As Zhou Yan's senses cleared and his spiritual consciousness resumed its function, he was spared from the invasion of the bell's chime.
After a series of clear bell tolls, the cave returned to silence.
"Hoo..."
After a long while, Zhou Yan slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, his complexion gradually regaining its ruddy hue, a faint smile gracing his lips.
"It was not in vain that I endured hardships and consumed so many resources. I have finally achieved my wish."
Zhou Yan's gaze was fervent as he fixed it upon the Xuanyang Spirit Pearl on the stone platform.
"As long as I refine the Xuanyang Spirit Pearl, my strength will surely skyrocket, reaching a new realm."
"When I break through to the Martial Grandmaster realm and regain the Black Fiend Art, I will be powerful enough to traverse Nanling and sweep aside all opponents!"
Zhou Yan's heart was filled with anticipation.
The Xuanyang Spirit Pearl was priceless, immensely beneficial to martial artists, truly a treasure beyond measure. Even with billions upon billions, it would be difficult to acquire.
Yet, such a treasure had fallen into Zhou Yan's hands.
At this moment, Zhou Yan reached out and grabbed. The Xuanyang Spirit Pearl immediately floated up, flying towards him.
"Buzz!"
Zhou Yan's expression grew solemn, his breath held in concentration.
The next moment, Zhou Yan opened his mouth and inhaled. Rolling spiritual energy surged from the spirit pearl, flowing down his throat and into his body.
The Xuanyang Spirit Pearl was a treasure coveted by martial artists, capable of enhancing strength and cultivating one's realm.
Moreover, the spiritual energy within the Xuanyang Spirit Pearl was gentle and pure, capable of nourishing the body.
Zhou Yan's cultivation was originally at the peak of the eighth heaven of the God King realm.
However, after consuming the Xuanyang Spirit Pearl, his cultivation rapidly soared. In the blink of an eye, he broke through the bottleneck and ascended to the Martial Grandmaster realm!
Martial Grandmaster!
In the current world, they were exceedingly rare, all of them transcendent and peerless powerhouses!
"I have finally reached the Martial Grandmaster realm!"
Zhou Yan's eyes gleamed with sharp light.
"Now, I only need to accumulate for a few more days, and I will be able to make the push for the Innate realm!"
Innate!
That was a realm that martial artists dreamed of!
Once one stepped into the Innate realm, they could soar through the sky, their lifespan would drastically increase, far exceeding that of ordinary martial artists.
In the Innate realm, one could control Innate Qi, making their body as hard as steel, impervious to blades and spears.
Innate powerhouses could soar through the heavens and roam thousands of miles!
"The Black Fiend Art is difficult to cultivate. Fully comprehending it will likely take about half a year."
"But the Innate realm is different. In just one month, I will be able to step into the Innate ranks and become a renowned figure in Nanling."
Zhou Yan's heart surged with excitement.
Innate Grandmaster!
Once he stepped into the Innate realm, he would possess formidable combat power, capable of easily killing Martial Grandmasters.
At that time, even if he left Nanling and went to Beiming County, he would have the ability to protect himself.
Thinking of this, Zhou Yan's heart pounded with excitement.
"Hm?"
At this moment, Zhou Yan's brow furrowed slightly, as if he sensed something. He suddenly stood up.
A dull, heavy roar echoed, like a volcano erupting, its magma boiling.
Immediately after, the entire cave shook violently, with pieces breaking off and falling.
"What's happening?"
Zhou Yan's pupils contracted, his expression extremely solemn.
Simultaneously, the entire mountain range began to shake violently.
"Damn it, is this an earthquake?"
Zhou Yan's face darkened, his fists clenched, his expression exceedingly grave.
"Whoosh!"
The next moment, Zhou Yan's figure flickered, and he darted outside.
Soon, Zhou Yan emerged from the cave and appeared on a vast plain.
As soon as he stepped out, Zhou Yan looked into the distance and saw several massive, ferocious black Flood Dragons savagely tearing at a group of people.
These humans were all martial artists.
Among them were the old, the weak, women and children, young and middle-aged men and women, and even two Grandmaster powerhouses.
However, these Grandmaster powerhouses were currently hampered and being pursued by the Flood Dragons.
"Bang!"
Suddenly, one of the Grandmaster powerhouses was caught off guard and slammed to the ground by a swipe of a black Flood Dragon's tail.
Blood splattered, dyeing the ground red.
"Not good!"
Seeing this, Zhou Yan's expression tightened.
Then, he took a deep breath, leaped up, and lunged towards the Grandmaster powerhouse.
"Get lost!"
Zhou Yan roared, shoving the Grandmaster powerhouse aside.
"Brat, you're courting death!"
Upon seeing this, the remaining Grandmaster powerhouses were enraged.
"Hahaha..."
"Since you want to die, I'll send you on your way!"
Zhou Yan threw his head back and laughed, his expression wild.
As his words fell, his blood surged, and his true qi became like a sea, converging on his right arm. He violently threw a punch.
Instantly, a radiant golden fist imprint materialized, exuding an overwhelming aura of majesty. With an indomitable momentum, it hurtled towards them.
"Not good!"
The expressions of the martial artists turned to terror as they scrambled to retreat.
However, although they dodged the fist imprint, they still could not escape the sweep of the Flood Dragons' tails.
In an instant, three to four martial artists were sent flying, blood gushing from their noses and mouths, their chests fractured, and they fainted on the spot.
The few remaining Grandmasters were so terrified that their souls were scattered and their courage evaporated.
At this moment, they gazed at the Flood Dragons with eyes full of dread.
"Roar!"
The Flood Dragons roared, like demons descending, exuding boundless killing intent as they charged towards the Grandmasters.
"Ah, save me!"
"Save me!"
In an instant, cries of agony filled the air, and shrill shouts reverberated incessantly.
"Evil creature, how dare you!"
One of the Grandmaster experts' eyes threatened to split open.
The next moment, he wielded his sword and swung it fiercely. Wisps of Innate Qi erupted, striking the Flood Dragons' bodies, producing metallic clangs.
However, his attacks caused no damage whatsoever, not even shaking the Flood Dragons in the slightest.
"Pfft!"
Finally, a Flood Dragon swiped with a claw, directly shattering the Grandmaster powerhouse's protective Qi.
"No!"
The Grandmaster powerhouse screamed as his body was crushed into nothingness by the Flood Dragon.
"Hiss!"
Witnessing this scene, the other three Grandmaster powerhouses could not help but gasp, their eyelids twitching violently, filled with panic.
"Be careful, don't let it ambush you."
"That's right, this is a beast of the Innate level, possessing Innate Qi protection, it's impossible to kill."
"And that peculiar curved saber, it can actually absorb true qi, making it impossible to guard against."
The three warned each other, their gazes fixed on the Flood Dragons.
They knew that individually, they were no match for the Flood Dragons.
However, they had not given up.
Because behind them lay the medicinal herbs in the valley.
Each of these herbs was extremely precious, worth tens of millions of Chinese yuan.
"Roar!"
The Flood Dragons roared, their eyes filled with bloodthirsty greed.
They looked down at the three, their eyes cold, radiating boundless killing intent.
Zhou Yan's gaze also locked onto the Flood Dragons, his eyes icy.
"This Flood Dragon's strength is comparable to a Martial Grandmaster. If I can devour it, my strength will surely advance by leaps and bounds, perhaps even breaking through to the Grandmaster peak!"
Thinking of this, Zhou Yan's heart burned with fervent desire.
"Kill!"
Suddenly, one of the Grandmaster powerhouses erupted with powerful might and actively charged forward.
"Roar!"
The Flood Dragons roared in fury, opening their mouths and spewing a stream of black flames.