"Any gains?"
Seeing that shimmering poison needle, Li Jing's eyes narrowed involuntarily, his heart filled with indescribable joy.
Having learned from his previous experience, he was in no rush to collect it.
He waited until everyone was busy, then approached stealthily.
As he slowly got closer!
The segment of the poison needle began to fully reveal itself.
[Sand Scorpion Demon's Poison Needle*1
The Sand Scorpion Demon's poison needle, containing a fusion of flora, minerals, and Evil Poison, is astonishingly toxic. Whether it's the Human Race or the Demon Clan who gets hit, death is certain.
Free Points +2]
Seeing the two attribute points, Li Jing felt somewhat disappointed. Compared to the old demon from the deep mountains, this Poison Sting seemed rather insignificant.
But upon careful consideration, it made sense.
This Sand Scorpion, though formidable, lacked Spiritual Wisdom.
All its actions were purely driven by the instincts of a predator.
It's more beast than demon.
If it weren't so, it wouldn't have been slain by him so easily.
Looking at it from this perspective, two Free Points wasn't too shabby.
Thinking this way, Li Jing's mood instantly became serene, with the corners of his mouth involuntarily curling upwards.
Actually, he wasn't the only one content!
Pang Yong felt the same.
This was a desert scorpion, and not just any kind, but one that had established its territory.
Such a creature was extremely rare, even in Jiangdu.
Under his command, the scorpion, large as a millstone, was slowly lifted by the people and carefully tied up with ropes.
Even though the Sand Scorpion was dead, the aura it emitted was still terribly fearsome.
No bird or beast dared come near.
It took some time for the Armored Soldiers to calm the camels from their panic.
Once everything was settled, Pang Yong said gleefully:
"Xiahou, you've long resided inland, perhaps you're not too aware."
"This scorpion is no small thing; its entire body is a treasure!"
"The hard shell, impervious to ordinary swords, can be made into Armor and Heart Protectors!"
"The thick tail, extraordinarily sharp!"
"Ordinary Armor in its presence can be said to be as fragile as paper."
"The deadly poison it contains, once pricked, not even the stout-bodied Demon Clan can withstand!"
"What's most important is, the scorpion has just died, and its scent has not dissipated!"
"As long as we carry it with us, neither wild beasts nor the Demon Clan dare to approach!"
Listening to Pang Yong's explanation, Li Jing immediately understood.
Both wild beasts and the Demon Clan have an incredibly keen sense of smell.
They can often detect the scent of prey, as well as predators, from miles away.
Here, the Sand Scorpion was akin to a lord of its territory.
All Demon Beasts, upon smelling its scent, would instinctively avoid it.
Of course!
This also had to do with the Sand Scorpion's natural behaviors.
Though a Demon Beast, it was inherently not very intelligent. All its actions were based solely on instinct and it held no concept of Demon Clan or Human Race.
In its world!
All weaker creatures, whether human or demon, are its prey!
So, it's not only the Human Race that fears them, the Demon Clan too is extremely fearful.
If they can avoid it, they will. Not to mention provoking it.
...
Thus, traveling with the scorpion would make them considerably safer.
Thinking of this, Pang Yong, Pei Rong, and others were even more relaxed, their gaze towards Li Jing also filled with gratitude.
However, unlike the spirited and elated others, Li Jing didn't feel much excitement.
Instead, there was a touch of dissatisfaction.
With all the Demon Beasts scared away!
What would he hunt?
Without Demon Beasts, how would he obtain Free Points?
"Maybe..."
But, as he was about to voice his thoughts upon seeing the joyous expressions of the people, he swallowed his words back down.
Without Demon Beasts, then so be it.
As long as everyone's safe, that's good enough. We shouldn't be too selfish.
Because of the Sand Scorpion Demon!
The journey thereafter indeed became much smoother.
Traveling for several days straight, and not a single Demon Clan member, let alone wild beasts, was encountered.
However, as time went by, the aura of the Sand Scorpion Demon had completely dissipated, and its deterrent effect on Demon Beasts grew weaker and weaker.
Many Demon Beasts even became restless.
If not for their large numbers and being armed, they would likely have been attacked already.
Nevertheless, the Demon Beasts didn't give up; they just kept gathering.
When they were about to reach Jiangdu City.
They finally couldn't suppress the violence in their hearts and launched an attack on the caravan.
Several Demon Beasts, emerging from the shadows, attacked the caravan.
But these attacks were nothing but a cakewalk for Li Jing, who wielded the Demon-slaying Sword.
Before Pang Yong and the others could even react.
He charged forward alone.
One man against four savage Demon Beasts.
Li Jing's bravery and sense of responsibility inspired everyone present.
Facing danger alone for the sake of others.
He demonstrated through his actions what it meant to be a true hero!
At that moment, Li Jing had only one thought.
That was, these four Demon Beasts must die by his hand.
No one else should intervene!
"Slash!"
Li Jing's Demon-slaying Sword swept across, and a Demon Beast resembling a fierce wolf failed to dodge in time, getting hit squarely on the head.
The tremendous force made it unstable, causing it to stumble uncontrollably.
The rest of the Demon Beasts, seeing how tough Li Jing was, took the opportunity to launch attacks from all sides.
Li Jing's great sword spun in his hands, tearing through the air like a storm.
Wherever it passed, a chilling wind howled.
...
"Xiahou, the great hero!"
"Please, have some water first!"
"It looks like we'll reach Jiangdu by nightfall!"
Pang Yong, holding a waterskin, presented it with an ingratiating smile like a servant.
"It's still that far? Boy, Jiangdu really is remote."
Hearing Pang Yong's words, Li Jing felt somewhat aggrieved inside.
They had been walking through the desert for three whole days and nights, slaying four to five Demon Beasts. And yet, they still hadn't caught sight of Jiangdu.
It was hard to imagine how the caravan had ever put up with this before!?
Fortunately, according to the map, they had reached the edge of Jiangdu, and with a little more perseverance, they would enter the city.
In response to Li Jing's complaints, Pang Yong felt slightly embarrassed, but he patiently explained, "The desert is barren, with no one in sight for thousands of miles. There's nothing we can do about that."
"Fortunately, due to its remoteness, Jiangdu has never suffered any turmoil, and the local customs are honest and simple. Xiahou, once you're there, you're bound to like it!"
"Yeah!"
"Yeah!"
"The people of Jiangdu are friendly."
"And there are no Demon Beasts. It's safe there, day or night."
"You're sure to fall in love with the place."
Hearing Pang Yong's words, Pei Rong chimed in.
Listening to Pang Yong's explanation, Li Jing's expression eased a bit. However, when he heard Pei Rong speak up, he couldn't help but question, "No Demon Beasts?"
"Yep!"
Pei Rong didn't know why Li Jing's tone was so odd, but she nodded in affirmation.
Hearing Pei Rong's words, Li Jing, with a disgruntled face, lamented:
"Alas!"
"No Demon Beasts!"
"That's really too bad!"
Suddenly, as if he had just thought of something, his eyes lit up:
"Isn't there a Demon World here? Are there many Demon Beasts over there?"
Hearing Li Jing's question, Pang Yong, Pei Rong, and the others were speechless.
What...? Can someone become addicted to slaying Demon Beasts?