There exists a faction of cultivators in this world who eschew flamboyant spellcasting, preferring the raw exhilaration of close-quarters combat. Their entire path of cultivation centers on melee engagement, and these individuals are known as Martial Cultivators. However, compared to mainstream cultivators, Martial Cultivators possess poor adaptability, unable to effectively fight in diverse environments against varied foes. Consequently, among humans, Martial Cultivation remains decidedly non-mainstream. In contrast, numerous formidable demonic beasts and specialized races exhibit immense power in close combat, such as the Ancient War Giants, the High Demons, the Hellish Demons, and even the Asuras, alongside various other ferocious beasts.

But humanity is not blessed with such inherent talents; our innate disadvantages render our physical constitution unremarkable. Specializing in close combat is often an endeavor that yields little reward for the effort expended. Consider: how could a human Martial Cultivator at the Core Formation stage possibly engage in a life-or-death struggle with a giant tens of feet tall, resembling a miniature mountain?

It is precisely for this reason that Ding Dong, the persona adopted by Lei Dong, despite possessing the strength of a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator, still elicits scorn from figures like Li Xianxian.

Although Lei Dong himself rarely engages in genuine close combat during formal battles, and the great blade he wields was merely forged casually using his moderately skilled artifact refining, one must not forget that Lei Dong’s actual cultivation level has reached the Nascent Soul mid-stage. Even if unskilled in pure melee, the robustness of his physical body and the acuity of his senses far surpass those of an ordinary Core Formation cultivator.

His level of control over his own body is also beyond the imagination of a mere Core Formation cultivator. Lei Dong’s Zhou Tian Lian Xi Jue merely suppresses his aura, divine sense, and true essence intensity, simulating the presence of a lower-tiered cultivator. This prevents even those using techniques like Wang Qi Shu (Aura Observation) from discerning his true cultivation base.

Theoretically speaking, even utilizing the Zhou Tian Lian Qi Jue, Lei Dong remains unequivocally a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator. When he brought his blade down, it was imbued with formidable momentum, manifesting an imposing and dominant power that perfectly reflected the bearing of a mid-stage Core Formation Martial Cultivator. The massive beast, seventy to eighty feet long and weighing over a hundred tons, was caught completely off guard, receiving a deep gash across its back. The thick, crimson scales were cleaved open, splashing out a wisp of boiling blood, followed by a sharp, agonizing scream.

The Murong sisters, initially taken by surprise and thrown into disarray by the "giant beast’s" assault, felt an immediate surge of relief when they saw Lei Dong arrive with such swift and potent support. Just as Murong Fu was about to speak, she witnessed the "giant beast" opening its massive maw, a searing white light flashing in its throat, and a torrent of scorching flame erupted. She cried out in alarm, "Be careful, Brother Ding!"

Given the sharpness of Lei Dong’s divine sense perception, the slightest stir from the "giant beast" could not escape his notice. He felt a slight surprise that the flames spat by this Core Formation-level beast carried such formidable might, clearly approaching the level of San Mei True Fire. He mused that it was worthy of being a creature from Purgatory, being masterfully adept with fire. One should note that even some common fire-attribute beasts, upon reaching the Nascent Soul level, might not necessarily produce flames reaching the standard of San Mei True Fire.

Tapping his toes seven times in the void, he slipped past the blaze, tracing a series of afterimages, and circled behind the somewhat clumsy giant beast, delivering another slash across its neck. It was fortunate that Lei Dong, constrained by the environment and unable to exert his full strength—forced to fight using the standard power level of a Core Formation cultivator—was using a low-grade treasure blade. While this strike injured the beast, it could not critically wound it. This outcome appeared suitably normal; otherwise, if Lei Dong had simply obliterated the beast with one strike, wouldn't it expose his true strength? Possibly inciting the three Diao Xue Gui tailing them to seek reinforcements?

Nevertheless, this combat record caused the Murong sisters’ eyes to gleam with admiration. The creature they faced possessed the aura of a peak Core Formation beast, yet this rogue cultivator, Ding Dong, managed to wound it repeatedly. This demonstrated that this wandering cultivator, Ding Dong, possessed strength far exceeding expectations. Simultaneously, the Murong sisters began to understand why Ding Dong carried only a single broken blade and refrained from using other magical treasures.

Because they had heard that true Martial Cultivators cultivate the self, not external objects.

Lei Dong’s powerful intervention immediately bolstered the morale of the Murong sisters. With synchronized sharp cries, they manipulated magical formulas, their fingers dancing as they directed their flying swords to assault the beast, aiming to alleviate the pressure on Ding Dong. As the trio engaged the beast fiercely, Li Xianxian, who had accompanied Lei Dong, remained dozens of feet away, her face pale, daring not approach. At only early Core Formation strength, encountering a peak Core Formation beast instantly overwhelmed her with pure terror. This stemmed not only from the gap in ranks but also from her own timidity.

"Abomination, perish!" Wu Ji, a late Core Formation cultivator positioned relatively centrally among the four groups, arrived promptly. He hurled his massive hammer, which instantly transformed into an object resembling a small mountain, crashing violently toward the giant beast with immense force. Clearly, the hammer was a treasure of considerable quality.

The beast sensed the incoming power and tried to evade, but it was simultaneously being fiercely entangled by Lei Dong’s "desperate" efforts. Unable to dodge completely, it was struck hard by the giant hammer, roaring in agony as it flew through the air, seemingly snapping several bones. Having suffered a major blow and seeing more human cultivators arriving as support, the beast no longer lingered. It dove directly into the Molten Lake, attempting to use the depths to escape.

"We pursue! This Flame Breath Beast is at peak Core Formation; its materials alone are worth millions of spirit stones." The Murong sisters seemed exceptionally well-prepared. They cast out a soft, transparent pouch, which expanded under the infusion of magical power into a soft sac over ten feet wide, resembling a colossal bubble. The scorching molten lava was repelled, unable to penetrate.

Seeing this, everyone cheered and swiftly tumbled inside. Riding the transparent soft sac, they plunged into the magma. Even Li Xianxian, who had initially been too fearful to approach, squeezed in. It seemed one of the Murong sisters was piloting the artifact, as her true essence depletion rate was rapid, leaving her face somewhat ashen. Yet, the soft sac moved quite quickly within the lava currents.

Under the remote command of Wu Ji, whose divine sense was deemed the "strongest" among them, they closely tracked the fleeing Flame Breath Beast. Strength in numbers proved vital. If any single individual had encountered the peak Core Formation beast alone in this situation, the outcome would have been either escape or consumption; defeating it would have been impossible.

But as a team, they managed to drive it into a frenzy. The Molten Lake was deep, but their descent was swift. In less than half an incense stick's time, they reached the bottom, a landscape riddled with ravines. Wu Ji commanded, "Quickly! There's a wide opening in the ravine to the left; the Flame Breath Beast dove in."

Although the Flame Breath Beast is a creature that can swim in magma, it doesn't truly reside within the molten substance. Its desperate flight indicated it was heading directly for its lair. And the lair of a Flame Breath Beast certainly wouldn't be filled with magma. The decision to follow was based on this logic. Except for Lei Dong, who was less familiar with this particular beast, everyone else knew the Flame Breath Beast well—powerful, but highly valuable.

As expected, upon entering the tunnel with the transparent soft sac, the surrounding pressure immediately lessened. Murong Fu, struggling to maintain the artifact, quickly recalled the pouch.

Who knew what toxic substances permeated the air within this cavern? The group dared not breathe freely and instead held their breaths. In reality, once cultivators reach the Foundation Establishment stage, their inner true essence forms a congenital circulation. At that point, as long as true essence doesn't deplete, one wouldn't suffocate from the lack of breathing. If even Foundation Establishment cultivators possessed this ability, Core Formation cultivators would naturally manage it with ease.

Although doing so accelerated the consumption of true essence, it was far better than inhaling poisonous vapors. Lei Dong, unconcerned due to his superior strength, dared to take one breath. He found the air thick with a suffocating sulfurous smell, so he too ceased struggling and entered a state of breath-holding.

Excluding a few, everyone present were seasoned Core Formation cultivators who had experienced numerous perilous adventures. Upon entering the cave, they instinctively activated their defensive and offensive magical artifacts. Shimmering defensive shields slowly rotated around them, while colorful offensive treasures faintly appeared and revolved before them.

These artifacts alone illuminated the cavern brightly. Yet, Murong Lian proceeded to summon a peculiar magical treasure: a delicate Lotus Lantern artifact. Under the infusion of true essence, the pale pink lotus bud flared open brilliantly. Simultaneously, the slightly pink light bathed the entire cavern as if it were midday, completely dispelling the noxious gases filling the space. Evidently, this Lotus Treasure Lamp served not only for illumination but also possessed properties to ward off evil and toxins, making it an excellent auxiliary tool for exploration.

The quality of both sisters' artifacts was quite high, causing Lei Dong a slight sense of surprise. With such wealth, why would they need to risk their lives adventuring in the Purgatory Domain for fortune?

With the Lotus Treasure Lamp active, tracking the already heavily injured Flame Breath Beast became considerably easier and safer. Following the scent and blood traces, the group quickly cornered the beast in a vast chamber moments later.

"Awooo~" Even a cornered dog will leap over a wall; how much more so a dignified peak Core Formation beast? In its current state, it resembled a trapped animal, roaring with ferocious malice. It immediately spewed a torrent of blazing fire from its mouth.

"Heh heh, watch me." Wu Ji immediately darted forward, also manipulating his magical formula, pushing out with both palms. Two streams of blazing fire erupted from his palms, clashing directly against the Flame Breath Beast’s attack. Wu Ji’s flames were impressively potent, managing to hold their ground without yielding significantly.

"Look, it's the Flame Breath Beast’s eggs!" the elderly Situ Zhennan cried out, trembling.