When using a low-grade art, the user needed to spend an increased amount of Spirit Energy for the art to reach the required level of power. All Forest Clan Arts before were low-grade. At the Perfection Stage, they could at most produce might equivalent to the third layer of the Body Tempering Realm.

So, when someone at the Peak of the Ninth Layer like Elder Lin Dong wanted to use a force equivalent to the 9th layer, it had to spend increased Spirit Energy to overcome six small realms of power.

Not only the consumption increased, but the Art activation speed also reduced a lot. Qi had to flow from the Spirit Sea through the inner channels and meridians until it reached the point needed to activate the technique. In this case, the right hand.

When Ming Ren improved the Forest Clan Body Tempering Realm Arts, they all became high-grade at least, and this Hand Art particularly reached High Might. Even if only at the Small Success Stage, it could produce easily might of the 7th layer. To produce the same might as before, Lin Dong only needed to overcome two small realms as opposed to six.

Not only that but with the reborn [One With The Forest] Cultivation Law, his Qi Gathering and Qi distribution speed reached astounding heights. From the moment the Spirit Energy left his Spirit Sea to the moment it reached the hand it took much less time than before and wasted a lot less energy.

Cultivation Laws didn't have stages like Martial and Mystic Arts so once he got used to the new rules Elder Lin Dong could bring its power out right away, even if not perfect. His Spirit Sea, thanks to the food earlier, was already in an almost complete stage, almost solving another flaw.

Elder Lin Dong was no longer the same cultivator as before. At least, in the Body Tempering Realm, no common cultivator would claim to be his match.

"Lin Dong, it seems you were hiding a lot of things!" Red Leg complained while fighting another Spirit Beast. Lin Dong always eyed his Flame Techniques, but compared to that set of Arts, they were nothing.

Seeing Red Leg and Lin Dong the other cultivators were filled with hope. The ones more familiar with each other took battle formations and fought back fiercely. Lin Dong's group were also impressed with the Elder. Even Little Fu had a newfound respect for him.

The Forest Clan group hunted together for a long time, so they adapted quickly to the situation. Little Fu and Lin Yin served as the frontline, while Lin Qiang complemented their moves whenever there was a tough spot. Lin Shu stayed behind and attacked with her bow.

This was a low-grade Battle Formation used by the forest clan called [Strong Wood Formation]. It specialized in controlling the flow and limiting damage and risk, but it was more of an organized way for the group to attack without any mystic benefit.

When a Spirit Beast attacked, Lin Yin and his greatsword charged in, hitting hard and aiming to grab its attention. Little Fu worked as a secondary decoy. He had an innate disposition to enrage Spirit Beasts (and humans alike). If Little Fu couldn't handle the pressure, Lin Qiang would pierce with her thin sword, always aiming for weak spots.

Lin Shu and her bow kept the enemy at bay and did their best to injure. If Elder Lin Dong joined the formation he would also spearhead the attack and ease the pressure on the others. Although extremely tiring, the group managed to avoid casualties and any injuries and seemingly controlled the pace of battle.

"How long do we need to hold out for, Red Leg?" After killing a few more Spirit Beasts, Elder Lin Dong fell a bit back to his group and also joined the formation. When the beasts didn't stop coming, it became clear they would not be able to make a run for it anytime soon.

"I'm not sure, depends on whether there are higher-ranked hunters out there and even if they will come to help in time," when situations like these happened, the hunters usually banded together and even sought help for each other, but their safety was still top-priority. The nearby clans would also send help, but as for making it in time…

From somewhere else in the Forest, a huge roar echoed. The forest trembled and many trees even fell. Spirit Beasts started pouring from every direction.

"This is endless! Focus on your left!" Elder Lin Dong sighed and moved to protect his clan members. They fought conserving energy as much as possible but stronger beasts occasionally appeared.

"UghAAAAAAAAAAH!" From Red Leg's group, another cultivator died. A mantis-like Spirit Beast slashed him apart with its sharp looking claws. Flood Mantis, Spirit Sea, 1st layer!

Red Leg moved to intercept, but at his right, another scream echoed. A huge sharp-fanged feline pierced a cultivator with its long teeth. Saber-Toothed Cat, Spirit Sea, 2nd layer!

"You take that one, I'll deal with that 1st layer!" Elder Lin Dong stepped up to help, but yet another scream pierced the air and another cultivator's limb was torn apart by two long hairy arms. Wild Ape, Spirit Sea, 2nd layer peak!

Suddenly, a sense of dread spread. Red Leg could deal with a Spirit Sea 2nd layer, but peak 2nd layer was extremely troublesome, and the Wild Ape especially so. With it, the Saber-Toothed Cat, and the Flood Mantis, the situation became extremely unfavorable to them. From the Spirit Realm and above those creatures condensed their cores, becoming much more formidable.

Aside from those, there were dozens of Body Tempering Realm Spirit Beasts still popping up. Red Leg knew this meant their leader was definitely powerful. Commanding this many monsters was not common, even for a Queen. This large group was only a fraction of the total attacking the other hunter's.

"Yin'er, you guys take care of that Flood Mantis somehow! Everyone else spread and take care of the other beasts! Red Leg, I'll leave the ape to you!" While Red Leg dazed off almost looking hope, Elder Lin Dong took charge. He had a reason to survive this ordeal.

Truth be told, Elder Lin Dong thought about running away. He carried the future of the Forest Clan with him. Without anyone to hold him back his survival chances would increase greatly.

Would the Clan blame him for ditching some juniors but bringing back heaven-grade Cultivation Law and Martial Arts?

Never. He would be praised to the heavens.

And yet he couldn't bring himself to do so. He wondered if he would become the worst criminal in the history of the Forest Clan, throwing away such an opportunity just to save a few lives.

'No matter what, I can't abandon them! Even if I die, if the benefactor is still alive, I'm sure someday the Forest Clan will have unsurpa.s.sed glory! If I run away now, would I even have face to meet with him again? At least Lin Qiang must live!' Elder Lin Dong eyes shone with determination and he rushed straight at the 2nd layer Spirit Realm Beast, the Saber-toothed Cat.

Being woken up by his friend's roar, Red Leg struck at the Wild Ape, bringing out the full might of his Flame Spear. He contended with the beast evenly, but would probably be unable to defeat it in short time without help. The other cultivator's each took a match, and Lin Dong's group fiercely engaged the Flood Mantis.

Although they were four against this one beast, their cultivation was only at the 7th layer. Focusing on defense was everything they could do just to stay alive.

The Spirit Energy in Ling Dong's Spirit Sea revolved furiously, bringing out the most power to his Cultivation Law. If it was the [One With The Wood] from before, he would have no chance against a Spirit Realm 2nd layer beast.

But now this Cultivation Law was heaven-grade! Bringing forth his entire might, he pushed his power and speed to the limit, striking with [Leaf] at the Saber-Toothed Cat after stepping over with [Unmovable Forest]. This strike crossed realms, reaching might equivalent to the peak of the 2nd layer.

Even the Saber-toothed Cat was taken by surprise with Lin Dong's sudden might and reacted too slow. Probably only the Wild Ape would have withstood this impact. The knife hand hit his chest and the entire ribcage was ripped apart, blood and organs splas.h.i.+ng out.

As soon as he was done, Lin Dong didn't even have time to breathe or hesitate before jumping at the Flood Mantis. The backslash on his body from utilizing the might of the peak of the 2nd layer was huge. He wasn't like Ming Ren that tempered his body with a tyrannical art, even if only by a single breakthrough.

Although his might increased, his body strength was still that of a common cultivator. He felt every vein pulse with an almost unbearable pain. The meridians also reached their limits and almost shattered instantly. Only because of Ming Ren's special cooking effect's did they withstand the power.

He spurted blood crazily from the mouth, but once again revolved the One With The Wood Cultivation Law, hitting the Mantis' left arm with [Leaf]. Except this time it was already too much for him. The strike reached the peak of the first layer of the Spirit Sea Realm and ripped off the beast's arm, but it wasn't enough to kill it right away.

"Lin Dong!!!" Even Red leg was moved by his bravery. He would have gone in to help in a heartbeat if the Wild Ape wasn't so strong. At that moment, several other Spirit Beasts rushed in from the forest, and the cultivator's faces looked extremely ugly.

Elder Lin Dong's fell to his knees, right arm torn apart and bloodied, unable to stand its own might. His whole body felt hot and tired. The Flood Mantis screamed in fury, raising his other claw to strike. Lin Yin and the rest struck furiously to try and keep it away, but how could they stop it at all?

'Benefactor, forgive me, I have wasted your efforts…' He still wanted to get up and fight, but could no longer keep his eyes open...