Observing the demon fox's lifeless body beside him, Zhuge Xiang noticed a strong aura of malevolence in its eyes. A potent demonic energy radiated from it, making it challenging for Zhuge Xiang to catch his breath.
The previous demon fox had been merely a one-star low-grade, equivalent to the third level of the Qi Nurturing Realm, and it had been wounded, requiring both Zhuge Xiang and Lu Yuling to join forces to defeat it. However, this one-star mid-grade demon fox, now operating at full power, was several times more formidable. Its forelimbs were slightly bent, and it appeared poised to pounce, making Zhuge Xiang feel as though a blade hung perilously over his head.
It was no surprise that Zhuge Xiang, at the first level of the Qi Nurturing Realm, and Lu Yuling, who had recently reached the third level, were outclassed by this demon fox, which was on par with the fifth level of the Qi Nurturing Realm. Bridging such a level disparity was no simple task, even considering that this demon fox didn't possess exceptional physical strength.
"Let's engage!" Despite struggling to breathe due to the monster's energy at the fifth level of the Qi Cultivation Realm, Zhuge Xiang knew he couldn't escape alone, at least not without Lu Yuling's assistance. He steeled himself, hoisting the Blood Refining Knife in his hand, prepared to fight.
Lu Yuling glanced at Zhuge Xiang, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. She hadn't witnessed how Zhuge Xiang retrieved the Blood Refining Knife, and what astounded her most was that he had managed to master Qi in just one week. With only the first level of the Qi Cultivation Realm, he dared to confront a demon fox at the fifth level of the Qi Cultivation Realm without a hint of fear.
"Senior Sister Lu, how long can you hold it off?" Zhuge Xiang inquired, gripping the Blood Refining Knife tightly, his eyes locked onto the calf-sized demon fox.
"With your determination, I'll give it a try. If I go all out, I can probably hold it for about twenty breaths," she replied with a faint smile, her eyes serious. Lu Yuling had no intention of fleeing either.
"Twenty breaths?" Zhuge Xiang stared at her in astonishment. Although she had broken through to the third level of the Qi Cultivation Realm, could she truly entangle the demon fox for twenty breaths?
Despite his surprise, Zhuge Xiang refrained from commenting further. Clearly, Lu Yuling had her secrets as well. While they weren't particularly close, Zhuge Xiang understood that Lu Yuling wasn't one to joke about such matters.
"Twenty breaths it is. Let's give it a shot!" Holding the Blood Refining Knife, Zhuge Xiang placed a secret steel medicine, which he had been hesitant to use until now, into his mouth. Under the medicine's effect, Zhuge Xiang felt as though he'd donned a suit of armor, making him as tough as steel without hindering his mobility.
Elixir of Defense: Increases physical defense by 150 points for 1 minute.
Following the elixir's consumption, Zhuge Xiang's defense skyrocketed by 150 points. His legs slightly bent, and the essence and blood energy within his body surged as if boiling. Blood-red energy became visible, flowing out from his skin. His eyes turned scarlet due to the boiling blood—a manifestation of the Bloodthirsty Technique.
The Bloodthirsty Technique temporarily boosts overall attributes by 30%. With this technique activated, his body brimming with energy, Zhuge Xiang's spirit entered a heightened state of excitement. Letting out a roar, he charged forward, his Blood Refining Knife enveloped in a crimson aura, slashing down toward the demon fox.
"Bloodthirsty!? He's mastered the Bloodthirsty Technique!?" Lu Yuling's eyes widened as she observed Zhuge Xiang's transformation.
Mastering the Bloodthirsty Technique in a week? Lu Yuling had been present when Zhuge Xiang was selecting martial arts at the Tibetan Martial Pavilion. She knew that a week ago, he had no knowledge of the technique. Moreover, mastering the Bloodthirsty Technique after just one week of comprehending Qi seemed almost impossible. Even if he had considered it beforehand, it would have been a daunting challenge.
While it was already remarkable that he had successfully learned the Blood Thunder Slash in such a short time, secretly practicing the dangerous Bloodthirsty Technique was an entirely different matter. Despite her astonishment, Lu Yuling, being a genius herself, hesitated for only a moment before joining the fray.
From the demon fox's perspective, Zhuge Xiang posed a more significant threat than Lu Yuling. It made no effort to evade or dodge, raising its claws and lunging directly at Zhuge Xiang. Its sharp talons gleamed with an icy light, akin to a blade, covered in layers of demonic energy. It could likely rend even steel plates with ease.
"Chop!" The Blood Refining Knife descended, and Zhuge Xiang appeared ready to embrace the demon fox's assault, not bothering to evade the attack. His goal was to test the effectiveness of the 150-point defense boost from the secret steel medicine, coupled with the 30% enhancement from the Bloodthirsty Technique. Just how much could his defense endure?
"Oops, is his consciousness becoming clouded?" Observing Zhuge Xiang and the demon fox engaging in a desperate battle, Lu Yuling's eyes narrowed, suspecting that Zhuge Xiang had fallen victim to the same fate that befell most Bloodthirsty practitioners.
If this continued, although Zhuge Xiang might harm the demon fox, he would almost certainly meet a tragic end. Nonetheless, it was already too late for Lu Yuling to intervene. The demon fox's icy claws slammed mercilessly into Zhuge Xiang's chest, its sharp talons slicing across his torso. However, instead of disemboweling him, as might be expected, his coarse clothing tore, leaving only a few vivid crimson marks on his chest. Drops of blood oozed from the shallow cuts, barely breaking through his augmented defense, confirming that his skin had been wounded.
Zhuge Xiang felt a tingling sensation in his chest as the demon fox's attack connected, akin to being lightly pricked by a few needles. It was not a severe injury, merely breaking the skin's surface. On his character page, only 5 points of his 110 health had been deducted. Such an injury was negligible. With the Blood Refining Knife's passive effect, which converted 10% of the damage inflicted on the target into his own health, the blood-sucking effect came into play.
"Kill!" Zhuge Xiang exclaimed, his confidence surging. The demon fox had caused him no harm, while his own strikes had dealt real damage. The Blood Refining Knife's 10% blood-sucking effect further bolstered Zhuge Xiang's resolve, allowing him to cast aside defense entirely and focus on attacking. With a 30% boost to both speed and attack speed from the Bloodthirsty Technique, Zhuge Xiang struck once more.
In a single motion, Zhuge Xiang exuded an air of unwavering determination. However, within the demon fox's eyes, fear ran deep. Even one of its paws could easily crush a stone, yet it had no effect on this human. The demon fox, which was not particularly strong physically, couldn't fathom how a seemingly frail human could possess a body as resilient as steel.
"Clear Wave Palm..." Lu Yuling muttered, realizing she mustn't let her focus waver during the battle. With the Clear Wave Palm technique, she locked onto the demon fox with her third-level Qi Nurturing Realm energy.
"Kill, kill, kill!" Zhuge Xiang, devoid of fear and unburdened by the need to concern himself with injuries or the Blood Recovery Pill, continued to assault with relentless vigor. His Blood Refining Knife, surrounded by a crimson aura, moved with incredible speed. What could be more exhilarating than attacking without inhibition?
Lu Yuling's Clear Wave Palm encircled the demon fox, while Zhuge Xiang's body brimmed with a blood-red aura, akin to a Shura drenched in gore. His Blood Refining Knife emanated an ominous presence, and under the 30% attack speed boost, it transformed into a scarlet blade of light.
Though agile, the demon fox couldn't fully utilize its power. If it were a slower-moving creature like a cow or a bear, it likely would have met its demise already. Nevertheless, the demon fox bore more than seven or eight wounds, with blood flowing freely. It found itself in a state of unprecedented distress. This monster, equivalent to the fifth level of the Qi Cultivation Realm, could hardly muster its typical vitality or strength.
As the injuries piled up, and with the added pressure of both Lu Yuling and Zhuge Xiang, the demon fox began to retreat after just a dozen or so breaths of combat.
"Oh no!" Zhuge Xiang's heart raced as he watched the demon fox attempting to escape.
Allowing the demon fox to flee at this point would be a colossal waste of experience. However, stopping a demon fox equivalent to the fifth level of Qi Nurturing Realm from escaping was no easy task.
"Zhuge Xiang, Blood Thunder Slash!" Realizing the demon fox's intentions, Lu Yuling exclaimed urgently. She maintained her grasp on the demon fox with the Clear Wave Palm, restraining its movements.
Countless silk threads wrapped around the demon fox's body as Qingbo's Palm enveloped it. Although the fifth-level Qi Nurturing Realm demon fox possessed formidable strength, it struggled against the restraining force of Lu Yuling's Clear Wave Palm, even pulling Lu Yuling slightly. Nevertheless, the threads held strong, preventing the fox from breaking free for the time being.
"So her earlier confidence stemmed from these threads?" Zhuge Xiang realized the source of her confidence when he saw the silk threads entangling the demon fox. Lu Yuling's belief that she could restrain the fox for twenty breaths was based on this technique.
Not wanting to waste any more time, Zhuge Xiang channeled his blood energy into the Blood Refining Knife. With a 30% attack speed boost, his Blood Thunder Slash gained even greater momentum.
Witnessing Lu Yuling losing control and realizing she would be dragged away by the demon fox if she didn't let go, Zhuge Xiang leaped into action. Kicking off the ground and splattering mud, he transformed into a blood-red blur, hurtling directly toward the demon fox's neck. With a slash that left a trail of scarlet light, he executed the Blood Thunder Slash.