Zhou Yan hurried along, his heart filled with anxiety.
"Huh? What's this, a lake ahead?"
Suddenly, Zhou Yan's gaze fell upon the scene, and surprise flickered in his eyes.
About a hundred meters ahead, a small lake appeared. Its water was clear, exuding a misty aura, possessing an almost ethereal charm.
"In the center of the lake, there's a Purple Leaf Green Lotus!"
Zhou Yan's eyes blazed with desire as he instantly identified the plant in the middle of the lake.
The Purple Leaf Green Lotus was a rare spiritual medicine, capable of enhancing the grade of True Qi, a treasure not easily found.
Furthermore, this medicine had the effect of cleansing the marrow and tempering the body, strengthening it.
"Since I've stumbled upon it, I can't let it go!"
In an instant, Zhou Yan's figure flashed as he charged towards the lake.
"This brat, he wants to snatch the Purple Leaf Green Lotus?"
"Heh heh, he's truly dreaming!"
"With so many of us here, do you think you can be so presumptuous?"
Immediately, laughter echoed from all around, faces filled with mockery.
"The Purple Leaf Green Lotus is not something any Tom, Dick, or Harry is qualified to covet!"
A man in grey slowly emerged, his gaze sharp, and he barked coldly.
This person exuded an imposing aura, clearly a Half-step Grandmaster.
*Hum!*
The next moment, the grey-clothed man held a silver spear and transformed into a streak of light, thrusting horizontally through the air. The sharp spear light tore through the void, causing ripples to appear.
Where the spear light passed, the void exploded, and a terrifying pressure spread out, engulfing Zhou Yan.
Zhou Yan's expression was calm, showing no fear. He threw out a punch, striking the spear light.
The two entirely different forces collided, like two asteroids meeting.
The next moment, the grey-clothed man grunted, his steps faltered, and he retreated violently. His tiger's mouth was torn, and crimson blood seeped out.
He staggered, retreating a full seven or eight steps before he could barely stabilize himself, his face filled with horror. He exclaimed in disbelief:
"How is this possible? You're actually this strong!"
In their previous clash, he had clearly felt that the opponent's strength was several times greater than his.
"Heh, and who do you think you are?"
Zhou Yan sneered contemptuously, not bothering to hide his disdain.
"A mere Half-step Grandmaster, daring to be so arrogant in front of me!"
"You're courting death!"
Hearing Zhou Yan's taunts, the grey-clothed man became furious. His True Qi surged, and he swung his long spear again, thrusting fiercely.
The spear danced like a coiling dragon churning the sea, its tip cutting through the void, leaving behind streaks of marks.
Each attack was incomparably domineering, something not to be underestimated.
"Just a petty trick!"
Zhou Yan's expression was indifferent, utterly dismissive. He allowed the spear to attack.
A series of fierce clashes ensued, spear shadows crisscrossing, filling the surroundings, and waves of energy swept outwards.
But soon, the spear light dimmed and completely collapsed.
Immediately after, the grey-clothed man cried out in pain, his chest pierced. He was sent flying backward, crashing into the ground, spitting out blood.
"I... I actually lost!"
The grey-clothed man looked up and saw Zhou Yan walking towards him, his face grim.
"You... What do you want?"
The grey-clothed man was terrified, utterly flustered.
"What do I want?"
The corner of Zhou Yan's mouth curved upwards, forming a strange arc. He sneered coldly and said, "Didn't you just say I wasn't qualified to obtain the Purple Leaf Green Lotus?"
"I... I was wrong, spare my life..."
Upon hearing this, the grey-clothed man's face turned ashen. He desperately pleaded for mercy.
"Too late!"
Killing intent erupted in Zhou Yan's eyes. He kicked the grey-clothed man in the abdomen.
With a muffled thud, the grey-clothed man's ribs snapped. His body contorted into a shrimp-like shape, collapsing like a puddle of mud.
Immediately, Zhou Yan took out a few pills from his pouch and stuffed them into the grey-clothed man's mouth.
In just an instant, the grey-clothed man recovered his vitality, leaping around energetically.
"I... I've already taken the antidote pills?"
The grey-clothed man was stunned, unable to believe it.
"Heh heh, did you think I would spare your life?"
Zhou Yan grinned, his eyes full of amusement, appearing to hold all the cards and unfathomably profound.
"You... You lied to me!"
"You want to rob me and kill me!"
In an instant, the grey-clothed man realized what was happening. Terror flared on his face, and he screamed loudly.
This youth was truly ruthless.
"Rob and kill? Haha, that's right!"
Zhou Yan nodded and admitted,
"You do have some value, but your strength is too weak, not worthy of being my slave."
"I plan to give you to the leader of the Barbarian Bull Tribe, Barbarian Bull King, in exchange for the Purple Leaf Green Lotus!"
Barbarian Bull King was the patriarch of the Giant Rock Tribe, a Martial Grandmaster expert who had cultivated a powerful martial art and possessed formidable combat strength.
"You..."
The grey-clothed man's face turned ashen. Knowing there was no escape, he could only close his eyes and await death.
"Alas! What a pity!"
"This kid, he had a chance to obtain the Green Lotus, but he just didn't know how to grasp it."
The onlookers sighed, their gazes filled with pity.
"En?"
Suddenly, Zhou Yan frowned and glanced back.
Within the forest, the wind whistled.
A thick mass of dark clouds drifted over, obscuring the sun and blocking out all light.
Immediately after, a black long whip appeared, like a venomous snake, and lashed fiercely towards Zhou Yan's head.
As the whip descended, it struck Zhou Yan's shoulder, leaving a clear wound.
"What is that?"
Zhou Yan's pupils contracted, and his expression turned vigilant.
"Hmph! Brat, how dare you steal our Barbarian Bull Tribe's sacred artifact?"
A hoarse, ancient voice came from the black long whip.
Then, to everyone's astonishment, a colossal being slowly emerged from the dense mist.
"That... That's the Barbarian Bull King of the Barbarian Bull Tribe!"
Seeing the colossal being, many people's eyes widened, and their faces changed dramatically.
Barbarian Bull King!
The strongest existence of the Barbarian Bull Tribe, possessing the realm of a Martial Grandmaster. Its defense was incredibly strong, impervious to blades and spears.
Unless one was a Grandmaster realm martial artist, it would be difficult to move its body.
"It's over!"
The grey-clothed man's face turned ashen, his eyes filled with regret and despair.
Just now, he had actually thought of taking advantage of the situation to sneak attack and kill Zhou Yan.
As a result, his attempt to catch a chicken resulted in losing the rice!
"Brat, you dare to offend my Barbarian Bull King!"
"Today, you must die!"
Barbarian Bull King's eyes flashed with ferocity. Its muscles bulged, appearing like a towering mountain, radiating extreme malevolence.
Barbarian Bull King leaped into the air, its feet not leaving a trace on the water, instantly reaching Zhou Yan. It extended a hand, reaching for Zhou Yan's neck.
This claw strike was as fast as lightning, containing explosive power that sent chills down one's spine.
"Overestimating yourself!"
A mocking smile played on Zhou Yan's lips as he slightly exerted force with his right arm.
*Crack!*
The next moment, the grey-clothed man heard the sound of bones breaking.
"Ah!"
The grey-clothed man let out a sharp scream, his eyeballs bulging, his face contorted in extreme pain.
With a single move, Zhou Yan had forcibly crushed his wrist.
"Scram!"
Zhou Yan unleashed a palm strike, hitting the Barbarian Bull King directly in the abdomen.
*Boom!*
The grey-clothed man felt as if his internal organs had shifted. His body, like a cannonball, plummeted down, smashing through a patch of grass.
"Cough cough... I will kill you!"
Barbarian Bull King got back up, blood flowing from its nose and mouth, its eyes filled with even greater ferocity.
*Roar!*
Barbarian Bull King roared, its body suddenly elongating, reaching a length of ten feet. Its entire body was dark, as if cast in iron.