Chapter Nine - Silver Eyed Mirage Tiger

Situated in the center of the graveyard was a small shiny object that emitted a dark pulse of energy.

Unexpectedly Yue Chen felt a faint energy coming from the object. Observing from a distance Yue Chen proactively scanned the area for imperial guards. Fortunately there weren't any nearby. Condensing his qi Yue Chen was ready to jump into the graveyard.

"Growl"

With loud growling noises a demon beast limply walked into the graveyard.

"Silver Eyed Mirage Tiger" hiding in the bushes next to the graveyard Yue Chen gasped in fear.

The Silver Eyed Mirage Tiger was a Disaster level demon beast with snow white fur and strange black stripes that spiraled around its body, it's ferocious nature and formidable strength made it a headache for many adventurers.

Approaching the shining object with staggering steps the Silver Eyed Mirage Tiger whined. It had discovered the shiny object a month ago while hunting for prey. It had stumbled upon the graveyard where the object was,after realizing it could help it's cultivation the Silver Eyed Mirage Tiger made protecting the shiny object it's top priority. It hadn't expected humans dressed iron would find it after only a month.

Watching the Silver Eyed Mirage Tiger, Yue Chen urged the forces in his body, he was prepared to escape at any time. The moment he had spotted the demon beast Yue Chen had immediately put up his guard.

What is a disaster grade beast doing in a place like this!?

While demon beasts could be found anywhere in the Thousand Beast Forest, finding one at the Disaster realm was almost as difficult as finding a needle in the ocean.

As if sensing Yue Chen's presence the Silver Eyed Tiger glared into the forest where Yue Chen was hiding.

"Growl"

Lightly licking it's wounds the Silver Eyed Tiger sat next to the shining object, it's gaze fixed onto the bushes where Yue Chen hid.

"We found him Ka Meng!" a hoarse voice came from the distance.

As soon as he heard the hoarse voice Yue Chen felt a shiver down his spine and his body tensed. The voice wasn't very far from his position.

"Good! Let's kill it and head back before the commander finds out" Ka Meng responded from the distance.

Breathing a breath of relief Yue Chen moved to another location. They weren't here for him.

Stopping next to the spot that Yue Chen had hidden, Ka Meng licked his lips while gazing at the injured demon beast. He was sure would be dead soon.

"Brother Ka Meng, we should hurry, if the commander finds out-" the man with the hoarse voice arrived next to Ka Meng with a worried look.

"Don't you think I know that!?" whacking his partner's head, Ka Meng responded in a feverish manner "Kill and extract it's core, shouldn't take long, we'll be back on the search for the cursed brat before you know it!"

"yes, yes, brother Meng is the smartest!About the demon core...." rubbing his hands together the man with the hoarse voice glanced at the demon beast.

"hmph, don't worry, do your part and you'll get your share" with a snort Ka Meng turned away.

"Growl"

Sensing the preys that had injured it earlier were near the Silver Eyed Tiger growled angrily. It was dead set on devouring them both.

"Hm? brother Ka Meng, my inherent spirit, you remember my Inherent spirit?" the man with the hoarse voice asked hurriedly.

"Soundless Tracing Spirit, it allows you to pick up life signals and powerful qi fluctuations from a thousand Zhang right?"

"yes thanks to my Inherent spirit we were able to locate this demon beast with an usual core-"

"Get to the point!" fed up with listening Ka Meng impatient barked at his partner.

"T-there are four life signals in this graveyard" the hoarse man timidly responded. "the other is right beside you"

immediately Yue Chen condensed his ice claws and propelled himself forward, swiping at Ka Meng's throat.

"What!?" hurriedly withdrawing Ka Meng blocked Yue Chen's strike with his hand, leaving a deep wound with piercing ice qi driving into it.

"Tch!" Standing between the demon beast and the two imperial guards Yue Chen's face darkened with rage.

His hatred for the empire would never rest until he avenged Bo Yang.

"The cursed child, heh ain't I lucky, my pay's gonna shoot through the roof, hahaha!" with an evil smile Ka Meng drew his sword, preparing to strike.

"Stone Cell" the hoarse guard shouted, earth walls shot up from the ground, completely closing off the graveyard.

"Now there's nowhere to run brat, don't resist, maybe I'll make it painless" charging at Yue Chen ,Ka Meng struck down with his sword enveloped in flames.

Swiping out with his ice claws Yue Chen met with the flaming sword, throwing his body back from the collision.

Tasting the rust in his throat Yue Chen frowned. His qi was thrown into chaos by that single exchange. It seemed the empire wasn't something to be trifled with after all. Ka Meng was already at the Disaster realm's first sky, the other guard was only a sky weaker, being at the third sky of the human realm.

Watching the conflict between the humans the Silver Eyed Mirage Tiger was contented and stood by the side, only putting its guard up to protect the object next to itself.

Chanting obscurely wisp of ice qi gathered beneath the sole of Yue Chen's feet. The ground quickly froze over, transforming the entire graveyard into a frozen land.

Moving across the ice Yue Chen swiftly approached the Demon Beast. He had no intention to continue a one sided fight.

"H-he's attempting to grab the core!" the hoarse guard timidly shouted.

"Stop him you idiot!" unable to maneuver across the ice as efficiently as Yue Chen, Ka Meng shouted at the hoarse man in frustration.

Ignoring the shouts behind him Yue Chen shifted to the core next to the demon beast.

"Boom"

Before he could grab the core Yue Chen felt the world spin around him and he puked a mouthful of blood.

Standing above the injured Yue Chen the demon beast growled with anger in it's eyes.