I am in Yellow Maple Valley, and I have a demonic beast clone!

Chapter 146 Slaying a Level 7 Monster!

Guided by the two dazzling blue lights perceived through the "Heavenly Hearing Technique," Zhou Ding rode Little Gold like a dark golden meteor, streaking across the leaden-gray sky and speeding towards a hundred miles to the northeast.

After Xiao Jin advanced to level six, not only did his strength increase dramatically, but his flight speed also increased several times. He could cover a distance of a hundred miles in just a moment.

As they drew closer, the outline of an island gradually emerged on the previously flat horizon.

The island was small and long and narrow, with a charred black color all over, as if it had been burned by heavenly fire or soaked in ink.

The island is full of strange rocks and barren land, with only a few oddly shaped, dark red shrubs scattered about. Under the gloomy sky, it appears particularly desolate and lifeless, even exuding an ominous aura.

However, on this seemingly lifeless deserted island, Zhou Ding's powerful divine sense, which covered three hundred miles, had already keenly detected an unusually strong, violent, and intensely fire-attribute demonic energy fluctuation when it approached within a few dozen miles of the island!

This demonic power lingered on the highest, charred mountain peak in the center of the island, solidified and unyielding, its oppressive force reaching the level of a seventh-level demonic beast!

"A level seven demonic beast!" Zhou Ding's heart skipped a beat, and Xiao Jin's speed slowed down accordingly.

Level 7 demonic beasts are equivalent to late-stage Core Formation cultivators in humans, and they often possess powerful innate abilities, making them formidable opponents.

More importantly, the two blue orbs of light were located right in the center of the island, almost overlapping with the spot where the level seven demonic beast was entrenched!

Is it a coincidence?

Or is this blue, radiant object a treasure guarded by this level-seven demonic beast, or perhaps it is something that was born alongside it?

Zhou Ding hovered above the sea outside the island, his brows furrowed as he quickly weighed his options.

Even with his greatly increased strength and Xiao Jin's assistance, a level seven demon beast is not someone he can easily subdue.

If one rashly enters their territory, a fierce battle is sure to ensue.

But—the allure of those two orbs of blue light was simply too great.

The item that emits a blue, precious light is of immeasurable value and may play a crucial role in his future path.

"A level seven demon beast—perfect. I can use it to test the limits of Little Gold's strength after its advancement, and also to examine my current overall combat power."

A moment later, a sharp, decisive glint flashed in Zhou Ding's eyes.

He was not a reckless person, but after his strength increased dramatically, he needed a real battle to hone and prove himself.

This level seven demonic beast dwells on a deserted island. It appears fierce, but according to the feedback from the "Heavenly Hearing Technique," there are no other powerful demonic beasts on the island. It should be a solitary lord-type demonic beast.

As long as he doesn't get bogged down in a protracted battle or get countered by its strange supernatural abilities, with Xiao Jin's terrifying defense that's strong enough to withstand a Nascent Soul cultivator, a mere level seven demon beast won't be able to stop him.

Now that we've stumbled upon it, and the treasure is right in front of us, there's no reason to back down.

With a thought from Zhou Ding, Xiao Jin's dark golden demonic light subsided, and its massive body slowly descended behind a hidden reef on the edge of the island.

Zhou Ding jumped off Xiao Jin's back and walked alone toward the charred mountain peak in the center of the island.

He didn't deliberately conceal his presence; instead, he slowly released the spiritual pressure of a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, appearing exceptionally clear and glaring on this desolate island.

He stepped one by one onto the scorched, hard ground, still radiating lingering heat, his footsteps echoing far across the empty island.

The divine sense, like an invisible tentacle, was tightly locked onto the core of the immense demonic power at the summit of the mountain.

"roar--!"

Just as Zhou Ding stepped into the central area of ​​the island, less than ten miles away from the scorched mountain peak, a terrifying roar filled with rage and frenzy, like a volcanic eruption, suddenly exploded from the top of the mountain!

The sound waves roared, making the entire island seem to tremble, and the fire-attribute spiritual energy in the air instantly became violent and scorching!

Immediately afterwards, the rocks at the top of the mountain exploded with a deafening roar, and a massive figure, as red as blood and engulfed in raging flames, shot into the sky like a cannonball, carrying overwhelming ferocity and intense heat, hurtling toward Zhou Ding's location!

Wherever it passed, the air distorted, the scorched earth smoked, and a trail of scorching fire was left behind!

Zhou Ding stopped and stared intently at the scene.

That was a ferocious beast that was over fifteen zhang long!

It resembles a lizard, but is much more robust, and its entire body is covered with thick, crimson scales that look like solidified lava. Dark red flames flow and spew from the gaps in the scales.

Its head was enormous, with a single horn, and its huge mouth opened and closed, revealing sharp teeth like knives, spewing out a scorching breath like sulfur.

Four thick, sharp claws dug deep into the charred rocks, and a ferocious, massive tail covered in bone spurs trailed behind it, the tip of which burned with eerie blue flames.

His vertical pupils, blood-red, were fixed on Zhou Ding, filled with boundless rage and murderous intent at the invasion of his territory.

Level 7 monster "Lava Fire Dragon"!

This lava fire dragon clearly regarded the island as its absolute territory, and Zhou Ding's undisguised intrusion and release of spiritual pressure thoroughly enraged it.

In its simple mind, this "little bug" that dared to challenge its authority must be torn apart in the most cruel way.

Burned to ashes!

"roar!"

With another roar, the lava fire dragon opened its massive maw, unleashing a pillar of crimson magma as thick as a water vat and with an astonishingly high temperature. Like an angry dragon emerging from the sea, it instantly tore through the air and spewed towards Zhou Ding's head!

Before the pillar of fire even arrived, the terrifying heat had already baked the rocks around Zhou Ding until they were red-hot and melted, and the air crackled with popping sounds.

Zhou Ding remained unmoved. Faced with this magma breath that was enough to instantly injure or even kill an ordinary mid-stage Core Formation cultivator, he didn't even take out his magic weapon.

With a thought, the mouth of the spirit beast pouch at his waist suddenly opened!

"roar-!!!"

A deeper, more majestic roar, filled with primordial energy and boundless power, resounded from the spirit beast pouch like a thunderclap, instantly overpowering the roar of the lava fire dragon!

A massive, dark golden figure, carrying an overwhelming and terrifying pressure, crashed out without dodging or avoiding, heading straight for the raging pillar of magma!

It's Xiao Jin!

"BOOM!!!"

The dark gold figure collided head-on with the crimson pillar of magma!

Amidst the deafening roar, crimson magma, dark golden eerie light, and violent energy shockwaves, like a tsunami, swept wildly in all directions from the point of impact!

Huge ravines were torn open in the ground, charred rocks were blasted into dust, and scorching air currents blurred the air for hundreds of feet!

However, when the light and smoke dissipated, revealing the scene inside, the lava fire dragon that had been charging in fury showed, for the first time, an undisguised look of surprise and—fear—in its scarlet vertical pupils!

Xiao Jin's enormous, dark gold body hovered steadily in mid-air. The dark gold scales on its body, after withstanding the magma pillar that was powerful enough to melt metal, only turned slightly red, without leaving even a trace of scorch marks!

It shook its massive head, shaking off some lava residue, and its dark golden vertical pupils coldly stared at the lava fire dragon. The pressure and ferocity contained within them made even this level seven demon beast feel a chill.

"Roar?" The lava dragon let out a low growl instinctively, as if confirming something.

The dark golden beast before him, though only at the peak of level six, posed an unprecedented threat due to its physical strength and the defensive power it had just displayed!

Its dark, shimmering gold scales gave it the illusion of being indestructible, as if it could withstand any attack in the world.

However, its territorial instincts and the dignity of a level seven demon beast prevented it from backing down.

After a brief moment of surprise and doubt, the anger provoked overwhelmed reason once again.

"Roar—!" The Lava Fire Dragon let out an even more ferocious roar, abandoning its ranged breath attack. Its massive body suddenly stood upright, and the flames spewing from the gaps in its crimson scales suddenly surged, transforming into a layer of "Lava Battle Armor" several feet thick!

Its thick, powerful hind legs slammed into the ground, creating a huge crater in the hard, charred rock. Its entire body, like a burning meteorite, charged forward with unstoppable momentum, brandishing its giant claws that burned with raging flames, fiercely attacking Little Gold!

It will use its most skilled and powerful close-quarters combat to tear this "iron lump" that dared to offend it to shreds!

Faced with this aggressive attack, Xiao Jin's dark golden vertical pupils showed no fear, but instead flashed a trace of almost indifferent fighting spirit.

It did not cast any spells, nor did it activate the "Golden Armor Technique." Relying solely on its pure, enhanced physical body after advancement, it also let out a low roar, neither dodging nor avoiding, and charged headlong at the oncoming lava fire dragon!

"boom!!!"

The two enormous beasts, like two moving mountains, collided violently in mid-air! A deafening roar, even more muffled and deafening than before, erupted!

Crimson flames and dark gold light clashed, collided, and annihilated each other in a frenzy!

The sounds of claws rubbing against scales, bones colliding, muscles squeezing, and the violent roars of both sides blended together into a primal, savage, and awe-inspiring symphony of battle!

The Lava Fire Dragon's fiery claws slammed into Little Gold's chest and abdominal scales, bursting into a series of dazzling sparks and a teeth-grinding scraping sound, but only leaving a few shallow white marks on those dark gold scales, which disappeared in an instant!

Little Gold's counterattack was simple, direct, and violent! Its thick forelimbs, covered with dark gold scales, pounded heavily on the Lava Fire Dragon's "Lava Armor" like a battering ram. Each strike caused the crimson armor to tremble violently, the flames to flicker, and even tiny cracks to appear on the crimson scales beneath!

"Bang bang bang!"

The dull thuds of each punch landing were like the beating of war drums. Little Gold had completely abandoned defense; or rather, its physical body itself was the strongest defense.

It withstood the Lava Fire Dragon's claw strikes, tail sweeps, and even occasional bites, engaging in the most savage and direct struggle and counterattack against this level seven monster!

Its dark gold body only felt slightly hot under the scorching red flames, and its movements were not affected in the slightest.

However, the Lava Fire Dragon's attacks were like tickling it, barely causing any real damage.

With this shift in power, the difference in quality becomes immediately apparent!

The more he fought the Lava Fire Dragon, the more frightened and frustrated he became!

Its renowned high lava temperature and immense power had little effect on this dark golden behemoth!

The opponent's defense is so abnormally powerful it's outrageous!

The opponent's seemingly simple and direct attacks contained terrifying power in every strike, causing its blood and qi to surge and its demonic energy to become disordered. The "Lava Armor" on its body was damaged in many places, and the flesh under the crimson scales was in excruciating pain.

"Roar!" The lava fire dragon finally had the idea of ​​retreating.

It realized that the giant beast in front of it was far beyond its ability to defeat, and if it continued to fight, it would probably suffer a great loss!

With a sudden flick of its massive tail, it forced back one of Little Gold's attacks. At the same time, flames surged around its body, and it spewed out an even thicker pillar of magma fire. This was not for attack, but to use the flames as cover. With a sudden twist of its massive body, it was about to flee to the sea on the other side of the island!

If you can't beat them, run! That's the instinct of monsters.

However, just as it turned to flee, its mind relaxed and it used most of its demonic power to accelerate its escape, Zhou Ding, who had been hovering on the outskirts of the battle circle and seemed to be just watching, moved!

His eyes flashed with a cold light, and from the ancestral aperture between his brows, the "Soul-Destroying Thorn," condensed and nurtured for a long time with terrifying divine sense at the late Nascent Soul stage, shot out silently and with the speed of teleportation. Ignoring spatial distance, it instantly pierced into the relatively vulnerable side of the Lava Fire Dragon's head, exposed by its turn, and the tiny gap in its divine soul defense caused by its panicked escape!

"laugh!"

A faint yet soul-piercing sound.

"Roar—Ugh!" The massive body of the lava fire dragon suddenly stiffened, its mad charge abruptly halted, and its scarlet vertical pupils instantly lost all their luster, becoming empty and unfocused. It let out a short and painful wail.

Zhou Ding's "Soul-Destroying Thorn," which he had been preparing for a long time and which he unleashed with the divine sense of the late Nascent Soul stage, directly caused him to fall into a fatal soul shock and a blank of consciousness!

"roar--!"

Xiao Jin let out a murderous roar, his suppressed ferocity completely erupting!

Its pair of sharp claws, which had never been used before and gleamed with a cold, dark light, suddenly shot out!

The claw tip is surrounded by dark light, exuding a chilling aura of corrosion, destruction, and sharpness that can cut through anything. This is one of its innate killing moves, "Dark Light Claw"!

After advancing to level six, the power of "Dark Light Claw" has obviously undergone a qualitative leap!

"Sizzle—!!"

A dark light flashed, like the scythe of death slicing through. The Lava Fire Dragon's already tattered "Lava Armor" and tough crimson scales were easily torn apart by the "Dark Light Claw" like a hot knife through butter!

The dark light penetrated directly into the vital spot where the neck and head connected, raging wildly, cutting, and corroding!

"Pfft!"

Dark red, scalding hot demon blood shot into the sky like a fountain!

The massive head of the Lava Fire Dragon was torn apart by Xiao Jin's "Dark Light Claw"!

Along with the remaining divine soul within, it was instantly shredded and annihilated by that domineering dark light power!

"Boom!"

The massive, lifeless body of the Lava Fire Dragon, as if all its power had been drained, crashed heavily onto the scorched earth, kicking up clouds of dust and rubble.

The flames burning on his body quickly died down, leaving only wisps of smoke and the acrid smell of burning. His scarlet vertical pupils dimmed completely, devoid of any remaining light.

The level 7 monster, "Lava Fire Dragon," has fallen!

From Zhou Ding releasing his aura to lure the monster, to Xiao Jin appearing to confront it head-on, to Zhou Ding interfering with the "Soul-Destroying Thorn", and Xiao Jin unleashing the "Dark Light Claw" for a fatal blow, the whole process seemed complicated, but in reality it only lasted for a short ten or so breaths!

A fierce battle that was expected to happen ended in such a clean, decisive and almost crushing way!

Zhou Ding slowly descended from the sky and arrived beside the corpse of the Lava Fire Dragon. Looking at the huge wound and the rapidly cooling demon body, a hint of amazement flashed in his eyes.

"Xiao Jin's strength after advancing has indeed not disappointed me."

Given the defensive power, strength, and terrifying destructive power of "Dark Light Claw" that Xiao Jin just displayed, if it were to go all out, an ordinary level seven demon beast would probably not last more than a few rounds against it!

Even when facing those peak level seven demonic beasts known for their defense or vitality, Xiao Jin is definitely a match for them!

"Alright, let's deal with the spoils first." Zhou Ding composed himself and began to work.

He took out a specially made jade knife and carefully broke open the head of the lava fire dragon, taking out a fist-sized, crimson demon core that seemed to have magma flowing inside, radiating astonishing fire spiritual power and scorching heat—a level seven demon core!

It's worth at least hundreds of thousands of spirit stones!

Then, he collected the not-yet-completely-coagulated essence blood from his heart in a jade bottle, filling almost half a bottle, which was scorching hot.

Next, he peeled off and put away the relatively intact and valuable crimson scales, the single horn, and the four sharpest claws from its body.

Level 7 demonic beasts are treasures from head to toe; these materials are all top-grade raw materials for refining top-level fire-attribute magic weapons and pills.

After doing all this, Zhou Ding's gaze finally fell on the top of the charred mountain in the center of the island. That was the location of the two blue treasure lights perceived by the "Heavenly Hearing Technique," and also the lair of this lava fire dragon.

He carried Xiao Jin and flew to the summit. There, he saw that the mountaintop had been carved into a platform by the massive body of the lava fire dragon. In the center of the platform was a deep cave, several meters in diameter and bottomless, from which the scorching sulfurous aura constantly emanated, clearly the entrance to its lair.

Zhou Ding did not rush in. He first used his divine sense to carefully explore the nest and confirmed that there were no other dangers or ambushes inside before entering with Xiao Jin.

The cave extends downwards for dozens of feet, with a spacious interior and extremely high temperature. The walls are made of a glass-like substance formed by years of burning flames.

The cave was filled with a strong smell of sulfur mixed with the stench of monsters, and some undigested monster bones and ore residues were scattered on the ground.

However, Zhou Ding's gaze was immediately drawn to two places deep inside the cave, near the crevices in the rock wall.

There, two plants with unusual shapes grow.

The plant on the left is about a foot tall, its entire body is crystal clear and crimson, as if it were carved from the finest red jade. It has seven narrow leaves, each with clearly visible veins. Inside, it seems as if a crimson-gold liquid is slowly flowing, emitting a pure and gentle fire-attribute spiritual power, and also a faint, strange fragrance that calms the mind.

At its top grows a round, translucent, crimson fruit the size of a longan, with a tiny, flickering flame inside.

The one on the right is creeping on the ground, resembling a lingzhi mushroom, but its entire body is a deep dark purple, and its surface is covered with naturally formed, nebula-like strange patterns.

The cap of the sesame seed was thick, with slightly curled edges, emanating a cool yet incredibly pure fire-attribute spiritual energy. The air around the sesame seed was slightly distorted, as if it could absorb even the light.

Two spiritual herbs grew quietly deep within the scorching lair of the demon beasts, seemingly out of place with their surroundings, yet as if they were born to be there.

The spiritual light emanating from them, in Zhou Ding's "Heavenly Hearing Technique" vision, was precisely those two pure, dazzling, and captivating "blue" treasure lights!

"Crimson Flame Seven-Leaf Orchid! And—Dark Starfire Cloud Mushroom!" Zhou Ding took a deep breath, his eyes bursting with barely suppressed joy!

Both of these spiritual herbs are top-grade fire-attribute spiritual herbs recorded in ancient alchemical texts and have long been nearly extinct in the Chaotic Star Sea!

The fruit of the Crimson Flame Seven-Leaf Orchid is the main ingredient for refining various top-grade pills that help cultivators in the late Core Formation stage and even the Nascent Soul stage to improve their cultivation and break through bottlenecks!

Dark Starfire Cloud Mushroom is an excellent material for refining certain special Yin Fire attribute magic weapons and supernatural powers, as well as for dispelling fire poison and condensing Yin spirit!

Judging from its appearance and aura, it is at least three thousand years old!

No wonder it emits a blue, precious light!

It turns out that this lava fire dragon is not only using this island as its lair, but also to protect, or rather, to cultivate using the pure fire spirit power emitted by these two top-grade spiritual herbs!

These two medicinal herbs are its most important "assets"!

"It's like finding a needle in a haystack, only to have it fall right into my lap!" Zhou Ding was overjoyed. He carefully stepped forward and, using a special jade shovel and jade box, along with a specific collection incantation, meticulously removed the two precious spiritual herbs, roots and all, and sealed them in a specially made jade box covered with talismans, storing them away safely.

This trip was worthwhile! Not only did it prove Xiao Jin's strength by easily killing a level seven demon beast and obtaining valuable demon beast materials, it also yielded two top-grade fire-attribute spiritual herbs that are three thousand years old and enough to make even Nascent Soul cultivators envious!

This alien sea is indeed a treasure trove where crisis and opportunity coexist!

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