Emerging from the deep cave, Mộc Phàm felt his entire body overflowing with vitality. The Black Iron Core within his Dantian was serene, yet whenever he circulated the Earth Vein Primordial Force, power surged like a tidal wave. His Mortal Body True Adamant had reached a realm he'd never dared to imagine, making him confident in facing any danger.
However, confidence didn't equate to carelessness. Mộc Phàm knew the cultivation world was vast, with experts as numerous as the clouds. He was still a mortal, and he needed to continue growing stronger, to fully uncover the secrets of the Mortal Body Hundred Forgings Art. He continued his journey westward, towards deeper mountains, secluded ancient forests, and places rumored to hold ancient ruins.
Not long after leaving the Ancient Vein Spirit Spring, Mộc Phàm sensed familiar auras pursuing him. They were cultivators from the Heavenly Sword Sect. The bounty was still active, and after his defeat of Ye Feng, the Heavenly Sword Sect was even more determined to capture him.
This time, it wasn't just Qi Condensation or early Foundation Establishment cultivators. Mộc Phàm sensed at least two strong auras comparable to Ye Feng's, with one even slightly stronger. Clearly, the Heavenly Sword Sect had dispatched their true elites to hunt him down.
Mộc Phàm didn't flee aimlessly. He immediately activated his Body Core, accelerating to his limit, streaking like a gust of wind through the deep forest. He wasn't just running; he was also preparing the terrain. He used his immense strength to snap large ancient trees, creating obstacles in the path of his pursuers. He hid in rock crevices, narrow mountain passes, places where spiritual power was difficult to unleash.
"You mortal! Why are you still running?" An angry roar echoed from behind him. A sharp surge of sword qi cut through the air, aiming directly for Mộc Phàm's back.
Mộc Phàm didn't turn his head. He merely shifted his body slightly, simultaneously throwing a punch backward, his Black Iron Core circulating, enveloping his fist in a layer of dark, shimmering Adamant Qi.
Bang!
The sword qi shattered. A soft groan escaped. A Mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Heavenly Sword Sect, who had just unleashed the sword qi, felt his arm go numb, his magic artifact rattling intensely. He hadn't expected Mộc Phàm's punch to carry such power.
Mộc Phàm didn't stop. He continued to rush forward, but this time, he deliberately lured his pursuers into a complex terrain, a place with many natural obstacles and perilous deep ravines. He wanted to exploit his physical advantage, transforming himself into a hunter within the chase.
The pursuit lasted an entire day and night. The Heavenly Sword Sect continuously sent reinforcements, forming an ever-tightening encirclement. Mộc Phàm was occasionally cornered, forced into direct confrontation. Each time, he unleashed earth-shattering punches and destructive kicks, terrifying the Heavenly Sword Sect cultivators. He shattered magic artifacts and broke through protective spiritual shields, making them pay a heavy price for underestimating a mortal.
Among the pursuers was a cultivator named Lei Xiong, a Late Foundation Establishment expert who had once been Ye Feng's equal. He wielded a powerful Top-Grade Magic Artifact in the shape of a mace, possessing unparalleled might. Lei Xiong was the one who gave Mộc Phàm the most trouble. Every strike from Lei Xiong carried terrifying force, forcing Mộc Phàm to push his Mortal Body True Adamant to its limits in defense.
In a deep cave, Mộc Phàm and Lei Xiong faced each other directly.
"You despicable mortal! Why are you still running?" Lei Xiong roared, swinging the mace in his hand. A violent surge of lightning burst forth, exploding the air.
Mộc Phàm said little. He charged, his Black Iron Core erupting, his entire body transforming into a dark arrow, directly clashing with the lightning surge.
Boom! Bang! Crash!
Loud impact sounds continuously reverberated. Mộc Phàm unleashed dozens of consecutive punches, each carrying the power of Mortal Body True Adamant, hard and resilient. He didn't care about being struck by lightning, focusing solely on attacking. Lei Xiong couldn't believe a mortal could withstand his lightning and counterattack so fiercely.
After a fierce confrontation, Lei Xiong was forced to retreat. He was continuously suppressed by Mộc Phàm, having no time to cast long-range spells. Mộc Phàm, despite being struck by lightning multiple times, was nearly immune to physical attacks and partially immune to spiritual attacks due to his Mortal Body True Adamant.
"You... what in the world are you!" Lei Xiong was terrified. His mace was already cracked.
Mộc Phàm didn't answer. He simply threw one final punch, concentrating all the power of his Body Core into a single point. That punch carried no spiritual energy, but contained earth-shattering physical might.
"Mortal Body Blood God Punch!"
The punch struck Lei Xiong's chest directly. A dry thump sound echoed. Lei Xiong's chest caved in, his bones shattering. He spat out a large mouthful of blood, flying backward into the cave wall, unconscious.
Mộc Phàm gasped for breath. He didn't kill Lei Xiong. His goal wasn't to eliminate all Heavenly Sword Sect cultivators. He wanted to send a message.
Leaving the cave, Mộc Phàm continued his journey. He had proven the might of his Black Iron Core and Mortal Body True Adamant. But he was still not strong enough. He needed to seek more heaven- and earth-born materials that could temper his body, or ancient ruins related to his Mortal Body path. He believed that in desolate, forgotten places, there would be things that spirit root cultivators couldn't detect, but which held the key to his path.
He was the hunted hunter, but also the one hunting for a greater secret.