C30 Snatch the Spirit Core!

Wang Zhan stared at the duo in astonishment. He hadn't anticipated that they would dispatch members of the Sword Edge Alliance with such ease, nor did he expect that they were the renowned Chu Lin and Yang Hu of Black Wind Gorge.

"I'll never forget this favor. Should you ever need my assistance, count on me to step up," Wang Zhan said earnestly, bowing respectfully to Chu Lin and Yang Hu. He then tossed the Seven-star Fruit to Chu Lin, adding, "Without your intervention, those mercenaries would have surely taken this fruit. Please, accept it as a token of my gratitude and don't refuse this time."

Catching the Seven-star Fruit, Chu Lin chose not to refuse. Wang Zhan had offered it twice, proving he wasn't driven by greed but by a deep sense of loyalty. Chu Lin knew that even if he declined, Wang Zhan would insist on giving him the fruit.

"Chu Lin, Yang Hu, you must be aware of the injured Spirit Beast at Moon Gazing Ridge," Wang Zhan continued. "The Sword Edge Alliance has put a bounty on your heads and sent two captains at the peak of the Body Tempering Stage to capture you. If you're headed to Moon Gazing Ridge, tread carefully." After issuing his warning, Wang Zhan bowed again and took his leave.

"Moon Gazing Ridge has an injured Spirit Beast. It seems quite a lot has transpired recently," Chu Lin mused, his eyebrows arching slightly.

"Mr. Chu, the Sword Edge Alliance is desperate for that Spirit Beast, sending two captains at the peak of the Body Tempering Stage," Yang Hu remarked with a sly smile.

"A single Spirit Core can spark a frenzy among the Outer Court disciples on the hunt. Moon Gazing Ridge must be buzzing with activity. It won't be easy for the Sword Edge Alliance captains to secure the Spirit Core," Chu Lin said, his gaze flickering with anticipation as he held the Seven-star Fruit.

"If we manage to seize the Spirit Core, the Sword Edge Alliance will be too preoccupied to deal with us," Yang Hu reasoned, weighing a bag of Beast Cores in his hand. He gave Chu Lin a knowing look and suggested, "Mr. Chu, shall we check it out?"

"The Sword Edge Alliance hoards so many Beast Cores, they can't possibly use them all. Why don't we alleviate some of their burden? As fellow disciples, it's our duty to help each other out," Chu Lin declared with a stern look, finding a noble excuse for their potential actions.

"I'm with you, Mr. Chu!" Yang Hu exclaimed, slapping his thigh in agreement. Internally, he marveled at Chu Lin's ability to justify their bold plan so righteously.

Exchanging a conspiratorial smile, the two vanished into the dense forest.

In the blink of an eye, seven days flew by.

Beneath a ten-meter-high mountain peak at Moon Gazing Ridge in Black Wind Gorge, a cave housed the injured Spirit Beast. Since the news of its presence spread, dozens flocked there daily. Within a week, the crowd outside the cave swelled to over a thousand, all waiting for the Spirit Beast's demise to claim the coveted Spirit Core. Yet, even the most advanced disciples at the peak of the Body Tempering Stage hesitated to risk an encounter, knowing full well the vast gap between their powers and that of the Spirit Beast.

Among those gathered, some were merely onlookers, while others were drawn by the allure of the Spirit Core. Yet, to claim the Spirit Core, they would need the prowess to wrest it from the throng of competitors.

Surveying the crowd nearest the cave, many recognized faces stood out, well-known to the disciples of the Outer Court.

"Who are those two commanding such respect from Captains Yuh Ming, Yuh Kun, and Yuh Qing?" someone in the crowd wondered aloud, gazing toward the encampment of the Sword Edge Alliance with astonishment.

"You don't know them? They're the Vice Alliance Leaders of the Sword Edge Alliance, Yuh Ling and Yuh Fann! It's said that two years back, when they were the main and second captains, they had already reached Level Nine of the Body Tempering Stage. Now, they've ascended to the Peak. At just twenty-two, their cultivation is profound enough to surely gain entry to the Inner Court."

"Not only has the Sword Edge Alliance dispatched two Peak Body Tempering Stage experts, but they've also brought along Captains Yuh Ming, Yuh Kun, and Yuh Qing, all at Level Nine. It looks like they're the frontrunners for the Spirit Core," many murmured, their faces etched with surprise.

"Still, it's not a certainty. Look over there—the Seven-color Alliance and Nalan Waner have arrived. While every Outer Court disciple has heard of Nalan Waner, her true strength remains a mystery. Rumor has it she left a Body Tempering Stage Level Nine Martial Cultivator crippled for his insolence in Vast Martial City just three months ago. Her power likely rivals the Peak of Body Tempering Stage," someone else chimed in.

The crowd's attention shifted to a group of women, particularly to the two at the forefront who were strikingly beautiful with their shapely figures.

Nalan Waner and Lan Linger, celebrated as the Outer Court's three great beauties, were the objects of countless male disciples' affections.

"See those two over there? The Fatty and Skinny Brothers—they've taken down a Spirit Martial Stage Senior Brother. And next to the boulder, that's the Azure Spirit Alliance. Their Vice Alliance Leader at the Peak and three Level Nine Body Tempering Stage captains are present. All three of the Outer Court's elite alliances have sent representatives. The fate of the Spirit Core is anyone's guess," the speaker gestured to two other locations.

Unnoticed, two figures had stealthily joined the crowd, their faces half-hidden by straw hats.

"Mr. Chu, beyond the Sword Edge Alliance, this place is teeming with formidable figures," one whispered to the other.

"The moment that Spirit Beast breathes its last will signal the start of their battle. Hu, you must stay alert. Handle those below Body Tempering Level Four; I'll take on the higher levels. Let none escape, save for the captains and Vice Alliance Leaders. We'll aim to take down the rest from the Sword Edge Alliance," the other spoke firmly, his straw hat pulled down tight.

These two were none other than Chu Lin and Yang Hu.

Since parting ways with Wang Zhan, they had secluded themselves for intensive cultivation to enhance their strength.

Over the course of seven days, Yang Hu successfully refined three Spirit Medicines he had seized from members of the Sword Edge Alliance. As a result, his prowess ascended to Body Tempering Level Four.

Meanwhile, Chu Lin, leveraging his exceptional capacity for absorption, managed to refine a Seven-star Fruit along with over twenty Beast Cores. Fueled by the nourishing flow of Spirit Liquid, he surged to Body Tempering Level Six in a single bound, a feat that left even him astonished.

Moreover, Chu Lin's capabilities had truly reached Body Tempering Level Six. Back when he was at Level Three, he was already capable of besting an opponent at Level Seven. Now, his confidence soared to the point where he believed he could take down someone at Level Nine.

His concern, however, lay in the fact that despite having refined a Rank Two Spirit Medicine and over twenty Barbarian Beast Cores, he had barely managed to advance three levels.

Chu Lin couldn't fathom the vast amount of Spiritual Energy he would need for future breakthroughs.

That's why he found himself at Moon Gazing Ridge today, intent on deepening his cultivation. He was ready to undertake a significant endeavor.