[Eryx Xylaris]
[Cultivation: Core Formation Realm, First Layer.]
[Physique: Elemental Spirit Body.]
[Bloodline: None.]
[Cultivation Technique: Heavenly Life Breathing Method.]
[Skills: Phantom Spirit Concealment Art, Mountain Piercing Finger.]
[Energy: 540]
.....
Eryx looked at his information panel and smiled brightly. This time, his strength had increased by leaps and bounds. Not only had he entered the Core Formation Realm, but his cultivation method had also evolved from a Profound Rank to a Spirit Rank technique.
Although the ⧼Heavenly Life Breathing Method⧽ was only a Spirit Rank cultivation technique, its potency, and attributes were no less than that of a Mystic Rank cultivation technique. In fact, it may even touch the realm of Heavenly Rank Cultivation Methods.
Most importantly, Eryx felt his soul and vitality had been strengthened. To put it simply, if Eryx could originally live for two hundred years after entering the Core Formation Realm, now he could live for two hundred and fifty years.
His vitality had been greatly enhanced.
Eryx was excited. He wanted to improve more. Unfortunately, that was no longer possible. He was only left with 540 Points of High-Level Energy.
Eryx sighed. Then he slowly stood up and looked around carefully.
He was inside the Hundred Beasts' Cave. Now that all the Silverback Wolves had been killed, this area was safe. But he knew this didn't mean there was nothing useful here. His system had the ability to extract High-Level Energy Points from any object worth at least 1 Point of energy inside it. So, Eryx decided to search the area for such objects.
This area of the Hundred Beasts' Cave wasn't very big, but it was full of plants and bushes. Earlier, the Silverback Wolves had been hiding in these bushes, making them hard to detect.
Eryx immediately started searching the surrounding area. He wanted to find anything...perhaps plants or even rocks that might have energy within them. He carefully scanned the area, hoping to find something valuable.
After a short while, Eryx's patience paid off. He discovered a few herbs growing in the cave. However, these herbs weren't very special; they were low-leveled and didn't contain much energy. He found seven herbs in total, and each one only gave him ten points of High-Level Energy. While it wasn't much, it was still better than nothing.
With the added energy, Eryx now had 610 Energy Points in total.
As Eryx looked around one final time, he realized there was nothing else of value left in the cave.
"Looks like there's nothing more here. I should go deeper into the cave."
Eryx felt it was time to leave. So, he turned his attention to the second tunnel where Lin Ning'er, Leon, and Mira had entered earlier.
Without wasting any time, he walked to the tunnel and stepped inside.
"What the...?!"
The moment he entered the tunnel; he immediately felt the space around him changing greatly. It was as if the entire world around him was moving. His body felt light, and his mind began to spin as if he were being pulled into a vortex.
After a brief moment, when that sensation stopped, Eryx found himself standing in a completely new location.
"This is...a forest?"
Eryx raised his brows in surprise but then he immediately became cautious.
This time, he appeared inside a forest. A forest is obviously more dangerous than a small place with only bushes and small plants.
"Thankfully, my cultivation level has increased, and I've mastered the basics of Mountain Piercing Finger. Otherwise, this journey would have been difficult."
Eryx thought inwardly, for he knew this forest must be housing many powerful demonic beasts.
With a deep breath, Eryx stealthily walked forward. He had only one purpose in mind, and that was to find demonic beasts to kill or objects with energy to extract High-Level Energy Points.
"Roar!"
After walking for twenty minutes in the forest, Eryx suddenly heard a series of strained roars emanating from a few hundred meters ahead.
"Hmm? What's happening? Don't tell me someone is here and fighting against a beast?"
The moment he thought this, Eryx broke into a sprint, fearing he would arrive too late, and the creature would be gone!
As expected, when Eryx drew near, he spotted a massive demonic beast. It was an ape-shaped demonic beast. Its body was cloaked in dark fur.
However, its dark fur currently had a few red marks on them. These red marks were actually wounds, and blood was oozing out of them. Clearly, these wounds were the handiwork of the small team.
A team of four people, two male, and two female, all in the Core Formation Realm, were fighting against this ape.
However, these four people seemed to have formed their cores not long ago. Even with their combined effort, they were able to only inflict a few wounds on the ape's massive body.
Although they were struggling to fight the ape, in reality, their struggle only served to enrage the massive demonic beast further. It bared its teeth and roared ferociously like a wild beast.
"You beast, still daring to roar? Watch as I end you!"
One of the people wielding a great sword bellowed and sprinted forward, aiming a mighty slash at the ape's head.
Unfortunately, the ape was a Tier-3 Demonic Beast, a top one at that. Its strength is not something any beginner Core Formation Realm expert could face.
Eryx, perched quietly in the nearby trees, watched the battle unfold without revealing his presence. He wanted to see the outcome of this battle. And if possible, he wanted to extract energy points from the demonic beast.
As Eryx continued to silently watch the battle, he suddenly noticed the ape's previously furious expression shift to a sly grin. A bolt of lightning seemed to have struck his mind. He felt as if the ape had developed a cunning intelligence. Instead of defending against the oncoming attacker, it actually stood up straight, raised its giant arm, and punched.
BOOM!
Air exploded with a strong soundwave. The ape's punch was ferocious and swift. And this swift punch struck the man in mid-air directly.
"Bang!"
The sound erupted like distant thunder. The man was quick-witted. He tried to use his sword to make a shift in position to defend against the incoming punch.
Nevertheless, quick-witted as he was, he was unable to withstand the force behind that punch.
The sword, which came in contact with the punch initially, broke into pieces. A few pieces pierced right into the man's chest. But that was not the end. The ape's fist reached the man and struck him directly.
He wasn't even able to scream. He was sent flying backward over thirty meters and slammed into a giant tree. As he fell down, the rest of the three companions found that he was knocked out cold.
This person was no longer breathing.
He was dead!
"Holy smokes, that ape is insanely strong. Moreover, that kind of death... Hiss! It is brutal."
Eryx had no intention of intervening. Why should he risk his life to help someone else? Not to mention, these people are total strangers.
The thing he wants to do is take advantage of the situation.
He was acutely aware that stepping in now would only draw ire not only from the people fighting the ape but also from the demonic beast itself. That's why, instead of intervening immediately, he was waiting, waiting for a perfect opportunity to strike.
He knew these people could never kill this ape. Their strength is far from enough. In fact, even he is lacking in strength. Not to mention, he also lacks battle experience.
However, with the Mountain Piercing Finger in his arsenal, if attacked at full force, he was confident in taking down this demonic beast.
Of course, if he wants to take action, he must stay hidden and give the ape a surprise attack. Otherwise, the battle would be difficult.
The team fighting the ape can be considered distracting the ape's attention. He can silently prepare and act when the opportunity arises.
With this in mind, Eryx settled into the role of an entertained spectator. He perched atop a tree branch and continued watching the scene below.
If only this world had popcorn...
Shaking his head, Eryx started gathering energy into his hand. He wanted to stay prepared so that he could act at any time.
On the other hand, although the three people were shocked at their friend's death, they didn't have time to be surprised or divert attention from the battle. If they did, their outcome would be the same as their friend's.
With that in mind, everyone pounced toward the ape again.