CHAPTER 451: CHAPTER 421: PURSUIT

Given the Crystallization stage cultivation of the Black-striped Carving, and being a demon beast of the avian type, it naturally possesses the advantage of agility in the air, making its movements incredibly swift.

With a sudden flap of its wings, its massive body whipped up a violent gust, charging towards a Loose Cultivator from Nine Cold Mountain in the distance.

Under the sunlight, its sharp talons gleamed with a chilling glint, making one’s heart shudder.

With a clang, the Loose Cultivator from Nine Cold Mountain broke out in a cold sweat, his face pale as he instinctively commanded his flying sword to block, only to have it knocked away instantly.

At this moment, the Loose Cultivator from Nine Cold Mountain was even more panicked. With only a Sixth-Layer Qi Cultivation level, how could he possibly be a match for this Black-striped Carving?

Earlier, he should have heeded Xuu Lingxing’s advice and boarded the flying ship for refuge.

However, it’s too late to think of that now.

The next moment, the massive body of the Black-striped Carving moved rapidly in the air, extended its sharp talons, and swiftly seized the Loose Cultivator from Nine Cold Mountain, slaughtering him mid-air.

The surrounding cultivators, witnessing this scene, turned pale with fear, desperately steering their magical artifacts to accelerate their escape.

On the flying ship, Lu Yuanshan and others noticed the cultivators being slaughtered by the Black-striped Carving all around them, feeling both regret and tension, while silently sighing at the cruelty of the battlefield.

Who would have thought that not long after successfully completing their mission of cleanly sweeping away the demon beast group at Bone Demon Cliff,

they would encounter a sudden beast horde attack on their way back to Purple Fire Castle?

Among this beast horde, there was even a Tier Three demon beast.

With just their team, how could they possibly contend with a Tier Three demon beast?

"Ahhh..."

Screams echoed continuously, as one by one, the cultivators who weren’t on the flying ship and tried to flee individually were ruthlessly slaughtered by the Black-striped Carving, their blood staining the void with a brutally tragic scene.

After slaying these cultivators, the Black-striped Carving turned its gaze back towards Lu Yuanshan’s group, intending to hunt them down entirely.

"This demon bird harbors such a great killing intent!"

On the flying ship, witnessing the Black-striped Carving unsatisfied after slaughtering over a dozen cultivators and now pursuing the flying ship, Xuu Lingxing couldn’t help but curse.

"Elder, can this flying ship withstand the attack of that demon bird?"

"Such speed!"

"The demon bird is catching up!"

On the flying ship, several cultivators spoke in succession, their eyes fixed firmly on the enormous figure rapidly approaching from behind.

The Black-striped Carving was pursuing the flying ship with relentless speed.

Even Crystallization Cultivators would find it challenging to escape it.

Which is why, upon spotting the Black-striped Carving, Xuu Lingxing immediately urged everyone to take refuge on the flying ship, rather than scatter and flee individually, hoping to save as many as possible.

"This demon bird regards us all as prey, damn it. We have no Crystallization Cultivator here, how can we be its match?"

"If only Elder Liiu and his peers were here; this bird wouldn’t dare act so wantonly."

An elder from the Golden Saber Sect lamented.

If Liiu Qiumei and others were present, even ten Black-striped Carvings wouldn’t stand a chance against Liiu Qiumei alone.

This Black-striped Carving has strength approximately at the First-Layer Crystallization Stage, having just advanced to the Crystallization Stage not long ago.

"Everyone, remain calm, do not panic."

Xuu Lingxing soothed everyone’s emotions, easing the tense atmosphere around, and said: "The defense of this flying ship is not weak; it’s capable of handling the attacks from this demon bird."

"That’s reassuring!"

As the Black-striped Carving pursued, it soon caught up to the flying ship.

This time, instead of launching a dive attack, its massive body descended from the skies with a flap of its wings, then stood upright in mid-air, with its wings stretched out behind.

As it extended, the reach of its wings spanned over thirty zhang, looking like a small flying ship in itself.

"Not good, it’s about to use its Lifebound Divine Techniques!"

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator from Dubhe Institute on the flying ship’s face changed, recognizing what the Black-striped Carving was preparing to do.

Sure enough, in the next moment, dark black light began circulating on the extended wings of the Black-striped Carving, accompanied by the forces of wind, thunder, and gold attributes.

Shu! Shu! Shu!

The large wings gathered power, with crystallized demonic power surging, then with a fierce flap, numerous black wings formed of crystallized demonic power shot towards the flying ship like countless black swords.

These black wings, numbering in the thousands, rained down like a black storm, carving streaks of black trails in the void.

This manner of attack is the Black-striped Carving’s Lifebound Divine Technique.

Faced with such formidable might, even though Xuu Lingxing knew of the flying ship’s strong defense, he still frowned slightly, expressing concern.

He reinforced the flying ship with more magical power, bolstering its defensive barriers to withstand the Black-striped Carving’s attack.

Everyone’s heart was in their throat at the moment.

"With the strength of a First-Layer Crystallization stage cultivator, there’s an eighty to ninety percent chance of taking down this Black-striped Carving."

Lu Ping’s gaze was fixed on the Black-striped Carving.

Since its appearance, Lu Ping had been observing this demon bird, assessing its precise strength.

If one intended to act, there were indeed ways to slay it.

Within his System Mall, there was an item offering "Three-star Crystal Power."

By using this item on Lu Yuanshan or Zhiwei, their strength could temporarily be elevated to the Crystallization Stage!

Then, combined with combat support items like "Three-star Spiritual Power Amplification," there would be a significant chance of slaying this Black-striped Carving.

However, there’s no rush to use it now.

Unless absolutely necessary, keeping the "Three-star Crystal Power" for survival is prudent.

For now, it’s wiser to escape while possible, even if it means being somewhat cowardly.

As Lu Ping pondered, the Black-striped Carving’s attack came like a torrent.

Thousands upon thousands of black wings, each possessing the might rivaling that of ordinary Tier Three spiritual artifacts.

This mass of winged attacks equated to a barrage of Tier Three spiritual artifacts.

All at once, with a clattering sound, the black wings struck the flying ship’s defensive barriers, causing ripples of magical power to spread, its momentum awe-inspiring.

The sight drew intense attention from everyone, anxiously checking if the flying ship’s defenses held against the Black-striped Carving’s Lifebound Divine Technique.