At that moment, a sudden commotion arose. From a distance, it seemed as if a blood-red cloud was approaching.
As the blood-red cloud drew nearer, Leo realized it was not a cloud at all but a flock of large birds.
These birds had blood-red feathers, heads resembling a mix between eagles and vultures, long necks, and bloodthirsty red eyes.
These were Blood Eagles.
The name of these birds automatically surfaced in Leo’s mind, likely triggered by visual recognition linked to his spiritual cultivation and inheritance.
Blood Eagles were known for their violent nature, preferring to feast on decaying flesh. Highly aggressive, they often attacked in groups and targeted airborne prey, making them formidable foes.
Facing hundreds of Blood Eagles, even a lower-tier Spirit Saint would find it challenging, let alone Leo, whose current cultivation was at the lower-tier Spirit Sect level.
The leading Blood Eagle, with its sharp eyes, immediately spotted Leo standing atop a tree.
To the leading Blood Eagle, Leo appeared as a delectable meal, prompting it to dive towards him without hesitation.
Leo’s expression changed as he launched a wind blade at the diving Blood Eagle.
The wind blade was sharp and aimed at the Blood Eagle’s long neck.
The Blood Eagle did not dodge; instead, it opened its sharp beak and bit down on the wind blade, causing it to dissipate.
After neutralizing the wind blade, the Blood Eagle let out a strange cry and continued its dive towards Leo.
Leo summoned the Divine Dragon Sword into his hand and slashed at the descending Blood Eagle.
The intelligent leading Blood Eagle ascended swiftly, evading Leo’s powerful strike.
The other Blood Eagles filled the gap left by their leader’s missed attack, spreading like a blood-red cloud and extending their sharp claws towards Leo.
Leo formed a seal with his fingers, conjuring a fire dragon engulfed in crimson flames that charged towards the Blood Eagles.
The Blood Eagles scattered in shock, but two or three that failed to evade were incinerated by the fire dragon’s intense heat.
The remaining Blood Eagles’ eyes glowed red as they furiously flapped their wings, releasing corrosive blood-colored spiritual energy towards the fire dragon.
Within seconds, the fire dragon was eroded and dissipated by the blood-colored spiritual energy.
At that moment, another massive blood-red cloud approached from afar.
Leo felt utterly frustrated. He had just entered the secret realm and already encountered such troublesome creatures as Blood Eagles.
Engaging them head-on was unwise. Leo slashed at the Blood Eagles and then swiftly disappeared into the canopy below.
The Blood Eagles seemed fixated on Leo, screeching as they dove into the green foliage after him.
Leo did not pause, landing in a clearing within the forest. He channeled his spiritual energy, lightly tapping the ground with his toes before darting into the dense underbrush.
The pursuing Blood Eagles lost sight of their target and soared back into the sky with shrill cries.
Encountering the Blood Eagles made Leo realize he should avoid appearing in high places. His concern for Violet also grew stronger.
Just as Leo prepared to search for Violet like finding a needle in a haystack, he sensed a faint connection in his heart.
It was the Thunder Wing Beast!
Leo’s mind stirred. When he had hatched the Thunder Wing Beast, he had not only used his own blood but also inscribed a Summoned Beast Rune on it. This allowed them to sense each other within a certain range.
Quickly locking onto the Thunder Wing Beast’s location, Leo dashed towards it like a leopard.
Within seconds, Leo arrived at another clearing. In the low sky ahead, a flying beast struggled to stay airborne.
Chasing it was a beast resembling a leopard. The flying beast was the Thunder Wing Beast, its abdomen bleeding profusely and its left wing stained with blood.
The leopard-like beast had purple markings all over its body and pale purple flames swirling around its four legs. With each step, it seemed to be running on fire.
“This is… a Demon Spirit Leopard!” Leo’s face changed as he dashed towards the Thunder Wing Beast.
The Demon Spirit Leopard leaped thirty meters into the air, its sharp claws aiming for the Thunder Wing Beast.
Startled, the Thunder Wing Beast flapped its wings desperately, trying to ascend higher. However, due to the strong spatial suppression within the secret realm, it could only rise a few more meters despite its efforts.
The Demon Spirit Leopard’s claws grazed the Thunder Wing Beast’s abdomen, causing more blood to flow from its wound.
Exhausted and suppressed by the space, the Thunder Wing Beast began to lose altitude.
A cold gleam flashed in the Demon Spirit Leopard’s eyes as it leaped again, jaws wide open to bite the Thunder Wing Beast.
The Thunder Wing Beast tried to dodge but was too injured and exhausted to fly higher. Just as the Demon Spirit Leopard’s jaws were about to close around it, Leo surged forward with spiritual energy and kicked the Demon Spirit Leopard away.
With a thud, the Demon Spirit Leopard crashed into a giant tree trunk. Leo landed on the ground as the Thunder Wing Beast flew to his side, nuzzling him affectionately.
Seeing the wounds on the Thunder Wing Beast’s abdomen and wing, Leo’s expression changed. He immediately summoned a Healing Rune. The smaller wounds on its wing began to heal rapidly, but the larger wound on its abdomen healed slowly.
Though effective for ordinary people, Healing Runes had limited effects on exotic beasts like the Thunder Wing Beast. After using the Healing Rune, Leo threw a Major Vitality Pill to the Thunder Wing Beast. It swallowed it whole, and its body began to recover.
The Demon Spirit Leopard got up and roared menacingly at Leo. Despite Leo’s powerful kick infused with spiritual energy, it had not sustained significant damage.
Roaring again, the Demon Spirit Leopard charged at Leo like a cannonball. Just as Leo was about to draw his Divine Dragon Sword to slay it, a pale purple flame burst from its mouth!
Leo and the Thunder Wing Beast dodged to either side. Having been bullied by Blood Eagles earlier and now by this Demon Spirit Leopard,
Leo could not tolerate it any longer. A yellowish glow flashed as Leo appeared behind the Demon Spirit Leopard and slashed down with his Divine Dragon Sword.