Chapter Fifteen: Outsider

When the two hurried over, they found no other sect members around.

Han Jie said, “They were probably awakened by some commotion elsewhere. Step back a little and protect me; I will attack.”

Jiang Heng immediately complied, channeling all her spiritual energy to form a protective shield, enclosing both herself and Han Jie.

With a wave of his hand, twelve golden swords suddenly appeared around Han Jie, their majestic presence sweeping fiercely toward the beast!

The violent gust nearly knocked Jiang Heng off her feet. She barely managed to steady herself, concentrating fully to guard Han Jie.

The beast roared as it lunged at them, and for a moment, the scene was a blur of flashing blades and flying wind blades, the earth cracking beneath their feet, sand and stones swirling wildly.

Jiang Heng gradually sensed something amiss. Wasn’t this a third-level minor heaven? Why was such a terrifying beast here?

No matter how she looked at it, this did not resemble a third-tier demon beast corresponding to a human cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage. It seemed more like...

The uproar was too great, quickly attracting others, including Xu Ning’an and the others.

Xu Ning’an was delighted. “This beast looks formidable. Its demon core and claws must be powerful too, right?”

Xia Zhiyu smiled along, but Huo Shiqing’s expression changed as he sensed something wrong. “An’an, immediately send word to the others. Tell them there’s a fourth-tier demon beast here. They must all come.”

“Ah?! Oh… okay.”

Xu Ning’an used a high-level sound transmission talisman, and all the Wanling Sect cultivators within the minor heaven received the message, hastening to the scene.

Though called a minor heaven, its area was quite vast—for instance, this one was roughly the size of dozens of Wanling Sects combined.

Once everyone had gathered, the beast quickly entered a frenzied, near-death state, roaring as it prepared to unleash a powerful attack.

Han Jie summoned a defensive artifact, shielding himself and Jiang Heng inside, then paused to catch his breath.

Jiang Heng also summoned her artifact to reinforce the defense and quietly asked Han Jie, “Senior Brother Han, are you tired? I have some replenishing pills…”

According to the rules of this world, when a group attacks a demon beast together, the final spoils are distributed based on the damage each cultivator inflicts. Continuing the fight a little longer would give them an advantage when dividing the loot.

Han Jie replied, “Your second senior brother is trying to steal credit. There’s no need to keep fighting.”

Jiang Heng glanced toward Xu Ning’an and the others and immediately understood what Han Jie meant.

Huo Shiqing refrained from using spells but instead bombarded the beast with top-tier attack talismans and fire thunder seeds like a sudden storm. These items were incredibly expensive and highly destructive—each strike equivalent to a Nascent Soul cultivator's full-power blow. No wonder the beast became enraged so quickly.

No wonder Han Jie didn’t want to keep fighting. With Huo Shiqing throwing away spirit stones like they were nothing, no matter how hard Han Jie fought, he couldn’t outdo him.

Since the beast was close to death, it was better to rest for a while.

The beast’s dying counterattack was fiercely violent. Although all cultivators present had artifacts or protective shields, many still staggered backward from the shock, and some were hurled dozens of yards away by the wind vortex.

Han Jie’s artifact was powerful; except for a gentle breeze ruffling Jiang Heng’s hair, she was untouched.

Finally, the beast howled mournfully to the sky and collapsed with a thunderous crash, raising a cloud of dust that obscured the sky.

Everyone exhaled in relief. Some less experienced juniors cheered.

This was their first time defeating such a fearsome demon beast, a moment worth commemorating.

The cultivators gathered, and the few with the highest cultivation and prestige began discussing how to divide the spoils.

By custom, the first to discover the demon beast could claim at least one precious item. Since Han Jie’s damage was second only to Huo Shiqing’s, he had the right to choose first.

Han Jie said, “I want the demon core of this beast.”

Huo Shiqing replied coolly, “There is only one demon core, and I want it too.”

Han Jie smiled, “At your realm, Senior Brother Huo, you probably don’t need this demon core, right?”

Huo Shiqing countered, “You’re also at the Nascent Soul stage. Why are you asking for it?”

Han Jie explained, “To be honest, I want this demon core for Junior Sister Jiang. She has damaged meridians, and there’s an ancient medicinal recipe that can heal them, which requires a demon core from a third-tier or higher demon beast.”

Jiang Heng was taken aback, her feelings suddenly complicated. “Senior Brother Han…”

Xu Ning’an, who had long coveted this rare high-grade demon core, became even more determined upon hearing Han Jie’s reason. Biting her lip, she tugged at Huo Shiqing’s sleeve. “Second Senior Brother, An’an needs this too.”

Huo Shiqing gently stroked her hair. “Alright, I understand.”

Then he turned his gaze to Han Jie. “Junior Sister Jiang? If I’m not mistaken, you only met today, right?”

Han Jie calmly replied, “Yes. Junior Sister Jiang and I have only known each other for a day. We’re both willing to have the demon core made into medicine for her. Senior Brother Huo has been her fellow disciple and companion for years; surely he wishes more for the restoration of her meridians than I do?”

At these words, the surrounding silence was deafening.

Most present knew about Huo Shiqing’s damage to Jiang Heng’s meridians—it was such a notorious incident that it was hard not to be aware.

If Huo Shiqing tried to fight Han Jie for the demon core now, it would be hard to justify.

Xu Ning’an lowered her head and tugged again at Huo Shiqing’s sleeve. “But An’an wants to establish her foundation…”

Xia Zhiyu was momentarily stunned, looking toward Xu Ning’an.

Huo Shiqing looked at Han Jie. “I said I would take responsibility for her meridians. When our master emerges from seclusion, I will plead on her behalf. There’s no need for outsiders to interfere. Let me have the demon core. I can compensate you with other things, Junior Brother Han.”

Before Han Jie could respond, Jiang Heng stopped him. “Forget it, Senior Brother Han. You should take what you need.”

She smiled faintly, expressing her gratitude with her eyes.

Her meridians were not truly ruined; there was no need to make enemies of people like Han Jie or Huo Shiqing.

Han Jie thought for a moment. “Then I’ll take the beast’s tooth.”

Huo Shiqing’s expression grew even darker as he watched them speak.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and quickly resumed discussing the distribution for the others.

After all was settled, a Nascent Soul cultivator produced a specialized decomposition artifact and infused it with spiritual energy.

A dazzling display of light soon scattered the beast’s incredibly tough corpse. Those who contributed most took the prime portions; the average ones received ordinary materials, and the rest, who mainly participated, were given spirit stones.

After Xu Ning’an received the demon core, she happily wanted to flirt with Huo Shiqing but noticed he seemed distracted.

Jiang Heng was about to leave with Han Jie when someone grabbed her wrist tightly.

“Where are you going?” Huo Shiqing’s face was icy cold.

Jiang Heng frowned. “The demon core has been given to you. What more do you want, Second Senior Brother?”

Huo Shiqing’s gaze was so cold it seemed to freeze her. “So you still remember I’m your Second Senior Brother. Both your senior brothers are here, so why do you want to accompany an outsider? Come back and follow us.”

Jiang Heng lowered her eyes and pulled her wrist free.

She looked at Huo Shiqing calmly, her expression tinged with irony. “A few hours ago, you said those words to me in front of so many people. Do you need me to repeat them for you?”