Chapter 013: Slaughter

  In a dense forest, Yang Tian's body lay hidden, his vital energy completely restrained. The rich life force within him was as still as stagnant water, with only the faintest hint of breath betraying his presence.

  His eagle-like eyes were fixed ahead, where two disciples from the Star Martial Hall were relieving themselves under a massive tree that would take three men to encircle.

  "Old Wang, that little brat Yang Tian is really good at hiding. It's been almost ten days, and we're still out here suffering. I wonder what the hall master wants with Yang Tian?" one of the young men grumbled as he adjusted his belt.

  "Tsk, it has been ten days," the guard named Old Wang nodded. He patted the young man's shoulder and glanced around before whispering, "We mustn't separate. I've heard this kid is quite sinister. He's already killed seven or eight of our hall's guards."

  "Old Wang, who told you that? Is it reliable?" The young man's expression changed, incredulous. "I heard those guards were killed by beasts. Yang Tian hasn't been training for long. It can't be true, can it?"

  "Hmph, never mind who told me. Whether it's true or not, our lives are what matter. As long as we stick together, even a level eight beast won't be able to take us down. We must not separate," Old Wang said gravely, his face serious.

  Seeing Old Wang's solemn expression, the young man nodded involuntarily, a chill running down his spine. He had seen decisive killers before, but someone as young as Yang Tian with such skills could undoubtedly carve out a significant future.

  Just as the young man was pondering this, Yang Tian, who had been lying in wait, moved. His body arched like a drawn bow, his spine twisting like a coiled dragon. With a forceful stomp, immense power surged from his feet.

  Whoosh!

  The sound of something cutting through the air startled the two men. By the time the young man reacted, a dark shadow was already upon him. What greeted his eyes was a slightly youthful face, now curled into a mocking smile.

  "Not good!" Old Wang's expression changed drastically. At the same time, the dormant energy within Yang Tian erupted, a crimson glow enveloping him like a burning furnace.

  This surge of energy washed over Old Wang, causing his own vital energy to slow and congeal. Without hesitation, Old Wang turned to flee.

  "Boom!" Yang Tian's fist shot out like lightning, a crimson fist aura tearing through the air, causing the space around it to ripple. The red light surged forward like a whip.

  "Bang!" Faced with the imminent punch, the young man's fear-stricken mind barely had time to react. His azure, crystalline palm slashed out in a desperate attempt to block.

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  "Crack!"

  The clash of energies produced a crisp sound of breaking bones. Simultaneously, the young man's body was sent flying, crashing into a tree and collapsing to the ground.

  "Pfft!"

  A mouthful of blood spurted out. The young man's terrified gaze fell on Yang Tian as his body trembled violently. Not only was Yang Tian's punch ferociously powerful, but the external energy felt like a raging fire, disrupting the young man's internal energy and leaving him unable to gather his strength.

  "Thud!"

  Yang Tian's speed increased again. A whip-like kick slammed into the young man's chest, accompanied by a scream and the sound of bones breaking. With cold eyes, Yang Tian watched as the life faded from the young man's body. He snapped off the spatial ring from the young man's finger and dashed toward the fleeing figure of Old Wang.

  Old Wang was running for his life when a heart-wrenching scream echoed through the sky. His body shuddered, and the fear in his eyes was unmistakable.

  "Roar!" Suddenly, a beast's roar erupted. From the grass ahead, a spotted leopard leaped out, its bloody maw lunging toward Old Wang.

  "Beast, get away from me!" Old Wang's face twisted in rage. He unleashed all his energy, leaping into the air and delivering a powerful punch to the leopard's belly.

  "Crack!" The sound of bones breaking echoed as the leopard's fierce eyes dimmed.

  "Not bad. A single strike to kill a level five beast," Yang Tian said as he walked up from behind, his tone laced with mockery.

  "Yang Tian, we have no grudge between us. Let me go, and I will repay you handsomely in the future," Old Wang said, clasping his hands in a pleading gesture.

  "Let you go?" Yang Tian was momentarily stunned.

  "Yes, Yang Tian. We have no enmity. I will surely repay you," Old Wang said, bowing his head, though a glint of malice flashed in his eyes.

  "Die!"

  Old Wang suddenly roared, a iron spear appearing in his hand. The tip of the spear gleamed with a sharp aura, slicing through the air.

  The spear trembled, sweeping horizontally, sending out over a dozen purple spear auras that pierced through the void.

  Facing the incoming spear energy, Yang Tian threw a punch, simple yet devastating. A terrifying killing intent accompanied the fist aura as it surged forward. His body radiated a crimson glow as he unleashed a series of punches, each one powerful enough to shatter the spear energy.

  "This kid really is something," Old Wang muttered, his pupils contracting as he saw Yang Tian easily neutralize his attack. This blood weapon was nearly high-grade, something he had spent most of his wealth to acquire. It was supposed to give him a fighting chance even against an early stage level eight cultivator.

  "Ha!" Old Wang bellowed, pouring all his energy into the spear. He twisted his arm, and the spear spun, sending a three-foot-long spear aura hurtling toward Yang Tian.

  "Crack…" The sound of bones grinding echoed like thunder. A blazing sun appeared on Yang Tian's fist, radiating a blinding crimson light. A violent energy wave spread out.

  "Boom!" The blazing sun hung in the air, and under Yang Tian's control, it unleashed its full power.

  Suddenly, Yang Tian punched the sun, and it tore through the void, a wave of scorching heat following. Old Wang's face paled as he realized the sun contained an overwhelmingly violent energy that would reduce him to ashes.

  "Snap…" The spear began to crack, the fissures quickly spreading across its entire length. Yang Tian's energy surged, and the sun exploded, shattering the spear into pieces.

  "Whoosh!"

  Watching the iron fragments scatter, Yang Tian clenched his fist in the air. In an instant, his hand opened, and a burst of energy sent the fragments shooting toward Old Wang.

  "Thud! Thud!" The iron shards pierced through flesh, blood spraying everywhere. Pieces of flesh and bone flew through the air.

  Old Wang's venomous gaze fell on Yang Tian, filled with regret. If only he hadn't abandoned the young man, he might not have been defeated so utterly.

  With cold eyes, Yang Tian watched as the life faded from Old Wang's body. He quickly stepped forward, snatched the spatial ring from Old Wang's finger, and dashed away into the distance.