Victory

Cheng Shaofeng is dead! Without any warning, he fell at Yang Kai's hands.

During Yang Kai's previous battle with the disciples of Fengyu Tower, Hu Mei'er had observed from start to finish. While she was aware of Yang Kai's formidable strength, she had never imagined he was so overwhelmingly powerful!

Cheng Shaofeng, at the first level of the Open Origin Realm, was killed by a mere finger from Yang Kai!

What sort of martial art was that? How could it wield such formidable power? The hole in Cheng Shaofeng's forehead was clearly burned by something of extreme yang intensity.

In that moment, Hu Mei'er was filled with terror. Witnessing Yang Kai's thunderous killing technique made her realize that his earlier words were not mere bravado.

He truly dared to kill, and he possessed the ability to do so!

Nuotao was equally shocked. Having just exchanged a single punch with Yang Kai, and with his disciple now dead before him, he was left dumbfounded by this sudden turn of events.

"You actually killed Shidi Cheng!" Nuotao shrieked. "What technique did you use?"

The power of that single finger was immense, clearly the result of an extraordinary martial art. Nuotao was apprehensive, fearing he might not be able to withstand it.

"You will die too!" Yang Kai was fully aware of the principle of eradicating the root of the problem. Since these two had come to kill him, he would not show any mercy.

This situation was different from the previous skirmish. That time, Yang Kai had held back during a group fight, but facing enemies intent on his life, showing leniency would be foolish.

As Yang Kai charged at him, Nuotao suddenly sneered, "Stop with the theatrics; prepare to die!"

With that, he launched a fierce attack with both fists, meeting Yang Kai head-on. Given that Yang Kai was only at the Tempering Body Realm, Nuotao presumed his yuan qi must be limited. Considering the immense cost of his previous attack, Nuotao believed Yang Kai could no longer employ such methods.

Thus, Nuotao felt confident.

However, once engaged, Nuotao realized his error. Yang Kai still wielded yuan qi, and every exchange revealed a searing heat emanating from his strikes. This heat repeatedly thwarted Nuotao, whose higher realm proved insufficient to suppress him.

Nuotao utilized all his skill, evading and maneuvering, unwilling to confront Yang Kai directly. He intended to outlast Yang Kai, depleting his yuan qi until Yang Kai became as vulnerable as prey on a chopping block.

Nuotao's strategy was sound for dealing with typical Tempering Body Realm disciples. However, Yang Kai had recently absorbed the entire energy of a Sun Flame Stone. His meridians were brimming with yuan qi, and continuing the battle could exhaust Nuotao before Yang Kai.

Soon, Nuotao sensed the dire situation.

Initially, Yang Kai's performance seemed typical for a Tempering Body Realm warrior, with punch speed and force slightly above average. But as time passed and Nuotao inflicted various injuries, Yang Kai's power surged, each punch faster and stronger, with increasingly intense fiery energy.

It was as if Yang Kai's strength was growing rapidly with time.

What was happening? Normally, a warrior's combat power declines with the depletion of yuan qi, yet Yang Kai seemed to be the opposite.

Within a short span of tea time, Nuotao could no longer evade Yang Kai's attacks. When he failed to dodge, Yang Kai landed a punch on his chest.

The heavy impact nearly took Nuotao's breath away, with the invasive fiery energy burning fiercely.

Seeing Yang Kai's bloodshot eyes, Nuotao began to consider retreat.

Feigning an attack, Nuotao suddenly withdrew and fled swiftly, gasping and shouting, "Yang Kai, you've killed Shidi Cheng; you're doomed!"

At the fifth level of the Open Origin Realm, although he couldn't defeat his opponent, Nuotao was confident in his ability to escape. He noted that Yang Kai had not practiced any movement techniques.

Nuotao's escape was something Yang Kai could not prevent, and Yang Kai watched as he fled several paces. Suddenly, Yang Kai's mind stirred, and the last drop of yang liquid in his dantian appeared at his fingertip.

Then, Yang Kai extended his other hand, pulling at the fingertip, and a startling sight emerged.

The drop of yang liquid transformed into a gossamer, blood-red blade, which, once formed, shot out at Yang Kai's command.

With a sharp "whoosh," the crimson shadow sliced through the air and struck Nuotao's back.

Nuotao's fleeing body stiffened abruptly, collapsing to the ground with a thud.

The forest fell silent, interrupted only by occasional insect chirps and bird calls. Yang Kai, breathless and disheveled, stood amid the stillness.

Hu Mei'er, trembling and icy with fear, felt a shiver run through her. She had stayed behind, hoping Yang Kai would seek her help when he could no longer hold on, allowing her to achieve her own ends.

Yet, she could hardly believe that the two Fengyu Tower disciples sent to kill Yang Kai had been slain by him.

Both were from the Open Origin Realm—one at the first level, the other at the fifth. Together, they had failed to defeat a Tempering Body Realm Yang Kai and had lost their lives in the process.

Everything seemed surreal, inexplicable.

Suddenly, Hu Mei'er's expression changed in shock as she noticed Yang Kai turning his gaze toward her with a predatory look, his eyes gleaming with a murderous intent.

Hu Mei'er instinctively took a few steps back.

"If you move, you die!" Yang Kai's icy voice rang out.

"I won't move…" Hu Mei'er's voice trembled, her abdomen spasming with warmth, nearly causing her to lose composure.

She was genuinely terrified and uncertain whether Yang Kai intended to kill her. Facing life and death, what could a young woman like her do? Though adept in the arts of seduction, her actual strength was not high.

Yang Kai ignored her, instead moving to search the bodies of Cheng Shaofeng and Nuotao. In a short time, he found some silver and two vials of elixirs.

Although the elixirs were nearly depleted, they were still worth something.

It wasn't a loss, but it was unfortunate that he had used up the yang liquid he had refined. After the battle, most of the True Sun Yuan Qi in his meridians had also been depleted.

"Are you in need of money?" Hu Mei'er, mustering her courage, spoke up, "I can give you some, as long as you spare my life."

Now, Hu Mei'er dared not show any coquettishness before Yang Kai. Even speaking cautiously.

Yang Kai glanced at her indifferently. "I'm not a bandit. Why would I need your money? If I need money, I'll earn it myself!"