Zhang Ergou sprinted along the direction from which the beast's roar originated.
At Zhang Ergou's speed, it took the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before he reached the source of the roar.
Rounding a bend, Zhang Ergou saw a giant demonic beast roaring in anger.
In front of it, several figures stood, confronting it.
"Li Yao, Wang Teng, Lin Yichen?"
Zhang Ergou quickly recognized three of the people confronting the demonic beast as disciples of the Misty Sect.
Two of them were his sworn friends, Lin Yichen and Wang Teng.
"Er Gou, hurry over and help."
As soon as Zhang Ergou appeared, he was spotted by the sharp-eyed Wang Teng.
Having been discovered, Zhang Ergou no longer hid and flashed to the side of Wang Teng and Lin Yichen.
"What happened?" Zhang Ergou asked.
Based on his previous experience fighting the python, Zhang Ergou deduced that the demonic beasts in this mystic realm generally wouldn't attack unless provoked.
From the beast's stance, it was clear it was guarding something.
Otherwise, it wouldn't have stayed within that area, and wouldn't have stopped chasing them when Lin Yichen and the others retreated.
"Er Gou, look what that is?"
Lin Yichen pointed to a tree behind the demonic beast, which was covered in fiery red fruits.
"Crimson Star Fruit?" Zhang Ergou's eyes widened, immediately recognizing the fruits on the tree behind the beast as the rare Crimson Star Fruit.
These Crimson Star Fruits could be consumed directly by cultivators.
However, due to their potent spiritual energy, only cultivators at the Golden Core stage or above could withstand their power.
Consuming one not only restored spiritual energy in a short time but, more importantly, provided immunity to fire-elemental attacks for a certain period.
No wonder Lin Yichen, Wang Teng, Li Yao, and the other two disciples from the Liuhai Sect dared to challenge this clearly powerful demonic beast.
The allure of the Crimson Star Fruit was immense, and there were so many of them.
With Zhang Ergou's arrival, the expressions of the two Liuhai Sect disciples turned unnatural.
When they first discovered the tree together, they had found it with Li Yao, Lin Yichen, and Wang Teng.
However, Lin Yichen and Wang Teng were only at the early Golden Core stage, so they didn't pay them much mind.
Both of them were firmly in the middle Golden Core stage.
Therefore, even if they had to fight Li Yao and the others, they wouldn't suffer much loss.
Instead, Li Yao and Lin Yichen seemed to be at a disadvantage.
After discussing it, they decided to divide the fruits on the tree equally.
However, as soon as they made their move, they disturbed the demonic beast that was napping nearby.
If they hadn't dodged quickly, they would have been sent flying by the angry beast's claw.
The demonic beast's angry roar, however, attracted Zhang Ergou.
Seeing Zhang Ergou arrive, the two Liuhai Sect disciples' faces clearly soured.
Now, even if they defeated the giant demonic beast before them, how to divide the fruits would be a problem.
With Zhang Ergou's arrival, the Misty Sect now had four people.
Moreover, Zhang Ergou's strength had always been a mystery.
Although he had always shown strength at the early Golden Core stage on the surface, if they truly treated him as an early Golden Core cultivator, then they themselves would be the ones to suffer.
The two exchanged glances and nodded tacitly.
"Li Yao, more people have arrived on your side. How do we divide these fruits now?"
The slightly older cultivator from the Liuhai Sect said.
"Naturally, whoever contributes more will get more."
Seeing that she had Zhang Ergou joining them, Li Yao's tone became much firmer.
"That's not what you said earlier?" The man frowned, clearly having guessed their change of mind, the Misty Sect's people had altered their intentions.
"Earlier was earlier, now is now. If you agree, fine. If you don't, you can leave."
After saying this, Li Yao ignored the two.
"Good, very good, Li Yao. We'll meet again. Good luck to you all."
Seeing Li Yao's resolute stance, the two said nothing more, left a parting remark, and turned to leave in one direction.
Judging by their actions, they seemed to have given up on the Crimson Star Fruit.
"Er Gou, them?" Lin Yichen pointed at the departing duo.
He felt these two wouldn't leave so easily.
"We just need to be careful. Don't mind them."
Zhang Ergou nodded, having seen the ruthlessness flash in their eyes the moment they left.
Clearly, they were unwilling to leave like this.
But they were even more unwilling to make wedding clothes for Zhang Ergou and the others, so they simply left.
Zhang Ergou predicted that these two would not go far.
They would likely find a hidden spot nearby to conceal themselves and observe.
As Zhang Ergou had expected.
After the two left and disappeared from Zhang Ergou's sight, they rounded a bend, climbed a high mountain, and circled back behind Zhang Ergou and the others.
They hid in a concealed spot, watching Zhang Ergou and the others confront the demonic beast.
After the two left, Zhang Ergou and Li Yao and the others discussed it and prepared to deal with the demonic beast, whose strength and realm seemed extraordinary.
"Humans, I advise you to leave quickly and not incur my wrath."
Just as Zhang Ergou and the others were about to attack, they suddenly heard a voice.
"Who is it? Who is speaking?"
Wang Teng exclaimed in shock.
"Nascent Soul stage demonic beast?"
Zhang Ergou immediately realized it was the beast before them speaking.
He hadn't expected this giant demonic beast to have reached the stage where it could speak human language.
The Heavenly Dao Elder had once told him that demonic beasts generally only spoke human words after breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage.
Since this beast could speak, it was at least a beast at the early Nascent Soul stage.
This was becoming troublesome.
Zhang Ergou had previously thought this beast was at most at the late Golden Core stage.
Hearing the beast speak, Zhang Ergou's pressure instantly intensified.
......
"It's the one before us." Zhang Ergou pointed at the beast in front of them.
"Ah?" Wang Teng turned his head with difficulty to look at the giant demonic beast. It was his first time encountering a demonic beast that could speak human language.
Seeing Wang Teng look at it, the demonic beast blinked its eyes in a human-like manner.
The tense atmosphere instantly became somewhat peculiar.
"Um, esteemed beast, can we discuss something?"
Seeing that the beast didn't seem very agitated, Zhang Ergou dared to ask.
"Hmph, human. You may call me 'esteemed one,' but please do not include the word 'beast,' alright?"
Lin Yichen, Li Yao, and Wang Teng were stunned on the spot.
What kind of aspiration did this beast have, not wanting to be called a beast as a beast?
"My name is Qian Ying. You may call me Lord Qian Ying."
The giant demonic beast arrogantly raised its head.....