The first rays of sunlight illuminated the massive snake corpse, casting a golden glow on its scales.


    A metallic boot stepped firmly onto the serpent’s head, pressing down hard.


    The remaining vertical pupil seemed to twitch slightly, as if ready to rise again.


    “That damn beast… even dead, it still tries to frighten us! Indeed, snakes have always been known for their tenacity,” Linghu Shan spat, then turned his gaze towards Fang Xi.


    As per their agreement, all materials from the snake-dragon belonged to Fang Xi.


    Ignoring etiquettepletely, Fang Xi busied himself with multiple buckets, collecting the serpent’s blood while muttering incessantly, “What a loss… what a loss…”


    He winced at the sight of the snake-dragon’s spilled blood across the battlefield.


    This was the blood of a high-grade rank-one mythical beast, and moreover, one with Dragon Division lineage!


    Although the dragon lineage was exceedingly weak, making extraction impossible, it would undoubtedly catch the eye of talisman masters like Chen Ping, who might go red-eyed over such a find! This blood was invaluable as spiritual material for crafting top-tier talisman ink! Not only useful for talisman masters but also highly beneficial for alchemists.


    “Wealthy, wealthy…”


    First, he collected the snake’s blood, then its skin and meat…


    “The snake bones and teeth can be used for equipment forging, serving as raw materials for high-grade magical artifacts, while the scales are perfect for creating superior spirit armor…”


    Fang Xi quickly estimated their value and felt slightly dizzy.


    Regardless of rank or size, this serpent monster was the most impressive he had ever encountered. Altogether, it must be worth at least a thousand spirit stones!


    He sliced open the snake’s belly, retrieved the galldder, searched thoroughly, and suddenly sighed.


    “Xiao You, what are you looking for?” Linghu Shan approached, his face filled with curiosity.


    “I’ve heard that creatures like snake-dragons may develop an inner core within them, but apparently not this one…” Fang Xi nced at his bloody hands and sighed again.


    In reality, mythical beasts capable of forming an inner core were predominantly third-rank or higher, which would undoubtedly cause chaos if they appeared in the Yue Kingdom.


    Apart from that, only some exceptionally gifted tier-2 mythical beasts might possess a monster core—these cores were equally priceless!


    Unfortunately, this snake-dragon was merely a tier-1 creature and did not have an inner core.


    Fang Xi estimated that with its exceptional bloodline talent, if it had been a tier-2 beast, it would undoubtedly have developed a monster core—but then, he likely would have been the one fleeing for his life, possibly without any chance of escape!


    Nevertheless, Fang Xi felt quite satisfied with the oue.


    “You may be mistaken, Xiao You. Our sect’s secret records contain extensive information on mythical beasts, but there has never been any mention of them forming inner cores…” Linghu Shan said with a smile.


    Since avenging his greatest grudge, the old man appeared visibly relieved and at ease.


    “Really? Might I borrow those records to take a look?” Fang Xi’s eyes lit up.


    He had long been intrigued by the demons and mythical creatures in this world. Additionally, he hoped to explore Great Liang further, searching for other celestial spiritual roots simr to the one he possessed.


    After all, the Demon Tree seemed inherently sinister; it was best to avoid relying on it whenever possible…


    At the border of Ding Province, a massive boundary marker stood tall.


    On the wide official road, a figure suddenly appeared out of nowhere.


    The individual seemed around forty years old, with bronze-colored skin and hands resting on his knees. From afar, he resembled an ancient copper statue.


    Approaching the boundary marker, he sighed, “Ding Province… It’s been ten years since myst visit.”


    “Zhou Tong! Didn’t expect you to be sent for this assessment,” said a voice from atop the boundary marker.


    An elderly man had taken a seat there, d in dark martial attire. His face bore deep wrinkles and age spots, yet his eyes gleamed intensely, giving off an unsettling vibe, akin to that of arge bat.


    “Greetings, Senior Yan of Falcon Fist!” Zhou Tong bowed respectfully with sped hands. “Senior, are you also here to evaluate the new talent?”


    “Yes, ordinarily, a mere Zongshi wouldn’t require my personal involvement. However, I’ve heard about his exceptional talent - breaking through before thirty and even mastering a hundred-mile flying sword technique. Feeling restless, I decided toe see for myself…” Old Yanmented, “Each generation brings forth remarkable talents indeed!”


    Zhou Tong couldn’t help but feel anxious for the neer; boasting such achievements at the peak of human limits seemed rather excessive.


    Indeed, the association had specifically sent both him and Old Yan to assess the candidate.


    Although all Zongshi were Martial Saints, there was still a clear hierarchy in strength.


    For instance, there were naturally gifted individuals like Zhou Tong himself, and seasoned veterans like Old Yan.


    These exceptional figures were considered top-tier Martial Saints within the Zongshi Association!


    The association gathered numerous Martial Saints who contributed their secret techniques, allowing each other to learn from strengths and ovee weaknesses. This coborative effort resulted in the creation of supreme martial arts surpassing even the finest existing practices!


    Both Zhou Tong and Old Yan had cultivated these supreme martial arts, including pinnacle secret techniques inspired by ‘devils’.


    In terms of power, they ranked among the foremost Martial Saints worldwide!


    Their presence during this assessment also served as a subtle disy of authority to the neer.


    “Let’s go. I’m eager to meet that young fellow, and it will be nice to see my old friends on Yuanhe Mountain…”


    With a chuckle, Old Yan vanished instantly.


    Zhou Tong sighed with a wry smile and followed suit.


    Yuanhe Mountain.


    Lei Ji Peak.


    Upon returning to Yuanhe Mountain, Fang Xi immediately requested all avable scrolls on devils and began meticulously studying them:


    <strong>[Mountain Salt City Blood Hand: In the 27th year of Great Liang’s Mu Zong reign, the “Blood Hand Devil” emerged in Mountain Salt City with highly contagious properties. Symptoms included hands turning red… After seven days, those with red hands sumbed to madness and death, incurable by any means, leading to the creation of a Demonic Domain…]</strong>


    <strong>[Wanghai City Dream Demon: During the sixth year of Great Liang’s Ying Zong reign, residents of Wanghai City continuously fell into dreams, never waking up… Eventually, the entire city perished in their sleep…]</strong>


    <strong>[t South Province Sword Demon: In the thirteenth year of Great Chu’s Xian Zong reign, a cksmith in t South Province crafted a treasured sword capable of slicing through iron effortlessly. It was subsequently offered as tribute to the imperial pce… The following year, Emperor Xian Zong used this sword to kill fifty-three individuals including the Empress, Crown Prince, other princes, and concubines… The Great Chu Imperial Pce became engulfed in a Demonic Domain. Despite the outer court’s desperate efforts, numerous Zongshi suffered heavy casualties, ultimately resulting in failure…]</strong>


    As Fang Xi read through these ounts of demons, his expression turned deeply solemn. “Compared to monsters… the power of devils is even more terrifying, bizarre, and seemingly insurmountable!”


    In the final scroll, he found mention of ckstone City’s Demon Tree.


    However, apart from this instance, there were no other recorded demons resembling trees.


    ‘It seems… I won’t find any suitable alternatives.’


    Fang Xi felt utterly helpless.


    ‘Furthermore… when a devil truly unleashes its power, it bes virtually unstoppable… For example, Great Chu, presumably the empire before Great Liang, was annihted by just one sword demon…’


    ‘The entire might of the Great Chu imperial court could not ovee a single devil… Fortunately, devils are extremely rare, far fewer than monsters; otherwise, humanity would have no chance of survival in this world…’


    Suddenly, his expression shifted as he stepped out of the room.


    A ck silhouette was swiftly approaching across the mountainousndscape beneath the sky.


    With each graceful step on the treetops, the figure covered nearly twenty-five meters effortlessly, appearing like a giant bat soaring from afar. The mastery of their lightness martial arts reached an astonishingly extraordinary level.


    “Who approaches? Identify yourself!” Fang Xi stood with hands sped behind his back, calmly addressing the giant bat.


    “Heh heh… Impudent youngster, let this elder teach you some manners!”


    Therge bat descended, revealing an elderly man with silver hair and deep-set wrinkles. His hands formed beak-like shapes as they swiftly lunged forward!


    “Peeoow!”


    His boxing style was peculiarly swift, apanied by the cries of soaring birds!


    “Witness my Hundred Falcons Fist!”


    Terrifying true astral energy coalesced at his fingertips, subtly shaping into forms resembling falcons!


    “Well met!” Fang Xi eximed in admiration, casually striking out. The surrounding air currents seemed to converge into his palm, forming a formidable barrier.


    Countless falcons collided with the barrier, emitting shrill cries before dissipating without a trace…


    “Not bad, bring it on again!”


    With a sudden shift, the ck shadow appeared beside Fang Xi, apanied by even more piercing bird calls.


    “Secret Technique: Hundred Falcons’ Cry!”


    Instantaneously, the old man’s body expanded, appearing like a monstrous entity with hundreds of arms and hands. Numerous beak-like projections emerged, all converging towards Fang Xi simultaneously!


    “Take this punch!”


    Fang Xi’s expression turned solemn as he suddenly roared and unleashed a punch with immense force, akin to splitting the heavens:


    “Secret Technique - Primordial Infinity!”


    Bang! Bang!


    Countless shadows of fists and fingers shed, sending astral energy surging across the white stone floor, leaving behind numerous small holes.


    Finally, Fang Xi’s fist met the old man’s, resulting in a disy of evenly matched power!


    “Well done,d. I am Yan Sun, and I approve…” The old man’s face showed surprise, but just as he was about to reveal his identity, a sudden burst of golden light emerged from Fang Xi’s sleeve, swift as lightning, heading straight for his chest!


    Ayer of crimson astral energy instantly appeared on his chest, but having already expended much earlier,bined with the recent focus on exchanging punches with Fang Xi, left this defense remarkably weak.


    With minimal resistance, the golden light tore through the crimson astral energy, followed by a sh of sword re piercing directly into the old man’s chest.


    “Ugh!”


    The old man staggered back several steps, falling to the ground. He looked at the bleeding wound on his chest and pointed shakily at Fang Xi, gasping, “Y-you… young man, youck martial integrity… We agreed to use fists; how could you…use a sword?!”


    “Against enemies, there’s no room for sentiment.”


    Fang Xi approached the old man, raising his fist to strike.


    Just then, Linghu Shan’s voice boomed from afar, “Hold your hand, Old Yanzi! That is…”


    <em>Swish! Swish!</em>


    Two figures entered the courtyard, one after another - it was Linghu Shan followed by a middle-aged man with bronze-toned skin.


    Upon witnessing the scene, Linghu Shan remainedposed, but Zhou Tong’s eyes widened like copper bells. “How could this be? Old Yan…”


    Despite Yan Sun’s entric temperament, he was among the top ten experts in the Zongshi Association!


    How could he possibly lose to a newly minted Zongshi?


    “Oh, old buddy, who are these two?” Fang Xi already had his suspicions but feigned ignorance, asking casually.


    “Haha… Allow me to introduce them, my friend Fang. These are Yan Sun and Zhou Tong, both members of the Zongshi Association. They’re here to discuss your membership.” Linghu Shan’s eyes flickered as he chuckled, conveniently avoiding any mention of the assessment.


    “Ah, so what do they think of me? Am I qualified enough?”


    Fang Xi looked down at Yan Sun with a smile and asked casually.


    “Enough? Absolutely enough…” Zhou Tong quickly responded, ncing at Old Yan lying nearby.