You’re even spitting out the peel?

Watching Jiang Yuqiong approach step by step, the Red-Eyed Savage Bear let out low growls from within the cave.

It hoped to scare him off with its roars!

"Big dumb bear, you'd better not move, or I'll beat you to death!"

Jiang Yuqiong said lightly, his steps unwavering as he closed in on the cave.

Just then, with a sudden roar, the bear's three-zhang-tall figure lunged out!

Each step shook the ground with a thunderous boom!

Its gaping maw bellowed, blasting a foul wind his way!

The bear's body loomed like a small mountain, radiating a ferocious, overwhelming pressure.

At the same time, it raised a massive paw, its surface glowing with blood-red light, pulsing with immense, unyielding force!

It swung down hard at Jiang Yuqiong's tiny frame!

"Buzz buzz buzz…"

Ripples warped the void, twisting wildly!

That terrifying paw seemed capable of grinding a peak to dust—frighteningly powerful!

The Red-Eyed Savage Bear's momentum made Jiang Yuqiong squint slightly.

"A fifth-tier beast, equivalent to a human's Spirit Nurturing Realm!"

"Let's see just how strong that is!"

"Divine Elephant Prison-Suppressing Strength!"

He let out a fierce shout!

BOOM!!!

Power surged within him like a roaring sea!

Eight hundred forty million particles flared to life, giant elephant seeds roaring to the heavens!

The vast might spread across the ninth sky, shaking the firmament!

Jiang Yuqiong's body glowed, crystalline and radiant, like primal divine gold or infernal refined iron!

His legs erupted with force, his small form pulsing with immense power. As the bear charged close, he collided with it head-on!

"BOOM!!!"

It was like two mountains crashing together!

An invisible ripple burst outward, turning into razor-sharp blades that slashed in all directions, annihilating everything!

Amid a cascade of crashes, countless trees toppled over!

Rocks above the cave split, a several-zhang-deep gash tearing open!

"AWOO…"

The Red-Eyed Savage Bear wailed, its towering form tumbling like a gourd, slamming into the cliff and triggering a massive tremor!

Boulders rained from the peak, smashing craters into the ground, half-blocking the cave entrance!

"That strength's just so-so?"

Jiang Yuqiong didn't budge an inch.

He was mildly surprised. The bear was famed for raw power, not versatile attacks.

But against his Divine Elephant Prison-Suppressing Strength, it fell short!

"Makes sense—it's just an ordinary beast, roughly early Spirit Nurturing Realm!"

"A beast with a strong bloodline might take more effort!"

Jiang Yuqiong mused.

Top human prodigies at Spirit Nurturing Realm could fight across realms!

Against this bear, they'd hardly struggle.

"Alas… how lonely it is to be invincible!"

Jiang Yuqiong sighed.

At this rate, forget ordinary Spirit Nurturing foes—even Soul Fusion Realm opponents he could thrash!

No more dawdling, he stepped toward the cave again.

But the Red-Eyed Savage Bear wouldn't let him pass so easily!

"AWOO…"

It clambered up, rallying its strength for another charge.

"No time to waste with you!"

Jiang Yuqiong whispered.

The instant his words fell, a vast sword intent surged from nowhere!

The bear's body jolted!

Several radiant sword beams erupted from within, slicing through its chest, rending flesh!

BOOM!

Its towering frame collapsed, motionless, blood pooling beneath.

Jiang Yuqiong had unleashed his Immaculate Sword Heart, slaying it instantly!

Without sparing the bear another glance, he strode into the cave and dug up the spirit ginseng.

It was sizable—two inches long, snow-white, lustrous as jade, wafting a sweet fragrance, shimmering with faint treasure light!

"Barely decent for a snack!"

Jiang Yuqiong smirked, pocketing it and heading down the mountain.

He found a clear spring, washed it clean, then plopped onto a nearby boulder, raising the ginseng to his mouth.

But a sudden exclamation interrupted him.

"Ninth-grade Snow Jade Ginseng!"

Looking up, Jiang Yuqiong saw a thirteen- or fourteen-year-old少年 approaching, his face etched with astonishment.

Clad in white robes, tall and refined, he carried an air of elegance!

A faint smile played on his lips, but his eyes betrayed unshakable shock.

Clearly, spotting such a tiny kid in this wilderness threw him off!

"Little brother, that ginseng's nice—where'd you pick it?"

The少年 steadied himself, adopting a casual tone as he approached with a smile.

Jiang Yuqiong glanced at him, replying curtly.

"None of your damn business!"

The少年's expression froze.

He'd just been sassed by a toddler!

But after a flicker of thought, he regained his easy demeanor.

Pointing at the ginseng, he said,

"Hello, little brother—I'm Feng Wuchou!"

"That ginseng's great. I'd like to trade another treasure medicine for it—how's that?"

With a flick of his wrist, another ginseng appeared in his hand.

Massive—like a club, three chi long!

It stood taller than Jiang Yuqiong when planted on the ground!

"See, little brother, my ginseng's a bit lower-grade, but it's way bigger than yours!"

"If you like, we can swap—you won't lose out!"

Feng Wuchou spoke with poise, smiling lightly.

But his words sent two black lines streaking down Jiang Yuqiong's forehead!

What the hell!

That's a ginseng?

Even field radishes don't grow that big!

And you say it's close to mine in grade!

Think I'm blind?

That's clearly a third-grade spirit medicine!

Trying to trade for my ninth-grade ginseng—are you feverish?

Treating me like a kid to scam?

This fraud!

His little face darkened, and he snapped coldly.

"No trade!"

Feng Wuchou didn't flinch, keeping his cheerful grin.

Jiang Yuqiong ignored him, hugging the ginseng. He gnawed around the outside, spat out the skin, then took a big, satisfying bite.

Feng Wuchou's expression froze again, his whole vibe crumbling.

"N-Ninth… ninth-grade spirit medicine—you're just… just chewing it like that?"

"Chewing's one thing—you're spitting out the peel?!"

"Like a cow munching peonies! What a waste!"

He nearly lost it, itching to leap up and curse.

Is that how you eat ginseng?!

Huh?!

Where'd this kid come from—why's he so infuriating?!

"Aren't you loud?"

Jiang Yuqiong's face iced over, staring at Feng Wuchou.

Done with this con artist, he hopped off the boulder and turned to leave.

But before he'd taken two steps, a whooshing gust hit the back of his head, carrying a fierce wind!

Feng Wuchou's voice followed.

"You little brat, wasting treasures like that! If so, I'll take it!"

"Down you go!"

Unseen, Feng Wuchou had grabbed a thick wooden club—like a pillar—and swung it down at Jiang Yuqiong's head!