Demonic beasts were primarily wild animals that, after absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth over many years, underwent physical mutations.

This spiritual energy transformed into demonic power within their bodies, awakening and enhancing their bloodline abilities. They devoured the essence and blood of human cultivators to strengthen this power.

Upon reaching certain levels, they could even gain intelligence and take human form. Fundamentally, they existed in a state of species-based hostility toward cultivators.

The amount of spiritual energy within a beast determined its combat strength. To better distinguish between them, human cultivators classified them into six tiers, directly corresponding to the human cultivation realms.

The First Tier corresponded to Qi Refining. The Second Tier to Foundation Establishment. The Third Tier to Golden Core, and so on.

The [Black Ape Beast] that Qin Lu and the others were targeting was a late-stage First-Tier demonic beast. It possessed strength equivalent to a late-stage Qi Refining cultivator.

Whoosh—!

High in the sky, a square sheet of paper sliced through the wind, carrying three people swiftly through the air.

Qin Lu gazed into the distance. The endless forest stretched out below like a deep, undulating ocean. He carefully controlled the [Flying Cloud Paper], feeling an inner surge of excitement.

This was his first time venturing such a great distance from the market.

“Haha, having a flying magical tool is really convenient. We’ll reach East Head Ridge in no time this way. Looks like I need to save up to buy one in the future…” Cao Yunxi sat happily on the magical tool, sighing repeatedly in admiration.

“Hehe, if we successfully take down those two demonic beasts today, we might be able to buy one on the way back,” Qi Xiaofeng chuckled beside him.

The three chatted as they sped along.

Due to the long distance, they took turns controlling the flying magical tool to conserve spiritual energy. They flew without stopping for two hours before finally arriving at their destination.

At the edge of East Head Ridge.

Qin Lu put away the [Flying Cloud Paper], and the three landed on the ground.

This area served as the entrance to the ridge. At this moment, quite a few cultivators were sitting quietly nearby. They gathered in small groups of three or five, scattered around, conversing in low voices.

When they glanced at others, their faces held a hint of wariness.

“Brother Qin, let’s prepare ourselves a bit before heading in,” Cao Yunxi reminded him.

“Alright.”

Before leaving home, Qin Lu had already checked his magical tools and talismans. But to ensure nothing went wrong, he crouched down and inspected them once more.

After checking for about fifteen minutes, all three felt fully prepared and proceeded toward the forest.

It was then that Qin Lu suddenly spotted a familiar figure.

He was dark-skinned and lean, currently sitting cross-legged on a tree branch at the entrance. Propping his chin with one hand, he looked utterly bored.

This was… Gu Can!

Their eyes met, and both recognized the other instantly.

After a moment’s thought, Qin Lu slightly cupped his hands in greeting. “Fellow Daoist Gu.”

Gu Can was young, appearing only in his twenties. Hearing Qin Lu’s greeting, he raised an eyebrow. “You live next door, right?”

“That’s correct. I am Qin Lu.”

“What? Came to East Head Ridge today looking for some extra gains?” Gu Can asked with a light laugh.

“That’s the idea.”

Gu Can waved a hand dismissively behind him and said cheerfully, “Just be careful, then. Oh, if anyone bullies you, you can come find me. Considering we’re neighbors, I can help you settle the score!”

Hearing this, Qin Lu paused briefly. He clearly hadn’t expected Gu Can to say such a thing.

After a moment’s hesitation, he replied, “Then I thank Fellow Daoist Gu.”

He had heard that Gu Can had a fiery temper, but based on this interaction, he seemed quite reasonable. Still, Qin Lu wondered what Gu Can was doing here alone.

Bidding farewell to Gu Can, Qin Lu and his two companions continued deeper into the forest.

The spiritual energy here was noticeably denser than outside. As a result, the vegetation was robust; giant trees that would require over ten people to encircle were everywhere.

Ancient trees towered into the sky, their canopies dense and layered—a truly magnificent sight.

Upon entering the forest, Cao Yunxi gave Qin Lu an [Ethereal Fragrance Pill] to carry on his person.

This small pill emitted a special scent that could deter ordinary wild beasts. It was quite effective for repelling mosquitoes and vermin.

After all, late-stage Qi Refining cultivators hadn’t yet developed the ability to extend their spiritual sense outward to form a barrier. Ordinary mosquitoes and small creatures would still approach recklessly. While they couldn’t harm a cultivator, they were annoying nuisances.

Generally speaking, the stronger a demonic beast, the deeper it would reside within the forest where spiritual energy was most abundant.

The outskirts held mostly early-stage First-Tier demonic beasts. Their meat yielded too little profit, so the trio had no interest in them.

Shhht!

Qin Lu casually sliced an ordinary venomous snake in half with his [Rainbow Sword] before surging forward again.

Any animals blocking their path were effortlessly dispatched by the trio.

They ran intermittently, following Cao Yunxi’s lead as they constantly detoured and charged forward. When noon arrived, Qin Lu finally encountered his first demonic beast.

Beside a river, a deer-shaped beast was drinking water.

This beast was massive, covered in spotted patterns. Its brownish fur was stained with numerous bloodstains—whether from cultivators or other beasts was unclear.

Hiding cautiously behind distant trees, Cao Yunxi whispered an introduction.

“Brother Qin, this is a [Plum Moon Deer]. Its strength is mid-stage First-Tier. Don’t let its gentle appearance fool you; its temperament is actually extremely violent. Even mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators would likely need considerable effort to kill it.”

Looking at the [Plum Moon Deer] before him, Qin Lu felt eager anticipation. “Should we go take it down now?”

“This beast’s meat isn’t good; no one buys it. Generally, no one hunts it. Fighting it would just waste energy.”

Cao Yunxi paused, then added slowly, “However, you could go exchange a few blows with it to experience battling a demonic beast.”

“Sounds good!”

Suppressing his excitement, Qin Lu gripped his [Rainbow Sword] tightly.

With one step forward, his entire body shot out like an arrow.

His [Rainbow Sword], imbued with spiritual energy, sliced through the air. It formed a gleam of sword light that swiftly streaked across the space toward the [Plum Moon Deer]’s head.

Its speed was so fast that even Cao Yunxi and his wife were startled.

A distance of over a hundred meters was crossed in mere moments.

By the time the [Plum Moon Deer] reacted, Qin Lu had already reached it. Seeing the long sword thrusting toward it, the beast’s instincts made it jerk its head sideways, attempting to evade.

But by then, it was too late.

The sword tip slashed past, carrying intense sword Qi.

Bang!

The impact directly shattered the [Plum Moon Deer]’s skull. Without even time for a final cry, the massive demonic beast collapsed lifelessly onto the ground.

“Not bad.”

Looking at the fallen carcass, Qin Lu couldn’t help but reveal a satisfied smile.

Behind him, Cao Yunxi and his wife stood with mouths agape, wearing expressions of utter astonishment.

One move… instant kill…?