Chapter 239 - 140 Sharp-Fanged Blood Tiger_2

As time passed, Qian Jin became increasingly impatient.

"I’ll give you at most two more days. If we still haven’t found the Demon Tiger’s trail by then, I’m leaving!"

Niu Zidong, helpless, could only bitterly plead for Qian Jin to grant them more time.

Without Qian Jin, he wouldn’t dare search for the Demon Tiger in these mountains.

"Screech—"

While Qian Jin, Niu Zidong, and the others were resting, a sharp sound suddenly pierced the air.

Followed by a faint rustling noise, as if a fierce beast were feasting nearby.

Qian Jin turned his gaze in the direction of the sound.

In that direction, he seemed to sense a presence no weaker than his own, one filled with primal savagery.

Qian Jin’s mood brightened instantly, and he gestured to Niu Zidong and the others to remain silent.

"Keep quiet! If you scare off the Demon Tiger, I’ll have your heads as payment!"

With that, unable to contain his excitement, Qian Jin immediately activated his Shadow Concealment Skill and moved ahead.

A few hundred meters away, deep in the dense forest, there was a clearing.

On the edge of the clearing, a massive rock, around seven or eight meters wide, was partially embedded into the ground.

At that very moment, sprawled atop the boulder was a massive tiger with blood-red fur, roughly three meters long and heavily muscled—the Blood Tiger!

The Blood Tiger was gnawing on a gigantic wild boar.

The wild boar’s once-hard skull was being effortlessly crushed and chewed apart by the Blood Tiger’s glinting, sharp teeth, crumbling like tofu with several cracking bites before disappearing into its belly.

A dense, red blood aura enveloped the Blood Tiger, and its presence exuded a uniquely oppressive force that pierced directly into the soul, inducing a primal fear.

"A Fang Blood Tiger! I didn’t expect such a desolate place to house a beast with such pure bloodline. This is a windfall!"

Qian Jin’s eyes sparkled with excitement upon spotting the Blood Tiger.

The Fire Worship Cult’s foundation was deep-rooted, and although Qian Jin’s cultivation level wasn’t particularly high, his knowledge far surpassed that of ordinary Bone Refining cultivators.

He had once heard from the Marrow Refining Governor stationed at Red Cloud Prefecture that there had been a time when the Red Cloud Governor collaborated with the strongest sects in the prefecture to hunt a genuine Demon Beast—the Flame Wing Blood Tiger.

Due to Qian Jin’s frequent networking efforts, that esteemed figure had even shared details about the Flame Wing Blood Tiger’s appearance with him, going so far as to sketch a depiction.

The Blood Tiger before him resembled that drawing by seventy percent, especially its blood-red fur, which was identical.

Although the Fang Blood Tiger’s aura suggested its strength was comparable to the Bronze Bone Realm, Demon Blood Beasts, much like Demon Beasts, had significant advantages over humans in terms of size and strength.

To attack recklessly would surely result in heavy injuries, even if Qian Jin could eventually defeat the Fang Blood Tiger. If he only managed to claim sixty percent of the spoils, it might barely cover his medical expenses.

Qian Jin wasn’t foolish enough to take part in such an unprofitable venture.

As soon as Niu Zidong and the Black Sand Gang arrived, Qian Jin pointed at the Fang Blood Tiger and said, "You go first!"

At this point, the Fang Blood Tiger hadn’t noticed them yet, but its overwhelming presence alone made Niu Zidong swallow hard with fear and reconsider their plans.

Niu Zidong’s face was pale as he weakly said to Qian Jin, "Master Qian, this... this Demon Tiger’s strength is extraordinary. Wouldn’t it be more suitable for you to lead the charge?"

Qian Jin glared viciously at Niu Zidong. "With me here, what are you afraid of? Just go up! When it’s time to act, I’ll step in naturally!"

Without giving Niu Zidong a chance to object, Qian Jin shoved him forward.

Using considerable force, Qian Jin’s push sent Niu Zidong stumbling out of the forest. By the time he steadied himself, he was only forty to fifty meters away from the Fang Blood Tiger.

As soon as Niu Zidong came into view, the Fang Blood Tiger lifted its head and locked its gaze onto him.

The tiger’s piercing eyes radiated sheer intimidation; just that glance made Niu Zidong’s legs buckle. He had to lean heavily on his Longsword to avoid collapsing entirely.

At this moment, he hadn’t even found the resolve to curse Qian Jin. In a panic, he shouted back to the Black Sand Gang members behind him, "Heavy armor! Bring me my heavy armor now!"

The Blood Tiger’s imposing presence made Niu Zidong tremble, let alone those who were only at Blood Refining Great Success or Small Success levels.

Upon hearing Niu Zidong’s command, they quickly opened a wooden chest they had been carrying and began gearing up in heavy armor.

As the highest cultivator in the group and the leader of the Black Sand Gang, Niu Zidong couldn’t be left to die, not even by Qian Jin. With a decisive kick, Qian Jin forced the person carrying Niu Zidong’s heavy armor forward to deliver it.

Fortunately, the group had practiced putting on heavy armor hundreds of times in private and was now quite proficient. Under the pressure of impending death, Niu Zidong managed to don the armor faster than usual, completing the process in just over ten seconds.

At that moment, the Fang Blood Tiger leapt off the boulder and lunged forward.

Niu Zidong’s heart sank as he raised his Longsword to defend.

"Clang!"

The Blood Tiger’s massive paw lightly swiped at the sword, sending a tremendous force that left Niu Zidong’s hands numb and his Longsword flying out of his grasp.

"Roar!"

The Blood Tiger emitted a deafening roar, its rancid stench and metallic blood smell overwhelming Niu Zidong completely, making him see stars. Just as he thought to retreat, the Fang Blood Tiger’s paw came sweeping toward him again. In panic, he activated his tremendous Qi Blood Power, crossing his arms in front of his face to block.

"Clang!"

A thunderous sound resonated as Niu Zidong felt his arms nearly rendered useless. The sheer strength of the tiger’s blow forced his crossed arms to smash against his helmet. Luckily, the iron helmet provided substantial defense; otherwise, that strike would’ve left him disfigured, if not dead.

He stumbled back several meters, his vision spinning as his consciousness blurred. He struggled to speak, his voice faltering.

"C...charge...charge...get in there!"

Annoyed, Qian Jin glared fiercely at the Black Sand Gang members.

Faced with the dual threat of Qian Jin’s wrath and the Fang Blood Tiger’s fury, the Black Sand Gang had no choice but to press forward.

"To hell with it! Follow me!"

One of the members at Blood Refining Great Success shouted, suppressing his fear and charging ahead with his sword raised. With someone leading the way, the others immediately followed suit.

The Black Sand Gang’s battle formation this time was incredibly luxurious, drawing almost half of their elite force.

If such a group rushed in all at once—even Qian Jin would struggle to deal with it. Coupled with some enhancement pills or secret techniques, albeit at great cost, there was even a slim chance they could kill the Fang Blood Tiger.

As the Black Sand Gang began their shaky assault, Qian Jin once again utilized his Shadow Concealment Skill to remain hidden, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

Unquestionably, this Fang Blood Tiger, with its Flame Wing Blood Tiger lineage, boasted exceptional combat prowess. Even with twenty Black Sand Gang members attacking in unison, it showed no sign of faltering.

With a roar, the tiger emitted an intense burst of blood-red aura, its thick demonic Qi rising and forming trails of blood mist in the air.

The Fang Blood Tiger swung wildly, its tail, over a meter long, whipping around like an iron cable and generating powerful gusts with each motion.

Any Black Sand Gang member struck by the tail felt as if they’d been hit by a massive force, stumbling backward, their heavy armor denting visibly where they were struck. Without the armor’s protection, they would undoubtedly have suffered torn flesh and broken bones.

Witnessing the tiger’s immense strength, the Black Sand Gang members drew sharp breaths and hesitated further, their courage wavering.

Having regained his senses, Niu Zidong, now furious, stomped forward and angrily kicked those retreating in their backsides.

"Damn it, get in there! With Master Qian holding things down, what are you scared of? Retreat a step, and I’ll personally cut you down!"

Niu Zidong’s ruthless reputation within the Black Sand Gang was well-known. When he threatened to kill, he meant it and had done so more than once.

In a situation where running or fighting both seemed like a death sentence, the Black Sand Gang quickly weighed their options and charged forward, hoping to snatch some reward for their efforts.

With heavy armor shielding them, even the formidable Fang Blood Tiger couldn’t easily kill the members outright.

Suddenly, the Fang Blood Tiger raised its head and fixed its gaze on Niu Zidong at the rear of the group.

"Roar!"

With a deafening roar, its immense aura erupted violently. After sweeping away a circle of attackers with its tail, the tiger crouched its thick limbs slightly before showcasing its terrifying jumping prowess.

The massive beast leaped two to three meters into the air, clearing the group before lunging directly at Niu Zidong.

Its gaping jaws revealed flash after flash of sharp, cold fangs.