Fang Zheng took a few steps forward, but suddenly halted.
He quickly turned around, ran back to the King Kong Rock Bear, and then reached out both hands to tightly grab its thick leg.
"Big Brother, if I run into any threats, I'm counting on you. Those cultivators must be no simple matter. You've got to help me fend off any humans who might be up to no good!"
The cultivators attacking the city must also be strong. I hope I don't end up as a casualty too.
The King Kong Rock Bear looked at Fang Zheng, grinning widely. It then raised its large hand, which resembled a fan, and patted its massive chest, producing a deep, powerful sound. With full confidence, it said:
"Don't worry! The strongest ones in this city are just at the Peak of Golden Core stage. They're nothing in my eyes. With me covering you, you'll be fine!"
As the King Kong Rock Bear spoke, its eyes were filled with certainty, as if no danger in front of it was worth mentioning.
In fact, the King Kong Rock Bear didn't harbor much ill will toward humans.
When it was young, it had struggled to survive in the freezing cold, nearly dying in the wilderness from hunger and cold. Fortunately, a kind elderly couple found it and took it home. They treated the bear like their own grandson, always giving it the best food without hesitation.
Under the care of the elderly couple, the King Kong Rock Bear grew rapidly. Within just one year, it had already grown to two meters tall and weighed over 500 pounds.
The bear wasn't ungrateful; it knew the couple's kindness. Every day, it would help the elderly couple with their farm work. Thanks to its natural strength, the bear completed the chores effortlessly and efficiently.
Its species was exceptionally gifted, and it didn't require much practice to absorb spiritual energy from the world, which helped improve its cultivation.
As the seasons passed, the elderly couple grew older and weaker, eventually unable to walk. During this time, the King Kong Rock Bear took up the responsibility of providing for them, often going out to fish and hunt.
However, there's always a gap between immortals and mortals. Despite the bear's reluctance, the elderly couple eventually passed away peacefully, without any regrets.
After burying them properly, the King Kong Rock Bear left the place filled with warm memories, the home where it had lived for over ten years.
In the days that followed, the bear wandered aimlessly until one day it crossed paths with the Thunderbeak Eagle and Shadow-Snatch Wolf. Maybe it was fate, or perhaps they simply recognized each other, but the three beasts quickly formed a group and began adventuring together.
Fang Zheng gazed at the city before him, now reduced to a hellish inferno, his expression unchanged.
Entering the city, a wave of intense heat hit him. The entire city was engulfed in flames. The inferno licked every inch of the ground, and thick smoke blocked the sun. The mixture of burnt and bloody smells was nauseating.
On the streets, all sorts of demon beasts rampaged, wreaking havoc. Their grotesque forms and exposed fangs, with claws leaving terrifying marks on the ground, made them a frightening sight.
The beasts ferociously tore into humans, and their screams and cries echoed through the city. Tall buildings teetered under the beasts' assault before collapsing with a roar, sending clouds of dust into the air.
Fortunately, Fang Zheng's dense demonic aura acted like an invisible shield. Upon sensing this energy, the demon beasts immediately shied away, not daring to approach him.
Using this advantage, Fang Zheng quickly navigated the chaotic city, heading toward a tiger demon in the midst of its rampage.
This tiger demon was massive, easily towering over two people. Its striped skin shimmered with an eerie glow, and its muscles were bulging with power.
It was squatting down, savoring the feast of a human, with blood dripping from the corners of its mouth.
Suddenly, without warning, a figure appeared in front of it. The tiger demon froze in shock and let out a low growl, glaring at the figure with anger.
However, when it sensed Fang Zheng's demonic aura, its fierce gaze instantly softened. Grumbling, it stood up, shook its head in disdain, and then stalked off in the opposite direction.
Fang Zheng couldn't understand what the tiger demon muttered, but from its disgusted and impatient expression, it was clear the demon wasn't saying anything nice.
Fang Zheng shifted his gaze downward and saw the person the tiger demon had been feasting on.
It was a middle-aged man, his leg mangled and torn, with exposed bone, nearly devoured by the tiger demon. His face was ashen, and his breathing shallow, filled with despair and pain.
"Please... help me..." The man's voice was weak, barely audible. Each word seemed to cost him all his remaining strength.
His voice was like a falling leaf in autumn, fragile, ready to vanish at any moment.
Upon hearing this, Fang Zheng's expression became serious. He replied solemnly:
"Don't worry, brother. I'll save you."
The man's dim, lifeless eyes flickered with a glimmer of hope. His tense body relaxed a little, letting out a soft sigh.
But before he could fully exhale, a sudden, excruciating pain struck his abdomen.
Unbeknownst to him, Fang Zheng had already produced a gleaming knife from thin air and driven it sharply into the man's belly.
The man's eyes widened in disbelief as he gazed at Fang Zheng, his lips quivering, but no words came out.
Fang Zheng looked down at him, still wearing a serious expression, and softly said:
"Don't worry, I'm sending you to the blissful world. When you get there, the Buddha will save you."
With that, he slowly pulled the knife out, blood dripping from the blade and splattering onto the hot ground, disappearing instantly.
"You... you mother..." The man tried to speak, but his breath left him completely, his body going cold and still.
What a pity. He was only at the Body Refining stage. But still, it's better than nothing. Added to the system, progress +0.5.
Fang Zheng then continued his bloody work, showing no mercy, whether it was a baby, a pregnant woman, an elderly person, or a child. All were treated equally and swiftly disposed of, feeding the system.
As for the demon beasts killed by cultivators, Fang Zheng kept his principle of not wasting anything and collected their corpses as well.
Progress +1...
Progress +3...
Progress +3...