Chapter 44: Igniting the Fire

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

The Ironclaw Rock Eagle possessed astonishing defenses. No matter how many strikes one landed on it, they had little effect. However, a spirit master could not withstand even a single blow from it.

Despite putting all her strength into blocking the Ironclaw Rock Eagle’s attack, Song Yiyun was unable to completely neutralize its impact. Just one strike left her severely injured.

Seeing this, Chen Fei felt a surge of relief. If not for his Spirit-Eyed Serpent’s sensing ability, he would have long perished at the hands of this beast.

Wei Junhao frowned as he saw Song Yiyun in grave danger. Even if he struck this creature with his full strength, it might not be enough to cause serious harm.

To save Song Yiyun, he had to deal the Ironclaw Rock Eagle a heavy blow—one severe enough to make it sense a threat to its life.

“Damn it! How did this stupid bird find our hiding place?”

Wei Junhao refused to believe it was a coincidence, but he couldn’t figure out the reason either.

At this critical moment, he no longer hesitated. Reaching into his robes, he retrieved a medicine bottle, poured out a pill, and swallowed it instantly.

Immediately, his blood and qi surged, and his spiritual power intensified at an incredible speed.

In the blink of an eye, Wei Junhao advanced from the ninth rank of Great Spirit Master to the threshold of Half-Step True Spirit Master.

“A pseudo-fourth-grade spirit pill… wasted just like that!” Wei Junhao felt a pang of regret, but he couldn’t abandon Song Yiyun.

“Beast! If I don’t harvest your inner core, this ‘Heaven-Flipping Spirit Pill’ will have been used in vain.”

Though pained by the cost, Wei Junhao’s fury blazed.

Now brimming with enhanced spiritual power, he instantly drew two cold-glinting throwing darts from his robes.

These darts were naturally coated with Spirit-Eroding Gu Poison. Though extremely lethal to spirit masters, its effect on spirit beasts was significantly weaker.

However, as long as it could weaken the Ironclaw Rock Eagle, Wei Junhao wouldn’t hesitate. If he held back now, they would suffer an even greater loss.

As the darts shot forward, Wei Junhao executed his spirit-grade sword technique. Moving like a swimming dragon, he launched a lightning-fast backstab at the Ironclaw Rock Eagle.

Sensing the chilling killing intent behind it, the Ironclaw Rock Eagle immediately flapped its wings, deflecting one of the darts and sending it flying.

However, the other dart managed to pierce through its defenses, cutting a three-finger-wide wound.

Though small, the wound was now tainted with Spirit-Eroding Gu Poison. Once mixed with blood, the poison would rapidly invade the body.

Even the mighty Ironclaw Rock Eagle trembled slightly, its movements slowing as the venom took effect.

Now fully enraged by the threat behind it, the Ironclaw Rock Eagle abandoned the wounded Song Yiyun—who had been within reach of death—and instead turned its fury toward Wei Junhao.

“Chirp!”

With an enraged screech, the beast flapped its massive wings, rearing onto its legs. Its talons, moving like lightning, slashed toward Wei Junhao.

Clang!

Wei Junhao swung his sword, clashing head-on with the beast. For the first time, he was able to withstand its assault, engaging in close combat. His blade shimmered with cold light, clashing against the beast’s tough hide, sending sparks flying.

Song Yiyun exhaled in relief and struggled to stand. She quickly stabilized the raging qi and blood within her body, coughing up several mouthfuls of blood.

These were clotted blood from her injuries. After spitting them out, she regained her strength. Retrieving her fallen sword, she immediately joined the assault against the Ironclaw Rock Eagle.

Chen Fei watched the battle with growing excitement. Regardless of which side emerged victorious or if one of them fled heavily wounded, he stood to gain. He could quietly trail them and reap the benefits of their battle.

The fight was intense beyond imagination. The Ironclaw Rock Eagle’s resilience was astonishing. Even with the support of the pseudo-fourth-grade Heaven-Flipping Spirit Pill, which temporarily elevated Wei Junhao to the Half-Step True Spirit Master realm, he still couldn’t fully suppress the beast.

Even with Song Yiyun aiding him, launching occasional strikes, the beast refused to be fully overpowered. In fact, Wei Junhao had found himself in danger multiple times, and if not for Song Yiyun’s assistance, even at his current strength, he would have been no match for the Ironclaw Rock Eagle.

Three minutes later, the Spirit-Eroding Gu Poison reached its peak effect. The beast’s strength visibly declined.

Wei Junhao was elated. “Yiyun! The poison has taken full effect—this beast is at its weakest now!”

“Senior, don’t worry! This thing won’t escape today!” Song Yiyun also noticed the beast’s waning strength and sluggish movements.

Seizing the moment, the two unleashed their full power. Even Song Yiyun risked close-quarters combat, relentlessly targeting the few weak points on the Ironclaw Rock Eagle’s body.

“The Ironclaw Rock Eagle is going to fall!” Chen Fei’s eyes gleamed as he realized the beast’s impending defeat.

As a peak-tier spirit beast of the Spirit Transformation realm, the Ironclaw Rock Eagle’s offensive power was undeniable. No spirit master could withstand its full-strength attack.

However, unlike spirit masters, beasts lacked versatile techniques and external enhancements. If they failed to secure an early victory, the battle could easily turn against them later.

Wei Junhao and Song Yiyun were able to reverse the tide of battle thanks to one thing—spirit pills!

The Spirit-Eroding Gu Poison weakened the Ironclaw Rock Eagle.

The Heaven-Flipping Spirit Pill enhanced Wei Junhao’s strength, pushing him to the Half-Step True Spirit Master realm.

“Chirp!”

A shrill, agonized screech rang out.

A streak of sword light flashed under the Ironclaw Rock Eagle’s wing. Blood spurted as its defenses were finally breached.

Seeing this, both Wei Junhao and Song Yiyun were ecstatic. They pressed forward with relentless attacks, denying the beast any chance to counter.

Slash!

Several more sword strikes landed, sending blood spraying into the air.

The once-mighty Ironclaw Rock Eagle, a beast that had commanded thousands of spirit beasts within a ten-mile radius, was now wailing in agony, its former dominance utterly shattered.

“Beast! Die!”

Wei Junhao grinned. Killing such a top-tier spirit beast was an incredible bounty. Its blood essence and inner core were invaluable alchemy ingredients. Though it wouldn’t completely make up for the cost of his Heaven-Flipping Spirit Pill, it could at least compensate for half of it.

“No! I can’t let these two have it!”

“This Ironclaw Rock Eagle is a top-tier beast with special abilities. If I absorb its blood essence and inner core, it will be a huge boost for me as well!”

Having observed from the sidelines all this time, Chen Fei saw the Ironclaw Rock Eagle nearing death and knew he could no longer remain passive.