Not Playing Fair

The urgent yet resonant tolling of bells rang out across Vermilion Ridge as the warriors rapidly took their positions along the walls.

The arrow towers and Three-Bow Bed Crossbows fired in unison, while two bed crossbows that were Houtian Treasures stood ready.

"These ferocious beasts have no organization or discipline. Vermilion Ridge's defenses can hold them off easily. I'll go check on the ruins."

Feng Xu took out the Heaven-Hanging Ruler and departed. Feng Chi led several people out to coordinate the defenses at the foot of the mountain.

There were far more ferocious beasts at the Wind-Fire Ruins than at Vermilion Ridge.

Not only was this place deeper within the Great Wilderness, but it also had the Blood Pool.

The surging power of vital energy and blood had drawn countless ferocious beasts to attack.

The warriors here were stronger, but fewer people lived here, and there were fewer defensive facilities as well.

There were only four Three-Bow Bed Crossbows, along with one bed crossbow that was a Houtian Treasure.

There were also quite a few arrow towers, but they did limited damage to the large ferocious beasts contaminated by Baleful Qi.

As long as they still had a breath left, they would attack fearlessly, feeling no pain. Only fatal attacks worked; wounding or crippling them could merely slow them down.

The warriors activated their Bloodline Power and formed ranks of spears to resist them head-on.

Feng Xu fired arrows from high above, each one striking a vital point.

After all, it was a Supreme Houtian Dharma Artifact. Coupled with Feng Xu's Late Earth Immortal cultivation, it could directly pierce anything below the Late Earth Immortal realm.

"Everyone, continue holding the line. I'll deal with a big one up ahead."

Feng Xu gazed into the distance, where a gray giant python several hundred zhang long was swaying as it charged toward them.

The gray giant python had already lost its mind. Its body swayed unsteadily, as though it could not control itself, like its two halves were fighting each other.

Farther away on the other side, a silver-gray giant ape over a hundred zhang tall was also charging this way. Half its face had rotted away, and its movements were stiff yet frenzied, utterly devoid of its former agility.

Both were demon beasts in the Late Earth Immortal realm. The tribe had never dared provoke them before, yet they had unexpectedly been eroded by Baleful Qi as well.

Feng Xu leaped through the forest, shooting down nearby ferocious beasts as he hurried forward.

The giant python came first. It seemed not to notice Feng Xu and did not attack him directly.

Feng Xu climbed onto the python's body and activated Devouring, madly drawing the Baleful Qi from its body into himself.

The Baleful Qi had long since completely fused with the python's flesh, soul, and spirit. Forcefully stripping it away brought pain like its soul was being torn apart and its body was splitting open.

The giant python struggled wildly, but having lost its intelligence, it did not know to attack Feng Xu. In the end, its efforts were futile.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, the giant python went limp and collapsed motionlessly onto the ground.

Just as Feng Xu was about to take out the Heavenly Net and Earthly Web to subdue it, a shadow suddenly appeared beneath him.

Before he could react, a massive fist sent him flying.

For a moment, the world spun around him. Feng Xu's chest felt tight, and stars danced before his eyes.

By the time his mind cleared, the giant ape was above him again.

It smashed Feng Xu back into the ground with its forearm, gouging out a massive crater and shrouding half the mountain in dust.

Before the dust could settle, the giant ape repeatedly punched into the crater.

Suddenly, its fist halted. Two huge hands had caught its fist—they belonged to Feng Xu.

Feng Xu now stood a hundred zhang tall. He flung the giant ape aside.

The giant ape continued attacking, and Feng Xu met it head-on.

There was no boxing technique involved. They were simply competing to see whose fists were heavier, harder, and faster.

Feng Xu had already cultivated the Eight-Nine Mystical Art to the fifth turn, and the first turn of the Nine-Turn Origin Art further reinforced his skin and flesh. He had no fear in trading blows with the giant ape.

A powerful body needed to be tempered countless times.

Feng Xu used no techniques, tempering his body and will through the simplest and most brutal real combat.

He gradually moved away from the tribe's defensive line, and many weaker ferocious beasts died from the aftershocks of their battle.

With every head-on collision, some of the Baleful Qi from the giant ape flowed toward Feng Xu.

Gradually, the giant ape's movements became more agile, and it no longer attacked blindly.

Feng Xu met the giant ape's heavy punch with one of his own, and both took several steps back.

"Wonderful!"

The giant ape roared and charged at Feng Xu again.

Feng Xu was no less eager, charging forward with a punch gathered full of force.

Just then, the giant python launched a sudden attack and tightly coiled around Feng Xu.

The more Feng Xu struggled, the tighter the giant python constricted.

"Get lost!"

The giant ape slammed both palms viciously onto the giant python's head.

While the giant python was dazed, it pulled the snake off Feng Xu, slammed it heavily against the ground several times, and tossed it aside.

"Come on, continue!"

The giant ape charged at Feng Xu once more.

Feng Xu charged straight at it as well.

I have no idea what is going on with this giant ape.

If it plays fair, then why did it launch a sneak attack at the start?

If it does not play fair, then why did it help deal with the giant python and insist on a one-on-one fight?

"Whether you play fair or not, I certainly don't."

Feng Xu grumbled inwardly, waited for an opening, then viciously kicked the giant ape in the groin with a move meant to end its bloodline.

The giant ape's mouth formed an O. One hand covered its groin while the other stretched out, signaling that it would not fight anymore.

Feng Xu did not know whether to laugh or cry. It knew pain, which meant most of the Baleful Qi had already dissipated.

He immediately stepped forward and activated Devouring, absorbing all the Baleful Qi from the giant ape into his body.

Once the Baleful Qi vanished, the giant ape only felt even more pain below. Enduring the agony, it clamped its legs together and left.

Feng Xu did not pursue it. Instead, he turned to look at the giant python that was trying to slither away.

"You dared sneak attack me? Let's see how thoroughly I can make use of you."

Feng Xu grabbed the giant python by the tail and gave it another six consecutive slams.

The giant python quickly ran out of strength and lay on the ground, barely alive.

Feng Xu took out the Heaven-Hanging Ruler and enlarged it, severing the snake's head with a single strike.

He skinned the snake and stored its hide in the Heavenly Net and Earthly Web.

He quickly returned to his normal form. By the time he reached the defensive line, all the surrounding ferocious beasts had already been killed.

"Feng Xu, are you all right?"

Feng He, the captain of the guard, came forward to ask.

He had seen part of the battle just now, but unfortunately, all he had seen were scenes of Feng Xu getting beaten.

"I'm fine. Gather all the ferocious beast corpses and burn them. Do not touch them directly, or the Baleful Qi will cling to you."

Feng He nodded and led more than a hundred people out to clear the battlefield.

Feng Xu found a secluded place to restore his mana.

Unlike the giant ape, whose hundred-zhang form was its normal state, Feng Xu's hundred-zhang transformation rapidly consumed mana.

If he fought the giant ape again, he would either have to fight in his normal form or end the battle quickly.

Feng Xu looked into the distance.

He had not held back on that kick. He wondered whether the giant ape had been sterilized by it.

Feng Xu lowered his head to look at his own groin, feeling that he ought to strengthen it as well, lest someone use the same move against him.

Three days later, the blazing fire had reduced the ferocious beast corpses to ash.

Feng Xu absorbed all the remaining Baleful Qi.

Including that from the giant ape and giant python, the newly acquired Baleful Qi over the past few days had only slightly enlarged the Baleful Core, which had been no bigger than a grain of rice.

It was now certain that the Baleful Core would not erupt anytime soon.

Feng Xu finally felt at ease, though he was also slightly disappointed.

He had been rather interested in the Baleful Core's potential.

Feng Chi arrived from Vermilion Ridge with Feng Sui's orders.

In two days, they would join more than a hundred other tribes in forming an encirclement, then gradually tighten the net.

This campaign was aimed solely at Baleful Qi.

Any beast tainted by Baleful Qi was not to be spared. Other beasts could be let go, provided their own safety was assured.

Following Feng Sui's instructions, Feng He arranged the manpower.

Feng Xu did not concern himself with any of that and merely followed behind the group, absorbing Baleful Qi.

An eagle's cry came from the sky as a Giant Eagle landed at the ruins.

It was a descendant of the Eagle King and now lived alongside the Lin Tribe.

Lin Feng climbed down from the Giant Eagle's back and ran over to Feng Xu, proudly showing off his new ride.

"Look at my new mount! What do you think? Pretty impressive, right?"

Feng Xu did not give Lin Feng any face and immediately exposed him.

"Oh, please. It only gave you a ride for now, and you already think you're its master. They are not dogs raised by the Wind-Fire Tribe. They are not household servants, but partners."