The Ming family ancestral grounds.
After losing his son, Dugu Yifang, the Lord of Wushuang City, led his men in pursuit of Nie Feng and Mingyue all the way here.
Among them was Nie Feng's close friend, Duan Lang.
Dugu Yifang had captured Mingyue's grandmother, Ming Jing, using her to force the two into a desperate corner.
Gravely injured, Nie Feng and Mingyue were worlds apart from Dugu Yifang in strength. Even wielding the Peerless Swords, they were utterly unable to shake him in the slightest.
The outcome was obvious.
Before long, the two were easily defeated by Dugu Yifang.
At death's door—
Nie Feng and Mingyue gazed at each other with deep affection.
They clutched each other's hands tightly, terrified of being separated forever.
It was at that very moment that their genuine feelings triggered the secret hidden within the Peerless Swords.
The swords flew.
And the people flew with them.
Each of them held a sword. Guided by a mysterious force, they slowly rose into the air, spinning together, their bodies radiating strange light.
Lightning crackled along the blades of the Peerless Swords, the arcs of thunder carving several massive characters across the sky.
Peerless Love!
The tone instantly shifted from martial arts to full-on fantasy.
"To be fair, watching this in person is actually kind of embarrassing…"
Already having ridden hard to arrive, Chu Yang hid in the shadows and observed. When he saw the glowing words in the sky, he couldn't help but mutter a complaint.
The next moment—
The glowing characters of Peerless Love suddenly exploded, turning into countless orbs of light that rained down upon the earth like a torrential storm.
Calling it martial arts felt inaccurate—it was closer to spellcraft.
Under this overwhelming barrage, the forces of Wushuang City were completely wiped out. Only Dugu Yifang remained, barely holding on.
Duan Lang was not a target of Peerless Love, and since Nie Feng had no intention of harming him, he suffered little collateral damage.
Just as Dugu Yifang was about to meet his end, Ming Jing—fanatically loyal to the Dugu family—suddenly rushed out and blocked the fatal blow for him.
Seeing her grandmother suffer a mortal wound, Mingyue's mind instantly collapsed, and Peerless Love came to an abrupt end.
Nie Feng and Mingyue fell together from the sky.
This was the moment Chu Yang had been waiting for.
If Ming Jing didn't die, then even if Mingyue survived, she would never be able to be with Nie Feng—and would never find happiness.
Just as Dugu Yifang was about to deliver the killing blow to Nie Feng and Mingyue, he suddenly felt an intense killing intent surge from behind.
Turning around, he saw an unfamiliar young man walking toward him.
"Who are you?"
Dugu Yifang frowned as he asked.
In truth, during Chu Yang's time in Wushuang City, the two had crossed paths many times. But as the city lord, how could Dugu Yifang possibly remember a lowly servant?
"Ah Yang? Why are you here?"
Mingyue, clutching her grandmother's body, also noticed Chu Yang. Her tear-streaked face showed a flicker of surprise.
"You're… Mingyue's attendant?"
Nie Feng had met Chu Yang once before and still remembered his face.
"Hahaha! A mere servant dares to block me? You two idiots—don't tell me you're pinning your hopes on him?"
Dugu Yifang threw his head back in laughter, looking at Chu Yang as if he were a clown.
Chu Yang said nothing, simply continuing to walk forward.
"City Lord, let Duan Lang teach this ignorant servant a lesson!"
Having stood idle for quite some time, Duan Lang saw the situation completely tilt in Dugu Yifang's favor. Eager to earn more of his approval, he volunteered to deal with Chu Yang.
In Duan Lang's eyes, Chu Yang was nothing more than a servant desperate to protect his master, who had somehow learned of Mingyue's whereabouts and rushed here.
Sword in hand, Duan Lang flashed in front of Chu Yang and thrust straight toward his heart.
"No!"
Mingyue screamed in anguish. With her grandmother dead, she was already shattered—she couldn't bear to lose anyone else.
"Duan Lang, stop!"
Nie Feng's face flushed red as he coughed up blood once more.
Duan Lang's gaze was icy. Even hearing Nie Feng's voice, his movements didn't slow in the slightest.
Decisive. Ruthless.
However—
Something utterly baffling happened.
At the instant Duan Lang's blade struck Chu Yang's chest, it could advance no further, as though it had pierced something incomparably hard.
Duan Lang roared and poured all his strength into it, veins bulging in his arm.
The sword still didn't budge an inch.
Seeing this, the smile on Dugu Yifang's face froze, his eyes growing serious.
He knew Duan Lang's strength well. Against ordinary experts, it was impossible for him to fail to even break through defenses.
There was only one explanation—the opponent's body-refinement had reached an unfathomable peak.
Realizing something was wrong, Duan Lang immediately tried to retreat.
Suddenly—
A hand clamped around his wrist.
Chu Yang stared at him coldly. His fingers tightened, and with a sharp crack, Duan Lang's wrist was snapped outright.
Duan Lang's face turned deathly pale.
"Get lost."
Chu Yang kicked him away.
Duan Lang slammed into the ground, feeling as though his internal organs had shifted out of place, blood continuously spilling from the corner of his mouth.
"Impressive skills. You've hidden in my Wushuang City for so many years—what exactly are you plotting?"
"Could it be that you're here for Peerless Love as well?"
Dugu Yifang sneered.
On the other side—
Mingyue stared at Chu Yang in disbelief. "Is that true? Did you stay by my side all this time just for Peerless Love?"
"I've never had friends since I was little… I always treated you as my best friend…"
Suffering blow after devastating blow, Mingyue's spirit wavered. She looked as though she might faint at any moment.
Nie Feng dragged his heavy body over and supported her.
"Don't misunderstand—I'm not looking down on you. But Peerless Love is trash in my eyes," Chu Yang said sincerely.
A casual spell or ninjutsu from him would cause far more devastation than Peerless Love ever could. Forget Dugu Yifang—even wiping out all of Wushuang City wouldn't be difficult.
No one present—neither Mingyue and Nie Feng, nor Dugu Yifang—expected Chu Yang to give such an answer.
Dugu Yifang flew into a rage, laughing in fury. "What insolent nonsense! The ultimate art I've coveted for so many years is 'trash' in your mouth?"
"In your eyes, then, am I—the Lord of Wushuang City—also trash?"
Chu Yang replied matter-of-factly, "Yes. The real Dugu Yifang was trash. And you—this fake—are even worse."
"You've usurped another's place for so many years—did you really start believing you were someone important?"
"Let me remind you—don't get too carried away with the role."
Dugu Yifang's pupils shrank violently as he cried out in shock, "Who exactly are you?!"
Seeing Dugu Yifang's reaction, Mingyue and Nie Feng instantly realized that what Chu Yang had said was true. A chill ran down their spines.
With his secret exposed, Dugu Yifang understood that no one present could be allowed to live. Killing intent surged wildly in his heart.
"I'll kill you first, you loudmouthed madman!"
Nie Feng and Mingyue were both heavily injured, and for the moment they could no longer use Peerless Love. In Dugu Yifang's eyes, they posed little threat. His top priority was to eliminate Chu Yang.
"So what if you're a body-refinement expert? My Invincible Tyrant Fist is made to shatter golden bodies!"
Dugu Yifang's eyes were vicious as his inner qi coursed through his entire body. His already burly frame swelled even further.
His fist, wrapped in overwhelming inner power, smashed straight toward Chu Yang.
"What a coincidence—my Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art is made to deal with old turtles like you."
The Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art that Chu Yang had obtained in a martial world had, through his tireless cultivation across many worlds, already reached the tenth level. Only three more levels remained before reaching great perfection.
At present, Chu Yang possessed the strength of ten dragons and ten elephants. Against an opponent like Dugu Yifang, who relied on overwhelming brute force, this was nothing short of dimensional suppression.
The two exchanged a plain, unadorned punch.
Dugu Yifang's expression changed drastically.
His arm exploded on the spot!
A moment ago, he had been brimming with confidence—yet in the next instant, Chu Yang had crippled him outright.
Nie Feng and Mingyue were utterly stunned.
Dugu Yifang was a master on par with Xiong Ba!
The man who had driven them into despair!
And yet his arm had been blown apart so effortlessly.
Dugu Yifang himself was even more shocked. He stared down at his empty right shoulder, disbelief etched across his face—so stunned that he temporarily forgot the pain.
"My… Invincible Tyrant Fist?"
He had always believed his Invincible Tyrant Fist to be no weaker than Xiong Ba's Three-Part Return to the Origin Qi.
Yet now, after trading only a single punch with that arrogant youth, he had been utterly crushed.
"Hahaha… I've impersonated Dugu Yifang for so many years. In the end, I can't even tell who I really am anymore—and this is the absurd outcome I receive."
Dugu Yifang laughed hysterically, the laughter gradually turning into something like a wail.
Like a despairing beast.
Blood slowly flowed from his seven orifices, his vitality ebbing away until he finally became a cold corpse.
That punch from Chu Yang had shattered more than just his arm—it had destroyed his heart meridians as well.
The power of ten dragons and ten elephants was something no mortal body could withstand.
His death had been inevitable.
Seeing Dugu Yifang die with their own eyes, Mingyue finally believed that Chu Yang had never coveted Peerless Love.
As for why he had endured humiliation in Wushuang City all this time, she had no heart to pursue the reason.
"Perhaps… he has his own reasons…"
At the very least, Chu Yang had rushed here specifically to save her. That alone proved he truly regarded her as a friend.
Mingyue could only comfort herself this way.
Nie Feng likewise refused to speculate about others with malice. He walked up to Chu Yang with a smile and clasped his hands.
"Thank you for your help today. Otherwise, Mingyue and I would surely have died at Dugu Yifang's hands."
Chu Yang shook his head. "Mingyue once saved my life. Repaying a debt—that's all."
Nie Feng glanced at Dugu Yifang's corpse and asked curiously, "He… was fake. Then where is the real Dugu Yifang?"
Chu Yang replied, "Eighteen years ago, Jian Hui, the sect master of the Sword Sect, intended to pass on his secret art, Myriad Swords Return to the Origin. He had his disciple Nameless and his own son Po Jun duel to decide its inheritance. Jian Hui invited many experts to witness the match—the real Dugu Yifang was among them."
"Po Jun was no match for Nameless, but Jian Hui had selfish intentions and wanted to pass the art to his son. He intervened and used the Heaven-Reversing Ice Art. In the end, not only did he freeze himself, he also sealed the twelve experts watching the battle in ice."
Nie Feng was shocked. "So that's how it was… But such secret matters of the martial world—how did you learn of them, Ah Yang?"
Chu Yang answered casually, "Hearsay."
Nie Feng didn't press further. He quietly went to Mingyue's side and helped her arrange her grandmother's body. Together, they buried her in the Ming family ancestral grounds.
Standing outside the grave, Chu Yang asked, "What do you plan to do from here on?"
Nie Feng and Mingyue exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with hope for the future.
"I'll return to the Tianxia Association first to report what happened here to my master. Then I'll retire from the martial world with Mingyue," Nie Feng said with a smile.
"Why not retire right away? There's no need to return to the Tianxia Association at all," Chu Yang said.
"Ah Yang, you don't need to worry. I won't abandon Mingyue," Nie Feng replied.
He seemed to think Chu Yang had mistaken him for someone greedy for status within the Tianxia Association.
"If you go back this time, Xiong Ba will kill you," Chu Yang said bluntly.
Nie Feng and Mingyue were both startled.
Mingyue hurriedly asked, "Nie Feng is Xiong Ba's favored disciple. Why would he want to kill him?"
Nie Feng also found it hard to believe, looking at Chu Yang with a complicated expression.
"Back then, Mud Bodhisattva gave Xiong Ba two lines of prophecy. The full verse was:The golden scales are no mere thing of the pond; when wind and cloud arise, they transform into dragons."
"That's why he took you and Bu Jingyun as disciples. After that, you fought across the land for him, building the Tianxia Association into what it is today."
Mingyue cut in anxiously, "Isn't that a good thing? Why would Xiong Ba still want to kill Nie Feng?"
Chu Yang sighed. "Don't rush—let me finish."
"Mingyue, let Ah Yang finish," Nie Feng said gently, patting her shoulder to calm her.
He had always been steady by nature. Or perhaps after hearing so many shocking secrets today, he had already grown accustomed to it. At this moment, he was remarkably calm.
"Mud Bodhisattva had two more lines of prophecy:A dragon's cry shakes the heavens; wind and cloud meet in shallow waters.They imply that Xiong Ba's long-standing dominance would ultimately be overturned by Wind and Cloud."
"Xiong Ba doesn't know those last two lines yet. Once he sends people to find Mud Bodhisattva, you and Bu Jingyun will become thorns in his side."
"After all these years together, you should know what kind of person Xiong Ba is. Anyone who stands in his way—forget disciples he personally raised, even blood relatives—he wouldn't hesitate to discard."
After laying everything out, Chu Yang fell silent and waited for Nie Feng's response.
Mingyue looked at Nie Feng anxiously. She chose to believe Chu Yang—he had no reason to lie to them.
Nie Feng's expression shifted repeatedly before finally settling into a bitter smile.
"I still have to go back."
"Feng, why?" Mingyue clutched Nie Feng's arm desperately. "Believe Ah Yang. Even if there's a chance it's false, you don't need to take such a risk."
"I do believe Ah Yang—he saved our lives," Nie Feng replied solemnly. "What I'm worried about is Senior Brother Yun. He doesn't know any of this. If I leave, what will happen to him?"
"Ah Yang just said it—Wind and Cloud refers to me and Senior Brother Yun. If Master wants me dead, he definitely won't spare Senior Brother Yun either."
Why are you so obsessed with your Senior Brother Yun?!
Chu Yang nearly cursed out loud. If it weren't for wanting Mingyue to be happy, he wouldn't bother meddling in the tangled mess of Wind and Cloud at all.
Nie Feng was just like this—gentle, yes, but also indecisive to the core.
"Xiong Ba doesn't intend to kill you personally. He wants you and Bu Jingyun to kill each other. As long as you don't go back, he has no way to act."
"My relationship with Senior Brother Yun is deep. That would never happen."
"Bu Jingyun likes Kong Ci. Kong Ci likes you. He plans to use Kong Ci to drive a wedge between the two of you—what will you do then?"
"Kong Ci… She grew up with us. Between her and me, it's only brother-and-sister affection."
"Hah! Just because you say it's sibling affection makes it so? Have you ever asked Kong Ci?""Ah Yang… what is a 'phone'?"
"You idiot, are you even listening to the point? I really want to slap you right now." Chu Yang's patience was clearly at its limit. He stared at Nie Feng with a dark expression—at the end of the day, Nie Feng just wanted to go back to warn Bu Jingyun.
Nie Feng awkwardly rubbed his nose. If Chu Yang really slapped him, he wouldn't be able to resist at all.
Mingyue tugged at Nie Feng's sleeve and whispered, "I don't know what Miss Kong Ci thinks, but if I had grown up with you since childhood, I would definitely have fallen for you."
Mingyue's confession warmed Nie Feng's heart, but after thinking for a long time, he still shook his head."I still can't just leave without caring about Senior Brother Yun."
Chu Yang stroked his chin and asked Nie Feng seriously,"You two aren't actually a couple, are you?"
...
Though Nie Feng was gentle by nature, when he became stubborn, he was even harder to deal with than Bu Jingyun, the so-called 'Crying Death God.'
Chu Yang couldn't very well knock him out and drag him away—doing so might only create resentment between them later.
As for Mingyue, it was simple: wherever Nie Feng went, she would follow.
She loved him too deeply. No matter how dangerous the road ahead was, she would walk it with him.
Nie Feng's decision to return to the Tianxia Association was no longer something that could be changed.
"Since you're determined, I won't try to persuade you further. I still have things to do, so I won't be traveling with you."
Chu Yang's words made Mingyue's heart sink with a thud.
She had been secretly hoping that if Chu Yang returned to the Tianxia Association with them, Nie Feng's safety would be guaranteed.
After all, even Dugu Yifang—a man on par with Xiong Ba—had been killed by Chu Yang in a single move. Such strength was truly peerless in the world.
"That's only right. Ah Yang, you've already saved me once. If you were to risk yourself again for Nie Feng, how could I bear it?"
Nie Feng laughed freely, as if he had already set life and death aside.
Chu Yang didn't respond. He took the Peerless Sword from Mingyue's hands and began carving spell formations onto it with his bare fingers.
The Peerless Sword was a pair, divided into yin and yang. What Chu Yang took was the Yin Sword that Mingyue carried.
Neither Mingyue nor Nie Feng could understand what Chu Yang was doing, but they could feel that he was doing something for them, so they stood quietly to the side.
Chu Yang carved two formations into the sword. One was a defensive barrier to protect Mingyue from harm. The other was the Flying Thunder God.
After finishing, Chu Yang returned the sword to Mingyue and instructed her,"No matter what happens, this sword must never leave your person—including when bathing or using the latrine…"
Mingyue blushed and nodded.
Chu Yang then turned to Nie Feng."The journey from Wushuang City back to the Tianxia Association will take at least half a month. News will definitely reach them faster than you. Once Xiong Ba learns of Dugu Yifang's death, he'll accelerate his search for Mud Bodhisattva."
"By the time you return, he may already have a killing trap prepared. Don't panic."
Nie Feng nodded solemnly.
"If my own matters go smoothly, I'll appear at the Tianxia Association in half a month. If not, focus on self-preservation and wait for me," Chu Yang said.
Smiles bloomed again on Mingyue's and Nie Feng's faces. Those words gave them a sense of security greater than any promise.
Before parting ways, Chu Yang asked Nie Feng about the location of Lingyun Cave.
When Nie Feng answered, deep worry lingered in his eyes. His father had died there—Lingyun Cave and the Fire Qilin were nightmares engraved in his heart.
Mingyue also understood what Chu Yang meant by "important matters" and asked nervously,"Ah Yang, are you going to Lingyun Cave to find the Fire Qilin?"
Chu Yang nodded and smiled."The Fire Qilin is a divine beast. Others avoid it like the plague, but to me, it's just a bit stronger than Dugu Yifang."
Nie Feng tried to dissuade him."Even so, Lingyun Cave is an ominous place. There's no need for you to risk yourself."
Chu Yang waved his hand, offering no further explanation, and turned to leave amid their calls.
In the early stages of the Fengyun world, there weren't many valuable things—but Lingyun Cave was an irreplaceable treasure vault.
There lay the Fire Qilin and the Blood Bodhi.
To others, Qilin blood was a violent poison—the madness-inducing blood that drove Nie Feng into demonic frenzy. To Chu Yang, it was an unparalleled divine medicine.
After bathing in Qilin blood, his already formidable body could advance to an even higher level.
As for the Blood Bodhi, there was no need to elaborate. Its effects were miraculous—a supreme healing medicine that could also boost cultivation.
With a bit of luck, it might even forcibly push many of his martial arts, including the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art, straight to the Great Perfection realm.
That alone would save Chu Yang years of bitter cultivation.
Allowing him to fuse all his martial arts into one, and strive to create a grand Dao comparable to the true meaning of Taiji.
Inside Lingyun Cave were also Nie Feng's family heirloom, the Snow-Drinking Saber and the Proud Cold Six Techniques, as well as Duan Lang's ancestral Fire Qilin Sword.
But compared to the Fire Qilin and the Blood Bodhi, these three items were of lesser value. Chu Yang had little interest in them.
What truly intrigued him was the dragon vein hidden deep within Lingyun Cave, and a supreme martial art left behind by the "Ten-Strength Warrior," Wu Wudi.
Ten Directions Invincible!
In later events, Nie Feng would stumble upon a Qilin mural in Lingyun Cave and comprehend this martial art, causing his combat power to skyrocket from the bottom rung to the very top.
But Chu Yang wanted far more than that.
Ten Directions Invincible was derived from Wu Wudi's core art, the Xuanwu True Skill. Chu Yang hoped to reverse-engineer the complete essence of the Xuanwu True Skill from it.
The Xuanwu True Skill encompassed countless martial disciplines—blade, spear, sword, halberd, staff; fist, palm, leg, claw, and finger techniques were all included.
It was somewhat similar to the Nine Yin Scripture of other martial worlds, capable of comprehensively elevating one's martial foundation.
It was perfectly suited to Chu Yang, a master of eclectic fusion, helping him integrate other martial arts into a single system.
This was one of the few top-tier martial arts Chu Yang could currently access. As for techniques even more defiant than the Xuanwu True Skill, they would require immense effort—conditions he didn't yet possess.
After Chu Yang left, Nie Feng and Mingyue also set out for the Tianxia Association.
Compared to Mingyue's anxiety, Nie Feng appeared relatively relaxed on the road—perhaps too relaxed.
This gave Mingyue a bad feeling.
She realized she had overlooked something crucial.
Nie Feng was a man of deep emotions. Xiong Ba's years of upbringing, the bond between master and disciple—these weren't things that could be erased by a few words from Chu Yang.
The worst possibility was that Nie Feng still harbored a sliver of unrealistic hope in his heart.
Thinking of this, Mingyue hugged the Peerless Sword tightly to her chest.
...
The Leshan Giant Buddha was a famous landmark. Even in ancient times, you could easily ask anyone for detailed directions.
Chu Yang found Lingyun Cave without much effort.
Because of the legend of the Fire Qilin, this place was usually deserted and eerily quiet—but Chu Yang heard movement at the entrance.
He focused his gaze.
Oh? A familiar face!
Duan Lang!
Duan Lang, who had been brutally beaten at the Ming family ancestral grounds, appeared here for unknown reasons. Chu Yang suspected he had come seeking solace.
Chu Yang followed Duan Lang into Lingyun Cave.
The temperature inside the cave was noticeably higher than outside. Not long after entering, Duan Lang began wiping sweat repeatedly.
Trailing behind him, Chu Yang spread his Observation Haki, searching for the Fire Qilin's location.
Very close.
Watching Duan Lang ahead tread cautiously, a grin crept onto Chu Yang's face. Then, he suddenly appeared behind him and viciously kicked him in the rear.
"Ow!"
"How is it you?!"
Duan Lang, who had crashed face-first to the ground, turned around and screamed in terror when he saw Chu Yang.
Chu Yang sneered and quietly retreated.
Not long after—
Blazing red light illuminated the cave, waves of scorching heat surging outward.
Duan Lang's face turned deathly pale.
"Fire Qilin…"
Duan Lang, driven into a desperate corner, finally understood why Chu Yang had suddenly appeared—he had been used as bait to lure out the Fire Qilin.
"This man is vicious!"
Duan Lang staggered to his feet and ran desperately toward the cave entrance, roaring with a twisted expression.
He never once reflected on the fact that his own actions—joining Dugu Yifang to hunt down his friend Nie Feng—were a hundred times more malicious than anything Chu Yang had done.
The Fire Qilin's roar grew closer and closer, as if it were right beside his ear.
At this moment, Duan Lang felt as though his heart was about to leap out of his throat. An overwhelming shadow of death pressed down on him. His eyes turned bloodshot, tears and laughter spilling from his mouth at the same time as his mind slipped further into madness.
He didn't know how long he ran, but eventually he caught sight of the faint light at the entrance of Lingyun Cave. A flash of relief at surviving the ordeal crossed his eyes.
At that instant—
A scorching presence surged from behind him, making Duan Lang feel as if he had fallen into molten lava. A moment later, searing pain exploded in his shoulder.
"No! Don't—don't do this!"
Duan Lang stretched out his hand desperately, as if trying to grasp the light outside Lingyun Cave.
The Fire Qilin gave a violent yank, dragging him back into the depths of the cave. The light grew farther and farther away, until in Duan Lang's eyes, flames became the deepest darkness.
The entire cave echoed with the Fire Qilin's roar—and Duan Lang's screams.
Chu Yang followed at an unhurried pace.
Duan Lang had to die here today.
If he were allowed to escape, sooner or later he would make Nie Feng's life miserable again, and Mingyue would never be able to live in peace.
If not for consideration toward Nie Feng and Mingyue, Chu Yang would have liked to eliminate even Bu Jingyun, removing one more unpredictable variable.
"With this, the debt of saving a life is repaid."
Listening as Duan Lang's cries gradually weakened, Chu Yang shook his head and calmly walked toward the Fire Qilin, whose killing intent was running wild.
The instant the Fire Qilin sensed Chu Yang, he released an Avada Kedavra, striking it squarely.
Magic from another world crazily devoured the divine beast's life force. The Fire Qilin staggered and swayed within the cave—but it didn't die immediately!
"Worthy of being one of the Four Auspicious Beasts. You're nothing like those knockoff imitations."
Chu Yang looked on in admiration and, without hesitation, fired several more Killing Curses. At that point, even the heavens themselves couldn't save it.
As expected—
The Fire Qilin collapsed stiffly to the ground, its eyes still filled with resentment toward Chu Yang.
What a stifling way to die!
It would have rather fought a powerful enemy for hundreds of exchanges until exhaustion claimed it, instead of perishing in such an inexplicable manner.
As long as their true essence remained intact, the Four Auspicious Beasts' bodies would persist after death, and given enough time, they could revive.
When they met again in the future, the Fire Qilin swore it would fight Chu Yang to the death.
Chu Yang sensed its intent and laughed. "Next time we meet, feel free to come seek revenge."
He had no intention of truly killing the Fire Qilin yet—at the very least, he planned to freeload off its Qilin blood for a while longer.
Only after the Qilin blood ceased to benefit him would he take its true essence, ensuring maximum profit.
The light in the Fire Qilin's pupils dimmed, its vitality completely severed.
Duan Lang's corpse lay at its feet, now burned beyond recognition by the flames.
Chu Yang cast a Fireball, reducing it to nothing—as if Duan Lang had never existed in this world.
Hoisting the Fire Qilin's body onto his shoulder, Chu Yang headed deeper into Lingyun Cave, gathering the scattered Blood Bodhi along the way.
He eventually arrived at an area with a deep pool.
Chu Yang stopped.
The temperature of Qilin blood was extremely high, and he worried that doing this outside might trigger a fire. This location was ideal.
It was also where Nie Feng had once fought the Fire Qilin.
Chu Yang stripped naked and washed himself, then used magic to suspend the Fire Qilin in midair, cutting open its neck.
Golden Qilin blood poured down like a crimson pillar, drenching Chu Yang's body. The intense heat instantly flushed his skin red, even causing a faint burning sensation.
"With my physique, the Qilin blood can actually scorch my skin—excellent."
Surging power wrapped around Chu Yang like a raging sea, forcing its way into his body in the most brutal manner.
Scorching. Ferocious.
His physical body strengthened at a terrifying speed.
"If Qilin blood is already this potent, the blood of the other three Auspicious Beasts shouldn't be much weaker."
"Dragon blood and phoenix blood are both tied to Di Shitian. That old monster's whereabouts are uncertain—he won't be easy to find."
"As for the Dragon Turtle, I'd have to find Xiao Sanxiao. That old man is even more troublesome than Di Shitian."
"And the martial value of Xiao Sanxiao himself isn't inferior to the Dragon Turtle's spirit blood…"
"In the Fengyun world, there are monsters that have lived for thousands of years everywhere—and they all love wandering around. Can't they just stay put and let me wipe them out in one go?"
After letting his thoughts wander for a while, the Qilin blood gradually dried. Not a single drop was wasted—all of it had been absorbed by Chu Yang.
His entire body now radiated heat, and even the surrounding pool showed signs of boiling.
While the heat lingered, Chu Yang stuffed a handful of Blood Bodhi into his mouth.
With the combined boost of Blood Bodhi and Qilin blood, he began attempting to push all of his martial arts toward the Great Perfection realm.
The most crucial among them was the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art.
A day in the mountains, a thousand years in the world.
His martial comprehension advanced at a cheat-like pace, completely intoxicating him. By the time he stopped, half a month had passed.
"If I keep training like this, grass will be growing on Mingyue's grave. I'd better stop for now."
Chu Yang reluctantly halted.
At this point, most of his martial arts had reached perfection, while the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art advanced by an entire major realm—reaching the unprecedented eleventh level.
It was still just short.
But Chu Yang was extremely satisfied with the effects of the eleventh level.
For some unknown reason, the actual power boost of the eleventh level far exceeded what the manual described.
It wasn't the strength of eleven dragons and eleven elephants—
It was doubled!
Twenty dragons, twenty elephants!
The latter three levels of the Dragon-Elephant Prajna Art had always existed only in legend. Aside from the Golden Wheel Dharma King, no one had even reached the tenth level, let alone beyond.
Chu Yang was the first.
As such, what the later levels truly entailed had no established reference—perhaps not even the original creator fully understood them.
All in all, it was a pleasant surprise.
To ensure the Fire Qilin's body wouldn't be damaged, Chu Yang sank it into the deep pool and let it revive on its own.
As for whether it might drown—that had nothing to do with him.
After finishing all this, Chu Yang continued exploring Lingyun Cave. Setting aside the dragon vein for now, the Qilin mural was something he absolutely had to find.
The sooner he obtained Ten Directions Invincible, the more time he would have to comprehend it.
Lingyun Cave was a tangled maze. Searching carefully took time—Chu Yang spent a full three days before finally finding the Qilin mural that Nie Feng had once seen.
It depicted the origins of the enmity between the Qilin Demon and the peerless divine sword, concealing the profound essence of Ten Directions Invincible.
Chu Yang sat cross-legged and studied it intently.
After a long while, he began to see through its mysteries.
(End of Chapter)