Crimson Scale Tiger

"Senior Brother, I did a great job, didn't I? I didn't hold you back, did I?"

Under the scorching sun, after showboating, Qi Ming looked at Lu Ze with anticipation.

Seeing this, Lu Ze could only smile wryly and say, "Of course not, Junior Brother Qi, you saved my life and dealt with Black Tiger. You're a great hero; how could you have held me back?"

Upon hearing this, Qi Ming finally relaxed and said with a smile, "That's great! I was worried that senior brother might blame me for not following your guidance."

"When I heard senior brother's voice at the foot of the mountain, I waited for a long time. Later, hearing the intense fighting sounds, I got curious and came up to take a look. Unexpectedly, I stumbled upon a big advantage!"

Hearing this, Lu Ze felt a mix of emotions. Looking at the innocent and naive Qi Ming, he wanted to tell him—without me, you could have wiped out the Black Tiger Gang alone just with those talismans! He was the one holding Qi Ming back!

But seeing Qi Ming's excited smile, Lu Ze could only give a bitter laugh and say, "Alright, let's go!"

Subsequently, the two of them left the now-ruined Black Tiger Gang camp and headed towards the Qiantian Sect.

However, Lu Ze stopped at the edge of the Magic Beast Forest after seeing Qi Ming off.

"Senior Brother, why are you standing there?"

Qi Ming looked at Lu Ze, puzzled, and asked.

"Junior Brother Qi, you go back first. I want to continue cultivating in the Magic Beast Forest."

Lu Ze looked at Qi Ming and smiled.

"Senior Brother, you're already so strong. Do you still need to cultivate?"

Qi Ming said in amazement. In Qi Ming's eyes, Lu Ze was already excessively powerful. Lu Ze nearly killed an Eighth Innate Realm expert at the First Innate Realm, and he was only a bit older than himself.

"My current strength is far more than enough. There are still many people who can defeat me. So, I must become even stronger. Otherwise, if I encounter a powerful opponent like Black Tiger again, I'm afraid I won't be as lucky as this time!"

Seeing Qi Ming's astonished look, Lu Ze could only smile and explain. Then, he turned and walked towards the depths of the forest.

"Wait!"

Qi Ming stopped him and handed a bottle of pills to Lu Ze. "Senior Brother, since you're going to cultivate, take these pills with you!"

"I'll be leaving now, Senior Brother! Good luck with your cultivation!"

Without waiting for Lu Ze to respond, Qi Ming turned into a gentle breeze and left.

Watching his disappearing figure, Lu Ze's face revealed a complex expression. In his three years at the Qiantian Sect, he had become accustomed to people's indifference. Qi Ming was the expectation.

But such a naive person, without someone to protect him, how long could he survive in the Qiantian Sect?

Thinking about this, Lu Ze couldn't help shaking his head, shaking off the distracting thoughts in his mind.

Lu Ze, you're just a minor outer disciple of the Qiantian Sect. Why worry about others?

He has the Supreme Elder to support him, and his talent far surpasses yours. Why bother caring?

Consolidating his thoughts, Lu Ze walked towards the depths of the forest. Through the battle with the Black Tiger, he had gained a rough understanding of his own strength. With his current speed and power, he could contend with ordinary Eighth Innate Realm experts.

However, when facing stronger opponents who practiced higher-tier techniques or martial skills, he would still struggle. For example, Black Tiger, if he had also cultivated a similar-tier body technique, even without that yellow talisman, Lu Ze wouldn't have been able to land a blow with his Flowing Wind Sword Shadow.

No matter how powerful the attack, if it missed, it was as good as nothing, and Lu Ze would end up exhausted. Therefore, Lu Ze wanted to use the power of the Magic Beast Forest to become even stronger.

"Damn it, this kid actually entered the inner perimeter of the Magic Beast Forest!"

"Senior Brother, the inner perimeter of the Magic Beast Forest is filled with high-level magical beasts that we can't handle! We should head back."

"That's right, and this kid's current burst of speed and strength far surpasses ours. Even someone as powerful as Black Tiger couldn't hurt him much. If we follow him in, we'll be in danger first!"

The law enforcement disciples who were secretly following Lu Ze saw him entering the inner perimeter of the Magic Beast Forest. Their faces were unpleasant, and they began to back off.

In the inner perimeter of the Magic Beast Forest, high-level magical beasts were as numerous as hairs. Magical beasts of the Innate Realm were everywhere. Unlucky encounters might even lead to True Profound Realm magical beasts. At that time, it would be challenging to survive.

"No, this is a task assigned by Elder Long. We must keep an eye on him."

"And this kid doesn't seem to be foolish; he probably won't do anything outrageous!"

"If, by any chance, we encounter a True Profound Realm magical beast, we have the teleportation talismans given by the Elder. I believe we can escape!"

The leading law enforcement disciple's face was also somewhat unpleasant, but he still shook his head and spoke.

Afterward, like shadows, they followed.

"Damn, we're somewhat renowned disciples in the inner sect. Now, we're actually acting as bodyguards for an outer sect 'waste'. It's really speechless!"

Seeing the situation, the law enforcement disciple in the rear could only curse in frustration before activating his body technique and following suit.

In no time, Lu Ze reached the inner perimeter of the Magic Beast Forest.

Roar!

Not long after entering, a tremendous roar suddenly echoed. The sound was like thunder, resounding through the sky and shaking the surroundings. Ancient trees swayed together, and leaves fell like rain.

Following the direction of the sound, Lu Ze saw a colossal creature ahead. It was a magical beast resembling a tiger, with a size exceeding ten feet. This magical beast was the Crimson Scale Tiger.

This Crimson Scale Tiger had muscles coiled like steel, and blood vessels exposed like blue veins, exuding a violent force. Its entire body was covered in red scales, and its crimson eyes glared with a fierce and brutal aura.

"Crimson Scale Tiger!"

Seeing this magical beast suddenly appearing, Lu Ze's expression became solemn. The Crimson Scale Tiger was a fourth-level magical beast, comparable in strength to a Seventh Innate Realm expert. Due to the characteristics of magical beasts, its eruptive combat power exceeded that of ordinary Ninth Innate Realm experts.

For him, it was a formidable opponent!

"Roar!"

At this moment, the Crimson Scale Tiger roared angrily. Its massive tiger paw suddenly slammed on the ground, causing the earth to tremble violently, raising a vast amount of sand and dust.

Facing such a formidable enemy, Lu Ze dared not be careless. He swiftly retreated, avoiding the range of the sand and dust, while staring sternly at the front.

"Roar!"

Another roar echoed.

Within the obscured sand curtain, a gigantic tiger paw suddenly emerged, fiercely descending towards Lu Ze.

Lu Ze snorted, and his body instantly tightened. Qi burst forth from within him, gathering at his fist, and he met the incoming tiger paw without showing weakness.

"Boom!"

In the blink of an eye, Lu Ze's fist collided with the Crimson Scale Tiger's paw, creating a loud and intense explosion. Two powerful shockwaves, centered around them, spread out in all directions, carrying a large number of leaves and soil.

After a moment of collision, both Lu Ze and the Crimson Scale Tiger were sent flying by the shockwaves.

"Possessing such formidable strength, it truly deserves to be a fourth-level magical beast!"

Lu Ze retreated dozens of steps before steadying himself. His arm felt a bit numb, but a smile appeared on his face. The combat power exhibited by the Crimson Scale Tiger now was not inferior to that of the Black Tiger in the Black Tiger Gang.

Moreover, to some extent, it surpassed the Black Tiger. It was exactly the formidable opponent he needed now.

The previous strike, if he hadn't cultivated the "Eternal Creation Scripture," greatly enhancing his body's strength, an ordinary Ninth Innate Realm warrior would probably have had his arm broken.

"Roar!"

At this moment, the Crimson Scale Tiger roared in pain, realizing that this human was too powerful. It quickly turned around and fled into the forest.

A few leaps, it disappeared from Lu Ze's sight.

"Sure enough, even with a five-fold strength-boosted Flowing Wind Sword Shadow, it's too difficult to kill a formidable existence like the Crimson Scale Tiger!"

"It seems I have to become stronger!"

Facing the fleeing Crimson Scale Tiger, Lu Ze didn't take the opportunity to pursue. He just smiled bitterly, shook his head, and then continued to walk towards the inner perimeter of the forest.