First Encounter with an Immortal Master (The Real Deal)

After leaving Black Wind Stockade, Yan Kui didn't rush his journey. He made his way along the official road towards Tianwu City, while adapting to the new changes in his body (mainly the annoying black fur).

A few days later, he arrived at a small town called "Qingshi Town."

It was still hundreds of miles from Tianwu City, serving as a transit point. The town was bustling with people, including martial artists carrying swords and merchants with their loads.

Yan Kui found an inn named "Yuelai Inn," requested a table by the window, and ordered ten jin of beef and a jar of strong liquor, preparing to feast.

Just as he finished gnawing on his first beef leg bone, a commotion suddenly erupted at the inn's entrance.

"Immortal Master is here! Immortal Master is here!"

"Quick, get out of the way! Don't block the Immortal Master's path!"

The previously noisy inn instantly fell silent. Diners rose from their seats, looking towards the entrance with reverence.

Two young people, a man and a woman, dressed in moon-white robes, walked in. The man was handsome and extraordinary, with a long sword on his back; the woman was beautiful and held a jade ruyi scepter. Both of their sleeves were embroidered with a green cloud pattern.

"Qingyun Sect?"

Yan Kui's heart stirred.

He was too familiar with this symbol; that swindler Liu Banxian had also used this banner to deceive people. However, judging by the natural arrogance and faint spiritual energy fluctuations emanating from the two, they were clearly the real deal.

"Senior Brother, this mortal realm is so filthy. Let's just buy some dry rations and be on our way."

The female cultivator frowned, covering her nose and mouth with a handkerchief, seemingly disgusted by the smell of cooking oil in the inn.

"Junior Sister, please be patient."

The male cultivator smiled slightly, exuding grace, "Since we're here, resting for a moment won't hurt. Besides, I heard that a devil who kills without mercy has appeared nearby, even wiping out the Black Tiger Gang and Black Wind Stockade. As disciples of the righteous path, it's a good deed to eliminate this demon if we happen to pass by."

"Devil?"

Yan Kui's meat-eating paused.

Could they be talking about… me?

He subconsciously touched his furry arm.

"Waiter! Bring us your best food and drinks! And clear out the best guest room!"

The male cultivator casually tossed a silver ingot, which landed precisely on the counter.

The innkeeper hurriedly bowed and scurried off to make arrangements.

The two found a clean spot to sit, right at the table next to Yan Kui's.

"Senior Brother, do you think that devil is really that powerful? I heard he even killed the Foundation Establishment Stage Zhao Family Ancestor," the female cultivator asked softly, a hint of curiosity in her eyes.

"Hmph, that's just rumor mongering,"

The male cultivator snorted disdainfully, "No matter how strong a mortal martial artist is, they are merely a brute. Although that Zhao Family Ancestor was at Foundation Establishment, it was a pseudo-realm forcibly enhanced by a Corpse Pill, and it's said he was in a state of backlash at the time. For that devil to kill him was likely a lucky strike, or he used some despicable means."

"That makes sense," the female cultivator nodded. "How could a mortal possibly defeat a Foundation Establishment cultivator?"

Yan Kui, listening from the side, rolled his eyes.

Despicable means?

I was just using my bare fists to fight head-on!

However, he couldn't be bothered to retort. These two juniors, appearing to be only at the seventh or eighth level of Qi Cultivation, weren't even as strong as that Zhao Family Ancestor. He could crush them with a single finger.

Just then, the male cultivator's gaze swept over and landed on Yan Kui.

More precisely, it landed on the Bone Shattering Hammer placed on his table.

"Oh?"

A hint of surprise flashed in the male cultivator's eyes. "Deep Sea Profound Iron?"

He stood up, walked to Yan Kui's table, and said condescendingly, "Esteemed warrior, your hammer is quite fine. I wish to purchase it. Name your price."

Although his tone was polite, it carried an undeniable domineering air.

In his view, it was a great honor for a mortal martial artist to have their weapon fancied by an Immortal Master like himself.

Yan Kui looked up, still chewing beef, and mumbled indistinctly, "Not selling."

The male cultivator frowned.

"Warrior, I am Li Changfeng, an inner disciple of the Qingyun Sect. Although this piece of Profound Iron has many impurities, I happen to need a bit of material to refine a magic tool. Name your price, be it gold, silver, or pills, I can afford it."

"I said, not selling."

Yan Kui swallowed the beef, wiped his mouth, "Can you not understand human speech?"

"Audacious!"

The female cultivator beside him slammed the table, "How dare you speak to my Senior Brother like that? Do you know who we are?"

"I know, you're from the Qingyun Sect."

Yan Kui picked at his ear, "Does the Qingyun Sect permit forced sales?"

Li Changfeng's expression darkened.

"You refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit."

He said coldly, "Since you don't know what's good for you, don't blame me for being impolite."

As he spoke, he reached out his hand and grabbed directly for the Bone Shattering Hammer.

In his eyes, taking a mortal's weapon was as easy as flipping a hand.

However.

The moment his hand touched the hammer's handle.

A large, black-furred hand shot out like lightning, grabbing the hammerhead.

"You want it?"

Yan Kui grinned, revealing two slightly protruding tusks (a Savage Boar trait).

"Take it yourself."

Li Changfeng sneered, channeling spiritual energy into his hand and yanking hard.

It didn't budge.

The hammer seemed to be fused to the table; no matter how hard he pulled, he couldn't move it an inch.

Can't find the book title? Try searching for the author, maybe the name has changed!

"Huh?"

Li Changfeng's expression changed.

He increased his spiritual energy output, his face even turning red from the strain.

It still didn't budge.

Meanwhile, Yan Kui, with one hand on the hammerhead, watched him with a mocking expression, as if watching an ant trying to move a mountain.

"What? Didn't you eat?"

Yan Kui taunted.

"You're asking for death!"

Li Changfeng was enraged. As a cultivator, to be outmatched in strength by a mortal was a complete humiliation.

He let go, leaped back, and formed a hand seal.

"Fireball Technique!"

A fist-sized fireball appeared out of thin air, carrying scorching heat as it whistled towards Yan Kui's face.

This wasn't some charlatan's trick, but a genuine spell!

The diners in the restaurant screamed and fled in terror.

Yan Kui, however, remained seated, not moving an inch.

"Fireball again?"

He scoffed dismissively.

The instant the fireball was about to hit him.

He suddenly opened his mouth wide and blew forcefully at the fireball.

"Hoo--!"

A torrent of violent airflow erupted from his lungs, like a hurricane suddenly whipping up on flat ground.

The menacing fireball was extinguished by this single breath!

Only a wisp of black smoke drifted in the air.

The entire place fell silent.

Li Changfeng and the female cultivator were stunned.

He... blew it out?!

This was true fire condensed by spiritual energy! Even a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator wouldn't dare play with it like this, right?

"Is that all you've got?"

Yan Kui stood up, his massive body casting a shadow.

"And you dare pretend to be a demon slayer?"

"Since you want to slay demons, let me show you what a real demon is."

He reached out with his large hand and grabbed towards Li Changfeng.

"Junior sister, run! He's a monster!"

Li Changfeng finally reacted, shouting in terror as he simultaneously summoned the Flying Sword behind him, attempting to block.

"Clang!"

The Flying Sword struck Yan Kui's arm, but didn't even break a single hair. It was directly repelled.

Yan Kui's large hand clamped around Li Changfeng's neck unimpeded.

"Did you just call me a brute?"

"Cough cough... Senior, spare my life... I am from the Qingyun Sect..."

"Qingyun Sect?"

Yan Kui tightened his grip.

"Crack!"

Li Changfeng's neck snapped, and he died.

[Killed Cultivator (Qi Cultivation Level 8), Life Essence Plundered.]
[Origin Power: +2.5]

"As expected."

Yan Kui glanced at the panel.

Even though he was just a rookie at Qi Cultivation Level 8, the Origin Power contained within him was higher than that of the half-demon Zhu San.

This further confirmed his guess: the life essence of cultivators far surpassed that of ordinary mortals, making them walking "great tonics."

Yan Kui tossed the body aside like trash and then turned to the female cultivator who had already collapsed in fear.

"You... don't come any closer..."

The female cultivator's face drained of color, and the jade ruyi in her hand fell to the ground, shattering into two pieces.

Yan Kui walked up to her and picked up the storage bag.

"Hand over everything you have."

"Then, scram."

The female cultivator felt as if she had been granted a great pardon. She quickly emptied her storage bag and jewelry onto the ground, then scrambled out of the restaurant for dear life.

Yan Kui did not kill her.

Leaving a survivor to report back would let the Qingyun Sect know of his ferocity.

What he needed now was fame, Origin Power, and more challenges.

"Qingyun Sect..."

Yan Kui put away his spoils and watched in the direction the female cultivator had fled, a glint of ambition flashing in his eyes.

"When my divine art is perfected, I will pay you a visit."