The fire bear’s throat was blocked, unable to exhale, and it was in great pain from holding its breath. However, its demon core could absorb vital energy, so it wouldn’t suffocate to death. Over time, it could even rely on its powerful resistance to forcefully withstand the poison. But its intestines had been kicked apart by Henry Clark, causing excruciating pain. Its anus had also been slashed open, blood gushing like a spring.

All this agony made it impossible for the fire bear to concentrate. It didn’t notice that Susan Baker had already landed lightly on its back like a feather.

Although Susan Baker had leapt up, she was at a loss as to where to strike. The fur and skin on the fire bear’s back were the toughest, and the twin Liuguang swords could hardly pierce it. After hesitating, Susan Baker still didn’t want to miss this great opportunity.

Vital energy surged rapidly within her, and the heaven and earth energy from her dantian quickly poured in, finally channeling into the twin Liuguang swords. The swords flashed with a cold light and stabbed fiercely into the back of the fire bear’s neck.

Infused with vital energy, the twin swords should have been unstoppable. But after penetrating just an inch or so into the fire bear’s body, the swords bent and could go no further. Susan Baker knew she couldn’t force it, so she pushed off with her feet, dragging the swords as she leapt swiftly from the fire bear’s back, narrowly avoiding its rolling and snapping jaws.

Henry Clark also seized the moment, stepping forward and swinging his staff. The long staff swept through the air and crashed down, stirring up a howling wind and thunder. The iron staff, weighing 120 jin, wielded with Henry Clark’s thousand-jin divine strength, had terrifying destructive power.

“Bang!” The eight-foot black iron staff smashed down on the fire bear’s head and bounced off violently. Henry Clark’s tiger’s mouth split open, both arms felt broken, and he could no longer hold the staff, letting it fly away.

“Clang, clang, clang…” The staff flew backward, crashing into the cave wall, sending up thousands of sparks, and finally rolling off to who knows where.

Henry Clark had held nothing back with this strike. The fire bear’s head, though not shattered, was completely stunned by the blow. It lay there on its back, its blood-red eyes dimming, dazed and stupefied.

At this moment, Linda Cooper finally rushed over, hurriedly throwing a net woven from several soft ropes over the fire bear. From behind, Edward Reed gave a crisp shout, “Seal!” The Xuanming Ice Seal Formation, already set up, was activated by the incantation.

White light burst from all four walls, interweaving and falling onto the fire bear. As the icy chill intensified, a thin layer of ice froze the fire bear in place.

Having been preparing on the side for a long time, Susan Baker was also decisive. She raised her twin swords, merging herself and the swords into one. With vital energy pouring in, the Liuguang swords trembled and shimmered, sending out sparkling sword light.

The final move of the Gale Storm Sword Art: Transforming Rainbow. A long rainbow arched across the sky, its energy piercing the heavens. Amidst countless changes, it finally condensed into a cold beam that shot fiercely into the fire bear’s chest.

“Hiss…” The Liuguang twin swords sank to the hilt into the crescent-shaped white fur on the fire bear’s chest.

Its vital point pierced, the fire bear let out a thunderous roar, suddenly breaking free from the ice and net, and lunged at Susan Baker.

Susan Baker knew this was a final desperate attack, but she wasn’t afraid. With movement as swift as the wind, she led the fire bear in circles. After a quarter of an hour, the fire bear finally collapsed and died of exhaustion. Susan Baker was also drenched in sweat and panting heavily.

Leading a crazed fire bear on a wild chase was no easy or relaxing task. The slightest mistake would mean ending up like George Carter. The others all let out a long sigh of relief. This battle had truly been arduous and perilous.

Only after the fire bear was completely dead did Edward Reed emerge from a crevice. As a spellcaster, she would not—and should not—engage in close combat with a fourth-rank demon beast.

“So many fire crystals, we’re rich, hehe…” Edward Reed joyfully played with a bright, red, walnut-sized fire crystal, her charming little face nearly overflowing with happiness.

Against the backdrop of George Carter’s mangled remains not far away, Edward Reed’s radiant smile appeared especially eerie.

Susan Baker, catching her breath far from Edward Reed, chuckled softly, “Yeah, we’re going to be rich! Heh…”

Edward Reed glanced disdainfully at Susan Baker and snorted, “Coward, don’t be afraid. I keep my word—just split it according to our previous agreement!”

“Linda Cooper, and William Grant, you two hurry up and get to work. Gather all the fire crystals, then skin the fire bear and take out its gallbladder. Do I really have to spell it out? Honestly!” Edward Reed ordered unceremoniously.

Without a signal from Susan Baker, Linda Cooper didn’t dare resist, and Henry Clark certainly wouldn’t act. After a brief discussion, Linda Cooper decided to collect the fire crystals, while Henry Clark would handle the fire bear.

Now that the fire bear was dead, its hide, though tough, was no longer controlled by its strength. Although Susan Baker’s Liuguang sword wasn’t ideal for the task, she managed to cut a cross-shaped opening and extracted the bear’s gallbladder and demon core. But as for skinning the bear with the Liuguang sword—that was wishful thinking.

The fire bear’s demon core was only about the size of a normal person’s pinky, shaped like a regular hexagonal prism, fiery red and crystal clear, hard as a gem.

In essence, a demon core is formed by a demon beast absorbing the world’s vital energy and condensing it with its own blood essence. Whether for medicine, talisman crafting, or weapon forging, demon cores are essential. The demon core of a fourth-rank fire bear is worth more than ten iron-backed gray wolf demon cores.

Bear gallbladder is also a top-quality medicinal ingredient, and the gallbladder of a fourth-rank fire bear has even more wondrous uses. These two items are the most valuable parts of the fire bear. The hide is also good, but due to limited tools, it’s impossible to skin it completely.

Edward Reed was very dissatisfied with Henry Clark’s work, pouting and scolding him a few times, but there was nothing she could do about the fire bear, so she had to reluctantly accept Henry Clark’s method.