?

"Where do you think you're going!" Tang Yan shouted. His figure blurred into a bolt of lightning as he lunged at the Tuskbeast.

Sensing that Tang Yan's strength was actually a notch weaker than the kid from before, a flash of very human contempt appeared in the Tuskbeast's eyes. It let out a deafening roar, lowered its massive head, and charged with its razor-sharp tusks aimed straight at Tang Yan.

Both man and beast moved with blinding speed. Yu Juechen's eyes widened in horror. Tang Yan's bare hand was reaching straight for the Tuskbeast's long fangs! Even if his arms were forged of solid iron, they would surely be crippled!

"Huh?" Just as Tang Yan's fingers were about to brush the lethal tusks, Yu Juechen's eyes bulged.

In a heartbeat, Tang Yan shifted the trajectory of his fist. He slipped to the side and smashed his knuckles directly toward the beast's skull.

The Tuskbeast never expected this shameless human to alter his attack mid-strike. Faced with this sudden, overwhelming danger, a brilliant crimson light erupted from the beast's forehead, releasing a wave of scorching heat.

An instant later, boundless panic filled the Tuskbeast's eyes. A deep blue light had suddenly enveloped Tang Yan's fist.

Though the beast could not see exactly what it was, the aura emanating from that light struck a primal, bone-deep terror into its heart.

The deep blue light seemed to be fire, yet it was far more overbearing and fierce than the flames covering the beast's own body. Compared to this profound azure hue, its own flames hardly felt like fire at all.

Bang! Accompanied by the Heaven and Earth Creation Flame, the heavy punch slammed into the Tuskbeast's forehead.

Tang Yan did not pause while the Tuskbeast was dazed. The Unblemished Sword instantly materialized in his grasp. With a swift flash of his figure, he dragged the long blade cleanly across the beast's belly.

Before a cultivator who had comprehended the Combat Heart, showing even the slightest opening meant inviting a storm of relentless pursuit. The Tuskbeast was now learning this lesson in full.

The heavy sword in Tang Yan's hand wove an inescapable Heaven-and-earth net, striking from every bizarre and vicious angle imaginable. Under this suffocating assault, the Tuskbeast retreated step by step. It soon succumbed, its throat pierced by a final, decisive thrust before its massive body crashed to the ground.

"You... you killed it?" Yu Juechen stammered, staring dumbfounded at the massive corpse.

"Did you kill it instead?" Tang Yan asked, brushing it off as if it were a trivial matter.

Seeing Tang Yan's calm demeanor nearly drove Yu Juechen mad. "Do you have any idea that was an adult Tuskbeast? Even an Earth Rank expert would have to fight for their life against it! And you just slaughtered it like it was nothing?"

"You aren't even at the peak of the Ninth Grade, yet you managed to fight this beast to a standstill. That proves its combat strength isn't anywhere near the Earth Rank," Tang Yan replied. He casually dug out the Beast Core, ruthlessly deflating Yu Juechen's pride.

Yu Juechen felt his shoulders sag. He, a dignified Black Rank Ninth Grade expert, had failed to defeat the Tuskbeast-yet a Black Rank Seventh Grade cultivator had just carved it to pieces. It was a silent, stinging humiliation of his own abilities.

Taking a deep breath, Yu Juechen sighed. "Truly, a man doesn't know how small he is until he steps out into the world. I never imagined there were extraordinary talents like you out there, Brother."

For a freak of nature like Tang Yan, whose true lethality completely ignored conventional cultivation grades, Yu Juechen felt genuine admiration from the bottom of his heart.

"Brother Yu is too polite. To reach the Black Rank Ninth Grade at your age means your talent is considered dazzling throughout all of Tingxiang," Tang Yan offered smoothly.

Yu Juechen gave a bitter smile, neither confirming nor denying the praise. Instead, he asked, "By the way, Brother Tang, I still have quite a few Beast Cores on hand. Do you happen to have any of those High Spirit Pills left?"

Tang Yan paused. Ever since his Dantian had merged with the chaotic space inside the Heaven and Earth Creation Cauldron, he no longer needed Beast Cores to develop it.

As for whether Beast Cores still held any use for him, he honestly didn't know yet.

"I probably don't need them anymore," Tang Yan said, shaking his head.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Yu Juechen's eyes. He sighed, "We'll talk next time, then."

"However, we can still make a deal," Tang Yan said, suddenly changing his tone.

Yu Juechen's eyes lit up. He quickly asked, "What kind of deal?"

"For the next four days, you work for me. As payment, I will give you ten High Spirit Pills. Don't complain that it's too little-I truly don't have many left to spare," Tang Yan said, casually dangling the bait.

"You want me to help you deal with Yun Zhonghe and his gang, right?" Yu Juechen wasn't stupid. He had heard the rumors surrounding Tang Yan lately; the three major powers of the Eastern District were doing everything they could to hunt him down.

"Exactly," Tang Yan admitted bluntly.

"I heard you secured a natural spiritual treasure at Water Blue Peak. Give me just a tiny drop of it, and I'll consider it." Yu Juechen was burning with curiosity about what this treasure could be, considering it had made Yun Zhonghe and the other two go completely mad.

"I've already eaten it all. I swear to the heavens I'm not lying to you," Tang Yan said with a shrug.

Yu Juechen rolled his eyes, a tangled knot of envy and jealousy tightening in his chest.

No wonder this kid's strength had spiked so drastically in just a few days. He huffed and threw out a threat: "If I simply leak your whereabouts to them, I could earn thirty Third Grade Black Rank Pills. Your compensation is far too low."

"By the time you notify them, I'll be long gone. Besides, our previous exchange for Pills was mutually beneficial, but you still owe me a favor in your heart. Selling out a friend like that... I imagine the proud young master of the Rakshasa Sect would never stoop so low," Tang Yan said with absolute confidence.

"You!" Yu Juechen hadn't expected Tang Yan to pinch his weakness so precisely.

Tang Yan was right. Betraying someone who had helped him was something he truly could not stomach.

But what was the difference between Tang Yan's terms and acting as a temporary hired thug? Given his status as the young master of the Rakshasa Sect, even if he desperately needed the Pills, he could never throw his dignity away like that.

"Of course, my compensation isn't limited to just Pills. Give me four days, and I can elevate your combat strength to another level. After the Azure Dragon Academy selection tournament is over, you can choose to work with me, or we can part ways with no debts owed," Tang Yan said leisurely.

Yu Juechen's heart began to pound. Once a cultivator reached the Black Rank Ninth Grade, taking even half a step forward became absurdly difficult.

To be honest, in this very moment, Yu Juechen felt shamefully tempted. Wasn't it just working for him for four days?

"You can truly guarantee my improvement in just four days?" Yu Juechen pressed, needing confirmation.

"Correct," Tang Yan nodded.

"Will you give me higher-tier spiritual medicines?" Yu Juechen asked, immensely curious about where Tang Yan's unshakeable confidence came from.

"No," Tang Yan shook his head.

Disappointment flickered in Yu Juechen's eyes. "Without the aid of external treasures, any improvement can only rely on oneself."

"Not necessarily. Although my cultivation realm isn't very high right now, I dare to challenge those at higher levels than myself. Do you know why?" Tang Yan asked with a smile.

Yu Juechen wasn't slow. After carefully chewing over Tang Yan's earlier words, he immediately understood. Tang Yan had promised to elevate his combat strength by another level. An increase in combat strength didn't necessarily mean an increase in cultivation realm.

Naturally, the terms Tang Yan laid out were extremely tempting.

"Let me think it over," Yu Juechen finally said.

Seeing Yu Juechen still struggling with his pride, Tang Yan, who was already well-versed in the ways of the world, instantly saw through his thoughts.

Kid, it looks like I won't be able to win you over unless I show you some real skill.

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