Yun Ze felt the aura even from the east side.
He glanced over and his heart skipped a beat!
This was different from the monk Du Zhi before.
Monk Du Zhi had a Core Formation stage physical body, but his cultivation was only at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, not truly Core Formation.
But this black tiger was different!
It was a genuine Core Formation stage spirit beast, not only possessing a robust physique but also terrifying strength!
Fortunately, this black tiger was on the south side!
With Xiu Yun's archery skills, he should be able to hold it off for a while longer.
"Roar!"
Just as Yun Ze's thoughts formed, a roar exploded near his ear, followed by a splash of crimson in his peripheral vision!
Xiu Yun was spitting blood!
"Fellow Daoist Xiu!"
Wei Lan Shu hurried forward, fumbling for some pills that Wei Huang had given her earlier. She held them out to Xiu Yun, "Are you alright?"
Xiu Yun glanced at them, then took two pills from Wei Lan Shu's hand and swallowed them, but did not answer.
He wanted to stubbornly say, 'I can still hold on,' but as the words reached his throat, a sweet, metallic taste surged again.
If he spoke, he feared he would spit blood again.
With this thought, Xiu Yun had no choice but to sit cross-legged on the spot and begin refining the medicinal power of the pills.
"Consolidate the front line!"
Dan Chen Yu naturally noticed this scene and quickly retreated!
The appearance of a Core Formation stage spirit beast undoubtedly tipped the scales of battle. If they were to spread out in four directions to resist the spirit beasts now, they would likely be picked off one by one!
Yun Ze unleashed another sword strike and was about to retreat when he heard Gu Wu Dao's voice from not far away.
"Third Brother! Help me!"
He glanced at the north side and saw that Gu Wu Dao was once again submerged by a swarm of spirit beasts.
Yun Ze couldn't help but curl his lips.
Why did you have to learn the way of the saber, of all things!
However, despite his complaints, he still had to save him!
Yun Ze flickered and swiftly moved through the spirit beasts, arriving beside Gu Wu Dao. He pulled him out directly and then sprinted towards the bonfire!
"Thank you, Third Brother!" Gu Wu Dao could still keep up with Yun Ze's pace.
"It's nothing, it's what I should do."
Yun Ze glanced at him and felt a surge of surprise.
Although this fellow hadn't inflicted much damage on the spirit beasts, his saber aura had protected him, allowing him to withstand the pressure of so many spirit beasts without sustaining any injuries.
It seemed the way of the saber did have its merits.
The two of them dashed all the way and soon returned to the bonfire.
Dan Chen Yu glanced at the twelve people nearby who were breaking through to Foundation Establishment and spoke again, "There's at least another quarter of an hour! Can we hold on?"
"We have to hold on, even if we can't!"
Xiu Yun had recovered considerably from his injuries by now. He picked up his long bow and stood up, "I brought them in, and I will lead them out in one piece!"
"Second Brother, what you say is true, but..."
Although Gu Wu Dao didn't finish his sentence, his meaning was clear.
He cultivated the way of the saber, and the way of the saber was indeed one of relentless advance, but that didn't mean he would go to his death!
When facing Du Zhi before, he knew that the opponent was only at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. Even if his saber aura could be broken, he wouldn't be killed!
But this Core Formation stage demonic beast was different.
A single roar could injure Xiu Yun hundreds of meters away. If he truly confronted it, it would likely be a dead end!
He cultivated immortality for longevity, not to die!
"If you are afraid, then leave. I will not stop you."
Xiu Yun spat out the words coldly, his gaze sweeping over Gu Wu Dao.
They had only known each other for half a day. Although they called each other brothers, their bond was not deep.
If Gu Wu Dao was scared and wanted to retreat, he would have nothing to say. He would simply not associate with him further.
If... if there was a future.
He raised his eyes and swept over Yun Ze, Dan Chen Yu, and Wei Lan Shu, speaking again, "It's the same for you. If you want to leave, I won't stop you."
"Since I brought these people here, I am responsible for them. It has nothing to do with you."
"Nonsense!"
Yun Ze uttered only two words, then held his long sword diagonally, "We swore an oath as brothers. Your business is my business. What is there to distinguish between you and me?"
Xiu Yun glanced at Yun Ze, his eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing more.
Brotherhood?
He truly didn't believe that a day's brotherhood could make someone entrust their life to another and face death together.
Unless... he had some trump card.
A trump card sufficient to kill a Core Formation stage spirit beast and hold on for the remaining quarter of an hour!
"Little Martial Uncle isn't leaving, so I'm not leaving either!"
Dan Chen Yu spoke next.
She believed in her Little Martial Uncle. He would definitely find a way to turn the tide, just like he did against Monk Du Zhi last time.
This was trust in Yun Ze, and also trust in Emperor Gui Wu.
Wasn't it just Qi Refining realm killing Core Formation realm?
Martial Uncle Mu had done it, Martial Uncle Xiao had done it, and Master could also do it. There was no reason why Little Martial Uncle couldn't!
Wei Lan Shu did not speak, but her gaze remained fixed on Yun Ze.
Although she hadn't spoken, everyone knew her decision.
"I... I didn't say I was leaving."
Now it was Gu Wu Dao's turn to feel awkward.
He scratched his head and frowned, "It's just that Core Formation stage demonic beast..."
"I'll go."
Yun Ze calmly uttered four words, then turned and walked towards the south, leaving his back to everyone.
Watching Yun Ze's receding figure, the expressions in everyone's eyes varied.
There was anticipation, doubt, and worry...
But Yun Ze was different.
As he strode towards the south, his scalp tingled. He tightly gripped the Mountain Demon in his right hand, suppressing the slight tremor in his forearm.
In fact... he was gambling!
He was gambling that Bu Bu was nearby, gambling that she wanted to see what he could do, gambling that this was her test for him, gambling that when he was on the verge of death, she would appear to save him!
As soon as she appeared, this predicament would be broken!
He would gain Xiu Yun's friendship, pass Bu Bu's test, and also see how strong he truly was!
Of course, he wasn't entirely without a stake.
Hidden Sword, he could now unleash it for the second time.
Even if this sword strike couldn't kill the black tiger, with the protective capabilities of the Jian Yun Armor and the Immortal Shadow, he wouldn't die.
As long as he didn't die, there was still a chance!
Yun Ze approached the black tiger and stepped on the Shadow Chasing technique to ascend into the air.
The black tiger also raised its head, its gaze falling on the tiny black dot. A hint of disdain flickered in its blood-red eyes.
It was as if it were looking at some scum.
It didn't even bother to defend itself, opening its maw and swallowing another Qi Refining stage fellow tribesman to stabilize its own realm.
Yun Ze raised his hand and swung his sword.
No spiritual energy, no sword qi, just a simple downward strike.
The black tiger's contempt deepened, but in the next instant...
Crack!
A sword qi exploded from within its skull!
Yellow and white matter splattered everywhere, scattering towards the surrounding spirit beasts!
The black tiger perished!
But as everyone was shocked, the black dot in the air wavered and fell!
"Brother Yun!"
Wei Lan Shu cried out in alarm and was the first to rush out!
Fortunately, Xiu Yun grabbed her.
With her cultivation at the sixth level of Qi Refining, if she rushed forward now, she would be in grave danger!
Yun Ze treated him as a brother, so he would never let Wei Lan Shu be in danger.
Following closely, Dan Chen Yu flashed forward and brought Yun Ze back at the fastest speed. She placed a finger on his wrist...
"Don't worry, it's nothing serious. Little Martial Uncle just exhausted all the sword qi within him."
Dan Chen Yu withdrew her finger and explained to Wei Lan Shu, "Although Little Martial Uncle's move didn't consume any spiritual energy, it heavily drained his mental energy. He just needs some time to recuperate."
"That's good, that's good..."
Wei Lan Shu replied, then took Yun Ze.
She dared not place him on the ground and instead carried him on her back.
The Core Formation stage spirit beast on the south side had been dealt with, but the spirit beasts surrounding them had all closed in.
If they were to escape, the unconscious Yun Ze wouldn't be able to flee. She naturally had to carry him.
"The black tiger is dead. There shouldn't be a second Core Formation stage spirit beast appearing in the short term."
Xiu Yun once again drew his bow and nocked an arrow, "I'll guard the southeast sides. You guys..."
"I'll guard the northeast."
Dan Chen Yu interrupted Xiu Yun before he could finish, "You can't guard two areas alone. I'll help you. Fellow Daoist Gu, you go to the west side."
"...Ah? Okay!"
Gu Wu Dao had been staring at Yun Ze on Wei Lan Shu's back. Hearing Dan Chen Yu call him, he snapped back to attention and then sprinted towards the west!
The image of Yun Ze walking south with his sword flashed in his mind.
He had risked his life to unleash that sword strike. If it had succeeded, it would have been fine.
If it hadn't, given the power of that Core Formation stage spirit beast, even if someone had gone to save him, he would most likely have perished there.
Did he truly consider Xiu Yun, whom he had only known for a day, as a brother?
If he himself were in danger, would Yun Ze stand up for him just like he did just now?
This guy... was so domineering!
But he cultivated the saber, while Yun Ze cultivated the sword. Why was he even more domineering than himself?
Gu Wu Dao lowered his head and looked at the long saber in his hand. The scene of his apprenticeship flashed in his mind.
He was still a child back then, holding a wooden sword, and could play in the streets and alleys all day until he met his master.
His master had asked him a question.
"You, why do you wield a saber?"
He was young at the time and replied, "It's fun."
His master just smiled and didn't give an answer, only accepting him as a disciple.
Years later, after he entered the Qi Refining realm and took up the saber to cultivate the Dao, his master asked him a question again.
"Now, why do you wield a saber?"
"Longevity."
This was his answer at the time.
Most cultivators in the world sought longevity.
Gu Wu Dao wielded the saber and cultivated the Dao for longevity.
This time, his master didn't smile or shake his head, but quietly walked away.
Several more years passed, and he ascended the Heavenly Ranking. His master came to find him and asked that question again.
This time, his answer remained the same as before.
His master, with a stern face, told him to go to the Foundation Establishment Secret Realm to find the answer.
This time...
He seemed to have found the answer, from Yun Ze's previous retreating figure!
The saber, the king of weapons!
The blade was sharp and unparalleled, and the spine was broad and virtuous. This was true dominance.
He had previously only used the sharpness of the blade to kill enemies, forgetting that the spine was equally important!
He wielded the saber not only for his own longevity but also for the longevity of those he cared about in the world and those who cared about him!
Dominance?
Dominant! But wasn't this the way of the saber?
Gu Wu Dao took a step forward, looked at the spirit beasts before him, and raised his hand to bring down his saber!
Instantly!
Blood-colored saber light erupted, and the spirit beasts before him were instantly engulfed by the saber light!
Foundation Establishment stage spirit beasts were heavily injured, and Qi Refining stage spirit beasts were instantly annihilated.
Xiu Yun and Dan Chen Yu both turned their heads to look at the west side, their eyes filled with surprise. They spoke two words in unison.
"Saber light?"
"No, that's not right."
Dan Chen Yu shook her head after speaking, "This is just the embryonic form of saber light. It's not yet true saber light."
"Although it's just an embryonic form, it's already half a step into the Dao. Give him some more time, and he might truly enter the Dao realm."
Xiu Yun added from the side.
Gu Wu Dao might very well become the first person among the younger generation to achieve Dao Condensation!
This was the pass to the Golden Core Great Dao!