However, Fang Ming had traveled through many realms and possessed keen eyesight.
"The Primordial Desolate Wolf King is a Golden Core realm demonic beast, formidable in defense, while Dao Xuan can summon so much water, indicating a mastery of water-element profound arts," Fang Ming judged based on his own knowledge.
"So, True Person Dao Xuan intended to slay the Golden Core realm demonic beast and obtain its inner core? No wonder she was so anxious on the arena that day; this was her true objective," Fang Ming recalled the past events, realizing how the conversation in the sky had unfolded exactly as he now understood.
The battle in the sky grew increasingly fierce, with energy surging wildly. Fang Ming gradually discerned who held the advantage. Clearly, True Person Dao Xuan, a Golden Core cultivator, had initiated the confrontation with the Primordial Desolate Wolf King with confidence and proven strength. Otherwise, she wouldn't have been the challenger.
Thus, Fang Ming observed that after a hundred rounds, True Person Dao Xuan had gradually gained the upper hand.
The clash between the two continued intensely. All around, various demonic beasts were stampeding and fleeing, their roars echoing incessantly.
"Roar!"
"Roar!"
"Hiss!"
"Hiss!"
Listening to the roars of the surrounding demonic beasts and watching them flee, Fang Ming suddenly realized a problem.
Since the demonic beasts of the Condensing Pulse and Dao Foundation realms were all terrified by the battle of the Golden Core True Person and had fled, could he seize this opportunity to fish in troubled waters and secretly gather some cultivation resources?
Previously, these heavenly treasures and earthly elixirs were guarded by Dao Foundation realm demonic beasts. If there was only one, like the giant tiger at the early Dao Foundation stage, it might be manageable. However, if he encountered a beast at the mid-Dao Foundation stage or higher, or a horde of Dao Foundation realm beasts guarding them, he would be helpless.
After all, he was no match in terms of strength.
But the current situation was vastly different!
As long as he confirmed that the guardian beasts had fled, he could directly take the heavenly treasures and earthly elixirs they were guarding!
"This is an opportunity!"
Fang Ming remembered seeing heavenly treasures and earthly elixirs guarded by mid- or late-Dao Foundation realm demonic beasts, or by a multitude of Dao Foundation realm beasts.
He briefly considered the locations of these treasures, then used his magical power to propel his movement technique, heading in the direction from which the demonic beasts had fled. He quickly arrived at the various locations he had seen the previous day and collected many spiritual herbs.
He indeed managed to gather a considerable amount of spiritual herbs, worth many spirit stones.
After pocketing them, Fang Ming suddenly felt a tremor, as if the earth was shaking. He looked up, realizing that because he had taken some time to collect the spiritual herbs, the battle in the sky had already concluded.
The Primordial Desolate Wolf King, after a fierce battle with True Person Dao Xuan, had ultimately been defeated. In its dying moments, it unleashed a final, resentful strike that hit True Person Dao Xuan, before perishing itself.
"As expected, True Person Dao Xuan won." Although Fang Ming felt a bit surprised, the possibility of True Person Dao Xuan winning had always been high, and the current outcome was quite normal.
As he mused, Fang Ming's expression suddenly changed, becoming peculiar: "Wait, the situation has shifted... a Golden Core realm demonic beast attacked from behind?"
Fang Ming saw that just as True Person Dao Xuan was about to descend to retrieve the Primordial Desolate Wolf King's demon core, a mist suddenly appeared beside her. From it emerged a five-colored serpentine demonic beast – another Golden Core realm demon king!
It spat out a black beam of light that struck True Person Dao Xuan directly in the back. Within moments, her fair back turned a bluish-green, clearly indicating potent venom!
A sudden, unexpected ambush!
"Careless!"
"There was another beast!"
True Person Dao Xuan was both shocked and enraged. When she had obtained the demon core, she had naturally observed her surroundings for any Golden Core realm demonic beasts. However, she had not anticipated that the Taihang Mountain Range would harbor a Golden Core realm demonic beast with innate concealment abilities.
Only a Golden Core realm demonic beast with such a talent could evade her perception.
One moment of carelessness had led to a complete loss.
At this thought, even True Person Dao Xuan's Golden Core realm Dao heart began to falter.
She now seemed to be facing a life-or-death crisis!
"Only by using that final move can I resolve this current predicament."
At this critical juncture, True Person Dao Xuan gritted her teeth and made a decision.
She hailed from the Lingxiao Sect and naturally possessed a life-saving technique. However, after employing this move, her spiritual power would be depleted to almost nothing, leaving her nearly exhausted. Therefore, Dao Xuan had never used it since learning it.
After all, being devoid of spiritual power in a dangerous situation could easily lead to trouble.
It was a risky move and not to be used under normal circumstances.
However, if she didn't use it now, today would be her end. It was imperative to use it.
In moments of extreme danger, Dao Xuan was capable of making the right choice!
"Lie Yuan Jie Ti Shu!"
She uttered softly, circulating the spiritual power within her body in a explosive manner, unleashing immense power and sending several water pillars, tens of thousands of feet long, to heavily wound the serpentine Golden Core realm demonic beast.
Afterward, while the effect of the Lie Yuan Jie Ti Shu had not yet dissipated, she descended to the ground, disappearing into the forest.
...
"The affairs of the world are unpredictable!"
"Those who believe they have achieved victory might, in the very next moment, face defeat..."
"This is the ebb and flow of life... constantly filled with unexpected turns. Even with the utmost caution, one will eventually face tribulations..."
"I wonder, is there any such thing as an optimal solution?"
Fang Ming watched this scene from afar, greatly surprised. With his eyesight, he could even see Dao Xuan collapsing into unconsciousness after her escape.
An unconscious Golden Core True Person.
"Should I save her?" Fang Ming's heart wavered.
Fang Ming could tell that she had used a move akin to fighting for her life against the enemy, and her spiritual power was likely almost depleted, leaving her unconscious.
If Dao Xuan were to be unlucky and perish at the hands of passing demonic beasts while completely devoid of spiritual power, her prospects of entering the Lingxiao Sect might be dashed.
Or rather, not just dashed, but certainly impossible to enter the Lingxiao Sect.
If a Golden Core True Person from the Lingxiao Sect, responsible for recruiting disciples, were to be killed by demonic beasts, how could the grand competition proceed?
It was likely that all matters of disciple recruitment would be set aside, and the Golden Core True Persons, or even the Nascent Soul Ancestors, of the Lingxiao Sect would personally investigate the cause of True Person Dao Xuan's death!
This was likely the subsequent development after Dao Xuan's demise!
Therefore, whether to save this Dao Xuan...
"Fine, I'll save her." After some thought, Fang Ming decided that if he wanted to enter the Lingxiao Sect, having a Golden Core True Person from the sect owe him a favor would undoubtedly bring many benefits in the future.
At worst, if the risk was too great, he could always retreat.
With his mind made up, Fang Ming quickly rushed to a patch of forest and saw Dao Xuan lying unconscious on the ground. She no longer possessed the domineering might she had displayed during her battle with the demonic beasts; she appeared weak and somewhat pitiable.
In Fang Ming's estimation, even a demonic beast at the seventh level of Condensing Pulse or higher could bring about a tragic end for her.