiend Qi, Mysterious Nether Water. Otherwise, ordinary people would have found it difficult to sense such a change in temperature.

Looks like I've entered the vicinity of the Yang Yuan Stone Mine...

Thinking this, Luo Heng crouched down and grabbed a handful of black soil. Sure enough, it contained a trace of Yang Essence Qi.

This was what Heaven Yuan Realm martial artists absorbed.

If not for his absorption of Mysterious Nether Qi and his cultivation of the Great Devouring Art, he would never have noticed that trace of Yang Essence Qi. Yet it truly existed.

After walking another hundred meters forward, he found that the deeper he went, the richer the Yang Essence Qi became.

Looks like I'm almost there.

He then took a handful of soil from each of the four directions—east, south, west, and north—and discovered that the northern soil contained slightly more Yang Essence Qi.

He immediately headed north at high speed. At present, the Yang Yuan Stone Mine was still quite tempting to him. Though it was a little improper to seize an opportunity that originally belonged to the Lin Family, he did not care.

The struggle for resources had always followed one rule: whoever got there first owned it.

As he headed north, he grabbed a handful of soil every so often, sensing the strength of the Yang Essence Qi within.

The farther in he went, the hotter it became. Perhaps because he had absorbed Mysterious Nether Qi, he was far more sensitive to changes in temperature than ordinary people.

At the same time, he wondered why Lei Bao had not discovered it. Wasn't this obvious? What an idiot!

He continued deeper until he was nearly at the end of the forest, yet Luo Heng still did not stop.

Suddenly, he caught the stench of a beast. He immediately knew that he should not be far from the Demon Beast described in the Original Work.

A trace of vigilance rose in his heart. After quietly finding a place to hide, he swept his gaze across a valley and soon spotted two black figures at its bottom.

Huh? Two Heaven Yuan Realm Black Iron Demon Leopards? Luo Heng was somewhat surprised, but in the next instant, he recalled that the novel from his previous life had indeed described it this way.

The two figures were black leopards. Their bodies were pitch-black, as though covered in black refined iron. Under the sunlight, they reflected a dazzling sheen. Their green eyes radiated savagery and cunning.

Their reputation was no less than that of Fire Python Tigers. Once they reached adulthood, they likewise possessed Heaven Yuan Realm strength. Judging from the size of these two Demon Leopards, they were clearly at the peak of their physical condition.

Luo Heng hesitated slightly. He had never fought a Heaven Yuan Realm expert before and had no idea what his chances of winning against them were.

However, Luo Heng was not afraid. Even if he could not defeat them, despite being renowned for their speed, they still could not outrun him.

He then noticed that the Yang Essence Qi in the soil beneath him was exceptionally dense.

Have I arrived?

Luo Heng dug at the soil beneath him with his hand. After a few digs, he found that the aura was growing stronger and stronger.

A few seconds later, a pale red stone appeared in his hand.

The stone's edges were not sharply defined. It was pale red throughout, with a faint translucence that made it resemble a crystal. A mild warmth seeped from it, as though he were holding a ball of sunlight.

This was a Yang Yuan Stone. It was said that such stones could only form deep within volcanoes. Not only did these crystals absorb the Primal Energy between heaven and earth, but after being soaked in lava for long periods, they also fused with a trace of Yang Essence power. For experts who had reached the Heaven Yuan Realm, these Yang Yuan Stones were practically tailor-made treasures.

Luo Heng had also received several even higher-grade Yang Yuan Stones through Daily Check-in, so he recognized one at a glance.

He casually tossed the Yang Yuan Stone into the System Space, intending to tell his father and grandfather about it after returning home. As for now...

Luo Heng turned his gaze toward the two Black Iron Demon Leopards. Both were at the Early Heaven Yuan Realm. Naturally, he had to test his skills on them!

Luo Heng narrowed his eyes, and his consciousness sank into his Niwan Palace.

The three pale golden Myriad Techniques Spirit Needles had already condensed. They floated quietly before the Myriad Law Seal, radiating invisible waves of sharpness.

With Earthen Yuan Stage cultivation, challenging two Heaven Yuan Realm Demon Beasts across an entire major realm head-on was far from a wise choice.

His advantage lay in the spiritual domain that they had never touched, as well as the formidable foundation of his body, which far surpassed others of the same realm.

"Let's first test the effects of a spiritual attack."

With a thought, the three Myriad Techniques Spirit Needles shot out abruptly. Silent and swift as streaks of light, they pierced straight toward the heads of the two Black Iron Demon Leopards at the bottom of the valley!

Almost the instant the needles left his body, one of the larger Demon Leopards suddenly raised its head. Savage light flashed in its green eyes as though it sensed an invisible threat, and it let out a low roar.

However, the speed of a spiritual attack far exceeded its reaction speed.

"Hiss!"

The three needles almost simultaneously plunged into the foreheads of the two Demon Leopards.

"Roar—!!!"

Miserable, agonized roars instantly echoed through the valley!

The two Demon Leopards seemed as though invisible sledgehammers had smashed violently into their skulls. Their enormous bodies stiffened abruptly, then they began wildly shaking their heads, their claws gouging deep trenches into the ground.

Their movements became staggered and chaotic. The savagery in their eyes was replaced by pain and a momentary daze. The intense pain and dizziness caused by the impact on their Seas of Consciousness briefly sent even these notoriously fierce Demon Beasts into a state of disorder.

"Opportunity!"

A sharp glint flashed in Luo Heng's eyes. Without the slightest hesitation, he fully unleashed the Flowing Cloud and Soaring Goose Steps. His body became a blurred azure shadow as he shot from his hiding place and pounced straight toward the slightly smaller Demon Leopard, which seemed more heavily injured and swayed more severely.

The Great Devouring Art circulated silently. The black vortex in his dantian spun faster, granting him more explosive power and sustained Primal Energy support.

He clenched his right hand into a fist as pale golden Primal Energy surged and gathered around it, accompanied by a faint rumble of thunder.

Tiangang Thunderclap Fist: First Appearance of Lightning!

He did not choose the more powerful but more draining Thunderbolt Strike. Against Demon Beasts in this state, swift, precise, relentless attacks were more effective.

"Bang!"

His fist, wreathed in tiny arcs of lightning, smashed viciously into the point where the Demon Leopard's neck and shoulder blade met, exposed as it tilted its head in pain!

The tyrannical force of the Ninth Grade Martial Art, combined with the pure Primal Energy enhanced by the Great Devouring Art, erupted instantly.

"Crack!"

A clear sound of breaking bones rang out! The Demon Leopard howled in pain as its enormous body was sent sliding several feet sideways. The fur on its neck, harder than refined iron, caved inward, exposing the flesh beneath.

However, the vitality and defense of a Heaven Yuan Realm Demon Beast far exceeded Luo Heng's expectations.

That punch, which was enough to severely injure a Late Earthen Yuan Stage martial artist, failed to completely destroy the Demon Leopard's combat ability. Instead, it aroused the savagery deep in its bones.

"Roar!"

The intense pain partially woke the Demon Leopard from the dizziness of the spiritual attack. Its blood-red beast eyes locked onto Luo Heng. Its hind legs kicked off the ground as it charged forward in a burst of foul wind, maw wide open and claws gleaming coldly! Its speed far surpassed Lei Li's previous speed!

The other, larger Demon Leopard also shook its head and adjusted its stance with a low growl, faintly forming a pincer attack.

Luo Heng's heart tightened, and he did not dare slack off in the slightest. He pushed the Flowing Cloud and Soaring Goose Steps to the limit, his body drifting like willow fluff in the wind as he narrowly evaded the incoming claws and fangs.

The Demon Leopard's claws grazed past the edge of his clothes, and the force of the wind they generated scraped painfully against his skin.

What speed! What strength!

Luo Heng was secretly alarmed. If the Myriad Techniques Spirit Needles had not succeeded first and disrupted them, he might not have been able to completely evade that pounce.

The gulf between the Earthen Yuan Stage and Heaven Yuan Realm truly could not be crossed so easily, even with his profound foundation.

After missing its attack, the Demon Leopard became even more violent. The two Demon Beasts attacked from left and right like a storm. Claws, bites, and pounces, combined with the demonic energy tremors unique to Heaven Yuan Realm Demon Beasts, forced Luo Heng to continually dodge and retreat, seeming to place him in constant peril.

Yet Luo Heng's gaze remained calm. He was waiting—for the Myriad Techniques Spirit Needles to recover, and for a chance to land a killing blow.

"I can't drag this out. I have to end this quickly!"

Within his Niwan Palace, the Myriad Law Seal glimmered faintly as his depleted Spiritual Power gradually recovered.

Though the two Demon Leopards were fierce, their movements still showed a trace of disharmony. Clearly, the earlier spiritual attack was still affecting them.

Now!

A cold glint flashed through Luo Heng's eyes. Facing another ferocious pounce from the Demon Leopard on his left, he not only did not retreat completely, but instead changed his footwork and slipped sideways by a hair's breadth. At the same time, he pressed together the index and middle fingers of his right hand, forcibly condensing his Primal Energy and Spiritual Power according to the secret method of the Myriad Techniques Spirit Needle!

A pale golden needle, more solid than before and almost invisible to the naked eye, flashed from his fingertips and shot once more toward the Demon Leopard's brow!

"Roar!"

The Demon Leopard seemed to have developed some instinctive wariness toward spiritual attacks. It sharply turned its head, causing the Myriad Techniques Spirit Needle to miss the center of its brow and instead graze past its eye before plunging in.

"Pfft!"

The Demon Leopard's left eye instantly burst into a spray of blood! An even more miserable howl rang out as it completely lost its balance. Its pounce veered off course, and it slammed heavily into a nearby rock, sending shattered stones flying.

An opening!

The Great Devouring Art within Luo Heng's body circulated madly, rapidly devouring the dense Primal Energy produced by the Yang Yuan Stone Mine to replenish his expenditure. The ground beneath his feet exploded into a small crater, and his body shot forward like an arrow released from its bow, charging directly toward the Black Iron Demon Leopard that had lost an eye and was rolling in agony.

This time, he did not use his fists again.

With a thought, the Qingxuan Sword from the System Space instantly appeared in his hand.

Though a Mortal Grade Peak Weapon was not a divine weapon, under the infusion of pure Primal Energy, the sword hummed and emitted a cold, clear gleam.

"Die!"

Luo Heng's gaze was icy as he poured all his strength into this strike. Man and sword became one, transforming into an azure bolt of lightning that stabbed directly toward the Demon Leopard's exposed throat!

"Pfft!"

The sword pierced through without resistance, sinking to the hilt!

The Demon Leopard's roar stopped abruptly. Its enormous body convulsed violently a few times before crashing to the ground. Blood gushed out, staining the earth red.

"Awoo—!"

The other, larger Demon Leopard saw its companion die and released a howl filled with grief and rage. However, the savagery in its eyes was replaced by a trace of fear.

It stared fixedly at Luo Heng, especially at the bloodstained Qingxuan Sword in his hand. Its four paws slowly retreated as it assumed a guarded stance and... faintly showed signs of wanting to flee.

Luo Heng stood with his sword in hand, breathing slightly heavily, his chest rising and falling. He had continuously used high-intensity spiritual secret arts and Ninth Grade Martial Arts, forcibly killing a Heaven Yuan Realm Demon Beast across an entire major realm. Even with the Great Devouring Art supporting him, the expenditure had been considerable.

He looked at the remaining Black Iron Demon Leopard, which had clearly developed the intention to retreat, but he had no plans to pursue it.

His goal had never been to kill them all. It was to confirm the limits of his own combat strength.

Sure enough, after a brief standoff, the Demon Leopard let out a low growl, turned around, and disappeared into the depths of the forest after several leaps.

Seeing this, Luo Heng also let out a sigh of relief. If the fight continued, even if he could kill that Demon Leopard, he would have to pay a price himself. It was not worth it.