C33 Level 3 Devil Core

Han Feng ceased his flight, but it was too late—the Level 3 Devil Beast, a One-Horned Wolf, had already caught up with him.

Upon spotting Han Feng, the wolf lunged, its massive fangs bared. It was clear that if Han Feng were bitten on the neck, death would be instantaneous.

"You're digging your own grave!" Han Feng exclaimed as he swiftly dodged. His Claw Condensation Technique found purchase on the One-Horned Wolf's hide.

Despite being hurled through the air by Han Feng's forceful grip, the wolf seemed largely unaffected. Han Feng's brow furrowed in concern. "My cultivation foundation is far too weak. Even with the Claw Condensation Technique at the Perfection Stage, my combat ability is just enough to match a Martial Cultivator with five Main Bloodlines opened—and only if they wield a basic Martial Skill."

"To stand against a Level 3 Devil Beast, I'd need the power of at least a Middle Stage Level 3 Devil Beast. I'm not there yet."

Abruptly, a black shadow struck with lightning speed. "Not good!" Han Feng gasped, attempting another dodge, but the shadow was too quick, slamming into his shoulder. The impact sent him flying into a massive tree. Blood spurted from his mouth, his shoulder rendered limp and clearly dislocated.

The shadow was the One-Horned Wolf's tail, its eyes now gleaming with increased ferocity.

"Damn it!" Han Feng cursed. This was his inaugural confrontation with a Level 3 Devil Beast, and he now fully realized the creature's formidable power.

Saliva dripped from the wolf's jaws as it edged closer, warily. The pain from Han Feng's earlier claw strike made it cautious. When it was sure Han Feng could no longer fight back, the beast couldn't resist and pounced, its foul breath enveloping Han Feng.

In that critical moment, fierce flames erupted from Han Feng's body. He became a human torch, engulfed in searing scarlet fire.

As the One-Horned Wolf's body brushed against the flames, its fur burst into fire in an instant.

Overcome with terror, the One-Horned Wolf tumbled to the ground, rolling in a desperate attempt to extinguish the blaze.

Even humans would be thrown into a frenzy if they were to suddenly catch fire, so the reaction of the One-Horned Wolf was no surprise.

Seizing the moment, Han Feng quickly got to his feet and backed away rapidly. With his uninjured left hand, he deftly gathered the scarlet flames, shaping them into a massive fireball.

Hold on...

A realization struck Han Feng: the fireball had been an instinctive creation, but that didn't mean the flames from the Nine Flames And Strange Fire Art were limited to spherical forms.

With this revelation, Han Feng's understanding deepened, and in the blink of an eye, the fireball in his grasp morphed into the shape of a bow.

His face was ashen, sweat beading on his brow.

A sphere was the simplest shape to condense and control.

But the bow was a different beast altogether, demanding a significant amount of energy and presenting a challenge to wield. Yet, Han Feng's efforts were not without reward.

Arrows forged from the crimson mortal fire promised far greater destructive power than the fireballs.

"Go!"

With a forceful throw, Han Feng released the arrows. They tore through the air with a resounding clash.

The One-Horned Wolf had just managed to snuff out the flames on its hide when it was confronted with the oncoming fiery projectile.

Fear was etched on the creature's face.

Before the One-Horned Wolf could evade, the red flame arrows pierced its body, igniting a fire within.

While the beast's formidable defenses might have withstood external flames, internal fire was a different matter. No Devil Beast, whether Level 3 or as high as Level 8, 9, or even beyond, could withstand such an assault.

The One-Horned Wolf's agonized howls filled the air as the fire consumed it from the inside out, leaving only its charred exterior.

Han Feng couldn't help but admire the creature's resilience. "The One-Horned Wolf truly lives up to its reputation as a Level 3 Devil Beast. Its defensive strength is remarkable; the inside is completely incinerated, yet the exterior remains largely unchanged."

"But now's not the time for such thoughts. I'd better make a quick exit."

Han Feng couldn't shake his concern for the Level 6 One-Horned Wolf lurking in the depths of the Jade Peak Mountain Range. After severing the forehead of the One-Horned Wolf, his only thought was to get out of there as fast as possible.

Suddenly, his eyes bulged in disbelief. "What is this...?"

Before him lay a grey crystal the size of a fist.

It didn't take long for Han Feng to realize what he had stumbled upon. "My god, it's a Devil Core!"

"A Devil Core is formed when a Devil Beast gathers the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. They say that only Devil Beasts of at least Level 5, comparable to Human-rank Martial Cultivators, can produce such a thing."

"The fact that this Level 3 One-Horned Wolf possessed a Devil Core is nothing short of miraculous."

A thought struck Han Feng, leaving him momentarily stunned. "This One-Horned Wolf must have experienced a mutation. Such a Devil Beast, upon reaching Level 5, would be a formidable force among its peers, capable of battling even higher-level Devil Beasts."

"A Level 5 Devil Beast in its early stages could likely take down one in the middle stages."

"I had assumed this One-Horned Wolf's intelligence was inherited from its Level 6 ancestor. But I was wrong; the key lies in the Devil Core."

"Darn it, its mother must be aware of the mutation. She's going to be even more enraged than I anticipated. I need to get out of here—now!"

With no time to spare, Han Feng's face paled as he grabbed the Level 3 Devil Core and bolted.

Meanwhile, a mournful and enraged howl echoed through the Jade Peak Mountain Range, sending nearby Devil Beasts into a terrified huddle.

Shortly after Han Feng's departure, an even larger One-Horned Wolf materialized where the other had fallen. After a prolonged howl to the sky, it sniffed the deceased wolf, then its pupils flared with a chilling intent to kill. With a powerful leap, it set off in pursuit of Han Feng.

In the Jade Peak Mountain Range, Han Feng sprinted relentlessly, his face increasingly alight with excitement. "I'm close now. At this rate, I'll be out of here in twenty minutes, tops."

*Howl!*

Out of nowhere, a thunderous roar shook Han Feng to his core, destabilizing the Internal Strength within him as it reverberated through the forest. Birds took flight en masse, startled into the sky.

"Damn, the One-Horned Wolf's mother is on my trail already. Even though her howl is still a distance away, at the pace of a Level 6 Devil Beast, she'll be upon me in less than ten minutes."

"I've got to pick up the pace!"

With no regard for the drain on his Internal Strength, Han Feng pushed himself harder, his speed surging dramatically.

Elsewhere in the Jade Peak Mountain Range, Han Lin surveyed the encircling crowd with an icy glare, his voice chilling. "The Chang family truly excels at being underhanded. Beyond outnumbering and ambushing your opponents, what else are you capable of?"

The Chang family's lead youth sneered menacingly. "Han Lin, you're so incredibly naive. This world doesn't cater to notions of fairness!"

"You should only blame your fate for being a member of the Han family, and an elite at that."

"The Han family and the Chang family have been rivals for far too long. It's high time you stepped down from the spotlight in Renzhong City."

Han Lin retorted furiously, "In your dreams!"