An underground cave abode! Refining pills!

He walked up to Yun Ting and cupped his fists. "Thank you for granting me this opportunity, Senior. I gained a great deal from our battle."

Yun Ting waved his tail, his voice hearty. "Ah, what's all this thanking me for? I'd been sitting around so long I was itching to move. Seeing an interesting lad like you simply stirred the hunter's blood in me."

Something stirred in Li Bufan's heart, and he asked, "How long have you lived here, Senior? Are you familiar with the Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain Range?"

A trace of reminiscence flashed through Yun Ting's eyes as he said slowly, "I've lived here for over three hundred years. It wasn't until thirty years ago that I broke through to the bone structure realm." His voice carried a hint of wistfulness. Three hundred years might not have been terribly long for a demon beast, but it was still a lengthy stretch of time.

Li Bufan said sincerely, "Cultivation is difficult for demon beasts to begin with. To reach this level in three hundred years, your talent must truly be peerless." His words were no mere flattery.

Demon beasts cultivated without cultivation methods or pills, relying entirely on instinct and innate talent. Reaching the bone structure realm within three hundred years already marked an exceedingly rare aptitude.

Anything could wear thin, but never flattery. Li Bufan's little compliment left Yun Ting thoroughly delighted.

He raised his head, his eyes brimming with pride. "You certainly know how to say things a fellow likes to hear, lad! And stop calling me Senior. It sounds too distant. By the way our demon race reckons age, I'm only a young adult. Just call me Brother Yun Ting!"

Li Bufan smiled and cupped his fists. "All right, Brother Yun Ting!"

Yun Ting roared