Chapter 41: The Elixir-Fueled Steed and the Unveiling Trap

The Blood Elder let out a booming laugh, charging directly towards the Icefire Jade-Scaled Steed. Yet, the steed seemed intent on evading something, utterly disinclined to engage in battle. The Blood Elder, however, had no intention of allowing its escape, immediately engaging it in a relentless pursuit.

Soon, the two formidable entities clashed, unleashing bursts of spiritual energy that erupted violently at the town’s periphery.

The young women from Beast King Valley watched with expressions of profound shock and bewilderment.

“This… there’s something profoundly amiss with the Icefire Jade-Scaled Steed’s condition,” one remarked. “With its usual strength, it should be no match for the Blood Elder. Yet, they are exchanging blows evenly now. It’s not merely as if it’s consumed a tonic; it’s as if it’s ingested a power-enhancing elixir.”

A power-enhancing elixir? The young woman from Beast King Valley’s words sparked a sudden realization in Yueyao, who instantly recalled the Heavenly Dragon Spirit Elixir her Sect Master had promised to Qin Yangjun during the sect entrance examination.

Indeed, elixirs meant for cultivators could often be utilized by demonic beasts, with some even yielding more potent effects on them than on human practitioners.

In that moment, the truth dawned on Yueyao.

“So that’s it! Senior Brother actually thought of such a method?!”

“Senior Brother? Are you referring to Qin Yangjun?” Ling Hu’er asked, a hint of confusion in her voice. He wasn’t even present, so why would Yueyao suddenly think of him?

“Miss Ling, perhaps you are unaware, but my Senior Brother once received a reward from the Sect Master: a Heavenly Dragon Spirit Elixir.”

“The Heavenly Dragon Spirit Elixir?! The one whose ingredients are so rare they are almost extinct?!” The young women from Beast King Valley’s eyes widened in astonishment.

“Are you suggesting that Qin Yangjun fed the Heavenly Dragon Spirit Elixir to a horse?”

Ling Hu’er’s face was a mask of shock. Even their Beast King Valley, dedicated solely to raising beasts, could not conceive of such an extravagant act.

In that case, it seemed Qin Yangjun must have also fed the spirit herb to the steed.

He was far too generous, indeed.

“From the looks of it, yes.”

Yueyao had never imagined Qin Yangjun possessed such a benevolent heart, devising such a scheme merely to save these ordinary mortals.

Since her Senior Brother had set such a sterling example, she, as his junior, could not possibly remain idle.

“Quick! While the Beast King holds that old monster at bay, let us strike! We must not squander this opportunity Senior Brother has created for us!”

Yueyao unsheathed her spirit sword, charging forth at the vanguard.

Ling Hu’er and her junior sisters did not hesitate, swiftly following suit, as bursts of Golden Core realm auras erupted around them.

The group surged directly toward the demon cultivators, who had not yet fully recovered their senses.

Comprised of talented prodigies cultivated by major sects, the group easily overwhelmed the demon cultivators, rendering the battle a decidedly one-sided affair.

Meanwhile, the Blood Elder, fiercely battling the Icefire Jade-Scaled Steed, wore a grave expression.

The Beast King’s strength was strangely erratic; its aura, at its peak, should have only reached the Nascent Soul stage. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, it was as if an unseen force sustained it, elevating its power by a full tier. He found himself unable to subdue the tenacious creature for the time being.

Just then, he perceived several unfamiliar auras, and a chorus of agonized screams reached his ears.

“Hmm? What’s happening?” He couldn’t help but glance over toward the town entrance.

“Beast King Valley…. Damn it! I should have known!” The exotic beast could not have appeared out of thin air in this remote location; clearly, someone had deliberately guided it here. “He had fallen into a trap!”

However, just as he prepared to turn and confront the members of Beast King Valley, the Icefire Jade-Scaled Steed proved it had no intention of letting him go.

With a forceful stomp of its hooves, an ice coffin cage materialized, completely enveloping the Blood Elder. As a chilling burst of frost erupted, the ice coffin instantly transformed into a formidable, spiked orb.

Originally, it had merely sought to escape, but this damnable old man had assaulted it on sight, his attacks brutally heavy-handed. Despite several attempts, it couldn’t flee, and the force of his blows had nearly made it regurgitate what it had just eaten.

The Icefire Jade-Scaled Steed’s fury had been thoroughly ignited. Now, even if that ‘monster’ pursued them, it would still fight this damnable old man to the death.

The Icefire Jade-Scaled Steed scraped its right hoof against the ground, as azure flames surged and swirled with its every breath, clearly poised for its next assault.

Boom! The ice coffin abruptly exploded, unleashing a crimson mist. The Icefire Jade-Scaled Steed exerted itself with immense power, its body wreathed in flames, and charged into the blood mist, directly sending the Blood Elder’s form hurtling out. The Blood Elder’s body tumbled rapidly across the ground, obliterating several houses in its wake.

“Damnable beast! Do you truly believe I cannot subdue you?!”

The Blood Elder roared, his hands rapidly forming intricate seals. Instantly, dark clouds veiled the sky, and a blood-red moon hung ominously in the heavens as the Blood Elder’s aura began to surge dramatically.

Yet, the Icefire Jade-Scaled Steed was utterly unafraid, charging directly at him. Its hooves thundered, and the forces of ice and fire intertwined around its form. With a heavy snort, the entire area within a one-mile radius transformed into a desolate, frozen wasteland.

The immense cold surge caused the group, still locked in fierce combat, to visibly shudder.

“This is… the Heaven-Devouring Cold Tide, the Icefire Jade-Scaled Steed’s innate divine ability. It’s fighting with its life on the line.”

A disciple from Beast King Valley muttered, gazing into the distance. Suddenly, a burst of demonic energy appeared. Ling Hu’er materialized before the disciple, blocking the attack.

“Focus on the fight! Don’t get distracted!!”

Earthen-yellow spiritual energy dispersed around her, and a spectral tiger head flickered above Ling Hu’er’s own. She then transformed entirely into a tiger’s shadow, pouncing ferociously on the demon cultivator.

The battle raged for approximately a quarter of an hour. The minions were largely slaughtered, and the fighting on the other side had also concluded.

The Icefire Jade-Scaled Steed stood with its limbs slightly splayed, its once-beautiful scales now caked with blood. Its breathing grew increasingly ragged, like a person gasping violently, and simultaneously, its aura began to plummet with alarming speed.

In stark contrast, the Blood Elder, though appearing somewhat battered, had not sustained any serious injuries.

Even with the Heavenly Dragon Spirit Elixir and the heavenly treasures bolstering it, the disparity in their cultivation remained too vast. That the steed had managed to fight to this extent was solely due to its status as a Beast King, possessing an innate divine ability. Any other demonic beast would have long since perished.

“You vile beast, you have indeed surprised me. But now, it ends!”

Just as the Blood Elder prepared to deliver the finishing blow, a bolt of lightning suddenly descended from the sky, and Qin Yangjun materialized between the two combatants.

Upon seeing Qin Yangjun appear, a flicker of terror flashed in the Icefire Jade-Scaled Steed’s eyes. It attempted to flee, but its legs slipped, and it collapsed heavily to the ground.

Qin Yangjun, currently holding the empty Heavenly Dragon Spirit Elixir box, was in a veritable fit of pique. ‘This horse loves to eat, does it? Then I’ll stuff this box into its mouth and make it swallow it!’ he thought. If not for the recovery needed after using that cultivation technique, the horse would already be horse meat.

“Qin Yangjun?!” A strange glint appeared in the Blood Elder’s eyes. He then sensed a powerful aura rapidly approaching. After a moment of disorientation, a bitter smile touched his lips. He knew who was coming; his escape was now impossible.

He then noticed the box in Qin Yangjun’s hand, and a faint medicinal fragrance still lingered in the air. In that instant, he understood everything.

“The Heavenly Dragon Spirit Elixir…. No wonder! No wonder! So it was you, you brat!”

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