8 Slaying

Explosive booms like rolling thunder echoed through the sky, sending chills down the spine.

The battle between two men and one beast was immensely destructive.

The Nether Poison Dog's toxic fumes dyed an entire area gray and hazy. Within that mist, a golden sword phantom streaked across the heavens. Elsewhere, an energy boulder as large as a small mountain came crashing down upon the Nether Poison Dog like Mount Tai bearing down.

Different energies collided amid the mountains, making the sky seem as though bursts of fireworks had bloomed across it.

The ground was a complete mess. Poison gas had infected the forest, and the trees rapidly withered as though winter had arrived, their dead trunks displaying a bleak desolation.

Whenever that terrifying energy struck the earth, it kicked up clouds of dust and left the land scarred beyond recognition.

"Indeed, it's beyond imagination."

Chen Cheng watched the battle in the sky and sighed inwardly.

The destructive power of a battle between Dou Wangs was already this astonishing. What kind of breathtaking power would those at even higher realms possess?

Looks like I should get myself a cultivation method and start cultivating this world's energy as well, Chen Cheng thought.

Chen Cheng was in excellent physical condition. With some exquisite combat techniques and astonishing strength, he could fight three to five burly men barehanded.

But that was as far as it went.

The limits of human physical capability were no more than those famed generals in history, warriors capable of facing ten thousand enemies.

Cultivating Dou Qi was different. His upper limit would be far higher. Moreover, as his realm rose, Dou Qi would continuously temper and strengthen his body.

Chen Cheng had always placed great importance on himself. He would only treat the system as an aid; ultimately, he still had to strengthen his own abilities.

Chen Cheng had studied Red Serpent's cultivation method. She was similar to a poison master in this world of Dou Qi, accumulating toxins in her body to increase her strength.

That approach was highly suitable for cultivation in the Izumo Empire, but it was not suitable for Chen Cheng.

Chen Cheng had no knowledge whatsoever of pharmacology, nor could he master such knowledge in a short time. Therefore, he could not use poison to enhance his abilities.

Huang Yaoshi's cultivation method, meanwhile, emphasized gradual accumulation over time, so it would not yield much achievement in the short term either.

It seems I really should return to the Chen Family with Chen Yuan. It's a family with a Dou Huang, after all, and its accumulated resources are abundant. There should always be a cultivation method suitable for me, Chen Cheng thought.

The battle in the sky continued for more than half an hour before a result was finally decided.

Chen Ming and Chen Yang were both veteran Dou Wangs with immense combat experience. One cultivated a gold-element sword art with exceptionally high attack power, while the other possessed a rock attribute and focused on strength and defense. This offensive and defensive combination, coupled with their years of mutual understanding, made them even more formidable.

Chen Yuan did not make a move. He remained in the air, overseeing the battle. As Marquis Anyang, his status was noble. There was no need for him to personally handle matters his subordinates could accomplish.

In the end, Chen Ming and Chen Yang killed the Nether Poison Dog.

Although the Nether Poison Dog was a Sixth Order Magical Beast, it had consumed a large amount of poison while advancing, greatly diminishing its combat power. Its overall strength could not compare to that of a true Sixth Order Magical Beast. Facing two veteran Dou Wangs, it ultimately could not escape death.

The moment the Nether Poison Dog died, Chen Yuan immediately descended beside its corpse and circulated his cultivation method, absorbing the toxins from its body.

Chen Yuan absorbed the poison for over an hour. After fully refining the Sixth Order Magical Beast, his cultivation unexpectedly rose by two stars.

Five Star Dou Huang!

"Thank you for your assistance, brothers. Once we return, you will certainly receive everything I promised you. The energy of this Sixth Order poison-attributed magical beast is indeed abundant—it directly raised my cultivation by two stars. If I had cultivated on my own, who knows how many years it would have taken." After absorbing the energy from the Nether Poison Dog's corpse, Chen Yuan thanked the two Dou Wangs with a glowing complexion.

"Haha, Family Head, you're too courteous. This is simply our duty," Chen Ming said with a smile.

Chen Ming looked only a little over thirty. Perhaps due to cultivating sword arts, he possessed a particularly distinctive temperament that made him quite charming.

"Family Head, the magical core is the true crystallization of a magical beast's energy. The energy contained within it is more than ten times that of the residual toxins in its body. If we can obtain a secret formula and refine it into a medicinal pill, your strength will advance even further," Chen Yang said at that moment.

Chen Yang appeared somewhat older. He was exceptionally tall and burly, and his exposed skin had a bronze hue, giving him an extremely powerful presence.

After killing the Nether Poison Dog, Chen Yuan put away its magical core rather than absorbing it.

The energy contained in a magical core was far too violent. No one dared to absorb one directly, as it would burst their body apart. Most people refined them into medicinal pills, using spiritual herbs to neutralize their wild and tyrannical energy before absorbing them.

"Ah, there's no rush for that," Chen Yuan said.

After speaking, Chen Yuan spread his Dou Qi Wings and, with a whoosh, flew to the hill where Chen Cheng was. Chen Ming and Chen Yang followed close behind.

"Congratulations, Teacher, on your great advancement in cultivation." Murong Zhi hurriedly cupped his fists in congratulations.

Chen Yuan nodded at him casually. Then, his gaze fell upon Chen Cheng.

"Cheng'er, Father's business here is finished. It's time to go home. Come back with Father as well. It has been many years since you last saw your mother, and she misses you dearly," Chen Yuan said to Chen Cheng. His tone was gentle, and before his own child, he did not put on the airs of a Dou Huang expert.

"Alright," Chen Cheng agreed.

Since the system had given him this identity, he would make proper use of it.

At his response, a look of relief suddenly appeared on Chen Yuan's face.

Then Chen Yuan turned to Murong Zhi and instructed, "Zhi'er, quickly prepare carriages and horses. Do not let my son suffer any further hardship."

Chen Yuan's tone toward Murong Zhi was not nearly as warm. Before Murong Zhi, he carried the authority of a teacher, while Murong Zhi himself appeared somewhat reserved before Chen Yuan.

"Your disciple obeys," Murong Zhi hurriedly replied.

By the time they returned to the small town and finished eating, it was already late.

Murong Zhi still needed time to prepare the carriages and horses, so everyone decided to depart the next day.

Chen Yuan, Chen Ming, and Chen Yang had flown directly to the town using Dou Qi Transformation Wings. Murong Zhi, pressed for time, had ridden here at full gallop, so no carriage had been prepared in advance.

With Chen Cheng joining them for the return journey, traveling on horseback was clearly no longer practical.

With the status of Marquis Anyang's only son before him, Murong Zhi did not dare neglect Chen Cheng. He would not casually prepare just any carriage; at the very least, it had to be comfortable.

Chen Yuan had a private residence in the small town. Though it could not compare to the Chen Family estate, it was not beneath the name of Marquis Anyang.

Chen Cheng had moved in several days earlier. The surroundings were peaceful and comfortable, indeed far better than staying at an inn.

As night fell, moonlight stones illuminated Chen Cheng's room.

Chen Cheng was still discussing certain matters with Red Serpent.

At that moment, a voice rang out in Chen Cheng's mind.

"Host has obtained one copying opportunity. Use it?"