Chapter 207 - 205: Frenzied Hunt

The Eighth Prince’s killing intent seethed. The flames around him died down, leaving the area scorched black.

The blue-haired youth’s heart trembled. ’Now that the Eighth Prince has broken through, his strength has reached a new level. He could probably even fight Xiao Feng,’ he thought. ’How dare Luo Tian provoke the Eighth Prince? He’s courting death!’

"Your Highness, I know Luo Tian’s general location. We can go..."

The blue-haired youth was terrified of Luo Tian.

The deaths of the other three trusted aides had left him in a constant state of mortal terror.

The blue-haired youth was desperate to take Luo Tian’s life.

"There’s no hurry."

The Eighth Prince cut him off.

He was furious, but he hadn’t lost his composure.

Luo Tian had killed three of his trusted followers in such a short time. That alone was a testament to his strength.

’He must be at least in the top five of the Chilong Dynasty’s Human List, perhaps even approaching Feng Qiuling’s level.’

"That brat has been hiding his strength all this time. He’s far too cunning and deceitful. With only half a day left in the assessment, he’ll definitely hide once he learns I’m after him."

The Eighth Prince’s gaze was profound.

It would take quite an effort for just the two of them to flush Luo Tian out.

Besides, neither the Eighth Prince nor the blue-haired youth possessed any tracking skills.

It would be humiliating if they failed to find him.

"Go and spread the word: anyone with a cultivation at the Third Layer of Meridian Opening or higher who assists me, this Prince, in capturing and killing Luo Tian will be rewarded with three Demon Cores!"

The Eighth Prince commanded.

"Yes, Your Highness!"

The blue-haired youth nodded.

The second assessment was in its final stages, and Spirit Level Demon Beasts were extremely difficult to hunt. For those who were just a few Demon Cores short of the requirement, this reward of three was a lifeline.

Some were even willing to spend several hundred Spiritual Essence Coins to purchase Demon Cores.

Even those who had already hunted the required twenty Demon Beasts wouldn’t pass up such a good opportunity. Why wouldn’t they lend a hand to get three free Demon Cores?

"I will leave that brat with no path to the heavens and no gate into the earth. I’ll make him die in utter helplessness and despair."

The Eighth Prince’s killing intent was incredibly intense.

...

The blue-haired youth acted quickly. The news spread like wildfire, causing a massive uproar.

"Luo Tian killed three of the Eighth Prince’s trusted followers and openly provoked him? He’s really asking for a death wish!"

"The Eighth Prince has already broken through to the Peak of the Fourth Layer! With so many experts coming to help, Luo Tian won’t be able to hide. He’s a dead man for sure!"

Everyone agreed that opposing the Chilong Dynasty was utterly foolish of Luo Tian. It was suicide.

Some of the cultivators who had reached the Third Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm immediately joined in to help the Eighth Prince capture and kill Luo Tian.

Most of those whose cultivation was below the Third Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm were furious, having missed such a great opportunity.

「In a valley.」

"Brother Xia, that’s the situation."

A rugged-looking youth said in a low voice.

"Interesting. I’ll leave my team for a bit to go take a look."

Answering the rugged youth was a handsome young man in a red robe, who spoke with a calm demeanor.

He was none other than Xia Yun, ranked fifth on the Chilong Dynasty’s Human List.

He was more interested in Luo Tian himself than in the three Demon Cores.

Besides, Xia Yun wanted to take this opportunity to put the Eighth Prince in his debt.

「Elsewhere.」

A three-person team had also received the news.

The leader of the team wore a golden robe and bore a striking resemblance to the Eighth Prince.

He was the Ninth Prince of the Chilong Dynasty, ranked thirteenth on the Human List.

"That Luo Tian is truly audacious! How dare he provoke my eighth brother!"

"Let’s go. We’ll lend eighth brother a hand."

The Ninth Prince led his two followers and hurried on their way.

「At this very moment.」

If one were to look down upon the entire hunting ground from high above, they would see countless people converging on a single location.

...

’One hundred and eighty-nine Demon Cores!’

Luo Tian did a quick count and was overjoyed.

The number of Demon Cores had suddenly shot up. This was mainly because each of the Eighth Prince’s three followers had possessed over twenty Demon Cores. The spoils were rich indeed.

He didn’t know how many Demon Cores the others had.

’But I estimate that Xiao Feng is the only one who could possibly compare to me, and even he is more likely to fall short,’ he mused.

’Only half a day left. Time to double down!’

Luo Tian’s eyes gleamed as he prepared to move on.

But just then, his Creation Technique sent him a warning.

He sensed an invisible crisis converging on him from all directions.

Luo Tian immediately activated his Inference Skill.

BUZZ!

The Void Celestial Eye at the center of his brow slowly opened, revealing faint green markings.

「A moment later.」

Luo Tian finished his inference, and the Void Celestial Eye at his brow vanished.

’So that’s what’s happening.’

Luo Tian’s expression was perfectly calm.

With his Creation Technique now at the Second-Layer, he had not only identified the source of the crisis but had even deduced some of the finer details.

Under these circumstances, Luo Tian had enough time to prepare.

As Luo Tian was contemplating his next move...

"Luo Tian!"

A stern man in white robes approached. It was Yuwen Xuan.

"What’s wrong? Don’t tell me you still haven’t collected twenty Demon Cores and have come to borrow some from me?"

Luo Tian asked with a grin.

He didn’t have any ill will toward Yuwen Xuan.

After all, in this unfamiliar place, they were not only both from the Azure Cloud Kingdom but were also fellow disciples under Hermit Hidden Dragon.

"..."

Yuwen Xuan’s face fell. He really hadn’t collected all twenty Demon Cores.

He was suddenly struck by the frustrating feeling that every time he met Luo Tian, his ego took a blow.

"Luo Tian, if you’ve already collected twenty Demon Cores, you should find a place to hide and wait for the assessment to end."

"The Eighth Prince is out of seclusion, and what’s more..."

Yuwen Xuan said awkwardly.

But Luo Tian cut him off before he could finish.

"He’s broken through to the Peak of the Fourth Layer and is gathering people to surround me, right?"

Luo Tian said with a wry smile.

"You already know?"

Yuwen Xuan was taken aback.

"If you already know, then why haven’t you left to hide?"

Yuwen Xuan was bewildered, unable to understand.

In Yuwen Xuan’s view, Luo Tian was a miracle worker. If he was just careful and kept a low profile, he might be able to hold out until the assessment was over.

"I know more than you think."

Luo Tian chuckled, his expression unreadable.

Seeing that Luo Tian wasn’t the least bit worried, Yuwen Xuan pressed on. "Do you have any idea how many people..."

He trailed off, not finishing his sentence.

He felt like he was more worried than the person who should be.

Besides, he didn’t even like Luo Tian. His mind was always occupied with how to surpass him and win Xia Bingyue’s heart.

He had only come to warn Luo Tian because Luo Tian had saved his life on Cloud Ascending Peak.

Yuwen Xuan hated owing people favors.

"Suit yourself."

Yuwen Xuan tossed out the words and turned to leave.

But just then, Luo Tian spoke up with a smile, "Four Demon Cores for four hundred Spiritual Essence Coins. Interested?"

Yuwen Xuan froze in his tracks.

Shock and astonishment on his face, he stiffly turned back to look at Luo Tian.

’How does he know I’m short exactly four Demon Cores?’

A storm raged in Yuwen Xuan’s heart.

Four Demon Cores for four hundred Spiritual Essence Coins was an absolute bargain.

In the last half day of the assessment, the price for a single Demon Core had soared to over five hundred Spiritual Essence Coins.

"Yes!"

Yuwen Xuan swallowed his pride and forced himself to say it.

’Damn it! I just paid back one favor, and now I owe him another.’

Yuwen Xuan suddenly felt as if he would never be able to surpass Luo Tian.

After exchanging four hundred Spiritual Essence Coins for four Demon Cores, an excited Yuwen Xuan departed, planning to find a place to hide.

"Crow, I have a task for you..."

Watching Yuwen Xuan leave, Luo Tian spoke to the Crow.

"Don’t worry, it’s a piece of cake!"

The Crow puffed out its chest and flew off.

’Eighth Prince... let’s have some fun.’

A smile played on Luo Tian’s lips, his eyes glinting with excitement.

’Run? Hide? Not a chance.’

His hunt wasn’t over. In this final half day, Luo Tian was going to hunt even more Demon Cores!

SWOOSH!

Luo Tian executed the Cloud Traveling Step, moving westward like a wisp of smoke.

According to his inference, the enemy’s presence was currently weakest in that direction.

A moment later, Luo Tian encountered one of the Chilong Dynasty’s prodigies.

"Luo Tian?"

The man was stunned. ’How did I run into Luo Tian so quickly?’

He was here to help the Eighth Prince, not to take on Luo Tian by himself.

"Heh, I didn’t expect to find Brother Luo hunting Demon Beasts here. I’ll be on my way."

The man forced a smile.

"Die!"

Luo Tian wasted no words. Wielding his Wind and Snow Sword, he charged.

The man turned to flee. After all, several of the Eighth Prince’s trusted followers had died at Luo Tian’s hands. He didn’t think he could defeat Luo Tian in a one-on-one fight.

However, Luo Tian’s speed completely overwhelmed the man, who was at the Third Layer of the Spirit Sea Realm.

Within a few moves, the man was heavily injured, looking battered and miserable.

"How is he this strong?"

The man was horrified. Luo Tian’s strength was far more terrifying than he had imagined.

Just then, he came across a two-person team.

"Help me! I’m here to help the Eighth Prince! Luo Tian is trying to kill me!"

The man screamed.

"Luo Tian?"

This two-person team had also come to assist the Eighth Prince. The moment they heard Luo Tian’s name, their eyes lit up with glee.

"Luo Tian! The Eighth Prince wants you dead! Surrender now!"

The two-person team bellowed.

If they captured Luo Tian, they would get six Demon Cores between them and could even forge a connection with the Chilong Dynasty’s Royal Family.

"Run!"

The heavily injured man screamed desperately.

"Luo Tian took me down in just a few moves! His strength is terrifying—he has to be in the top ten of the Chilong Dynasty’s Human List, maybe even higher!"

"Run? Hahaha."

The two-person team found this hilarious.

’Luo Tian is all alone. How strong can he possibly be? Can’t the three of us handle him?’

"Buddy, you’re too badly hurt. Just rest on the sidelines. The two of us can handle him."

One of them said with a contemptuous look.

However, at that very moment...

The Luo Tian in their field of vision was suddenly enveloped in a dark, cold mist. Within it, the ferocious silhouette of a dragon roared, its power shaking the heavens.

"Martial Vein Power!"

The three of them cried out in alarm!

’Luo Tian actually has an Earth Level Martial Vein! And this Martial Vein Power is incredible! It might even be an Earth Level Middle Grade or Upper Grade!’

SWISH!

Luo Tian rapidly closed in on the trio. Under the influence of the Nether Dragon Divine Vein’s Cold Power, their movements and speed were reduced by more than thirty percent.

Starfire, Spreading Like Wildfire!

The surrounding Starlight Sword Aura and the dark Cold Mist converged upon the Sword Light of his blade.

FWOOM-BOOM!

He swept his sword out, and a vast sword gleam, accompanied by a roiling Cold Mist, transformed into a frost dragon wreathed in starlight flames that roared as it charged forward.

BANG! BOOM!

Sword Qi sliced through the air, frost spread wantonly, and explosions erupted one after another.

Back then, this same sword strike had forced back Yan Qing and his two companions. This trio was far weaker and was sent flying back more than ten meters.

The Sword Qi’s chilling intent invaded the body of the man who was already heavily injured, and he collapsed to the ground, dead.

"Damn it, run!"

The two-person team finally understood why the other man had been so terrified of Luo Tian.

They wanted to retreat, but it was too late.

Star Shining Nine Heavens!

Without the slightest pause, Luo Tian unleashed an even more lethal Sword Technique, giving the pair no room to breathe.

"Hurry, someone! Luo Tian is here!"

"Eighth Prince, save us!"

The two shouted with all their might, hoping others would arrive quickly.

Luo Tian’s Swordsmanship grew faster and faster. The air filled with a web of brilliant, crystalline Sword Cold Light.

The surroundings grew increasingly cold, as if they had been plunged into an ice cellar.

THUD! THUD!

Two cold bodies collapsed to the ground.

After looting the Demon Cores, Luo Tian used his keen senses to search for his next enemy.

In truth, he didn’t need to search. A steady stream of enemies was already surging toward his location.