"Demon Core…" As soon as the bead fell into Lin Baichuan's hand, Li Da and the other five immediately brightened their eyes. Niu Zhenye even exclaimed in surprise, his eyes wide and glowing green.
A Demon Core, formed by the condensed essence of a demon, is a top-tier material for refining Medicinal Pills and Spiritual Artifacts. This Mountain Demon was a Peak Tier 3 Soldier-rank demon, even with one foot in Tier 4 Soldier-rank, so its Demon Core was naturally incredibly precious.
A Demon Core from a Peak Tier 3 Soldier-rank demon would start at at least ten thousand taels of silver on the outside.
If it were handed over to the Demon Suppression Division, one could gain at least three hundred contribution points.
One must know that an Intermediate Demon Slayer Guard like Niu Zhenye only earned a few hundred taels of silver in annual salary, and a single mission typically only yielded about ten contribution points. Seeing the Demon Core in Lin Baichuan's hand, it was natural for them to be envious.
In fact, let alone Niu Zhenye, even Li Da, an Advanced Demon Slayer Guard, had a look of eagerness at this moment.
Tens of thousands of taels of silver, or several hundred contribution points, was a huge sum for Li Da as well.
The only one who could still remain calm was Qin Qing.
This woman came from Fu City, and it was clear her background was extraordinary. Although she also envied Lin Baichuan for obtaining a Tier 3 Soldier-rank Demon Core, she did not have the same fervent gaze as Li Da, Niu Zhenye, and the others, clearly much more composed.
Lin Baichuan casually wiped the Demon Core clean, then subtly put it into his bosom.
In reality, he merely used this action to put the Demon Core directly into the spatial ring on his finger. After all, this spatial ring was even more precious than the Demon Core; once exposed, it would likely attract great trouble.
After putting away the Demon Core, Lin Baichuan's gaze quickly swept over Li Da and the others, taking in the expressions of all five.
"Lin Baichuan, the Demon Core is the team's spoils of war, belonging to the entire team. Why aren't you handing it over to the captain for safekeeping?" Just then, Niu Zhenye suddenly yelled at Lin Baichuan.
Everyone was stunned, looking at Niu Zhenye in unison, then back at Lin Baichuan. No one spoke, everyone seemed to have tacitly agreed with Niu Zhenye's words. This was a Tier 3 Soldier-rank Demon Core, worth at least ten thousand taels of silver, or even more.
If Lin Baichuan took it alone, it would have nothing to do with them.
But if it was the team's spoils of war, then it would be different; everyone would have a share.
Lin Baichuan's pupils suddenly constricted, his gaze like a blade falling on Niu Zhenye, then he sneered, saying, "Heh heh… Your calculations are so loud, they probably can be heard all the way to the Imperial Capital!
You deliberately let the Mountain Demon escape just now, wanting to use it to kill me. I haven't even settled that score with you yet, and now you dare to covet my things? Who gave you the guts…"
As the last word left his mouth, Lin Baichuan had already moved, like a fierce tiger descending a mountain, taking a tiger step that spanned several zhang, pouncing directly towards Niu Zhenye.
His eyes were filled with striking killing intent. Niu Zhenye had repeatedly caused him trouble along the way, and he had endured it. But just now, this fellow deliberately exposed a flaw, wanting to take his life by the Mountain Demon's hand. If he continued to endure, then there would be no need for him to practice martial arts; he might as well become a ninja turtle.
Clang…
His battle blade unsheathed, he struck out with one slash, the blade light fluttering, like a bolt of silk streaking across the sky.
That powerful might directly stunned Niu Zhenye, leaving him rooted to the spot. He watched as the battle blade descended, yet remained completely unaware, unmoving.
"Stop!"
Just then, a sword light flashed. A long sword, like a water snake, thrust out, and with a fierce flick, it actually blocked Lin Baichuan's strike.
It was Qin Qing.
She reacted even faster than Li Da, moving at the same time Lin Baichuan made his move. With a swing of her long sword, blade and sword clashed, immediately sending sparks flying. A surge of immense power swept out, simultaneously sending both Lin Baichuan and her staggering back.
However, Lin Baichuan retreated over ten steps, while Qin Qing only retreated two and a half steps.
But even so, it was enough to shock Qin Qing, as well as Li Da and the others. Lin Baichuan's single strike actually forced Qin Qing back. This was enough to show that Lin Baichuan indeed possessed strength comparable to the Seventh Grade Organ Forging Realm!
The most important thing was that they knew Lin Baichuan hadn't even used his Blade Intent yet.
"Without even using his Blade Intent, he's already this terrifying. Is this guy really just in the Ninth Grade Body Refinement Realm?" Wu Xiaoqi gritted his teeth and growled, unable to help but take a sharp breath.
"Lin Baichuan, what do you intend to do!" At this moment, Li Da finally reacted, sternly scolding Lin Baichuan, "Attacking a comrade, how dare you."
Lin Baichuan glanced at Li Da, his eyes as cold as ice, a sneer on his lips, full of disdain.
He didn't even bother to say another word to Li Da, but instead looked at Qin Qing, coldly saying, "You want to stop me? With your strength and discernment, it's impossible for you not to see that they deliberately let the Mountain Demon escape, wanting to put me to death."
"Lin Baichuan, don't slander us!" Li Da immediately roared in anger, "The Mountain Demon's escape was an accident. You say we deliberately let it go, do you have proof?"
"That's right, Lin Baichuan, without proof, you dare to make such baseless accusations."
"How dare you, trying to murder a comrade. I think you have a lot of problems, you might even be a demon spy."
"Investigate… It must be investigated thoroughly, this guy definitely has problems."
...
Li Da's stern rebuke immediately gave Niu Zhenye, Luo Kang, and Wu Xiaoqi courage. They all stepped forward to echo him, turning the tables on Lin Baichuan.
Lin Baichuan's expression grew even more grim, killing intent boiling in his heart. His long blade trembled slightly, its cold light flickering. However, he did not make a move, because he was wary of Qin Qing. This woman's strength seemed to be much stronger than she let on.
This woman definitely concealed her strength. He was not confident in dealing with her, not even if he used his Blade Intent.
"Enough!" Just then, Qin Qing suddenly shouted sternly, "What time is it, what are you arguing about? Do you think we're out of danger? Open your eyes and look around us, we're trapped."
As soon as Qin Qing spoke, everyone was stunned, even Lin Baichuan frowned, then subconsciously looked around.
Immediately, their expressions changed drastically.
They saw that at some unknown point, strange thick fog had appeared in the village, cold and dense, gradually enveloping the entire village, silently.
"No, where's Shadow Que? Why is he gone…" Li Da's face sank as he realized they were missing one person, the Dark Guard Shadow Que who had led the way earlier. He had disappeared without a trace at some point.
"He couldn't have met with trouble, could he!" Luo Kang said in a deep voice, "This thick fog is very strange, it wasn't this dense before. I smell the Qi of a demon."
"This is Profound Yin Evil Qi. There's another demon hidden in the village, very likely a malevolent ghost among the specters." Qin Qing's face was cold as she said in a deep voice, "Shadow Que is gone, I'm afraid something has happened. Everyone be careful! If we can't get through this tribulation, we'll all die here. Arguing is useless…"
As she spoke, Qin Qing subtly glanced at Lin Baichuan.
Clearly, most of her words were for Lin Baichuan, hoping that he could temporarily set aside personal grievances and unite against the external threat.
Upon seeing this, Lin Baichuan immediately sneered, "I naturally know what's important, I'm just afraid some people don't know what's good for them."
Saying that, he looked at Li Da and the other four, especially Niu Zhenye.
This guy was the most detestable. If the situation wasn't inappropriate, he would definitely kill this bastard.
"Lin Baichuan, why are you looking at me? You don't think I'm going to kill you, do you!" Niu Zhenye immediately snorted coldly, his face extremely ugly.
Whoosh…
Suddenly, before his words had even finished, a gust of cold wind swept over. A figure flashed, suddenly wrapping around Niu Zhenye and dragging him directly into the thick fog.