Chapter 152: Killing the Thunder-Horned Azure-Scaled Beast
Fang Hao slipped out of the valley that had been scorched like a charcoal pit by the lightning. Greasing his soles, he ran a hundred miles in one breath before daring to find a leeward mountain hollow to stop and catch his breath. He checked himself over—good heavens, that Lightning Tribulation was no joke. His clothes were tattered like a beggar’s and a tuft of his hair was singed. However, there was no major damage internally; instead, his body was frighteningly brimming with spiritual energy. The seven-colored Golden Core in his Dantian spun merrily, making him feel like he could kill a bull with a single punch!
"Hehe, the Golden Core Stage, this is damn exhilarating!" Fang Hao clenched his fists, feeling the surging power within his body, his heart filled with delight. Compared to the Foundation Establishment Stage, it was simply the difference between heaven and earth! The range of his Divine Sense had also exploded, now able to cover over a dozen miles, and his perception was many times sharper.
Just as he was smugly savoring the feeling of being a Golden Core big shot, his ears suddenly twitched, and his expression changed instantly.
Awoooo——!!!
A low, violent roar of a beast carrying terrifying pressure, like muffled thunder, echoed from the direction of the valley where he had just undergone his tribulation! The Yao power contained in the sound made his chest feel tight!
"Not good! It’s a Fourth-Rank Demonic Beast!" Fang Hao’s heart skipped a beat. This Aura was unmistakable—it was a Yao Commander equivalent to a human Golden Core Cultivator! And judging by the noise, it had quite a temper; it was likely disturbed by the Lightning Tribulation just now and had followed the scent!
His first instinct was to run. A Fourth-Rank Demonic Beast was no laughing matter. He had just broken through and his Realm wasn’t stable yet; it was too risky to lock horns with such a tough customer.
But just as he lifted his foot, he paused. Run? Run where? This Secret Realm was crawling with Demon Beasts; you can hide today but not forever. Besides, he was a Golden Core now, so what was there to fear? This was the perfect chance to test his skills against this brute and see exactly how tough his Golden Core Stage strength was! Always relying on the golden puppet—what kind of way was that to live? He couldn’t be a Puppet-dependent weakling forever, could he?
"Dammit! Wealth is found in danger! Let’s do it!" Fang Hao steeled his heart, a flash of ruthlessness crossing his eyes. Instead of running, he suppressed his Aura and quietly crept back, hiding behind a massive rock and peeking toward the valley.
This look nearly gave him a fright!
Standing at the entrance of the valley was a gargantuan creature! The thing was a good thirty feet tall, looking like a lion magnified countless times, but its body wasn’t covered in fur. Instead, it had palm-sized, dark azure scales that shimmered with a metallic luster! A spiral horn grew from its head, sparking with traces of electricity. Its eyes, as large as copper bells, were blood-red, and its mouth was full of bared fangs dripping with foul-smelling saliva. Its tail was thick and long, ending in a bone club—clearly not something to be trifled with.
"It’s a Low Grade Fourth-Rank Demonic Beast, a ’Thunder-Horned Azure-Scaled Beast’!" Fang Hao recognized the creature. This brute possessed immense strength, freakish defense, and could manipulate lightning, making it one of the more troublesome types among same-rank Demon Beasts.
At this moment, the Thunder-Horned Azure-Scaled Beast was pacing irritably at the valley entrance, its nose sniffing hard, clearly searching for the ’culprit’ who had triggered the heavenly lightning. The electricity on its horn crackled, showing that it was currently very displeased.
"Looks like it’s solitary, that’s a relief..." Fang Hao exhaled slightly. If a pack had come, he would have turned and bolted immediately.
After observing for a while, Fang Hao felt more confident. This brute’s strength was roughly around the first or second level of the Golden Core. Relying on its thick hide and lightning talent, most Early Golden Core Stage Cultivators would take a detour upon seeing it. But he had just broken through, his spiritual energy was full, and he had several powerful techniques; he might just have a fighting chance!
"I’ll use you to sharpen my blade!" Fang Hao’s gaze turned sharp as he decided to take the initiative! He took a deep breath, adjusting his condition to its peak. He activated the Divine Spirit Steps, his figure flashing out from behind the rock like a ghost, while the yitian sword was already in his hand!
"Beast! Take this!" Fang Hao shouted, seizing the initiative! Starfall Sword Art—Meteor Stab! Man and sword became one, turning into a brilliant streak of light. With incredible speed, he stabbed directly at the Thunder-Horned Azure-Scaled Beast’s relatively soft underbelly!
The Thunder-Horned Azure-Scaled Beast reacted extremely quickly. Hearing the noise, its blood-red eyes instantly locked onto Fang Hao, and it let out an angry roar! It didn’t dodge; instead, its thick claws, carrying a vicious wind, slammed toward the sword light! The wind from the claws was so sharp it actually made a sonic boom!
Clang!!!
Sparks flew everywhere! A deafening sound of clashing metal rang out!
Fang Hao felt a massive force travel up the sword blade, numbing his arm and nearly making the yitian sword fly out of his hand! He was sent flying backward over a hundred feet before he could steady himself!
"So hard!" Fang Hao marveled inwardly. This brute’s scales were harder than refined iron! Its strength was also ridiculously high!
The Thunder-Horned Azure-Scaled Beast had taken a sword strike, but only a white mark was left on its claw. It was completely unharmed and instead became thoroughly enraged! It stood up on its hind legs, the electricity on its horn glowing intensely!
Crack-boom! A silver bolt of lightning as thick as a bowl, like a venomous snake striking from its hole, instantly blasted toward Fang Hao!
"Good timing!" Fang Hao was delighted rather than shocked; this was the perfect time to test his Golden Core Stage capabilities! With a thought, the Five Elements Spirit Shield instantly condensed in front of him. This time, the light shield was several times more solid and thick, its surface flowing with the ceaseless brilliance of the Five Elements!
Boom!
The lightning slammed hard into the light shield, exploding into a blinding burst of electricity! The shield shook violently and its light dimmed significantly, but... it held!
"Haha! Exhilarating!" Fang Hao laughed, his confidence surging! The quality and quantity of Golden Core spiritual energy really couldn’t be compared to the Foundation Establishment Stage! He kicked off the ground and charged again! Dividing Light Sword Shadow! Dozens of condensed Sword Qi shrouded the Demon Beast like a violent storm!
The Thunder-Horned Azure-Scaled Beast roared repeatedly, using its sharp claws to swat or its tail to sweep, shattering most of the Sword Qi. However, there were too many sword shadows, and many still slashed across its body with a ’ding-ding-dang-dang’ sound. Although they didn’t break its defense, they caused its scales to curl and left it in considerable pain.
"Such a thick hide! Looks like I need to use some real skill!" Fang Hao’s eyes narrowed. Shrinking the Ground to an Inch instantly closed the distance, and his left hand’s Star Shattering Finger silently pointed toward the beast’s eye! Simultaneously, his right hand’s yitian sword gathered power, preparing to unleash a killing move!
The Thunder-Horned Azure-Scaled Beast seemed to sense the danger and jerked its head to the side. The Star Shattering Finger hit its hard brow bone, leaving only a shallow pit. But it was also startled by this tricky attack, its movements faltering for a moment.
"Now!" Fang Hao seized the opportunity. Starfall Sword Art—Meteor Strike! His entire spiritual energy surged into the yitian sword, the blade erupting with unprecedented light. Like a true meteor, carrying an indomitable Aura, it stabbed fiercely into the joint of the beast’s neck where the scales were relatively fine!
This strike was fast! Precise! Ruthless! It contained all the spirit and energy of Fang Hao’s recent Breakthrough!
The Thunder-Horned Azure-Scaled Beast felt a fatal threat. It let out a terrified roar, desperately twisting its neck while the strongest lightning erupted from its horn, forming a lightning shield!
Puchi!
The sword tip collided with the lightning shield, producing a piercing tearing sound! The shield held for only an instant before shattering! The momentum of the yitian sword slowed slightly, but it still accurately pierced into the beast’s neck!
Awoooo——!!!
The Thunder-Horned Azure-Scaled Beast let out an incredibly shrill scream as blood gushed out like a fountain! It struggled frantically, its massive strength flinging Fang Hao and his sword away!
Fang Hao performed a mid-air flip and landed steadily, his face somewhat pale. That strike had consumed a huge amount of energy, but the effect was significant!
With its neck wounded and blood flowing like a river, the beast’s Aura rapidly withered. However, its ferocity was fully triggered. With blood-red eyes, it charged toward Fang Hao regardless of everything for one final desperate struggle!
"A deathbed struggle!" Fang Hao snorted coldly. Without dodging, he summoned the empty clarity mirror. A flash of mirror light shone on the beast! The beast’s charge suddenly stalled as if it had fallen into a quagmire!
Strike while the iron is hot! Fang Hao condensed his spiritual energy once more. The yitian sword turned into a brilliant streak, shooting into the beast’s wide-open maw and exiting straight through the back of its head!
Boom!
The massive beast’s body crashed to the ground, twitching a few times before falling completely silent.
"Done!" Fang Hao exhaled a long breath. He felt nearly half of his spiritual energy had been consumed, but his mood was incredibly refreshed! Soloing a Low Grade Fourth-Rank Demonic Beast! This was the power of the Golden Core Stage!
He walked over and skillfully began to harvest the Materials. The Thunder Horn, Yao Core, scales, essence blood... all of them were good things! Especially that Thunder Horn and the Yao Core—they were worth a fortune!
"It seems that in this Secret Realm, as long as I don’t run into a Medium Grade Fourth-Rank Demonic Beast or above, or those freakish Geniuses, self-preservation won’t be an issue." Looking at his spoils, Fang Hao’s confidence grew. He quickly packed up the loot, erased his tracks, and disappeared into the dense forest once again.
After this battle, he truly experienced the power of the Golden Core Stage and was filled with anticipation for the rest of his journey in the Secret Realm.
