Zhou Yan, so young, possessed such terrifying combat power. He must be a disciple of some sect from the mortal world.
However, in the Southern Ridge, no one had ever heard of such a person!
"No matter who you are, since you dare to trespass into my territory, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
The next moment, a ferocious glint surged in the giant crocodile's eyes. Its body exploded forward, pouncing towards Zhou Yan.
"Hmph, a mere demonic beast, daring to be arrogant before me!"
Zhou Yan let out a cold snort and met the attack without backing down.
"Suppress!"
Zhou Yan roared, extending his right palm, which transformed into a massive palm that slammed down from the sky.
Crack!
The palm print crushed down, instantly flipping the giant crocodile onto the ground.
The giant crocodile wailed, curling into a ball, trembling all over.
"How can this be?" The giant crocodile's eyes bulged, filled with horror.
It was a first-grade demonic beast, possessing immense power, capable of even fighting second-grade demonic beasts.
Yet now, it was no match for Zhou Yan!
Who exactly was this young human?
"Heh heh, judging by your expression, you seem unconvinced?"
Zhou Yan smiled indifferently, looking down at the giant crocodile on the ground, his eyes filled with amusement. "Alright then, let's go again!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhou Yan lunged forward and slapped it again.
A red palm print appeared on the giant crocodile's body, bloody and raw.
It spat out a mouthful of blood, its body swaying, its aura weakening.
This time, it was seriously injured. Half of its head was mangled, making it look extremely pathetic.
"Hmph, I'll teach you arrogance!"
Zhou Yan's expression turned stern. He raised his foot and stepped on the giant crocodile's head, saying proudly, "Let me tell you, don't think you can just roar because you're ugly, or I'll cripple you!"
This giant crocodile was indeed powerful, but in Zhou Yan's eyes, it was still incredibly weak, as frail as an infant.
"You..." The giant crocodile's rage surged, wanting to resist, but it was met with even more ferocious blows from Zhou Yan.
Ah!
The intense pain caused the giant crocodile to cry out repeatedly, its body trembling, its eyes filled with humiliation and fear.
"Kid, stop!"
Suddenly, the giant crocodile roared to the sky, its eye sockets blood-red, brimming with boundless fury.
It had roamed the Southern Ridge, renowned and respected. When had it ever suffered such humiliation?
"Oh?"
Zhou Yan raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his voice.
He hadn't expected this giant crocodile to recognize him.
"I am the Lizard Beast King of the Southern Ridge. If you dare to injure me, you await the retribution of my Lizard Beast pack," the giant crocodile roared.
"So you're a Lizard Beast?"
Zhou Yan suddenly understood.
This giant crocodile bore a striking resemblance to a giant lizard. However, its tail was covered in sharp, black spikes that glinted with a cold, sharp light.
"Haha, Lizard Beast King, what a coincidence! I didn't expect to meet you here!"
The next moment, Zhou Yan laughed heartily, his eyes flashing with a bloodthirsty intent.
He was naturally a bloodthirsty and combative individual. In the Southern Ridge, he had been relentlessly killing, his hands stained with countless blood, cultivating a domineering personality.
Now, the Lizard Beast had walked right into his trap. How could he miss this opportunity?
"Hmph, you still haven't repented!"
Seeing Zhou Yan's expression, the giant crocodile's heart tightened, sensing a great ominous premonition.
Splash~
Immediately, the giant crocodile leaped violently. Its entire serpentine body coiled and then sprang, fleeing into the distance.
"Flee?"
Zhou Yan's gaze flickered, a mocking smile playing on his lips. With a flash, he gave chase.
"This is my territory. I refuse to believe you can escape!"
Zhou Yan's movements were strange and incredibly fast, swift as the wind. In just a few breaths, he had closed the distance.
Whoosh!
The next moment, Zhou Yan extended his right hand, fingers splayed like an eagle's talons, reaching for the giant crocodile's neck.
"Damn it!"
The giant crocodile's soul was in its boots. It frantically twisted its serpentine head, trying to evade the grasp.
Unfortunately, Zhou Yan's hand followed like a shadow, always locked onto it.
Boom!
Zhou Yan's hand was as hard as forged steel, immensely tough, and slammed down fiercely.
The giant crocodile's neck bones were shattered, blood spraying out.
Soon after, the giant crocodile struggled for a moment before finally ceasing its movements.
Blood flowed from its seven orifices, and it lay there, on the verge of death, in a comatose state.
"This 'Azure Spirit Grass' should be enough to refine a pill!"
Zhou Yan walked to the giant crocodile's side, took a pill from his storage ring, and swallowed it to recover his depleted true essence.
Azure Spirit Grass, imbued with dense spiritual energy, was the best healing treasure for cultivators.
Zhou Yan's cultivation technique was the "Myriad Phenomena Sacred Art."
The "Myriad Phenomena Sacred Art" was divided into nine layers.
After each layer was cultivated to perfection, true qi would be generated within the body, which could then be condensed into a pill.
The purer the true qi in the dantian, the higher the cultivation realm.
For example, Zhou Yan had only taken three days to reach the first level of Foundation Establishment.
For ordinary martial artists, this would have required at least three months of arduous cultivation.
Hoo!
After a long time, Zhou Yan opened his eyes, his complexion slightly pale.
"Still a little short!"
Sensing the condition within his body, Zhou Yan's eyes lit up.
Although his true qi had not yet reached saturation, he could barely use true qi techniques.
However, all of this was due to the unique nature of the "Myriad Phenomena Sacred Art."
Legend had it that this set of cultivation techniques originated from the Primordial Era, possessing profound mysteries that were beyond mortal comprehension.
"Never mind, I'll pack up first and prepare to leave this place!"
After contemplating for a moment, Zhou Yan immediately turned around, walked into the cave, cleaned it thoroughly, and collected a large amount of resources, including gold coins and jade.
"Where is this place?"
Suddenly, Zhou Yan froze.
He found the surrounding environment unfamiliar; he had no idea where he was.
"Could it be..."
Zhou Yan's mind raced, and he vaguely sensed something was amiss.
"Not good, I've fallen into a trap!"
Zhou Yan's expression changed, and he immediately bolted out.
A furious roar echoed.
At the entrance of the cave stood a colossal creature, at least thirty feet tall. Its entire body was pitch black, as if cast from black iron, radiating a chilling aura.
"Lizard Beast King!"
Looking at the Lizard Beast King, Zhou Yan gasped, revealing a look of apprehension.
The Lizard Beast King was powerful, comparable to a Xiantian Martial Master.
Without a word, Zhou Yan turned and fled at full speed.
The Lizard Beast King opened its gaping maw, letting out a chilling hiss that sent shivers down one's spine.
"As expected of a ferocious beast from the Southern Ridge, truly formidable."
Zhou Yan sighed inwardly. He unleashed his full power, his speed reaching its limit, darting through the mountains like a leopard.
"Kid, where do you think you're going!"
The Lizard Beast King pursued relentlessly, letting out low roars.
Following that, thick black smoke billowed from its spine, carrying the stench of sulfur.
"It's Black Flame Poisonous Mist!"
Zhou Yan's expression changed slightly. He quickly circulated his true qi to form a protective shield, blocking the Black Flame Poisonous Mist.
Sizzle sizzle~
Instantly, the true qi shield began to corrode, emitting wisps of black smoke.
"The power of this Black Flame Poisonous Mist is even stronger than that of the giant scorpion from before by a margin of three points."
Zhou Yan's expression was grim. He gritted his teeth and said, "If it's given more time, I'm afraid even my true qi shield won't be able to withstand it!"
"Damn it!"
"I must quickly find the Lizard Beast's lair and kill it to reclaim the Azure Spirit Grass!"