The Vortex Dantian expanded once again under the impact of the spiritual Qi, its rapid rotation churning the energy into a turbulent torrent.

His meridians grew thicker and sturdier than before.

Black Rank, Fifth Grade!

Feeling this surging new power, a smile finally touched Tang Yan's face. The sensation of absolute strength was intoxicating.

Over the next few days, Tang Yan hunted Spirit Beasts relentlessly. With his Combat Heart fully activated, he held an overwhelming advantage in every encounter.

Furthermore, the heaven-defying efficacy of the Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron truly began to manifest its might. No matter the type of Beast Core, the cauldron could instantly refine it, providing Tang Yan with a constant stream of pure spiritual Qi for his cultivation.

After five days of continuous hunting, his Fifth Grade foundation became exceptionally solid. Tang Yan was confident that within the month, he could break through to the Sixth Grade.

During his spare moments, he also continued to study the Divine Capture Art. After days of focused contemplation, he had finally grasped the fundamentals of this rare technique.

The core principles of the Divine Capture Art shared a profound similarity with the "Force" he had previously comprehended. Both utilized Mental Power, reshaping it into a specialized form of pressure to shock and influence an opponent's mind.

Realizing this connection, a look of anticipation flashed in Tang Yan's eyes. He was eager to find a suitable opponent to test this technique on.

Moving as swift as a bolt of lightning, Tang Yan scanned his surroundings for a target. Before he had traveled very far, however, he slowed his pace.

A short distance ahead, a large crowd had gathered in a circle, whispering and observing something in the center.

Driven by curiosity, Tang Yan walked over to investigate.

He gently nudged his way through the onlookers and peered into the clearing. A young man sat cross-legged on the ground. Placed directly in front of him was a simple wooden board with a clear inscription: "Selling Beast Cores. One hundred Third Rank, twenty Fourth Rank. Bulk sale only!"

The youth appeared to be around eighteen years old, dressed in immaculate white robes. He was exceptionally handsome and carried himself with an innate, noble pride, looking very much like the scion of an extraordinary clan.

Tang Yan released a slender thread of divine sense to probe the youth's cultivation, and his heart stirred with a touch of wariness.

The young man made no effort to conceal his aura, which clearly vibrated at the Black Rank, Sixth Grade. Furthermore, his breathing was deep and his foundations were perfectly stable, indicating he had broken through to the Sixth Grade quite some time ago.

Recognizing the youth's strength, Tang Yan felt a twinge of bewilderment. To possess such profound cultivation at such a young age meant he had to be a favored son of a powerful clan. Why would someone of his standing be reduced to peddling common Beast Cores for funds?

While Tang Yan was merely curious, Yu Juechen's inner mind was actually in a state of absolute despair.

In the Tingxiang Kingdom, beneath the absolute authority of the Imperial City, there existed three prominent factions: Purple Bamboo City, the Rakshasa Sect, and the Immortal Gathering Palace.

Yu Juechen was the eldest young master of the Rakshasa Sect. However, he had absolutely no interest in managing the sect's affairs. His grand ambition in life was to cultivate peacefully, find one-or perhaps several-immortal jade beauties, and live out his days in leisurely bliss.

When his old man found out about this carefree philosophy, the Sect Master flew into a towering rage. In a fit of fury, he stripped Yu Juechen of his spatial ring, confiscated every single one of his treasures, and threw him out of the mountain gate. He declared that his son was forbidden from returning until he was ready to inherit the Rakshasa Sect.

Young and hot-blooded, Yu Juechen had stormed off, determined to achieve greatness on his own merit and prove his father wrong.

Yet, having been pampered with fine clothes and jade food his entire life, the penniless young master quickly found that even procuring daily meals was a struggle. The world was vast, and he had no idea where to turn.

Work as a hired guard or servant for others? He would rather crawl back to the Rakshasa Sect first!

Fortunately, the Azure Dragon Academy began its recruitment trial. Yu Juechen's eyes had lit up. As a proud Black Rank, Sixth Grade expert, how could he possibly fail to make a name for himself within the academy?

But reality had dealt him a swift lesson, proving that there is always someone stronger, and always a higher heaven.

A few days ago, he had chanced upon a pair of cultivators. The man was undeniably handsome but carried a deeply arrogant air, evidently looking down on everyone.

Yu Juechen had minded his own business, but the woman was insatiably greedy. Desiring his Star Value, she had seduced and instigated the companion beside her-a certain "Young Master Bai"-to pick a fight.

When the battle commenced, Yu Juechen received a rude awakening. He had never expected that the pampered Young Master Bai would actually be a powerful Black Rank, Seventh Grade cultivator. If not for Yu Juechen's superior movement techniques, his Star Value would have been forcefully plundered then and there.

That bitter defeat made Yu Juechen realize that he was far from invincible. The Azure Dragon Academy's trial was teeming with hidden dragons. If he wished to avoid being swallowed by the crowd, he needed to raise his cultivation as fast as possible.

And in the path of cultivation, alongside rigorous training, one required fated chances and spiritual pills.

Regrettably, all his high-grade pills had been confiscated by his father. Young Master Yu was forced to embrace the grim reality of manual labor and strict frugality to build up his wealth.

Though he usually disdained Third and Fourth Rank Beast Cores, he had meticulously gathered every single core from the Spirit Beasts he slew during the trial. Driven by his desperate need for resources, he had decisively laid them out for sale.

Yet, half a day had passed, and aside from a few idle onlookers asking about the price, he had made no progress whatsoever.

On the surface, Yu Juechen maintained a calm, unbothered expression, but internally, his soul was weeping. My good seniors, have mercy! Please, just buy them! I'll take any reasonable price!

As the crowd grew larger, staring at him as if he were a performing monkey without anyone actually making an offer, Yu Juechen finally realized his approach was incredibly foolish.

The trial grounds were crawling with Spirit Beasts; why would anyone buy raw cores here? Trading them directly for Star Value was the standard practice.

Just as he was about to pack up his wooden sign to escape the bizarre stares of the crowd, a calm, composed voice reached his ears.

"Brother, what is your price for the Beast Cores?"

Though the tone was casual, Yu Juechen's spirits soared instantly. A radiant, welcoming smile broke across his handsome face. "Ah, brother! Just name a price you think is fair, and we can talk!"

Tang Yan quietly observed Yu Juechen again. The Star Value mark on the youth's forehead was exceptionally deep in color, meaning he had accumulated a significant ranking. For someone so strong and well-born to be this eager... Tang Yan wondered if he was about to be swindled.

Before Tang Yan could propose an offer, a sudden chill washed over his spine, and a sharp sense of impending danger locked onto him.

Just as he prepared to pivot and counter the strike, the white-robed youth in front of him moved first, blurring past Tang Yan's shoulder.

Clang!

The crisp, resonant screech of colliding metal echoed through the clearing. The surrounding crowd gasped in surprise as they watched the white-robed youth's weapon cleanly intercept a long, heavy saber wielded by a blue-robed young man.

Tang Yan's gaze turned ice-cold the moment he recognized the assailant.

It was the exact same arrogant cultivator who had repeatedly provoked him with mocking words back in the swamp when Tang Yan was harvesting the Spirit-Baleful Orchid.

Standing right behind the blue-robed attacker was the familiar white-clothed woman and her entourage, all staring at Tang Yan with venomous hatred.

However, seeing that the vendor youth had stepped in to block the blow, Tang Yan chose to remain exactly where he was, watching the unfolding confrontation with detached interest.

Having his ambush foiled so easily, a flash of humiliation and rage crossed the blue-robed youth's face. Yet, sensing that the white-robed youth's pure Qi was a cut above his own, he forced down his anger and spat coldly, "Friend, I suggest you stay out of this. This is a private blood feud between us and him."

"I don't care what kind of feud you have," Yu Juechen replied smoothly, his arm tensing as he delivered a powerful, outward thrust. The sheer force of his Qi instantly rattled the blue-robed youth, forcing him back a full step. "Nobody disrupts my business. If you want to kill each other, do it after I've made my sale."

The blue-robed youth lunged forward to retaliate, but the white-clothed woman suddenly extended her hand, cutting him off.

She surveyed the clearing, her calculating eyes instantly locking onto the wooden board sitting on the grass.

"Beast Cores?" Recognizing the merchandise Yu Juechen was offering, the white-clothed woman's eyes flashed with delight, and a graceful smile bloomed on her face. "Young master, since you are selling in bulk, why don't we strike a deal instead?"

Yu Juechen's eyes brightened considerably upon hearing her words.

He had noticed earlier that the Star Value mark on Tang Yan's forehead was quite faint, leading him to believe Tang Yan was lacking in both strength and backing. He hadn't truly expected Tang Yan to have the capital to purchase such a massive haul, having only answered him out of a desperate hope to catch any willing fish.

In contrast, this newly arrived group carried themselves with the undeniable aura of wealthy elites. Hope reignited in his chest, and he asked in a clear, resonant voice, "Does this young lady wish to purchase all of Yu's Beast Cores?"