Cultivation Through Artifacts

Blood Centipede.

Khal was able to remember this type of Beast quite well as he already read about it from the book he obtained from the old lady.

And what could he say... Blood Centipedes were creatures not only with chilling and powerful powers but their Cultivation Strength was strong too!

They were Beasts on the Fifth Stage and on its Peak to top it off! Blood Centipedes had a small centipede-like appearance, but with the sole difference that they had small mouths filled with tiny razor-sharp teeth in each of their feet, helping them to bury themselves into their prey and suck their blood away from their body from the inside.

Imagining the sensation as his blood was sucked away from the inside in a blink made Khal feel a slight chill run through his spine, all his hair on his body standing on end!

"And it's an Alpha? What Cultivation Stage is that even on?" Khal seemed to be a bit hesitant as he knew that Alpha's were occasionally above their species in Stage, thus daring to challenge it was quite risky.

An Alpha Blood Centipede could easily be on the Sixth Cultivation Stage that he can not hope to kill, no matter what!

From the First Stage to the Fifth Stage, power differences weren't huge, but after that, each Stage represented a different and separate Realm!

The disparity between the Fifth and the Sixth Cultivation Stage was as vast as heaven and earth; there was no possibility for them to compete with such a Beast!

Or at least not if you had no heaven-defying Talents...

"I know what you think, but the Alpha is still on the Fifth Stage, half a step into the Sixth Stage. However, if we go now and kill it before it successfully breaks into the next Stage, we will still have a chance to win."

Khal listened to this with an indifferent expression, but deep inside he sneered coldly at that statement.

'Half a step into the Sixth Stage and he thinks we still have the chance, huh? I think this clown doesn't even know what he is babbling about!'

What did that mean to be half step into the Sixth Stage? It meant that the individual succeeded to open one of its sealed Essence Path slightly, boosting their strength by leaps and bounds!

Even if it's just a 'half step', one that didn't even open its sealed gate completely could be hardly killed, yet Alde just said they have a chance!

Khal felt the urge to laugh right into his face but decided not to. Only a fool would think they have a chance against someone that was half a step into the Sixth Stage!

Just as Khal wanted to shake his head and reject the idea, however, Alde smiled and suddenly a red bell appeared in his grasp.

[Notify! 1 'Power Core' had been detected in proximity!]

"What's that?" asked Khal, his eyes rose from confusion and surprise as the voice appeared inside his head.

"This? It is called Beast Slayer, a World Tier object I brought to kill that Beast." smiled Alde, even pushing his chest out proudly to show that he had a World Tier item in his possession.

"An item on the World Tier?" Khal's interest was piqued, but considering its name and its appearance, he could kind of guess how it functioned.

"Let me demonstrate it," said Alde, confusing Khal, and without waiting for a response shook the bell.

Ding!

"SCREECH!!!!" the very moment the Beast Slayer was ringed with a sharp and almost deafening sound, Rubie cried up and fell onto the ground, her body twitching from pain.

"STOP IT!" a cold glint flashed inside Khal's eyes, his weapon ready to be swung.

Alde knew that things could go awry if he didn't stop thus put the bell away, but deep inside his eyes, joy could be seen flashing.

It seemed this is exactly what he wanted to see and show Khal that just a single flick from his finger could end his tamed Beast's life.

However, because he didn't want to destroy his facade he looked shocked and said with a worried complexion, "I-I am sorry! I didn't think this would happen! The Beast Slayer only affects real Beasts, and because I thought she was your summon I ringed it without thought!"

'...' Khal clearly understood this was complete bullshit as everyone has already known Rubie was not his summon and neither did he have Summoning-type Talent.

It was clear he did that on purpose and just acted this way to show it was truly an 'accident'.

"Didn't you follow the Thousand Life Tournament? It should be obvious by now that she is not my summon," said Khal coldly, his hand holding Rubie's weak body while the blood inside him boiled.

It seemed just that single sound from the bell pushed her to the edge, almost killing her on the spot! If he wouldn't have stopped Alde in time she...

Just the thought alone made Khal extremely angry and knew this couldn't go on. That bell was way too risky for Rubie to stay close to it hence he stood up and turned around to leave.

"Her condition isn't the best so I will go now." without turning around or saying anything else, Khal vanished into the distance, leaving Alde behind whose eyes seemed to be gleaming from satisfaction.

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Going back to Moon Academy, Khal didn't hesitate at all and accepted the reward he should get from the mission and gave it to Rubie.

Pouring the Healing Potion into her beak, Khal waited to see Rubie's condition recover but seemed to be not working at all!

Rubie's body was still limp, her eyes tightly shut while her breathing was frighteningly slow; it was apparent that if he didn't do something she could truly lose her life!

"If something happens with her I swear..." Khal's gaze turned extremely sharp and cold and without a second thought run toward the Pharmacy Department.

Kicking the door open that surprised everyone inside deeply, Khal ran to the desk on the side and put Rubie gently down while staring at the woman before him with a stiff complexion.

"Give me your best medicine that can treat her!"

"Eh?" the woman seemingly startled shifted her gaze at Rubie, but soon her eyes widened in even greater shock than before.

"What happened? This is no ordinary injury at all. Her brain seems to be damaged while some of her organs seem to be torn!"

"Can it be cured or not?" asked Khal, ignoring the question completely.

"Naturally, please wait here. I will be right back." the woman turned around and with a quick and huge stride ran away before coming back with a tiny pill in her hand.

"Phoenix Tear, a powerful pill capable of restoring any injury or wound until they are not fatal." said the woman and made Rubie swallow it professionally.

Khal stared at Rubie intently and waited for the outcome, but even after several seconds nothing happened; her condition seemed to be the same, without any sign of change.

When Khal saw this his complexion froze stiff solid, while his eyes flashed with killing intent that was the first to see in him; right now, he truly wished to kill Alde, and he will!

The woman noticed this and felt her body tremble uncontrollably hence wanted to say something, but who would have guessed that an abrupt red light broke forth from Rubie's body, stopping her from doing so!

"What is happening?" asked Khal in confusion, but the woman's eyes brightened up before her right at that instant!

"It works! The Phoenix Tear works!" said the woman, glancing at Khal to see if his mood improved or not.

But just as she thought, her mood truly did change as his killing intent vanished and hope flickered in his gaze!

'...' opening her eyes slowly, Rubie tried to move but seemed to be struggling.

"She will be fine now, but I recommend letting her rest. Her injuries seemed to be way too serious and even though the pill worked her condition can fall decrease once again."

While listening to the woman intently, Khal nodded and said, "I see, I will remember it. Though, how much should I pay for the Phoenix Tear?"

"Eh?" the woman seemed surprised as she didn't expect Khal will directly ask about the price, thus needed a bit of time before she could answer.

"Normally, it would be 100 Golden Coins in total, but because you helped Moon Academy and Moon City on the Thousand Life Tournament please accept this as a gift. This is the least we can do to repay your deeds."

Khal seemed to be speechless after learning the prize, but after thinking what it could accomplish it was only understandable. However, exactly because of this and for the fact he was not shameless, he shook his head.

"No, I will pay for it. I don't have the face not to as that pill was definitely a rare item."

"Bu-"

"Please."

The woman gazed at Khal in silence, but after seeing her determined expression she sighed and nodded.

"Sure, but at least let me give you a 50% discount. I hope you can at least accept this offer of mine."

Khal heard this and after pondering for a while nodded too and handed his Cultivator's Badge to the woman to pay.