"A mere Blood Refinement Fourth Layer cultivator dares to plot against me? How laughable." Seeing the black-clad man's movements, Yang Tian sneered inwardly. Without hesitation, he returned to the clearing and sat down cross-legged, pretending to cultivate.

  Not far away, the black-clad man moved stiffly toward the pond. When he saw Yang Tian sitting there, a cruel smile curled at the corners of his lips.

  "Brat, you offended Fatty Chen, so don’t blame me—blame your bad luck." A sinister chuckle echoed in his mind as he eyed Yang Tian, who seemed deep in meditation. "Heh, who would’ve thought you’d be worth ten Blood Stones? That’s enough for me to train for half a year."

  To ensure success, the black-clad man retrieved a small green bottle. He lifted the cap, releasing a faint green mist. He then blew gently, dispersing the fog toward the hut.

  "Heh, heh. This 'Soul-Dazing Powder' cost me a whole Blood Stone..."

  As soon as he saw Yang Tian collapse, the black-clad man grinned wickedly and strode over confidently.

  "If you want to kill me, then come and try."

  Sensing the strange fragrance, Yang Tian's head suddenly felt heavy. Alarmed, he immediately held his breath, switching his breathing to internal circulation. The faint fragrance invading his body was instantly shattered by the Battle Heaven Art.

  "Kid, remember to be a good person in your next life. Some people just aren’t meant to be provoked." The black-clad man gazed at Yang Tian’s youthful face with an icy expression and burst into wild laughter.

  But just as he indulged in his fantasy, a crystalline palm suddenly struck with overwhelming force. The air erupted with crimson light as the palm slammed directly into his chest!

  "Impossible!"

  Watching the approaching strike, the black-clad man's expression changed drastically. But it was too late—his entire body was engulfed in a surge of powerful energy and blood essence.

  Crack!

  The sharp sound of bones shattering rang out as his body was sent flying like a broken kite, rolling several meters before crashing to the ground. He struggled to lift his head, his venomous gaze locking onto Yang Tian’s sneering face before he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

  Yang Tian had no intention of giving him a chance. His figure blurred, his energy surging like an untamed stallion. He shot forward, colliding directly with the black-clad man.

  "You dare trick me, brat?!"

  Roaring in fury, the black-clad man forcibly suppressed his injuries. As Yang Tian’s fist came crashing down, he channeled his remaining strength, forming a cyan-colored fist to counterattack.

  Boom!

  Energy and blood essence clashed, illuminating the area with a dazzling glow. Yang Tian’s gaze was cold and unyielding. He threw punch after punch, each strike carrying overwhelming force. It was as if he were refining his technique through battle.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  His blood essence surged furiously, washing over the black-clad man.

  "Ahhh! Damn it! How can you possibly be at Blood Refinement Third Layer? This is impossible!"

  The black-clad man roared in disbelief as the unrelenting surge of blood energy burned his body from the inside out. His internal wounds worsened, and he coughed up more blood.

  Yang Tian remained silent, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent. With each punch, his understanding of the nameless fist technique deepened. The more he fought, the fiercer he became. The Battle Heaven Art circulated within him, constantly replenishing his consumed energy.

  "This can't go on—I’ll die here if this continues!"

  The black-clad man’s face twisted in desperation. Yang Tian clung to him like a parasite, leaving no room for escape.

  Clang!

  A five-foot-long cyan iron saber suddenly materialized in midair. The blade exuded a biting chill, its surface shimmering as it absorbed the black-clad man's dwindling energy.

  Infused with cyan energy, the saber radiated an intense glow. A foot-long arc of saber light extended from its edge, slashing through the air like a crescent moon. Even the space around it rippled faintly.

  "Die!"

  With venomous eyes, the black-clad man activated the weapon at full force, his blood essence nearly drained.

  Yet Yang Tian remained unfazed. At that moment, his half-closed eyes snapped open, and every ounce of his energy surged toward his fist. A miniature sun of crimson light appeared in his palm, its violent energy on the verge of eruption.

  "Perish!"

  Yang Tian sneered and punched forward. A blazing crimson light shot skyward, shattering the approaching saber strike. The miniature sun surged forward, colliding with the floating saber and sending it flying. Cracks spread across the blade’s surface.

  "Damn it!"

  The black-clad man's expression shifted dramatically. Without hesitation, he turned to flee.

  "You think you can escape?"

  Yang Tian scoffed. His body flickered as he leaped into the air. His knee bent sharply before slamming down toward the black-clad man’s skull.

  Crack!

  The sickening sound of bone shattering echoed. The black-clad man’s head nearly burst open.

  Yang Tian grabbed him by the collar and, seeing the man on the verge of death, snorted coldly.

  "Speak. Who sent you?"

  "You… want to know?"

  The black-clad man, his mind hazy from pain, stared at Yang Tian’s youthful yet ruthless face. A jolt of fear snapped him back to reality, and he began struggling desperately.

  "Stop squirming, or I’ll break your neck right now."

  Hearing the chilling threat, the black-clad man’s expression contorted. He quickly gave in.

  "Alright, alright! I won’t struggle… I won’t move."

  "Now, tell me—who sent you?"

  "I’ll tell you, but you have to swear not to kill me! Otherwise, I won’t say a word, even if you beat me to death!"

  Thinking he had grasped a lifeline, the black-clad man pleaded.

  "Heh."

  A cruel smile spread across Yang Tian’s face, revealing a row of pristine white teeth. His voice was eerily calm.

  "You don’t need to say it—I already know. It was Fatty Chen, wasn’t it?"

  "You… How did you know?!"

  The black-clad man’s face drained of color.

  "Hmph. Did he send anyone after my adoptive father? If you don’t answer, I won’t hesitate to kill you."

  A hint of urgency flickered in Yang Tian’s eyes.

  "He only wanted me to capture you… not your adoptive father."

  "Capture me?"

  Yang Tian narrowed his eyes. "Why?"

  "I only know that he wants to force your adoptive father to hand over Dragon Star Martial Hall. That’s all I know! I swear!"

  Sensing Yang Tian’s displeasure, the black-clad man immediately tried to curry favor. "Young master, please spare me! I can help you deal with Fatty Chen!"

  "Help me?"

  Yang Tian raised an eyebrow, looking at the man’s sycophantic expression. His lips curled into a cruel smile.

  "Traitors deserve death."

  "No, don’t—!"

  Boom! Boom! Boom!

  Yang Tian swung the man into the ground like a sledgehammer. A final, agonized scream tore through the air as the man’s skull struck the earth, leaving behind a deep ten-meter-long trench.

  Blood and bone splattered everywhere.