Chapter 25：None of them are good things

The old zombie's words abruptly ceased as its body disintegrated into fine ash, scattering into the air. In the spot where it vanished, a radiant crimson light surged upward.

"Hmm?"

Tian Fan looked over in confusion, and to his astonishment, behind the black mist floated nine blood pills, exuding a pure life force. It was remarkable that such treasures had emerged from the old zombie's body. However, considering the substantial essence of blood it had absorbed, it was not surprising that blood pills could be cultivated.

Tian Fan extended his right hand and collected all nine blood pills into his grasp.

"How's it going, Xiao Fan? Is Junior Sister all right?"

Li Yunyang only glanced at the blood pills before inquiring about Sun Yueying's condition. His concern for her safety overshadowed his interest in the pills.

"Rest assured, she's fine."

Tian Fan replied to Li Yunyang, then crushed one of the blood pills, transforming it into a life essence that he administered to Sun Yueying. As the essence entered her body, combined with Tian Fan's infusion of true energy, she immediately regained consciousness.

"Great! You scared me to death!"

Li Yunyang finally exhaled a sigh of relief. Tian Fan then shattered another blood pill, applying it to Li Yunyang's injuries. Comparatively, Li Yunyang's wounds were far less severe than Sun Yueying's, and with such a potent remedy, he quickly recovered.

"What about those guys?"

Li Yunyang gazed at the several individuals sprawled on the ground, noting that Yin Shitian, having been thoroughly beaten, resembled a swollen pig's head. The others were either severely injured or unconscious, posing no threat; in fact, they could easily be dispatched.

"Forget about them. Our mission is accomplished; let's leave."

Tian Fan glanced at Yin Shitian and spoke to Li Yunyang.

"Damn it! I really want to teach those guys a lesson myself!"

Li Yunyang grumbled, clearly itching for a fight.

"You want to take them on?"

Tian Fan regarded Li Yunyang with a mischievous smile.

"Absolutely, especially that second guy. But I can't take him on."

Li Yunyang rubbed his palms together, displaying a hint of reluctance. The second guy was the only one in Yin Shitian's crew who hadn't sustained severe injuries; he had previously humiliated Li Yunyang, but he was also at the mid-stage of the Spirit Condensation realm.

"Hey, if you can't take him on, you still have me!"

Tian Fan surveyed the individuals nearby; they were precisely the sort that deserved a beating.

"Really? In that case!"

Li Yunyang clenched his fists, invigorated. As soon as Tian Fan subdued the second guy, Li Yunyang dashed forward.

"What are you doing?"

The second guy looked at Li Yunyang in terror, but he had been restrained by Tian Fan's minor seals, unable to move.

"What am I doing? Hehe, what do you think I'm going to do?"

Li Yunyang grinned mischievously and threw a punch.

"Ah!"

A scream escaped the second guy's lips as his left eye turned completely black. It was pitiful that a mid-stage Spirit Condensation practitioner was being brutally beaten by Li Yunyang, who was still at the initial stage.

"Hmm, that doesn't feel right; let's try again!"

Li Yunyang stroked his chin, furrowing his brow, then shook his head and spoke. To the second guy, his words sounded like a death knell; he realized he was in serious trouble. Indeed, just as he had feared:

"Ah!"

This time, his right eye was also adorned with a dark bruise.

"Now that looks better; it's much more visually appealing than before."

Li Yunyang chuckled, then charged in, unleashing a flurry of punches and kicks upon the second guy, filling the mountain cavern with the echoes of his agony. Tian Fan silently mourned for the second guy, who had unwittingly provoked someone particularly vengeful. Sun Yueying, having regained consciousness, also watched this scene, giggling softly.

"Eh, let it go. Although you insulted me earlier, I'm not one to hold grudges. I'll let you off this time."

Finally, Li Yunyang clapped his hands and addressed the second guy, who was clearly more out of breath than able to fight back. The second guy shot him a furious glare before fainting outright.

"All done!"

Li Yunyang glanced at the unconscious second guy, then turned with a gleeful grin.

"Let's go; we don't need to worry about them anymore."

Sun Yueying, satisfied that matters had concluded, urged the two men. The trio turned to leave the cave.

Behind them, Yin Shitian glared at the departing figures with deep-seated malice, but he was powerless to intervene, helplessly watching them vanish from sight.

"I say, Xiao Fan, how come you're so formidable? You didn't tell us!"

On the way back, Li Yunyang slapped Tian Fan on the shoulder, astonished.

"Haha, well, you know, geniuses are like that!"

Tian Fan laughed heartily, throwing an arm around Li Yunyang's shoulder, reveling in his newfound confidence. Unbeknownst to him, his demeanor had begun to shift considerably; he was becoming more vibrant, unlike his former self in the Longteng Empire. He thoroughly enjoyed this sensation.

"Hehe, you really went hard on Yin Shitian earlier! That guy won't be recovering for at least a month."

"Hehe, you're nothing compared to me; I almost turned him into a vegetable!"

"By the way, Xiao Fan, we're completely exhausted from this trip down the mountain. How about we unwind a bit?"

"Sure, where to?"

Sun Yueying smiled at the two of them, marveling at how their relationship had evolved into something akin to that of brothers.

"Hehe, I know a great place; it's a veritable haven of beauties!"

Li Yunyang wore a devilish grin, leaning toward Tian Fan, his eyes nearly squinting shut with delight.

"Look at your mischievous expression. Have you been enjoying yourself somewhere, to the point of forgetting your bearings?"

Tian Fan shot Li Yunyang a sideways glance, his tone laced with disdain.

"Let me tell you, it's not what you think. I merely appreciate the exquisite form with the purest of intentions, listening to the melodious strains of the qin. Besides, they're all stunning young ladies, daughters of wealthy families; I can only quietly perch on the rooftop to observe from a distance…"

Li Yunyang wore an expression of righteous indignation, but he accidentally slipped at the end.

"Wait a moment, you're spying on others! Let me make it clear: I'm not what you think. I'm a genuinely pure-hearted gentleman, a true man of virtue who would never stoop to such behavior!"

Tian Fan regarded him with contempt, trying to sound principled, but as the conversation continued, it veered off:

"By the way, where is this place? Don't misunderstand; I only want to keep an eye on you, just in case you can't resist temptation and do something outrageous."

Li Yunyang cast a sidelong glance at Tian Fan, saying nothing, but the implication was abundantly clear—**I disdain you!**

"You two aren't any better!"

From behind, Sun Yueying listened with a smile as the two bantered, feeling pleased with their burgeoning friendship. However, when their conversation turned to beautiful women and voyeurism, and it became evident they were contemplating dubious actions, her ire flared, and she chastised them before striding ahead.

"Uh…"

The two were left in stunned silence, caught off guard by Sun Yueying's reprimand. Li Yunyang slapped himself hard, cursing inwardly for forgetting that the so-called "Little Demoness of the Taifu Sect" was right beside him. He could already envision the "tragic" days that awaited him upon returning to the Taifu Sect.

"Uh, no, Junior Sister! You've misunderstood; let me explain…"

On the plain, Li Yunyang's pleading voice resonated, while at the horizon, the sun rose gracefully, casting a breathtaking glow…