Demonic beasts are wild animals born with the ability to cultivate. They either absorb the essence of the sun and moon or strengthen themselves by preying on each other. The energy contained in their flesh far surpasses that of ordinary beasts, making them a great tonic for martial artists.

However, demonic beasts are also extremely dangerous. Just as humans are no match for a fierce tiger, martial artists at the same level are also no match for demonic beasts. The reason Henry Dawson waited until he reached the Flesh Tempering Realm before entering the Ping Tian Mountains was precisely because he feared encountering demonic beasts—beings he could not possibly contend with.

Half a day later, he was already deep within the forest, surrounded by the roars of tigers and cries of apes, filled with a primal atmosphere.

"Roar—" With a thunderous roar, a massive black bear suddenly lunged out from the bushes, swiping a huge paw at Henry Dawson.

Henry Dawson couldn't help but show an excited expression. With a metallic ring, his longsword was unsheathed, and the first form of the Nine Swords of Ling Tian began to flow.

Chapter 5: Tempering

With a single sword strike, it was as if heaven and earth moved together, stirring an infinite momentum!

The black bear's movements immediately slowed, as if time itself had suddenly stopped!

Yet Henry Dawson's actions did not slow in the slightest. He swept his sword horizontally at the bear's neck, the blade trembling lightly, as if whistling a mysterious melody—like a grand Daoist chant, deafening and profound.

How marvelous!

This was completely different from when he practiced alone!

With a single slash, the huge bear's head instantly flew into the air, tracing a high arc before landing with a thud on the ground, rolling seven or eight meters before coming to a stop.

Killed in one strike!

Although this black bear was not a demonic beast, an adult bear possessed immense strength—even the fiercest tigers in the mountains dared not challenge it. Yet before Henry Dawson, it had no power to resist at all, as fragile as an infant.

These Nine Forms of Ling Tian are truly formidable!

Henry Dawson felt he had imitated eighty percent of the first form of Ling Tian, but that was only the form; to truly grasp its essence, he didn't know how much more time he would need! Yet even with just eighty percent of the form, he was able to slay the black bear with a single strike.

However, this one strike... consumed more than thirty percent of his true essence!

As expected, the black sword loves to devour true essence, and the sword technique it imparts is the same! Still, its power is absolutely overwhelming!

Suppressing his excitement, Henry Dawson raised his sword and cut open the black bear's body, dug out the bear gall, then chopped off the bear paw. After finding a small stream to wash it clean, he built a fire and began roasting the bear paw.

Before long, the fragrant bear paw was ready. Henry Dawson devoured it ravenously, a satisfied smile on his face.

Although the Zhou family ruled Yuanshi Town, the town was not wealthy, so the Zhou clan's status as a noble family was somewhat in name only. Their living conditions were certainly better than ordinary people, but not by much.

Of course, as one of the six great elders of the family, David Dawson was treated generously, receiving as much as five hundred taels of silver each month. However, because he had to "treat" Henry Dawson's "illness," most of this money was spent on medicinal herbs.

Thus, although Henry Dawson bore the title of young master, his life had always been rather austere. He had only eaten delicacies like bear paw when he was a child; ever since his "illness" began, he hadn't tasted it again.

He had quite an appetite, but the bear paw was even more substantial. Just one filled his stomach to the brim. Although he still wanted more, he couldn't very well stuff himself just for the sake of gluttony!

There was still some time before midnight, so Henry Dawson lay down on a clean, large rock, recalling the scene of slaying the black bear with a single sword, comparing it to the first form of Ling Tian in his mind. Using his finger as a sword, he practiced lightly, deepening his understanding.

Each time he reflected and recalled, he gained new insights—especially that moment when blood spattered, which gave him a strange thrill, as if his mind suddenly expanded and could encompass an entire world!

"A sword is a weapon of slaughter; it must see blood!"

"That's why, even though I practiced for a month before, all my insights combined can't compare to what I gained from this one strike today!"

"As expected, real combat is the most effective way to improve oneself!"

Again and again, Henry Dawson refined his understanding of the first form of Ling Tian. Each new insight sent a shock through his mind, as if heaven and earth resonated, the Dao responding—an indescribable comfort.

It wasn't until midnight that he finally stopped. Humming, the black broken sword trembled lightly, releasing a surge of immense free energy.

"Hmm?"

Henry Dawson was slightly startled. He suddenly realized that the energy released by the black broken sword this time was much greater than before!

What was going on?

Could it be... because he had entered the Flesh Tempering Realm?

Henry Dawson speculated inwardly, but didn't forget to operate the Lieyang Art, continuously absorbing and refining the free energy, converting it into his own true essence, storing it one by one in his muscle cells.

The twelve levels of body refinement are a process from the outside in, storing true essence in the skin, muscles, bones, and blood, until the entire body is illuminated. With a single punch, billions of cells simultaneously erupt with true essence—shattering stone and splitting gold, with boundless power!

After more than half an hour, Henry Dawson had completely absorbed all the free energy within his body.