"Changmao, can you sense anything?" Shen Haoran asked in his mind.

At his words, a strange perception emanated from Changmao within his body, passing through the Dark Canyon and the Primordial Beast Ocean to arrive before the massive palace ruins. After a long moment, the perception retracted, and Changmao’s voice echoed in Shen Haoran’s mind.

"Uh... how should I put this? There’s a Level Eight Primordial Beast inside the palace ruins!"

’What? A Level Eight Primordial Beast!’ Shen Haoran cried out internally. His brows furrowed tightly. ’If there was a Level Eight Primordial Beast in there, we might as well just pack up and go home!’ A Level Eight Primordial Beast was nothing like a Level Four or Five Primordial Beast. Its strength was at least at the Spirit Emperor Level of a Martial Artist. No matter how monstrously talented Shen Haoran was, in front of a Primordial Beast with the power of a Spirit Emperor, he wouldn’t even be enough for a light snack!

"You don’t need to worry too much. That Level Eight Primordial Beast seems to be at the end of its rope. Its power is fading, and it will probably disappear from this world before long!" Changmao explained hurriedly upon seeing Shen Haoran’s tense expression.

"Oh, it’s dying?" Shen Haoran breathed a sigh of relief. ’It seems that Level Eight Primordial Beast is the King of this Sect Secret Realm. It’s about to pass away, and it has summoned countless Primordial Beasts to see it off!’

Actually, "seeing it off" wasn’t quite right. To be more precise, they were waiting—waiting for the Level Eight Primordial Beast to die! Because when a Level Eight Primordial Beast dies, a Level Eight Source Pill is born! If one of these Primordial Beasts were to devour that Level Eight Source Pill, it would likely soar to new heights and become the next King of this land!

’A Level Eight Source Pill!’ Shen Haoran licked his lips. He had already experienced the benefits of a Source Pill; a single Level Five Source Pill had caused a noticeable change in his constitution. A Level Eight Source Pill could very well raise his physical strength by another entire tier!

"Brother Shen, what are you smiling about?" Shui Ruolan asked softly, seeing Shen Haoran staring at the Primordial Beast Ocean in the Dark Canyon and grinning to himself.

"Oh, it’s nothing. I just figured out why all these Primordial Beasts are gathered here!" Shen Haoran said with a light chuckle, snapping out of his thoughts.

"You know why?" Shui Ruolan’s face lit up as she heard him, and she quickly asked.

"Mhm. At the center of the Beast Tide, a Level Eight Primordial Beast is about to perish. All these Primordial Beasts are here for it," Shen Haoran said softly, pointing at the Primordial Beast Ocean.

Hearing Shen Haoran’s words, everyone present couldn’t help but gasp. A Level Eight Primordial Beast... what level of existence was that? No wonder so many Primordial Beasts had gathered here.

"A Level Eight Primordial Beast is about to perish... doesn’t that mean a Level Eight Source Pill is about to appear?" A fiery glint flashed in Shui Ruolan’s eyes, but her expression quickly darkened again.

"Even if there is a Level Eight Source Pill, it’s impossible to get. With so many Primordial Beasts, we’d probably be torn to pieces before we even got a glimpse of the pill!" Shui Ruolan said with a bitter smile, shaking her head.

Shen Haoran, however, just chuckled. "Have you ever heard the saying, ’The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind’? Why should we be in a hurry to act? Those Primordial Beasts will naturally fight to the death over it. Wouldn’t it be better for us to just swoop in and pick up the prize when they’re done?"

Hearing this, the eyes of the Yao Sect members lit up, and their faces brightened. "That’s right! The Primordial Beasts will definitely fight desperately to get that Level Eight Source Pill. When they’ve worn each other out, we can seize the opportunity to strike and snatch it!"

Seeing their joyful expressions, Shen Haoran smiled and nodded. ’A Level Eight Source Pill... this is a pleasant surprise!’

However, his expression suddenly darkened a moment later. He turned his head and stared into the darkness behind them. A Flaming Long Arrow abruptly materialized, shooting into the shadows with a scorching wind!

CLANG!

The sound of clashing steel rang out as the Black Flame Long Arrow exploded, scattering countless sparks. Everyone could now clearly see the figure hidden in the darkness: it was Xue Gong, who had followed the Yao Sect members into the Dark Canyon earlier.

Seeing Xue Gong, the expressions of the Yao Sect members all darkened, and they glared at him with hostility. If Shen Haoran hadn’t arrived in time, they would have all lost their lives to those Primordial Beasts!

"Shen Haoran, what is the meaning of this?" Xue Gong said coldly as he stepped out of the darkness, looking at Shen Haoran.

Shen Haoran glanced at Xue Gong and ignored him.

"Brother Shen, he’s the one who got us surrounded by the Primordial Beasts earlier!" a Yao Sect disciple whispered from the side.

"Oh?" Upon hearing this, Shen Haoran’s eyes narrowed, a cold glint flashing within them. Then, he began to walk slowly toward Xue Gong.

Watching Shen Haoran approach, Xue Gong suddenly felt an immense pressure envelop him, making it hard to breathe.

"Shen Haoran, what do you think you’re doing?" Xue Gong’s face fell as he spoke in a low voice.

Shen Haoran stopped in front of Xue Gong, his face devoid of expression as he simply stared at him.

SWISH!

Suddenly, Shen Haoran’s hand shot out, grabbing for Xue Gong’s throat with lightning speed!

Shen Haoran was so fast that Xue Gong had no time to react before his neck was seized and he was lifted into the air!

"Cough, cough..."

Xue Gong’s pupils shrank in terror as he stared at Shen Haoran. The terrifying strength coming from Shen Haoran’s arm made it impossible for him to break free!

"Shen Haoran, what are you doing?" Xue Gong croaked, grabbing Shen Haoran’s wrist in terror.

"What am I doing? I’d like to ask what *you* did to our Yao Sect earlier," Shen Haoran said coldly.

At his words, Xue Gong’s face turned deathly pale. He gave a forced laugh and said, "We’re all fellow sect brothers. I was just looking for some help!"

"Help?" Shen Haoran sneered. His gaze turned icy, and he kicked Xue Gong squarely in the stomach. The terrifying force sent him flying, and he slammed into the stone wall behind him, cracking it on impact!

Pfft—

The massive impact made Xue Gong’s qi and blood roil in his chest, and he couldn’t stop himself from spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood. His face instantly became ashen.

"You should be glad that the Sect Leader told us to coexist peacefully before we came. Otherwise, you’d be a corpse right now! But if there’s a next time, I guarantee you will die a miserable death!" Shen Haoran’s voice was as chilling as if it had come from the depths of Hell, making Xue Gong tremble uncontrollably.

"Hmph!"

Glaring at the speechless Xue Gong, Shen Haoran snorted coldly and turned to walk back to the members of the Yao Sect.

Seeing Shen Haoran’s domineering display—acting without a second word—the Yao Sect members felt their blood boil with excitement. ’As expected of our Sect Leader! So decisive, so unreasonable! But seeing the aggrieved look on Xue Gong’s face... it’s so damn satisfying!’

Xue Gong stared at Shen Haoran’s back with a venomous glare, vowing viciously in his heart, ’Shen Haoran, you and I are now irreconcilable enemies! Just you wait. I will pay you back for that kick, doubled!’

[PS: Happy Christmas Eve! This author is begging for some recommendation votes and donations so I can buy apples for the ladies... haha.]