The meat of a seventh-rank beast was incredibly nutritious and could replenish a significant amount of energy. The meat and bones of those two seventh-rank beasts were extremely valuable, but lingering there was far too dangerous. Lin San decided to forgo the idea of taking the beasts' carcasses with him. It would be foolish to risk everything for a small gain.
"Damn, I wish I could eat too," Ye Fan grumbled, watching Lin San savor the beast meat. Being a sword, the days were unbearably dull. Not being able to eat was the biggest regret. Absorbing blood was like drinking warm water. Who could find any joy in that?
After finishing his meal, Lin San gripped the Demon Slayer Sword in his right hand, closed his eyes, and entered a state of cultivation. The [All-Attribute Enhancement] effect greatly accelerated his body's recovery.
Time passed quickly, and by the afternoon, Lin San slowly opened his eyes.
"I'm healed!" He examined his wounds—cuts from the earlier battle had scabbed over and begun to peel. The bruising from the strike to his chest had completely disappeared, and the sharp pain was gone.
"This sword is truly remarkable. I can't tell if it's a demonic blade or a divine one," Lin San murmured as he looked at the Demon Slayer Sword.
"Hahaha, we're rich! This is a seventh-rank beast's carcass!" "Not just the carcass—the bones can be forged into weapons. The skin and claws are top-grade materials too!" Voices of excitement from nearby warriors reached his ears.
"So, others have found the site," Lin San thought to himself. He couldn't afford to be discovered by these people. If anyone learned he had two seventh-rank beast cores, it would spell trouble. The saying "A man without sin may be condemned for his wealth" was more than just a proverb.
Avoiding the approaching group, Lin San quietly made his way in the opposite direction. With the beast cores in hand, his priority was to return to the city and sell them. He planned to deposit the proceeds in the Empire Bank for safekeeping.
Before long, Lin San reached the outskirts of the Black Forest.
"So this is the infamous Black Forest? Doesn't seem to have any particularly strong beasts," a voice spoke in heavily accented Tianba dialect.
Lin San saw two Dragon Empire warriors accompanied by several city guards approaching.
"It's more fun playing with your Tianba women in the city," one tall, brown-haired man laughed.
The city guards around them, eager to please, immediately responded with sycophantic smiles. "Yes, we'll arrange a few for you tonight."
"I'll pick them myself. When we return to the city, I'll see if there's anyone pretty on the streets," the brown-haired man said with a grin.
This made the guards' faces tighten slightly. After all, Xing City was a mid-sized city, and such behavior would put considerable pressure on the city lord. But they couldn't afford to offend these Dragon Empire warriors. Even if something happened, Fu Xiaohu would cover it up.
"As you wish," the guards replied with forced smiles.
"Despicable scum," Lin San muttered under his breath as he passed by, disgusted by their conversation. Though he was outraged, Lin San knew better than to get involved in such matters.
But just then, a terrifying sword aura suddenly erupted, shooting straight toward Lin San. The nearby trees were instantly sliced apart by the powerful aura.
Lin San's pupils contracted as he quickly dodged out of the way. The beast in front of him was sliced cleanly in two by the sword aura.
"Impressive, sir!" the surrounding guards exclaimed, showering the Dragon Empire warrior with praise.
Lin San exhaled deeply, his heart still racing. The sword aura had come dangerously close to hitting him.
"Who are you? Get lost!" barked one of the city guards, frowning as Lin San's figure emerged from behind the severed trees.
"Why should I leave?" Lin San's anger flared. That sword aura had nearly killed him, and now they were telling him to "get lost"? The nerve!
"You little brat, do you have a death wish? Can't you see the distinguished guests from the Dragon Empire here?" one of the guards sneered, brandishing his sword at Lin San.
"Seize him!" one of the Dragon Empire warriors ordered, his gaze fixed on Lin San with a twisted smile. Lin San's youthful appearance had caught his eye, and it was clear that one of the men had a particular interest.
Lin San felt a shiver run down his spine at the man's predatory gaze. Something about it was deeply unsettling.
"Didn't you hear the lord's command? Get over here!" the city guards shouted, pointing their weapons at Lin San.
"Fools," Lin San snorted and turned to leave.
"Stop right there!" In an instant, the guards moved to block Lin San's path, weapons drawn.
"What do you think you're doing? You're nothing but lackeys to the Dragon Empire, willing to grovel at their feet. Have you been on your knees so long that you've forgotten how to stand up straight?" Lin San retorted coldly, glaring at them.
"Hah, this should be interesting," Ye Fan remarked with a chuckle. "Though that Dragon Empire guy is giving off some seriously creepy vibes—like he's interested in Lin San in the worst way."
The guards' faces turned red with anger at Lin San's words. One of them couldn't hold back any longer and swung his sword at Lin San.
Lin San's pupils narrowed as he quickly raised the Demon Slayer Sword to parry.
Clang!
The clash of metal rang out, and the guard was sent stumbling backward by the force of the impact.
"A third-rank warrior?" the guard muttered, his expression shifting. A third-rank warrior was no pushover.
"Take him alive, but don't hurt him. Hehehe," the Dragon Empire warrior with the unsettling smile ordered.
"Artis, he's just a lowly Tianba Empire peasant. Don't waste your time," the larger Dragon Empire warrior scoffed.