Chapter 79: A Bountiful Harvest

"Although this whole experience sounds a bit unreliable," Lin Yun mumbled to himself, "since it's a fortuitous opportunity, it can't be all that bad."

With that, he began to search the small hut, leaving no stone unturned.

Suddenly, a white shadow flashed past. Xiao Bai seemed to have scented something. Its eyes were fixed on an ordinary-looking small jar in the corner. Lin Yun watched as it hopped over, making no move to stop it.

Xiao Bai nudged the lid open. A few white pills rolled out into its palm. They were crystal clear and translucent, like lustrous white pearls.

After a single sniff, Xiao Bai swallowed them all without hesitation. The little fellow then leaped back onto Lin Yun's shoulder.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak—"

The little guy seemed incredibly excited, happily sharing something with him. Seeing it so pleased, Lin Yun smiled and stroked its head. After a moment of enthusiastic squeaking, he finally understood. After eating the pills, Xiao Bai needed to enter a deep sleep again.

This, however, was a good thing for the monkey. For the time being, Lin Yun didn't need its help with anything.

After watching Xiao Bai disappear into the Yuqili bracelet, Lin Yun gathered up all the remaining medicines in the hut. He had to admit, the previous owner of this hut was a true spirit beast fanatic. Despite being an alchemist, he had devoted himself entirely to researching and refining pills for spirit beasts.

After collecting all the miraculous elixirs, Lin Yun bowed respectfully. "Many thanks, Senior, for the gift of your medicine!"

He had already read through the notes left behind by this great master. It was truly impressive. The man had practically pioneered the "Feed-Them-Pills" school of thought. But what truly captivated Lin Yun was the section recording methods for the cross-breeding and cultivation of different exotic beasts. If successful, even the lowliest of beasts could display terrifying power.

Unfortunately, these records were merely ideas, never put into practice. The sections detailing the actual operational methods had later been destroyed, much to Lin Yun's regret.

After packing everything away, he finally left the small hut.

He was already out of Falling Rainbow Valley when he sensed he was being followed. It was already night, and the path was deserted.

"Come on out," he called into the darkness. "Zhang Hongze, are you so eager to make a move on me? Aren't you afraid you'll end up just like your master?"

Lin Yun let out a cold laugh. The moment he sensed trouble, he had checked his internal display. It was this guy, just as he'd expected.

Zhang Hongze was being cautious, however. He hadn't come alone. He had brought several other disciples, all in the early stages of the Origin Sea Realm. Such a star-studded lineup to deal with a single Lin Yun—it was truly a waste of their talent.

"Senior Brother Zhang, is all this really necessary?" one of them, Zhen Pingye, asked, looking at Lin Yun with uncertainty. "He's only at the third stage of the Origin Sea Realm."

Did they really need so many people for one person?

"You don't know shit," Zhang Hongze snorted. "This kid is strange as hell." He had heard what happened in the Great Hall, which was why he had gathered so many people for this ambush.

Another disciple, Wang Quan, chimed in, "Zhen Pingye, what are you muttering about? Does Senior Brother Zhang need you to critique his methods?"

At that, Zhang Hongze swaggered forward, with Zhen Pingye and Wang Quan moving to block Lin Yun's path.

"Lin Yun, I'm impressed," Zhang Hongze sneered. "You're more alert than I gave you credit for."

Lin Yun glanced at the three stupid pigs before him and pursed his lips. "What do you want?"

A savage look twisted Zhang Hongze's face. "What do we want? We waited for you here specifically to avenge my master!"

He still remembered the humiliation Lin Yun had dealt him. Now, his master had been brought down by this same boy. If they didn't act now, it would soon be their turn. Zhang Hongze's plan was simple: he who strikes first gains the advantage. He would get rid of this kid before Lin Yun had a chance to come after him.

"Enough talk. Get him, all of you!" he roared. "I'd like to see what he can do against the three of us!"

At his word, the three of them charged.

Seeing them rush toward him, a smirk played on Lin Yun's lips. Mere Origin Sea cultivators. They want to challenge me?

He didn't even bother to draw his sword. His feet moved lightly as he closed the distance with Zhen Pingye.

So fast! A look of shock crossed Zhen Pingye's face. It was unbelievable. This guy's explosive speed completely surpassed theirs! Before Wang Quan and Zhang Hongze could form an encirclement, Lin Yun was already upon him.

"Perfect," Lin Yun said with a grin. "It's been a while since I've had a good fight. Time for a warm-up."

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Three lightning-fast punches landed precisely on Zhen Pingye's nose, stomach, and chest. Though he had tried to defend himself, Lin Yun's assault was too ferocious. How could he possibly block it? In a single exchange, Zhen Pingye's face was a mess of his own blood.

Just then, Wang Quan attacked from behind. "Hand over your life, Lin Yun!" he bellowed, smashing a heavy fist downward.

BAM!

The powerful blow landed squarely on Lin Yun's back.

Lin Yun stood his ground, not moving an inch.

Wang Quan froze. "Wh-what's going on?" His right hand trembled. He was the one who had hit Lin Yun, but now his own hand felt as if it were broken. The punch had felt like striking a piece of refined steel that had been hammered a thousand times.

"Such a soft punch. Didn't you have breakfast?" Lin Yun taunted, grabbing Wang Quan by the collar and lifting him off the ground.

Zhang Hongze brandished a short blade. Seeing his two cronies so easily subdued, he cursed them as useless trash. In the next moment, he lunged, thrusting the blade at Lin Yun.

Too bad for him.

Before he could even get close, Lin Yun sent him flying with a single, lightning-fast kick.

In an instant, all three were defeated. Terrifyingly, Lin Yun hadn't even drawn his sword.

Zhen Pingye, the smartest of the three, was the first to scramble to his feet. He turned and fled. "Monster… You're a monster!" he screamed.

Lin Yun glanced at Wang Quan. The man's legs were trembling uncontrollably. While the insides of his thighs were wet and warm, the rest of his body was ice-cold. With a look of disgust, Lin Yun tossed him aside.

"Get lost. If you annoy me any further, I'll kill you."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Lin!" Wang Quan fled in a state of utter terror, not daring to linger for a second longer.

After the two were gone, Lin Yun squatted down in front of Zhang Hongze. "Was it really necessary? Ambushing me with your pathetic little skills? I gave you a chance, but you don't even have the right to make me draw my sword."

Lin Yun looked at Zhang Hongze with utter contempt.

Zhang Hongze, still suffering from internal injuries, could only scramble backward in terror. "What… what are you going to do?"

Lin Yun had no interest in doing anything more to him. The law of the jungle, the weak being prey for the strong—he had seen it all too many times. Besides, this man wasn't even worthy of being his opponent.

He turned to leave, tossing a final sentence over his shoulder.

"I'll spare you this time, but it won't be so simple if there's a next time. Wu Boyan is finished. No one can save him. Take my advice: stop fantasizing about his return and start making plans for your own future."