Chapter 35: Spirit Beasts

Cheng Lingyu swung his blade while searching for beast pills, soon finding one and swallowing it immediately.

The blazing fire bull retained strong vitality despite fatal wounds, thrashing wildly through the forest and rolling on the ground in desperate death throes that stirred faint pity.

Qu Wei and Jin Miaoyi watched from afar, catching their breath as they ceased attacks.

After consuming the beast pill, Cheng Lingyu discovered his body absorbing essence from the bull’s blood. His curved blade also drank the blood, turning sinister crimson as dormant power gradually stirred.

This process ended swiftly as both Cheng Lingyu and his blade drained the bull’s blood essence completely.

The beast pill transformed into surging heat within Cheng Lingyu’s body, permeating every fiber of his flesh and blood, markedly enhancing his Physical Body and cultivation.

Emerging from the bull’s gut with a blade swing, Cheng Lingyu stood drenched in blood, presenting a fearsome sight.

Jin Miaoyi chuckled, “Impressive appearance—bold and mighty.”

Cheng Lingyu grimaced. “This blood-soaked state feels disgusting and sticky.”

Qu Wei advised, “Water sources abound here. Clean yourself later. Where’s the beast pill?”

“I ate it,” Cheng Lingyu replied. “Feels excellent—whole body’s warmed and energized.”

Qu Wei shook her head without comment as the trio resumed their journey.

Over subsequent days, they faced multiple dangers while slaying six gigantic beasts—all beast pills devoured by Cheng Lingyu.

Not taking without giving, he gathered twenty-four spiritual grasses en route, gifting them all to Qu Wei as compensation.

After three days, they approached Soul-Luring Forest. Having consumed seven beast pills and absorbed seven giant beasts’ blood essence—equivalent to a low-grade spiritual herb—Cheng Lingyu’s true essence capacity surged from 35% to 46%.

The beast blood’s vitality-rich essence further strengthened his Physical Body.

Qu Wei had explained that beast pills achieve optimal effect when consumed immediately—ideally before the beast dies to preserve full Essence and life force.

Cheng Lingyu’s method of swallowing pills inside still-living beasts, aided by hot blood catalysis, maximized absorption.

Unlike spiritual herbs’ gentle enhancement, beast pills violently boosted cultivators’ strength—a perfect yang to herbs’ yin, motion to stillness.

Near Soul-Luring Forest, ferocious beasts dwindled while monsters multiplied.

During their travels, the trio encountered unstoppable monsters, surviving only through the stone bracelet’s defense.

Perched on a tree, Cheng Lingyu stroked his darkened curved blade. Having absorbed copious beast blood, it now emitted faint Demonic Energy whispers as dormant strength awakened.

Qu Wei and Jin Miaoyi flanked him, staring at the eerie valley ahead—gateway to Soul-Luring Forest, teeming with monsters and powerful beasts far beyond their cultivation levels.

Whooshing sounds overhead signaled cultivators attempting aerial passage.

A Black Cloud descended—a Giant Bird shredding multiple cultivators instantly, painting the sky crimson.

In the valley, a hundred-foot Colossal Snake lifted its head, making Cheng Lingyu pale. This monstrous expert—comparable to late-stage Soul Martial Realm masters—flicked its tongue to vacuum scattered body parts.

Qu Wei trembled in terror. “That serpent matches Soul Martial Realm experts. We can’t pass.”

Though at True Martial Fifth Level, Jin Miaoyi’s darkened face mirrored despair before the monstrous snake.

Cheng Lingyu remained calm. Though the colossal snake’s aura was intimidating, he pondered questions.

“Green Island is vast, but how does it accommodate so many giant birds and ferocious beasts? Normally, wild beasts avoid areas where predators roam. With terrifying celestial beasts and monsters here, why haven’t these creatures hidden?”

Qu Wei replied, “No one knows. People have questioned this before without finding answers. Some guess the celestial beasts were confined here by the expert who left the Pardon Stone Tablet to stop them harming outsiders. Others believe something on the island lures them, making them stay.”

Jin Miaoyi added, “The Soul-Luring Forest is a forbidden zone. Few who enter survive. Legends say it houses spirit beasts stronger than ordinary monsters—supreme beings with combat strength matching Spirit Martial Realm experts.”

Cheng Lingyu blinked. “Spirit beasts?”

Qu Wei explained, “Beasts are classified: wild beasts, ferocious beasts, monsters, spirit beasts, and divine beasts. Wild ones are common, divine ones near-mythical. Spirit beasts reign as true kings. A global ranking lists hundreds of spirit beast types, with the top hundred being exceptional. Experts say Green Island hosts one from that top tier.”

“Really?” Cheng Lingyu’s eyes lit up, recalling the lightning-wrapped celestial beast with six halos he’d seen before arriving. Could that have been a top-ranked spirit beast?

Jin Miaoyi warned, “Forget spirit beasts. Focus on surviving our current troubles.”

Cheng Lingyu grinned. “No hurry. They say divine light erupts from that well—if treasure emerges, experts will clear the way. We’ll wait nearby and slip in during the chaos. Meanwhile, I’ll hunt ferocious beasts. Their beast pills boost my strength.”

As Cheng Lingyu left, Qu Wei wore a strange smile.

“Notice how he’s changed? At eighteen, his calm confidence is… compelling.”

Jin Miaoyi frowned. “True. Though his charm seems wasted on men.”

Qu Wei laughed. “That’s just rivalry talking.”

Jin Miaoyi stroked his chin. “I’m handsomer. Why envy him?”

Qu Wei smirked. “Looks matter, but charm wins hearts. He outshines you there.”

The Soul-Luring Forest’s outskirts had a natural Circular Chasm teeming with giant monsters, forming an impassable barrier for cultivators.

Cheng Lingyu stood on a dead tree, studying the chasm and forest beyond. The Soul-Luring Forest defied scrying—even his Magic Eyes technique failed.

He retrieved The Source Pearl, channeling true essence into it. Previously, in the Ordinary Martial Realm, he’d used true energy. Now in the True Martial Realm, true essence yielded better results.

Three glowing patterns on The Source Pearl’s surface relayed information:

– Five High-quality Spiritual Herbs and four mid-grade ones had vanished from the Soul-Luring Forest.

– The ferocious beast region’s twelve spiritual herbs (four mid-grade, eight low-grade) now numbered seven (one mid-grade, six low-grade).

– Twenty-four monster cores and over a hundred beast pills were detected. One core intrigued him—located motionless in the Circular Chasm without life signs, likely from a dead monster.

Monster cores matched spiritual herbs in value. Though Cheng Lingyu’s realm made slaying monsters impossible, this abandoned core could be claimed stealthily.

The Source Pearl also detected five mysterious energy sources in northern stone forests and intense energy from a well in the Soul-Luring Forest—an octagonal well etched with ancient runes and formation patterns. Water within churned with divine light, veiling a purple-hazed object. The Pearl’s vision showed a violet cauldron gleaming with archaic markings, though details blurred.

“A medicinal cauldron? Makes sense with all these herbs.”

Storing The Source Pearl, Cheng Lingyu eyed a distant Black Cliff. A low-grade spiritual herb grew there—worth investigating.