A massive, double-headed demon wolf stood before them. Its four eyes, gleaming with a ghastly green light, swept over the crowd. It licked its lips with a scarlet tongue, a truly unsettling sight.

Although it was an Energy Body, the Level Five double-headed demon wolf’s form was incredibly solid—so much so that even its fur was clearly visible. A faint but palpable pressure rose from it, causing everyone to tremble uncontrollably.

Everyone’s face was ashen as they stared at the Level Five Primordial Beast, their eyes filled with utter despair. A Level Five Primordial Beast! This was a being that should never be provoked within the Secret Realm! Because it was an Energy Body, further agitated by the erosion of the chaotic Energy here, a Level Five Primordial Beast was far more berserk and ferocious than a Level Five Spirit Beast. Its power far surpassed that of an ordinary Spirit Marquis, yet they were merely a group of Spirit Generals. How could they possibly escape its Demon Claw?

"Damn it, we’re only near the middle ring of the Secret Realm. How can a Level Five Primordial Beast be here?" A flicker of panic crossed Yuchi You’s face, her disbelief at its appearance palpable.

Shen Haoran, however, watched the double-headed demon wolf with great interest. When he noticed the Level Five Primordial Beast’s gaze repeatedly darting toward the two Level Four Source Pills in Yuchi You’s hand, he suddenly understood.

"It’s probably after those two Source Pills you’re holding," Shen Haoran said softly.

Hearing this, Yuchi You looked at the Source Pills in her hand, stunned. Then, realization dawned. The Primordial Beasts within this Secret Realm also had a hierarchy of strength, and they advanced by devouring the Source Pills of other beasts. The law of the jungle—the weak are prey for the strong, survival of the fittest—was even more pronounced here in the Secret Realm, where absorbing the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power was impossible. It seemed this Level Five Primordial Beast had been lured here by these two Level Four Source Pills.

"Sigh, what rotten luck," Yuchi You said with a wry smile. "In the past, we could kill a Level Four Primordial Beast in the inner regions of the Secret Realm and not necessarily run into a Level Five. But today, we stumble upon one in the middle ring. It seems there’s no escape this time."

Hearing this, Shen Haoran felt a little sheepish. ’Could it be my bad luck that got them all into this mess?’ he wondered.

"ROAR!"

While Shen Haoran was still pondering, the Level Five Primordial Beast let out a sudden, furious roar. A powerful shockwave blasted out from its center, snapping the towering ancient trees around it in half.

Seeing the Level Five Primordial Beast’s sudden outburst, everyone instinctively fell back. A Primordial Beast of this Level was far beyond what they could handle. Their only thought was to escape with their lives.

Shen Haoran’s eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing within them. He turned to Yuchi You. "Give me the two Source Pills. The Level Five Primordial Beast is targeting them. I’ll lure it away!"

Yuchi You froze, staring at Shen Haoran in utter shock before frowning. "Are you crazy? That’s a Level Five Primordial Beast! I can’t let you take that risk. Absolutely not!"

Yuchi You refused outright. Shen Haoran had saved her life, but even if he were a complete stranger, she wouldn’t ask him to do this. It was a person’s life on the line!

Seeing her refusal, Shen Haoran smiled to himself. ’Just as expected of a disciple from Linglong Hall. Kindness is etched into their very bones. But in a situation like this, that kindness can get you killed!’

"Don’t worry. It’s just a little wolf cub. I’m confident I can get away," Shen Haoran said nonchalantly, showing not a trace of concern.

Gazing at Shen Haoran’s confident expression, Yuchi You was taken aback, but she still hesitated.

"If you hesitate, we all die! Trust me with this!" Shen Haoran finished speaking, snatched the two Level Four Source Pills from Yuchi You’s hand, and spun around. He brandished the pills and yelled at the Level Five Primordial Beast, "Hey, little puppy! What you want is right here! Come and get it if you dare!"

With that, he whispered one last thing in Yuchi You’s ear, "Be careful!" Then, his body blurred into an afterimage and shot into the dense forest.

"ROAR!"

The Level Five Primordial Beast let out a roar and, just as predicted, abandoned the group to chase after Shen Haoran. Compared to the two Level Four Source Pills, these humans held almost no appeal for it.

WHOOSH...

The Level Five Primordial Beast’s terrifying burst of speed kicked up a cloud of dust and debris, forcing everyone to shield their eyes. By the time the dust settled, both Shen Haoran and the beast were nowhere to be seen.

Staring into the depths of the pitch-black forest, which seemed ready to devour anyone who entered, Yuchi You opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. A strange emotion stirred in her heart. Now she finally understood why Shui Ruolan had abandoned the Weak Water Army to join the Yao Sect. ’This young man... he seems to possess an irresistible charm!’

"Sister Yuchi, can Shen Haoran really escape the Level Five Primordial Beast’s Demon Claw?" a young woman beside Yuchi You asked timidly, her gaze fixed on the depths of the forest.

"I don’t know. But I believe he can," Yuchi You replied faintly. For some reason, she suddenly felt a surge of confidence in Shen Haoran.

"Hmph. The idiot really overestimates his own abilities. Who does he think he is, daring to lure away a Level Five Primordial Beast all by himself? He’ll be a snack for that wolf sooner or later. And he wasted two perfectly good Level Four Source Pills!" Just as the Weak Water Army was fraught with worry for Shen Haoran, these jarring voices rose from the members of the Cyan Wood Hall.

At these words, the members of the Weak Water Army spun around, glaring furiously at the people from Cyan Wood Hall. Shen Haoran had risked life and limb to lead the danger away, yet these cowards were standing here making snide remarks. How shameless!

Yuchi You looked at the members of Cyan Wood Hall, her eyes filled with revulsion. "If it weren’t for Shen Haoran, you’d all be dead beneath that Level Five Primordial Beast’s claws right now. It’s only now that I realize how vast the gap between people can be. Some are willing to sacrifice their lives to protect others, while some just hide behind them and run their mouths. People like you... Hmph. You have no shame!"

Yuchi You’s words made the faces of the Cyan Wood Hall members flush red, but they continued to argue shamelessly. "We didn’t ask him to do it! He was the one who volunteered to lure away the Level Five Primordial Beast. If something happens to him, he has no one to blame but himself for trying to be a hero!"

Seeing the few from Cyan Wood Hall still trying to defend themselves, Yuchi You shot them a disgusted look and turned her head away. ’Just looking at people like that dirties my eyes.’ The female disciples of the Weak Water Army regarded them with even greater contempt. ’And they call themselves men? They’re worse than us women!’

"Let’s go." Yuchi You truly had no desire to spend another moment with the people from Cyan Wood Hall. She led the Weak Water Army into the dense forest.

The members of Cyan Wood Hall muttered a few more curses, then helped up Mu Feiyu and left the clearing as well.