Cuckolded Beast

That said, the others were tempted too. They knew the value of a Low-Grade Spirit Sword.

If they could get it, it really would be a chance to strike it rich.

"Fine, he's only at Qi Refining Level 7. It's only because he has that spirit sword that he could kill this beast we already wounded."

"After such a fierce fight, he's at his weakest right now. We can totally take him down."

Having settled that, the group rushed out and surrounded Yang Lingtian.

"Kid, this beast was wounded by us earlier, and you just swooped in and stole the kill."

"If we hadn't wounded it, how could you have killed it? You'd have died under its claws long ago."

"So shouldn't you show some gratitude?"

One of them spoke with a vaguely threatening tone.

Yang Lingtian frowned slightly. This lot clearly wanted to kill him and take his treasure.

He asked coldly, "What kind of gratitude do you want?"

"How about this—that sword of yours looks pretty good. Hand it over." The man pointed directly at the spirit sword.

Yang Lingtian gave a cold laugh and sneered, "A bunch of little turtles like you want this sword? Do you even deserve it?"

That one sentence enraged everyone, like a spark igniting the tense atmosphere on the spot.

"Kid, who do you think you're talking to? You're asking for death."

"If you want to fight, then fight. Less talk." Yang Lingtian said flatly.

"Fine, you want to die, we'll oblige you."

"Killing one wounded First-Stage Late Beast and you're this cocky. Let's teach you that being too arrogant gets you beaten."

"All together now."

In an instant, all eight of them charged at Yang Lingtian.

Yang Lingtian's expression turned serious. This was his first time being ganged up on.

And several of them had higher cultivation than him, so he didn't dare take it lightly. He directly executed the sword technique Hundred Shadow Cold Sword.

He swung the spirit sword in his hand, sending out streaks of Sword Qi, and used his nimble Movement Technique to dodge the eight attackers' strikes.

A chaotic battle erupted.

Facing the attacks of eight people, Yang Lingtian still managed to evade their blows with ease using his Movement Technique.

He blocked each of their attacks and countered every time.

This shocked them deeply.

"Damn, what kind of sword technique is this? Speed, precision, and ruthlessness all in one."

For a time, these eight couldn't take down Yang Lingtian.

"Form the formation!"

One of them shouted.

The other seven responded, retreating and arranging themselves into a sword formation.

Yang Lingtian was slightly startled. He hadn't expected this group to know a sword formation.

This was far more powerful than their previous chaotic attacks.

"Eight Star Sword Formation, activate!" That cultivator shouted again.

As the words fell, the eight raised their long swords and swung them in unison.

Eight beams of sword light traced eight brilliant arcs in the air, forming a dazzling star pattern.

Each sword strike had a stacking effect, pressing down with a suffocating force.

Yang Lingtian showed no fear. He let out a shout as well: "Hmph, whatever formation you have, watch me break it with one strike."

He directly used the final move of Hundred Shadow Cold Sword, Hundred Swords Convergence.

Yang Lingtian's figure moved. The spirit sword in his hand flashed with cold light, instantly condensing into a single point, stabbing straight at the core of the Eight Star Sword Formation.

At that moment, his body was like a bolt of lightning, swiftly cutting through the star pattern of the formation.

His sword light seemed to become a flood dragon, weaving through the dazzling stars, then plunging fiercely into the formation's core.

In that instant, the eight stars seemed shattered by his single strike, and the oppressive pressure vanished at once.

The eight men all spat blood, were sent flying, and crashed to the ground.

Clearly, they had suffered backlash from the formation, and combined with Yang Lingtian's attack, they had no strength left to fight.

"How is that possible? Even a Qi Refining Level 9 expert couldn't break our eight-man formation so easily."

"And he's only at Qi Refining Level 7, yet he really broke it with one strike."

"What kind of sword technique is this? Its power is monstrous."

All eight of them wore expressions of terror and disbelief.

Li Tian put away his Spirit Sword and looked at them coldly.

"Now, shouldn't you show me something?"

The eight knew they were no match for Yang Lingtian and begged for mercy. "As long as you let us go, we'll give you all the Spirit Stones on us."

Yang Lingtian let out a cold laugh. "Foolish. If I kill you, all your Spirit Stones will be mine anyway. That's not enough."

His words were ruthless and final, sending a chill through the eight.

One of them, a middle-aged man who seemed older, forced himself upright.

He spoke cautiously. "We know of a treasure site. There's a large amount of spirit herbs there. We're willing to take you."

Yang Lingtian's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Oh? If such a treasure site exists, why haven't you stripped it yourselves?"

"Well, to be honest, a Second-Order Beast guards it. We couldn't get close." The middle-aged man told the truth.

"Hmph. You call that a treasure site? That's a death trap. Are you trying to get me killed under that Second-Order Beast's claws?" Yang Lingtian's gaze turned icy.

The middle-aged man quickly flattered him. "No, no, not at all."

"I just think you're exceptionally strong. You must have a way to deal with that Second-Order Beast."

Just then, the system's voice rang out.

[True experts face difficulties head-on. A limited-time mission is now issued: within two days, head to the treasure site and collect the spirit herbs there.]

Yang Lingtian paused slightly. The system sure knew how to time its missions!

Well, for the mission rewards, he had no choice but to go.

"Fine. You have fifteen minutes to patch up your injuries a bit, then lead the way." Yang Lingtian said expressionlessly.

Fifteen minutes later, the eight had only recovered about a third of their injuries.

They led Yang Lingtian toward the treasure site they'd discovered.

After over an hour of travel, they reached the vicinity of the so-called treasure site.

They could also feel the fierce aura of that Second-Order Beast—it was a Second-Order Early-Stage Beast.

Though only Second-Order Early-Stage, it was countless times stronger than a First-Stage Late Beast. They weren't even on the same level.

These Qi Refining Stage cultivators had no way to fight this beast. Charging in head-on was out of the question.

Just then, the Second-Order Beast kept roaring, its voice loud enough for them to hear even from far away.

But Yang Lingtian understood what the beast's roars meant.

It turned out this Second-Order Beast had been cuckolded.

It roared: "Damn Pi Dan, stealing my mate!"

"Once I eat these spirit herbs and digest them to break through to Second-Order Mid-Stage, I'll definitely challenge you to a duel."

Yang Lingtian suddenly had a good idea—he could negotiate a deal with the beast.

If he helped it break through with alchemy, couldn't the remaining spirit herbs be his?

After all, going in by force, he was no match for this Second-Order Beast.

But humans and beasts had always been enemies. He didn't know if they could reach an agreement. Still, he'd only know by trying.

Having made up his mind, he rose and charged toward the Second-Order Beast.

This move startled the eight. This was a Second-Order Beast!

If it attacked, he'd be dead for sure!

How could he dare to charge straight at a Second-Order Beast?

Soon, the Second-Order Beast spotted Yang Lingtian running toward it.

It roared at him angrily: "You insignificant human ant at the Qi Refining Stage, daring to step into my territory? You're asking for death!"

Just as it was about to charge at Yang Lingtian, he imitated the beast's roar.

What he meant was: "Brother, don't be so fierce! I mean no harm. I'm here to help you."

For a moment, the beast was stunned. This human could speak beast tongue?

The eight in the distance were also baffled. Why was Yang Lingtian mimicking the beast's cries?

They'd expected the Second-Order Beast to pounce on him, but instead, it seemed to understand and stayed put.

They were utterly confused.

Then, the Second-Order Beast roared again: "Human ant, you know our beast tongue?"

Yang Lingtian roared back convincingly: "That's right. I understand it, and I can speak it."

"I sympathize with you. Your mate was stolen, so I want to help you."

"What? Help me? How?" The Second-Order Beast suddenly grew interested.

Yang Lingtian rejoiced inwardly. Taking the first step meant there was hope to persuade it.

"I know you must want to break through to Second-Order Mid-Stage and take back your mate."

"But relying solely on eating these spirit herbs won't let you break through quickly."

"And I'm an alchemist—I can refine pills. If these spirit herbs are made into pills, the effect will be much better."

"Oh? Why would you help me?"

"I just want to make a deal with you. If you break through, the remaining spirit herbs are all mine."

"If you don't break through, you can kill me. After all, with your strength, killing me is as easy as turning your hand, right?"

"Makes sense. Fine, I'll trust you for now. Come over!" The Second-Order Beast agreed, looking a bit simple.

And so, the Second-Order Beast and Yang Lingtian struck a deal, roaring back and forth at each other.

This left the eight people hiding in the distance utterly baffled. What exactly did Yang Lingtian say to the beast to make it stop attacking?

What incredible skill!

It made them see Yang Lingtian as even more unfathomable. In their hearts, a veil of mystery now shrouded him.

Just then, Yang Lingtian's voice rang out.

"All of you, come over. Give me a hand."

Hearing his call, they exchanged glances, hesitant.

They were afraid that if they went over, the beast would eat them—after all, they didn't have Yang Lingtian's abilities.

"Don't be afraid. I've already talked it over with Brother Beast. It won't hurt you," Yang Lingtian's voice came again.

"Damn, that's impressive. How did he convince that fierce Second-Order Beast?"

"Looks like it's real. He went over and came back fine. Let's go too!"

In the end, they walked over with uneasy hearts.

Yang Lingtian took out an Alchemy Furnace from his Space Ring and began preparing to refine spirit pills.

He chose a Third-Order Spirit Pill that was more effective for beasts—the Beast Origin Pill.

This kind of pill had a great effect on Second-Order Beasts, helping them break through much faster.