Yan'er

Fan Lang had not been high enough level to learn this Skill Book when it dropped. Only after breaking through to the Mystic Spirit realm did he finally click to learn it.

The progress bar for Shockwave had long since filled. He could now cast it freely, and its power far surpassed Blazing Triple Wave, with the added damage of the earth element.

Rumble!

The wave surged along the ground to the Jade Bone Beast and exploded beneath its feet like a heavy bomb going off. It blasted the beast several steps backward, flaying the flesh from its feet and snapping several bone spikes on its body.

Shockwave could be cast consecutively. Fan Lang swung his fists and repeatedly hammered the ground, sending wave after wave rolling forward like raging tides.

After taking blow after blow, the Jade Bone Beast finally lost its footing and crashed to the ground.

Li Yunyan worked seamlessly with Fan Lang. The moment she saw the Jade Bone Beast fall, she immediately stepped forward to deliver the finishing move, unleashing the Blood Shadow Saber Technique. Her twin blades turned into blurred red flashes that flickered relentlessly around the Jade Bone Beast.

Every strike cut into flesh, producing a series of wet thuds as blood sprayed everywhere. Her damage output was off the charts!

Fan Lang seized the chance to rush forward and hack furiously at the Jade Bone Beast.

The surrounding demon beasts rushed in to help, but before they could get close, Fan Lang stomped the ground hard, releasing a ring of Shockwave that sent them all flying back.

Caught in a pincer attack and unable to get help, the Jade Bone Beast was killed by Fan Lang and Li Yunyan in one swift push. It breathed its last. After dying, it dropped quite a bit of Experience Points, but nowhere near enough for Fan Lang to level up.

The Jade Bone Beast had been the leader of this demon beast pack. Once it died, the rest scattered like monkeys from a fallen tree. A few escaped, while all those that failed to flee died at the hands of Fan Lang and Li Yunyan.

The battle was over.

Fan Lang let out a sigh of relief and swept his gaze around. Corpses littered the ground, and blood ran like a river. Without realizing it, he had become capable of facing such scenes with complete calm.

Compared to the storms he would face in the future, this was nothing more than child's play.

He had designed many grand, turbulent storylines for Magic Martial Era: wars of hegemony, the World Extinction War, wars between realms, wars between gods and demons—there was no shortage of them.

If he had known he would transmigrate here, he never would have made the plot so brutal. It was too late for regrets now.

"Yan'er, pick whatever loot you want from the ground. Take whatever catches your eye. No need to be polite," Fan Lang said, pointing at the ground.

"Yan'er?" Li Yunyan's eye twitched. What was with that bizarre nickname?

"That's what I'll call you from now on. It sounds more intimate."

"No! It sounds awful!"

"Your protest is useless. That's what I'm calling you."

Fan Lang liked the name and had no intention of changing it. Ignoring Li Yunyan's petrified expression, he began looting the spoils while whistling.

"Yan'er, what do you think of this ring? Try putting it on."

"Yan'er, this saber is nice. It's four-star. Keep it."

"Yan'er, you stepped on a demon beast's intestines."

Listening to Fan Lang call her that over and over, Li Yunyan's expression shifted from petrified to utterly lifeless.

By the time the two left, they had picked the place clean, taking every valuable item and making a fortune. Altogether, the loot was worth at least one hundred thousand taels of silver.

This trip to Demon Claw Forest had truly been a fruitful one for Fan Lang. His strength, skills, and equipment had all improved greatly.

The two left Demon Claw Forest and returned to Wind Cloud City. Though they were covered in dust from the journey, neither showed the slightest sign of fatigue.

In two days, the Wind Cloud Genius Battle would begin. Fan Lang needed to use those two days to make his final preparations. He currently had only two five-star skills, which was somewhat lacking, and his equipment was not entirely satisfactory either. He would focus on those two areas next.

As for skills, the City Lord's Mansion could provide some five-star ones. As for equipment, he could simply buy it with money. Fan Lang was now a minor wealthy man, and he could easily afford equipment below six stars.

The two made their way back to the City Lord's Mansion. The moment they appeared, they caused a stir.

Someone immediately notified City Lord Luo Jiuxiao that Fan Lang had returned, and Luo Jiuxiao said he wished to summon him.

Fan Lang did not even have time to rest before heading straight to meet Luo Jiuxiao.

Luo Jiuxiao looked as he always did, dressed in elegant, noble attire, with two small black, glossy mustaches.

"Fan Lang, why did you suddenly disappear for several days without even saying a word?" Luo Jiuxiao complained.

"A retainer has freedom," Fan Lang replied with a smile.

"Fine, fine. Young people all enjoy being free. From now on, I permit you to leave without reporting to anyone, so long as you are willing to return. The gates of the City Lord's Mansion will always be open to you."

"Thank you, City Lord."

The Wind Cloud Genius Battle is in two days. Each faction has two slots, and the City Lord's Mansion has several possible candidates. Are you interested in participating?"

"Of course I am. I will definitely take part in this Wind Cloud Genius Battle."

"You have improved very quickly. We have not seen each other for only a few days, so your strength must have advanced greatly, right?" Luo Jiuxiao probed.

Fan Lang smiled faintly. Rather than boasting, he activated Spirit Eye. A faint light shone in his eyes as every corner of the great hall came into view.

He saw a small insect lying in a corner, a crack in a floor tile, and a gleaming spot on the armrest of a chair.

He also saw the growing look of surprise in Luo Jiuxiao's eyes.

"You broke through to the Mystic Spirit realm?" Luo Jiuxiao exclaimed.

"Mm." Fan Lang nodded as the light in his eyes gradually faded.

"Didn't you only just break through to Mystic General? How could you improve so rapidly? Tell me, how do you cultivate?"

"City Lord, don't get so excited. There is no extraordinary secret about me. First, I am naturally gifted. Second, I encountered a fortunate opportunity in the past and consumed a kind of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. To put it plainly, I have no way to improve anyone else's cultivation speed. I can only advance rapidly myself. If you hope to get something from me, I am afraid you will be disappointed."

After hearing this, Luo Jiuxiao closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he opened them again, he had regained his composure.

"Very well. I lost my composure just now." Luo Jiuxiao gave a wry smile. "Let us continue discussing the Wind Cloud Genius Battle. With your strength and age, you fully meet the requirements. You and my daughter, Luo Hongyan, will represent the City Lord's Mansion."

Luo Jiuxiao finalized the candidates.

His precious daughter, Luo Hongyan, was no mere pretty ornament. She was absolutely a genius in terms of talent, having reached the Mystic Spirit realm at sixteen. At least in cultivation realm, she was no weaker than Fan Lang.

Fan Lang neither agreed nor objected. Luo Hongyan's devastatingly beautiful face flashed through his mind.

Fighting alongside that little girl would be quite a pleasant assignment.

The candidates were settled.

"You cannot represent the City Lord's Mansion without a suitable weapon. I will give you a new one." To win him over, Luo Jiuxiao spared no expense. He took out a five-star Weapon Card and flicked it toward Fan Lang.

Fan Lang caught the Weapon Card and looked at it closely, his heart stirring.

Three words were written on the card's cover—Li Kan Sword!