Human Clan Defender

Based on the introduction, the Nirvana Fruit was evidently an extremely potent Spirit Fruit. Putting other things aside, the mere ability to completely heal all past hidden injuries, akin to a phoenix's rebirth from ashes, already made it priceless. As for its other effect of tempering the physique, its effectiveness for all Martial Artists further enhanced its value.

Then, Shen Changqing noticed another passage at the very end of the booklet:

"Red Phosphorus: A creature naturally capable of manipulating the power of fire, possessing exceptionally strong Scale Armor. It is the guardian Fierce Beast of the Nirvana Fruit. It is conjectured that if this Fierce Beast consumes the Nirvana Fruit, it is highly likely to achieve a further breakthrough. Before consuming the Nirvana Fruit, its strength lies between the late Grandmaster Realm and Grandmaster Peak. Additionally, the blood of the Red Phosphorus contains extremely potent Spiritual Power; if a Martial Artist consumes it or uses it for soaking, their strength can be augmented."

"Red Phosphorus!"

Shen Changqing closed the booklet and looked towards the Fierce Beast sleeping in front of the Nirvana Fruit. It was obvious that this was the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast recorded in the booklet, its strength between the late Grandmaster Realm and Grandmaster Peak.

That's good! He felt reassured. Its strength was only between the late Grandmaster Realm and Grandmaster Peak, meaning it hadn't truly reached the Grandmaster Peak Realm. Shen Changqing guessed that if it had consumed the Nirvana Fruit, this Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast would have firmly stood in the Grandmaster Peak Realm.

Calming his mind, he watched the slumbering Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast, his expression gradually becoming calm and serene. The more powerful a being, the more sensitive it was to killing intent. If he revealed his killing intent, he would undoubtedly awaken the sleeping Fierce Beast. Although Shen Changqing was confident that dealing with the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast wouldn't be an issue with his strength, he always preferred the safest approach, even with a hundred percent certainty of success.

With his mind completely calm, he observed the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast below as if it were just an ordinary wild animal. His right hand quietly gripped the hilt of the Tiger Fang Blade at his waist. His entire power was secretly raised to its absolute peak, a critical point.

A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves. The Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast's tail twitched lightly, as if it were sleeping very comfortably.

Now is the moment!

Shen Changqing suddenly shot out from the tree. The Tiger Fang Blade at his waist was drawn in an instant, his Hundred Battles True Intent erupting explosively, accompanied by a terrifying Blade Gang strike descending upon the beast.

At that exact moment, the sleeping Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast felt a terrifying sense of crisis welling up from the depths of its being. Its tightly shut eyes snapped open, revealing a savage killing intent within its crimson pupils.

"ROAR!"

An enraged beastly roar echoed through the mountain forest.

Simultaneously, a surge of Spiritual Power, suffused with a potent baleful aura, struck out, plunging the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast into a momentary daze. Immediately after, it snapped back to its senses. By then, the blood-red Blade Gang was already upon it.

BOOM!

The Blade Gang descended, shattering its red Scale Armor. As blood splattered, the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast's enormous body sharply dodged, instantly putting distance between itself and its attacker. The next moment, it opened its mouth, and a dense torrent of flame erupted.

"Fire breath!" Shen Changqing's brow twitched. He slashed with his Tiger Fang Blade. Enveloped by Great Sun True Essence, the unleashed blade qi also resembled a scorching flame.

Eventually, the two torrents of fire collided. Then, the blade qi tore through the flames and viciously struck the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast's head. Its broad head, protected by Scale Armor, had already absorbed most of the force from the Blade Gang, thus only sustaining some relatively light injuries.

This scene made Shen Changqing's expression turn grave. The booklet stated that the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast's defense was extremely strong. Only after truly clashing with it did he realize just how formidable this Fierce Beast's defense was. It had withstood the Tiger Fang Blade without suffering severe injuries. This point alone meant it could essentially rampage unchallenged below the Grandmaster Peak Realm.

Meanwhile, the head injury, instead of intimidating the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast, further ignited its innate ferocity. Flames suddenly erupted from the red Scale Armor on its body. The ambient temperature abruptly skyrocketed.

"ROAR!"

An earth-shattering roar erupted, causing the other fierce beasts in the forest to scatter in terror. The Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast, like a giant ball of fire, charged at Shen Changqing. Swift as the wind, fast as lightning, its speed was pushed to the absolute limit.

Shen Changqing was slightly startled. As he retreated a step, he positioned the Tiger Fang Blade horizontally before him, just in time to block the beast's striking claw. The immense concussive force sent him staggering backward uncontrollably.

"HAAH!"

His qi and blood surged, like a blazing sun. A torrent of True Yuan surged from his Dantian, flowing entirely into his arms. Instantly, the strength in his arms exploded. The Tiger Fang Blade radiated a fearsome, cold light.

SWIPE!

The blade light pulsed, slicing through the flames. Wincing in pain, the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast couldn't help but retreat slightly.

Seizing this opportunity, Shen Changqing advanced instead of retreating, slashing fiercely at the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast. This strike, with its powerful blade qi and overwhelming strength, made the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast sense the shadow of death.

Without a second thought, it dodged to the side. Its body, several zhang in length, was remarkably agile. As it dodged, the blade qi slammed into the empty ground, carving a deep trench several zhang long.

Though the strike missed, Shen Changqing relentlessly pursued it. The moment he executed the Hundred Battles Blade Technique, his Flesh glowed with a brilliant golden light, as if forged from Gold. Then, he struck out with his left palm, and the air temperature rapidly soared.

Chiyang Divine Palm!

The blade came first, the palm followed. The Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast had just dodged the Tiger Fang Blade's attack, only to be struck by the Chiyang Divine Palm.

The flames rising from its Scale Armor possessed intense heat; an ordinary person's hand would be instantly cooked upon contact. But Shen Changqing was different. His Great Sun Golden Body was already extremely formidable. Combined with his Great Sun True Essence and the Chiyang Divine Palm, all of which, to some extent, shared a common origin with the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast's flames. As such, the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast's greatest advantage was rendered largely ineffective against him.

His palm struck with full force. The red scales caved in. The Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast let out a wretched cry as its massive body was sent flying like a ragdoll. It smashed through several trees before crashing heavily to the ground.

"HUFF! HUFF!"

After landing, the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast struggled to get up, jets of thick white steam snorting from its nostrils, the savage fury in its crimson eyes undiminished. However, its once ferocious aura had now significantly weakened. That palm strike hadn't breached its Scale Armor's defense. However, the terrifying force that had bypassed its Scale Armor and surged into its body had inflicted damage many times more severe than all its previous injuries combined. Its internal organs had suffered immense trauma from that palm strike.

As it struggled to rise, Shen Changqing was already closing in, his assault unceasing.

"ROAR!"

The Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast roared in defiance. Watching Shen Changqing advance to kill it, it ultimately chose to flee in the opposite direction. Though a Fierce Beast, it possessed an instinct for fear. The enemy's strength clearly surpassed what it could handle. To continue fighting would mean death! Therefore, the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast fled decisively.

But as it fled, Shen Changqing had no intention of letting it escape. A snake not killed may come back to bite. He had already become enemies with this Fierce Beast. If he allowed it to escape, he couldn't be sure what might happen in the future. He had to slay this Fierce Beast. Otherwise, he might be placing himself in future danger.

Executing the Seven Stars Stepping on Air Step, and leveraging his own formidable explosive power, Shen Changqing caught up to the heavily injured Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast within a few breaths. The Tiger Fang Blade descended. The Scale Armor shattered. Blood, as hot as molten magma, gushed from the wound. Such a grievous injury caused the fleeing Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast to falter for a moment.

Seizing this chance, Shen Changqing delivered another slash, hacking fiercely at its neck. The long blade bit deep into the scales but failed to decapitate it in one blow. Before the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast could retaliate, he struck its broad head with a full-force palm strike from his left hand.

In an instant, terrifying power erupted from his palm, surging into the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast's brain and instantly liquefying its contents. The ferocity in its eyes dissipated. The Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast's corpse collapsed powerlessly to the ground.

Sheathing his blade, Shen Changqing's chest heaved slightly. Although this Fierce Beast hadn't reached Grandmaster Peak, its overall combat strength was not much inferior to that of a peak Grandmaster expert. The battle might have seemed to go smoothly, but he had, in fact, used his full strength. Despite that, the beast had almost escaped.

Honestly, considering its strength, Shen Changqing felt that among all the formidable foes he had ever faced, the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast definitely ranked in the top three. As for the other two, they were the Demon Evils of Luyang City and that one Demon Evil.

Afterward, his gaze fell upon the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast's corpse. Scalding hot blood, like molten magma, flowed from its wounds.

Swallowing the blood of the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast can enhance one's strength? A sharp glint flashed in Shen Changqing's eyes. The corpse of the Red Phosphorus Fierce Beast was right in front of him; it would be a complete waste not to try it.

Immediately, he used his True Yuan to draw out a mass of crimson blood directly from the beast's wound. Gazing at the blood congealing in his palm, the aura it exuded was startling. However, Shen Changqing also sensed a potent fluctuation of Spiritual Energy within it.

Without further hesitation, he enveloped the blood with True Yuan and slowly ingested it. The blood was scorching. Although Shen Changqing wasn't afraid, he chose a cautious method of consumption, just to be safe. If any issues arose, he could stop immediately.

As the lava-hot blood slid down his throat, he gradually released his True Yuan. Instantly, an intense burning sensation spread through his body. The force was powerful, yet still within tolerable limits.