Fulfilling a Promise

"Worthy of being a ninth-rank demon beast—it could actually unleash power comparable to an early Void Transformation Realm cultivator!"

"Fortunately, I cut off its head first."

"If I didn't strike while it hadn't fully recovered and uproot it completely, it would be even harder to deal with once it broke the seal entirely!"

Lu Yun's thoughts raced. He swiftly retreated several dozen meters, widening the distance between himself and the Thunderclap Venom Xun Python before attacking again.

"Buzz!"

At this moment, the spiritual power erupting from Lu Yun's body had reached a terrifying level.

His figure flickered, turning into an afterimage as he pounced directly onto the headless body of the Thunderclap Venom Xun Python.

"Pssh!"

The sound of a sharp blade slicing through flesh rang out.

Lu Yun drove the longsword in his hand straight into the Thunderclap Venom Xun Python's body and pushed onward.

"Hiss—!"

The headless Thunderclap Venom Xun Python let out wave after wave of agonized hisses.

Thick white smoke continuously rose from its body. Clearly, it could no longer withstand Lu Yun's fatal strike.

The next second!

"Whoosh!"

"I've finally killed this beast. This is wonderful!"

"This time, not only did I perfectly complete the task Master assigned me, but my own gains have been enormous as well!"

As Lu Yun extracted the Thunderclap Venom Xun Python's beast core, he opened his attribute panel.

System Phase Six Activated: 3000x Critical Strike Amplification

Host: Lu Yun

Martial Skill: Heavenly Sword Art lv88

Strength Level: Mid Void Transformation Realm

Just as Lu Yun killed the Thunderclap Venom Xun Python, deep underground several dozen kilometers away...

Gu Yuanwei and the others had clearly heard that final thunderous boom. Everyone stopped and looked toward the direction from which it had come.

"Huh? What was that sound?"

"It sounded like the cry of a strange beast! It should have come from Lu Yun's direction. Could he have killed it?"

"How strange! Why would there be fierce beasts underground as well?"

The crowd discussed it animatedly, all speculating about what had just happened.

Following the direction of the sound, they quickly found the place where the Thunderclap Venom Xun Python had been slain.

However.

Lu Yun had already left first with the beast core.

By the time everyone arrived, they saw only the ninth-rank demon beast, still bleeding profusely.

"This is..."

"Heavens! That can't be possible, can it?!"

"How could there be such a terrifying demon beast?"

"How about we hurry back?"

For a moment, fear rose in everyone's hearts.

Many no longer dared remain here. They hurriedly turned around, intending to leave at once.

Gu Yuanwei also frowned, a thoughtful look appearing on his face. "Lu Yun..."

"Could he have killed this demon beast?"

But the thought merely flashed through his mind, and he did not dwell on it.

After all.

This was simply too terrifying!!!

Although Lu Yun's cultivation was high, it was impossible for him to kill a fierce beast of this rank.

Judging solely from the aura it still retained, it was at least seventh-rank—perhaps even stronger.

"Or could it have been some hidden master living in seclusion here?"

"I remember Brother Baili vaguely mentioning that some peerless experts were still hidden in this world."

"Could Lu Yun have been taken away by this mysterious expert?"

While Gu Yuanwei and the others were still uncertain and alarmed, Lu Yun had already reappeared on Bluestone Square.

Actually.

He felt somewhat regretful.

If he had not been so eager to kill the Thunderclap Venom Xun Python, perhaps he could have raised his combat strength even further.

But since he had promised Qing Yuanzi, he had ultimately chosen the simplest method.

That was...

Directly destroying the Thunderclap Venom Xun Python's physical body.

"According to what Master said, after that battle all those years ago, the spiritual energy on Sky Net Star was nearly exhausted."

"Every expert above the Star-Gathering Realm had been forced to leave this place..."

"So now, aside from the Thunderclap Venom Xun Python sealed beneath the earth, only a ninth-rank Scarlet Wind Lion remains hidden."

"Since the spiritual energy here has been reviving for several hundred years, that Scarlet Wind Lion surely will not be content to remain silent. Sooner or later, it will emerge on its own."

"Perhaps before long, those experts who stayed beyond this domain will gradually return as well."

"It seems that the most urgent matter is still to keep working hard to increase my strength."

Just as Lu Yun was deep in thought, two streaks of escaping light suddenly appeared on the third floor of the Unfixed Pagoda.

Given his current realm, he saw the newcomers clearly with merely a casual glance.

"Huh?"

"It's actually Ling Xue and that fellow named Dugu Mingjun."

"Looks like they both made it to the third floor. I just wonder whether they passed the trial."

As the escaping lights drew closer and closer to the ground, Chu Lingxue finally spotted that familiar figure in the distance.

"Brother Yun! When did you arrive?"

"How did it go?"

"Did the trial go smoothly this time?"

She was worried that Lu Yun had not performed well, yet also afraid that he had been injured during the test. Thus, the instant she landed, she fired off a string of questions like a barrage of cannonballs.

Lu Yun nodded.

"I arrived a while ago, but because I had previously promised a senior within the tower that I would help him deal with a strange beast."

"What?"

"There's a senior inside too? Why did I only see men in black all the way through?" Chu Lingxue asked in surprise.

Lu Yun shook his head. "Yes, but this old senior usually does not meet people easily."

"So, Brother Yun not only left the tower long ago, but also used this time to defeat that strange beast?"

"Yes! I've already slain it," Lu Yun said. "Now I'm planning to report back to that senior. To be precise, he is now my master."

"What? Your master?" Chu Lingxue was stunned. "How did I not know that you had taken some powerful expert from some sect or school as your master?"

"This..." Lu Yun was momentarily at a loss for words, not knowing how to explain it. The matter between him and his master was rather complicated and could not be made clear in just a few words.

Seeing this, Chu Lingxue did not press further. Instead, she changed the subject. "Then let's talk later!"

"I passed the third floor, so I'll use this time to check my trial points."

Lu Yun said, "Alright! I'll come find you once I'm done!"

Before his words had even faded, another streak of escaping light landed before them. It was Dugu Mingjun, with whom he had made the wager earlier.

"I was wondering who it was. So it's our great genius Lu!" The moment Dugu Mingjun landed, he began mocking Lu Yun.

"I wouldn't dare accept the title of genius. But I remember we made a bet before entering the tower. I hope you will not go back on your word."

Lu Yun did not bear much ill will toward Dugu Mingjun. Although Dugu Mingjun's cultivation was not low, compared with Lu Yun's current self, he was clearly no longer worth much notice.

However...

Lu Yun was still rather tempted by the earlier wager!

A full ten Supreme-Grade Spirit Stones.

They would definitely increase his spiritual power value considerably once again. Their effect would likely be no less than the tangible gains brought by an actual battle.

Thinking of this...

Lu Yun could not help growing even more expectant.