Chapter 39

After enduring this brutal chase and escape, Tang Yan's desire for strength had reached its peak. To survive in this unfamiliar world, to earn the respect of others, and to avoid being constantly at a disadvantage, he had to become stronger step by step. He needed to have a reputation and strength that would make everyone fear him.

Tang Yan wanted to become stronger, to enhance his power, and to enrich his combat experience! First, he needed to hone the two martial arts techniques, 'Phantom Shadow' and 'Blazing Flame,' and continue to strengthen the evil power of the Extinction Eye. The battle with the royal guards had made him clearly realize the terrifying power of the three martial arts techniques working together.

Blazing Flame for frontal assault, Phantom Shadow for assistance, and the Extinction Eye for support—this was the perfect combination for a deadly strike!

The most important point was to skillfully control the Ghostly Green Fire!!

Tang Yan did not rush back to Giant Elephant City. Not only did he want to provide a period of calm to avoid returning at the height of the crisis, but he also wanted to thoroughly train in the Illusion Forest. He planned to hunt and kill Level 3 beast monsters, refine Spirit Source Liquid, and practice combat experience and the control of spiritual energy. He believed that two months would be enough to achieve some results. If he encountered stronger beast monsters, he was confident that Elinda, his Bodyguard of the Martial Ancestor level, could provide necessary assistance.

After discussing the cooperation agreement, the two immediately ventured deeper into the dense forest and discovered their first target by noon—a Fire Pattern Weasel, a beast monster skilled in speed and flame control, and one of the more challenging Level 3 beast monsters.

Tang Yan refused Elinda's assistance, first using Phantom Shadow to approach suddenly, then employing Blazing Flame to forcefully counterattack. Although the Fire Pattern Weasel looked cute and delicate, it had a very aggressive temperament and retaliated without hesitation when provoked by Tang Yan.

After a difficult battle, Tang Yan managed to subdue the little creature just before collapsing, and he refined it with Ghostly Green Fire in front of Elinda. Considering they would be together for two months, some small secrets would eventually be discovered by Elinda, so Tang Yan no longer avoided anything. Elinda's three rescues during the day's chaos moved him.

This woman could at least be trusted.

Elinda's stunned expression revealed her inner shock. She finally understood the origin of the Spirit Source Liquid—live refinement of beast monsters! Compressing all the essence into a drop of spiritual energy source liquid! This bizarre phenomenon was unheard of and unseen, yet it was happening right before her eyes, performed by this notorious young master.

The initial resistance to the 'bodyguard job' instantly vanished, and the abilities Tang Yan displayed made her eyes gleam with excitement! If Tang Yan could refine a few Level 4 beast monsters, her own strength might really break through!

She never expected Tang Yan to have such terrifying abilities; he was a treasure! If they could stay together for a long time... the path of cultivation would be much easier!

Tang Yan quickly refined the Spirit Source Liquid of the Fire Pattern Weasel, and the two continued their search and hunt, targeting all visible Level 3 beast monsters. Tang Yan was already fighting with all his might, and Elinda no longer resisted, making their cooperation increasingly默契.

"Three Spirit Souls children and a First Rank Martial Ancestor woman, and you let them all escape so easily? Is this the result you give me?" Zhou Lingwang's face gradually darkened, his gaze like a knife sweeping over the guards in front of him, the heavy pressure making everyone unable to breathe, the atmosphere oppressively tense.

Zhou Linglu stepped forward and said, "Father, please calm down. Tang Yan is devious and has many bizarre martial arts techniques. It's easy to be harmed without knowing. Plus, the situation was chaotic, and he took advantage of the situation. However, we have basically grasped the types of his martial arts techniques. The next time we meet, we will definitely capture him alive!"

"I don't want excuses or reasons; I want results! What was supposed to be a simple capture operation has been messed up by you repeatedly, and in the end, you were toyed with by a Spirit Soul child! You don't find it shameful, but I do!"

Zhou Linglu, who usually doted on her two daughters, scolded her without mercy this time.

"Please give me more time, Father. I will definitely capture all four of them!"

"Alive or dead, I don't want to be disappointed again!"

"Your Highness, what about Tang Qiong?" Gao Song stepped forward and asked quietly.

Zhou Lingwang glanced at the bloodied and mangled Tang Qiong not far away, a hint of pain flashing in his eyes, but it quickly disappeared. "Secretly transport him back to the royal dungeon, nail him to the ice pillar, and slowly dissipate all his spiritual energy, turning him into a complete cripple! Also, announce that we were attacked by a mysterious force on our way back, suffering heavy casualties, with me injured and Tang Qiong and the others all killed in battle."

...

Giant Elephant City! Tang Family's Forbidden Area!

"Adoptive Father, news from the Illusion Forest." A robust and fierce man entered the secret room,收敛 all his rough and fierce aura, and respectfully saluted the elderly man meditating in front, who was the true master of the Tang Family—Tang Yanshan, one of the ten Martial Venerables who dominated the outer regions of the empire.

Tang Yanshan said calmly, "Did you find Yan'er?"

"There are two pieces of news, both about the Second Young Master. The first piece of news comes from Divine Spring Town. The Second Young Master has undergone some special changes, breaking through to the Third Rank Martial Master due to some unknown reason, and went to Divine Spring Town alone to undergo the final baptism."

Tang Yanshan opened his eyes. "Oh? Third Rank Martial Master?"

"The news has been confirmed; he is indeed a Third Rank Martial Master."

"Tell me the result of the baptism!" Tang Yanshan's eyes gradually brightened, even showing a hint of excitement.

"The baptism was successful! However, the type of spirit vein was not detected, and it is suspected to be a mutation."

"Baptism successful? Are you sure the baptism was successful?" Tang Yanshan's eyes burst with a terrifying light, and his old body slowly stood up, a terrifying aura filling the stone room.

The robust man was surprised by Tang Yanshan's reaction. He had never seen the old man show such intense emotions in all these years. The fiery gaze made him dare not look directly. "Absolutely certain!"

Tang Yanshan's breathing became rapid, his eyes filled with excitement and a hint of disbelief.

"But..." The robust man hesitated slightly, then steeled himself. "I just received another piece of news. Zhou Lingwang arrived at Divine Spring Town and left with Tang Qiong and the others a day later, but they were attacked by mysterious people on the way. The royal guards suffered heavy casualties, Zhou Lingwang was seriously injured, and Tang Qiong and the others... all... all died in battle."

Tang Yanshan's excited face suddenly stiffened. "What? What did you say? Say it again!"

"According to the news from the royal palace, Tang Qiong and the others are dead, but the final confirmation has not been received yet."

The stone room fell into a terrifying silence. A moment later, a roar exploded. "Find them! Alive or dead, you, Tang Ba, Tang Qing, and Tang Hao, all go to the Illusion Forest. If you can't find them, none of you will come back!"

"Yes!!!" The robust man's heart trembled, feeling somewhat incredulous but nodded heavily and saluted, quickly exiting the stone room.

...

Tang Yan and Elinda were immersed in the training of hunting and harvesting. All possible Level 3 beast monsters became their hunting targets. Tang Yan had to endure about three battles a day, and even when facing peak Level 3 beast monsters, Elinda would assist, and he would take the lead.

The daily harvest was mostly refined or stored by Tang Yan. Elinda only occasionally absorbed one when injured, as the Spirit Source Liquid of Level 3 beast monsters had little effect on her at the Martial Ancestor level.

Five days later, they finally discovered a Level 4 beast monster—Rip Wind Tiger—feeding. After a brutal battle, both were severely injured but successfully killed the Rip Wind Tiger, and the refined Spirit Source Liquid was absorbed by Elinda.

Thus... they continued to move and fight, and Tang Yan grew in battle, gained insights, and became more familiar with the flow of spiritual energy. The two major martial arts techniques, 'Phantom Shadow' and 'Blazing Flame,' showed significant improvement, and the power of the Extinction Eye increased dramatically. The life mist in his dantian also gradually changed as it became more abundant.

In his spare time, Tang Yan began to study the Ghostly Green Fire, hoping to control it more precisely and avoid refining everything it touched. After all, he would need to use the Green Fire to perform martial arts techniques in the future, and if he always refined his opponents, it would no longer be a secret and would cause many troubles.

However, after studying for many days, he still could not find a breakthrough.

On the sixth day after Elinda refined the Spirit Source Liquid of the Rip Wind Tiger, she had the opportunity to hunt another Level 4 beast monster, the Thunder Horn Rhino. The two consecutive infusions of Spirit Source Liquid greatly expanded her dantian, and her strength naturally improved.

However, this brutal training was not smooth sailing. Besides the life-and-death battles each time, on the tenth day, they almost encountered the royal guards by the river. The appearance of the royal guards indicated that the other side had not given up the pursuit, and the search range had expanded to this area. After half a month, they discovered the familiar white mist and decisively fled the mountain range.

From then on, their training became cautious, and they almost reached the point of being active at night and resting during the day. Any slight movement would make them flee like rabbits. Fortunately, the Illusion Forest was vast, providing enough space for them to play hide-and-seek with the royal forces.

However, with Elinda, this super beauty, accompanying him, the journey of escape and training was not too dull. When Tang Yan was tired, he would occasionally flirt, and their relationship gradually eased, no longer as stiff as at the beginning.

...