"However, this trip has been quite fruitful, obtaining the beast's demon core makes it worthwhile. As for the secrets hidden in this world, I don't plan to reveal them for now; I'll explore them slowly when I'm strong enough."

With that thought in mind, Lin Xi ignored the things left behind by the Golden Lion King and walked straight towards the boulder.

At the top of the giant rock lay a fist-sized bead, the demon core left behind by the demon beast that Lin Xi had hunted earlier.

Although this demon core is not of high grade, it is rich in spiritual power.

Lin Xi suddenly shrank his body, taking the demon core into his abdomen. He then closed his eyes, activated the Nine Yang Soul Refining Technique, and began to train his body.

Golden runes danced across his skin, and a domineering power surged from his body, merging into Lin Xi's meridians.

His body gradually became stronger, and his size expanded rapidly.

In the blink of an eye, Lin Xi returned to her peak condition and continued to improve.

His body was noticeably thicker than before.

He opened his eyes, which shone brightly, and a smile appeared on his lips.

"My strength is now far beyond what it used to be. I can easily defeat even ordinary demon lords."

Lin Xi revealed a row of white teeth, smiled, and stood up, walking towards the Golden Lion King.

Upon seeing this, the Golden Lion King roared in fury and spat out a crystal-clear bead that hurtled towards Lin Xi.

The beads radiated a powerful spiritual energy, clearly indicating that they were extraordinary.

Lin Xi's face darkened, and he reached out to grab the bead without hesitation.

With a flash of golden light, the bead fell into Lin Xi's hand and was held tightly.

In the golden light, one could almost see the shadow of the Golden Lion King appearing and disappearing.

"What kind of treasure is this?"

Lin Xi's eyes were full of surprise.

"You despicable humans, how dare you ambush me and steal my things! I'll fight you to the death!"

The Golden Lion King was enraged, and his body instantly swelled up, becoming like a giant bear.

It took a single step, leaping a thousand meters, and suddenly opened its blood-red maw, lunging at Lin Xi.

This scene caused Lin Xi's pupils to shrink, and a look of horror instantly appeared on his face. He hurriedly mobilized all his true energy to resist the Lion King's attack.

However, Lin Xi did not expect the Golden Lion King's attacks to be so unpredictable, and he was seriously injured before he could even make a move.

His body jolted, blood gushed out, and he was sent flying backward.

Bang!

With two muffled thuds, Lin Xi crashed into two trees, breaking them, and fell to the ground, his face deathly pale.

The Golden Lion King was incredibly powerful, and Lin Xi was unable to resist it.

Lin Xi smiled bitterly. He never expected that his trip out of the mountains would end up like this. He couldn't even defeat a demon emperor-level beast. He was truly ashamed.

However, Lin Xi was not discouraged, because he firmly believed that one day he would become even stronger than he was now.

"I must see just how powerful I have become!"

Lin Xi gritted his teeth, straightened his back, and stared intently at the golden-haired lion king before him.

"snort!"

The Lion King snorted coldly, took a step forward, and the air was instantly torn apart, with a violent shockwave sweeping towards Lin Xi.

Lin Xi dodged quickly, but was still a beat too slow; a strong gust of wind whistled past his ears.

Lin Xi felt a sharp pain on the side of his neck, and a bloody mark appeared on his skin.

"It hurts so much."

Lin Xi frowned, feeling a splitting headache.

"This golden-haired lion king's strength is indeed extraordinary."

Enduring the pain, Lin Xi leaped up, dodging the lion king's attack. He knew the difference in strength between himself and his opponent, and was unwilling to confront them head-on. Instead, he used strategy to maneuver and evade the attack.

After chasing for hundreds of meters, the golden-haired lion king finally stopped, its golden-red eyes fixed on Lin Xi: "Boy, don't think I won't kill you. Now, I'm giving you one last chance: return my demon core!"

Lin Xi's lips curled into a cold smile as he shook his head and replied, "You're daydreaming. There's no way I'll hand over your demon core."

The Lion King's expression turned cold.

"Since you don't know what's good for you, I won't show you any mercy."

Before the words were finished, the lion king roared to the sky, then opened its huge mouth, and a strong suction force instantly spread out, enveloping Lin Xi.

Lin Xi felt a tremendous force pulling him towards his palm, and then he was pulled towards the dazzling golden bead.

Golden light illuminated the sky; a flash of golden light, and the bead vanished without a trace. "Damn it, that guy got there first!"

Lin Xi was anxious but helpless, and could only watch as her hand was pulled towards the lion king's mouth by the suction force.

The Lion King let out a wild roar, and dense spiritual energy surged from its mouth, transforming into an indestructible blade of energy that enveloped Lin Xi, seemingly intending to cut him into pieces.

A fierce glint flashed across Lin Xi's face. The black flames within his body burned fiercely, releasing intense heat. Then, a powerful burst of fire-attribute true essence surged out from his arm, colliding with the golden light before exploding with a deafening roar.

The two collided, and Lin Xi felt a huge impact travel up his arm.

He felt a sweet taste in his throat, and then spat out another mouthful of blood.

"Hehe, how is it? This feeling isn't pleasant, is it?"

A mocking smile appeared on the Lion King's face, a sarcastic jab at Lin Xi's foolishness.

"You...you..."

Lin Xi's face flushed red. He pointed at the Lion King, wanting to say something, but couldn't get the words out.

"Heh, kid, weren't you so tough? Why aren't you arrogant anymore?"

The golden-haired lion laughed wildly, its huge golden eyes, like copper bells, fixed on Lin Xi.

"I...I'll fight you to the bitter end!"

Lin Xi spat out more blood, and then, intense crimson flames suddenly rose around his body.

"Huh?"

A look of confusion appeared on the lion's face.

It sensed that the aura emanating from Lin Xi had reached the level of a demon lord.

"This guy's cultivation progress has actually improved so rapidly?"

A look of shock crossed the blond lion's face.

Over the years, Lin Xi had been cultivating diligently in the Desolate Ancient World, but he never expected that in just a few months, he would leap from the initial stage of Demon Emperor to the Demon Venerable realm.

The lion understood that although this human's fighting strength was inferior to its own, he far surpassed it in combat. Therefore, it dared not be careless, and with a swift movement, it transformed into a blur as it charged towards Lin Xi.

Seeing this, Lin Xi quickly used his movement technique to dodge to the side.