Chapter 020: The Fat Man

After observing for a moment, Yang Tian could not make out anything, so he put away the fragmentary map and turned to the herb garden.

Looking at the delicate and charming three-colored flower, he could no longer conceal his intense joy. Although the three-colored flower could not increase cultivation, its effect of strengthening the body drove those in the Blood Refining realm wild—it was a martial artist's passport.

He placed the three-colored flower into his mouth; it dissolved instantly upon entry. Before he could taste the flower, a surge of heat darted like flames in his stomach, rapidly spreading throughout his body.

At that moment, Yang Tian sat cross-legged in the cave, his whole body flushed red. The medicinal power frantically drilled into his skin, his chest felt as if it would split open, and his entire body felt like countless ants crawling over it, both painful and itchy.

Yang Tian shook his head violently. He had long heard of the pain of marrow cleansing, but never imagined it would be so unbearable. He sank his breath, gathered his spirit, and let the medicinal power of the three-colored flower wash over his flesh.

His outer skin strengthened at a terrifying speed. Most of the medicinal power seeped into his body, the three-colored energy permeating his internal organs. The medicinal power fiercely tempered his flesh; his organs relaxed and tensed. Yang Tian could clearly feel the terrifying increase in his physical strength.

His flesh was transforming. The tempered skin emitted a crystalline luster, the hardness of his bones increased several times over, and every inch of muscle seemed to possess explosive power. As they contracted, sonic booms continuously exploded.

With each wisp of medicinal power that diminished, he felt his body's strength increase by a fraction. Black impurities were expelled from his pores, and his flesh became increasingly translucent.

After a while, the three-colored energy gradually decreased. The remaining medicinal power surged into his muscles and bones. Yang Tian felt his blood burning, and sweat covered his forehead.

Under the medicinal power's scouring, his bones shone like precious jade. The power gradually penetrated deep into his marrow. In his qi sea, the crystalline blood beads were strengthened bit by bit, and the blood qi within became more and more refined.

One day later.

Yang Tian opened his eyes. Sensing the transformation of his flesh, he rubbed his skin with his fingers, feeling a hard, angular texture.

Boom!

He threw a punch, and the thousand-pound boulder before him was shattered to pieces. Yang Tian had not used any blood qi; relying solely on his physical body, his strength was already comparable to that of an ordinary Eighth Heaven martial artist.

"Tsk, tsk, this three-colored flower is truly a miraculous herb in the cultivation world. If I relied solely on body refinement, achieving this effect would take a long time, not to mention the usual consumption of pills." Taking a deep breath, Yang Tian smiled joyfully. Then his gaze swept over the hundreds of spiritual herbs, and the corners of his mouth curled up.

Inside the Ancestral Dragon Ring, compared to its former desolate scene, a rich medicinal fragrance now drifted everywhere. The ground was lush green, and the newly transplanted spiritual herbs occupied most of the space. The red fruits on the vermilion fruit tree were about to ripen.

Yang Tian collected the three void rings and turned to leave.

Outside the cave, Yang Tian dashed off, his speed twice as fast as before, and completely silent. His control over his body had advanced to another level.

Bang!

Yang Tian's sprinting body abruptly halted. He stomped his foot, unleashing tremendous force. The ground cracked, and fissures rapidly spread into the distance.

Bang!

Without any pause, before the beast ahead could react, he punched it directly in the abdomen. The explosive force burst forth bit by bit.

"Crack, crack!"

A bowl-sized wound gushed blood. The fallen beast convulsed violently a few times. Without using blood qi, a first-tier seventh-level beast was killed in one blow!

After a night of frantic running, Yang Tian found his way back. He restored his blood qi and then rushed toward the Kuangyun City fortress.

A few li from the fortress, there were still several disciples of the Star Martial Hall on guard, though they were much stronger. But the scene before him made Yang Tian roll his eyes.

Ahead, several imposing disciples were surrounding three beautiful women, spewing indecent words. The three women looked at the covetous men with fearful eyes.

"Haha, I never thought I'd see such beauties in this godforsaken place. We brothers are truly blessed today." One man scraped a woman's cheek with his finger, his lecherous gaze sweeping over her voluptuous figure, swallowing hard.

"Hehe, if you big brothers are satisfied, could you let me go?" Behind the disciples, a scrawny man rubbed his hands together ingratiatingly.

"Zuo Quan, you bastard! I hired you with money, and you dare betray me!" On the ground, a fat man lay sprawled, blood oozing from his nose and mouth, glaring at the scrawny man.

"Qing Yuan, how can you blame me? You have no cultivation at all, yet you insisted on bringing these beauties to the Beast Mountain Range for fun. Now that trouble's come, do you expect me to die with you?" The scrawny man jumped up, sneering at the fat man on the ground.

"Haha!" One of the big men laughed heartily, then his tone suddenly changed: "Don't rush. Neither of you will survive."

As soon as he spoke, the big man's blood qi surged. He stomped his foot, unleashing a surge of blood qi, and at the same time, a fist gleaming with green light struck out fiercely.

"Bang, bang!" Blood splattered. The scrawny man lost his life after a few breaths.

"Ah—" The three beautiful women were terrified, tears welling in their eyes. Then they turned their gaze to Wang Yuan, sobbing, "Young master, save us!"

"Hehe, don't worry. I'll take good care of you." Pinching a woman's cheek, the big man laughed loudly.

"Bastard! Let them go!" Qing Yuan roared, his tiger-like eyes fixed on the man ahead, his teeth grinding loudly. A murderous intent seeped from his body.

"Slap... slap..."

Suddenly, the sound of clapping rang out. Each clap was like a thunderclap, making the eardrums of the several big men ache.

"What does this gentleman mean? We brothers are not to be trifled with. I advise you not to meddle, or else..."

His gaze fell on the slowly approaching youth. As the big man spoke, his words gradually froze, fear quietly crept onto his face, and his hands trembled slightly.

"You... you... you're Yang Tian? You're not dead?" Stuttering, the big man pointed at Yang Tian, a chill rising within him.

"Could it be that I, Qing Yuan, will turn misfortune into good fortune and escape this calamity today?" Looking at the sudden arrival, Qing Yuan breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his face.

"What? Hoping I'd die?" Yang Tian rubbed his nose and walked over slowly. Glancing at the three beautiful women, he sneered, "This is indeed your martial hall's style. As martial artists, you have no sense of shame."

"Bastard! Kill him!" The big man's face flushed with shame and anger. Looking at Yang Tian's thin frame, he refused to believe that Yang Tian could be a match for the five of them.

"Brother, be careful!" Qing Yuan shouted hastily, cursing his own uselessness—his qi sea had no blood qi to mobilize.

"Clang!" Several large blades appeared in their hands. The five attacked simultaneously, dozens of blinding rays of light tearing through the vacuum and hurtling toward Yang Tian.

Whoosh!

Yang Tian's form flickered. As an afterimage passed, he appeared beside one man. He threw a punch, like an indestructible iron sword, piercing straight through the man.

"So fast!" Seeing the man collapse to the ground, the remaining four were greatly alarmed. The weapons in their hands flew out, attacking Yang Tian.

Clang! Yang Tian stomped his foot, raising a cloud of dust. Sparks flew within the dust, and the sound of metal clashing exploded.

Crack! The sound of breaking rang out. Dozens of pieces of shattered metal fell from the air.

"Sigh, such a strong body." Qing Yuan looked at Yang Tian's hand in surprise and murmured, "In the Qingyang Empire, no family seems to specialize in body refinement, right?"

"Damn, this kid's body is too strong!" Looking at the shattered metal on the ground, the men's legs trembled, and fear filled their hearts. Yang Tian had crushed their blood weapons with his bare hands!

"Hmph, stay here." Seeing them turn to flee, Yang Tian sneered. His speed surged again. He threw several punches in midair, the fist force fierce. Accompanied by screams, blood and bones splattered!

"Ah—" The women beside him, seeing the bloody scene, felt a wave of nausea. But looking at Yang Tian's calm face, they held back and gathered around Qing Yuan.

"Thank you for your help, brother. I am Qing Yuan." The scene seemed to have little effect on the fat man with no cultivation. He stepped forward quickly and cupped his hands.

Then the three beautiful women also came forward, curtsying, "We thank the young master for saving us."

"Brother Qing, no need to be polite. I have a personal grudge against them." Yang Tian smiled slightly. He did not underestimate the young man before him. Though Qing Yuan had no cultivation, he had an extraordinary bearing, and a hint of nobility showed between his brows.

"Hehe, Brother Yang is too kind. I will never forget your life-saving grace. One day, I will surely repay you heavily." Qing Yuan laughed, then continued, "May I ask if Brother Yang is heading out? If you don't mind, could you take me and these beauties away?"

"Hehe, sure." Yang Tian smiled faintly, glanced at the fat man, and without further words, headed toward Kuangyun City.

A quarter of an hour later, Yang Tian said goodbye to Qing Yuan and hurried to the Dragon Star Martial Hall.