Chapter 2147: Phosphoarmored Beast

"I probably can't win..." Zhang Xuan said, feeling awkward. While his 'Heaven's Affection' cultivation technique and sword moves allowed him to easily defeat peak mid-tier deities, besting a high-tier deity would be challenging. And a even more powerful divine beast? That would be much harder.

Of course, his purpose in coming was not to slay the creature, but to obtain some of its blood. He believed that with the advantage of his library and his persuasive tongue, he could entice or even subdue it if he encountered one.

He didn't always rely on combat prowess to tame beasts; instead, he depended on his unparalleled personal charm!

If charm proved ineffective, he could always resort to trading Divine Essence Pills. He had an abundance of them, and since there was no spiritual energy in the valley, a small amount of blood for the pills shouldn't be refused.

"You can't win, yet you dare to come... you've got guts!" The young man shook his head, then looked at Zhang Xuan. "Also, I find it a bit odd... You keep talking about getting the Scaled Beast's blood, but do you even know where it lives or what it looks like?"

Zhang Xuan paused, then replied, "I figured as long as I found a highly defensive divine beast at the peak of the high-tier deity level, that would be it..."

The person in charge had only mentioned that the divine beast was somewhere in Fallen Cloud Gorge, without specifying its exact location or physical description. Zhang Xuan had initially planned to arrive, tame any beast he found, and then ask for directions. However, he hadn't encountered anything yet, leaving him completely clueless.

Still, there was only one path through the gorge, so he was confident he would eventually find it if he simply followed the path and explored every area.

"You'll just 'encounter' it... Don't you think that's a bit naive?" The young man scoffed, leaning casually against a rock outside the cave, a playful expression on his face.

"It's nothing. I've tamed many beasts and understand their dispositions. I'm certain I can persuade it once I find it!" Zhang Xuan waved his hand, dismissing the topic. "Alright, thank you for the good wine and meat, my friend. I really must take my leave. I need to get back before dawn, so I can't afford to waste any more time!"

With that, he walked around the young man and headed straight into the valley.

"You clearly don't know anything. Since you saved me, I'll help you find the Scaled Beast today!" The young man stood up.

"This... that's too much trouble!" Zhang Xuan was taken aback, eventually shaking his head. "Although your cultivation is very high, the Scaled Beast is a divine beast with unparalleled defense; it must be incredibly difficult to fight. I wouldn't want to burden you or put you in danger!"

"It's no bother. I'm just idle anyway. We shared a drink, and you saved me, so helping you is only right! Besides, you know nothing; how long would it take you to find it just wandering around?"

Slinging the remaining half-gourd of wine over his back, the young man took two quick steps and approached Zhang Xuan.

As the young man drew closer, Zhang Xuan realized he was over two meters tall, a full head taller than himself. His powerful physique exuded an intense oppressive presence.

"Since my friend is so kind, I'll gladly accept your offer... Of course, I wouldn't dream of letting you help for free. Here are five Divine Essence Pills; consider them my payment!"

With a flick of his finger, Zhang Xuan tossed a jade bottle to him.

He disliked owing favors. If the young man insisted on helping, he would simply pay him.

Five Divine Essence Pills were a significant sum, even for a high-tier deity expert.

"Oh?" The young man took the jade bottle and paused for a moment. He casually uncorked it and, indeed, saw five Divine Essence Pills resting inside. He picked one up, sniffed it, confirmed its authenticity, and his eyes lit up. "Thank you!"

He then popped one pill into his mouth, feeling the surge of spiritual energy, and pocketed the rest. With a wide grin, he took a step forward. "Come with me; I'll take you to find the Scaled Beast!"

Zhang Xuan said nothing more, following closely behind him as they proceeded into the valley.

The gorge created a unique environment; the deeper they went, the fiercer the wind became, its mournful wails echoing without cease.

After walking for nearly half an hour, one following the other, the young man stopped. "The Scaled Beast's lair is up ahead..."

Zhang Xuan looked ahead and saw a massive cave opening emerge from the dark gorge.

The entrance was over ten people high, and the interior was so dark and deep that nothing could be discerned.

"This is it?" Zhang Xuan asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.

The Scaled Beast appeared to be even larger than he had imagined; otherwise, it wouldn't have been able to create such a spacious cave.

"Yes, if you want to catch it, just go straight in. I'll follow behind you, and if you truly need help, just call out..." the young man said.

"Alright!" Zhang Xuan nodded without another word. Taking a deep breath, he flickered his body and silently darted towards the distant cave.

The young man followed close behind.

Soon, they reached the cave entrance. Zhang Xuan activated his Eye of Discernment and peered inside.

The interior was pitch black. Keeping close to the walls, they proceeded for a while until the space abruptly opened up. At the deepest part of the cave, the light from torches illuminated the surroundings.

"That's it..." the young man transmitted via voice.

Zhang Xuan looked up and immediately saw a massive divine beast sleeping on a stone platform inside the cave. It was six or seven meters long, covered in gloomy gray fur.

"Why does it feel... like a wolf?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

The divine beast before him resembled a giant wild wolf. But wasn't the Scaled Beast supposed to have an invincible, scaly hide?

"That's it. I come here often; there's no mistake," the young man affirmed with a nod.

"Alright then..." Taking a deep breath, Zhang Xuan raised an eyebrow. A long sword appeared in his palm, and with a slight flick, a sword light immediately shot forth.

Before Zhang Xuan even reached it, the Scaled Beast, as if sensing an ambush, suddenly rose. With a sweep of its thick tail, a fierce gust of wind immediately tore through the entire cave.

"As expected, it's a high-tier deity!"

Zhang Xuan dodged the attack with a quick flicker, his expression turning solemn.

This massive creature before him had indeed reached the high-tier deity realm. Every movement exuded immense pressure, making it difficult for Zhang Xuan to contend with.

"Myriad Knots, Entangling Heart!"

With an eyebrow raised, Zhang Xuan unleashed his most powerful ultimate technique without hesitation.

Instantly, sword qi surged, and a net-like sword mark shot towards the Scaled Beast.

"What formidable swordsmanship!"

The young man behind him exclaimed in admiration.

He had always suspected Zhang Xuan held a trump card; otherwise, he wouldn't dare seek out the Scaled Beast alone. Only after witnessing this swordsmanship did he realize that despite being merely a peak low-tier deity, Zhang Xuan's true combat strength was equal to, if not stronger than, some high-tier deities!

"Roar!"

Enveloped by the net of sword light, the Scaled Beast roared, and within just a few breaths, it effortlessly broke free.

Simultaneously, it charged forward even more furiously, swiping a claw down at Zhang Xuan.

As if anticipating its moves, Zhang Xuan took a step back, turned to the young man behind him, and called out, "Please lend a hand!"

"Alright!" The young man seemed to have been waiting for those words. He stepped forward and unleashed a powerful punch.

Zhang Xuan seized the opportunity to unleash his swordsmanship again, targeting the creature's weak points.

Caught off guard, the Scaled Beast was struck in the abdomen by the young man's punch, sending it flying backward to smash into the wall, leaving a deep crater.

Zhang Xuan joined the fray, unleashing every technique at his disposal.

The young man was equally relentless. His two arms moved with such speed it was as if he had eight, and his body was incredibly resilient. He endured two direct attacks from the Scaled Beast without sustaining any injury.

After about ten breaths, the Scaled Beast was clearly outmatched. After spilling a pool of blood, it suddenly bolted from the cave, vanishing into the darkness in the blink of an eye, its tracks completely lost.

"Excellent..."

Seeing the blood it left behind, Zhang Xuan sighed in relief, knowing his trip hadn't been in vain. He quickly found a bottle and collected it.

"Thank you for your help, my friend..." After securing his collection, Zhang Xuan cupped his hands to the young man.

"No need to thank me. Since I helped, there's naturally a price. Give me fifty more Divine Essence Pills, and we'll be even..." The young man waved his hand dismissively.

"Fifty pills?" Zhang Xuan frowned.

Divine Essence Pills were exceedingly rare and precious, often priceless. Demanding fifty at once was truly outrageous!

He had appeared quite generous moments ago, but now, his expression had suddenly changed.

"Precisely. If I hadn't intervened, you would have been killed. Fifty Divine Essence Pills for your life isn't expensive, is it...?" The young man looked at him.

"I'm just an ordinary cultivator; how could I possibly have that many pills? How about this: I'll give you all the pills I have on me, a total of ten..." Zhang Xuan paused before suggesting.

"None? I'll know once I search you!" With a sweeping motion, the young man released divine power from his fingertips, sealing off all possible escape routes around them.

"You... what are you doing?" Feeling his body restrained, Zhang Xuan's face paled, and he hastily demanded.

"Nothing at all. You came here to kill me, so I'll kill you and take what's on you... That's not too much to ask, is it?" The young man chuckled.

"Kill you? What makes you say that? I just saved your life..."

"Saved me? Ha!"

The young man said, "Didn't you come here to kill the Scaled Beast?"

Zhang Xuan nodded.

"I am... the Scaled Beast!" The young man snorted, and his body suddenly transformed. The next moment, a massive divine beast covered in scales appeared before Zhang Xuan.

"You're the Scaled Beast?" Zhang Xuan was stunned, his eyes wide. "You've already shapeshifted?"

He had known since arriving in the Divine Realm that divine beasts could shapeshift, but he hadn't expected them to be so indistinguishable from humans that he couldn't tell the difference himself.

"Precisely. You wanted to kill me, so I'll kill you... It's only fair!" The Scaled Beast chuckled.

"Indeed, very fair!" Zhang Xuan nodded. "However... do you truly believe that seeing someone drinking alone in the middle of the night, with such strong defenses, I would have no precautions whatsoever?"

"I've seen all your strength and your trump cards. How could you possibly have another hidden move?" The Scaled Beast was taken aback.

It had brought Zhang Xuan here to test his true capabilities by facing the other divine beast. Seeing that Zhang Xuan relied solely on a set of sword techniques and didn't possess significant personal strength or powerful artifacts, it had relaxed and then made its move.

"I truly can't defeat you, but... I'm afraid you just ate something you shouldn't have..."

With a faint smile, Zhang Xuan gently flicked his finger.

The Scaled Beast, which had been about to attack, suddenly widened its eyes. It was seized by an intense abdominal pain, cold sweat instantly broke out on its forehead, and its massive body began to tremble uncontrollably.