"Fang Yang, you bastard, you swept away three members of the Shrek Seven Devils in one go."
Yun Ming crossed his arms, shooting an unfriendly glare at Fang Yang, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness.
"Well..."
Fang Yang rubbed his nose, flashing a slightly apologetic smile. "They all came with me of their own free will."
He brushed his hand over his Storage Soul Guide Ring, and seven warm, translucent jade bottles materialized in his palm.
The bottles were pristine white, with a faint halo flowing across their surfaces. Inside, the faint glowing halo of the pills within could vaguely be seen.
A refreshing, soul-soothing fragrance quietly diffused into the air, invigorating everyone present.
He handed the jade bottles to Luo Guixing, Xu Yucheng, Le Zhengyu, Yang Nianxia, and the others in turn, before finally presenting three bottles solemnly to Yun Ming.
"What are these?"
Luo Guixing asked, curiously examining the jade bottle in his hand.
He could feel the pure energy contained within, as if it were resonating with his Martial Soul.
"These are my specially refined Spirit-Nourishing Pills," Fang Yang explained. "They can stimulate hidden potential and elevate the quality of one's Martial Soul to a certain extent, adapting to each person's specific Martial Soul characteristics."
Hearing this, everyone's faces lit up with pleasant surprise.
A pill that could improve a Martial Soul was an absolute, priceless treasure across the entire Douluo Continent. Even for these widely experienced genius Soul Masters, it was hard not to be tempted.
Even a trace of surprise flashed in Yun Ming's eyes. He took the jade bottle and gently popped the cork. A much richer medicinal fragrance immediately filled the air, enough to stir even him, a Limit Douluo.
Yun Ming could sense that the energy within this pill was incredibly pure, and it would indeed be of immense benefit to Soul Masters.
"Fang Yang, thank you."
Everyone solemnly expressed their gratitude. Even the usually aloof Xu Yucheng gave a slight nod, carefully stowing his jade bottle away.
The unfriendliness in Yun Ming's eyes had long since dissipated, replaced by deep appreciation. "You brat, you always manage to surprise people."
He sighed lightly, his tone softening considerably. "Forget it, since it was their own choice, it's not my place to force them to stay."
"However..."
He changed the subject, a glint of cunning flashing in his eyes. "If you get any more good stuff next time, don't forget to notify me first."
Fang Yang smiled knowingly. "Naturally."
Everyone exchanged smiles, and the atmosphere instantly relaxed.
Playing with the jade bottle in her hand, Yang Nianxia couldn't help but ask, "Fang Yang, is there any specific method for taking this Spirit-Nourishing Pill?"
"It's best to take it right before cultivating, using your soul power to guide the medicinal effects throughout your body," Fang Yang explained patiently. "Everyone's Martial Soul is different, so the effects will vary. But regardless, it will be of great benefit to your cultivation."
Hearing this, a look of eager anticipation flashed in Le Zhengyu's eyes; he was clearly itching to try the pill's effects.
"Alright everyone, Gu Yuena and I have some matters to attend to, so we'll take our leave first."
Fang Yang took Gu Yuena's hand and nodded in farewell to the group.
"Go ahead," Yun Ming and Ya Li nodded simultaneously.
The others waved goodbye, watching until the figures of the two completely disappeared from sight.
Gu Yuena let Fang Yang hold her hand as she asked softly, "Where are we going?"
"When the spring breeze blows, the grass grows again. If you want to eradicate weeds, you must pull them out by the roots." Fang Yang's voice was calm, yet carried a chilling edge.
Hearing this, a look of understanding flashed in Gu Yuena's eyes. "I see."
"Mhm."
Fang Yang gave a slight nod. His powerful spiritual power surged out in an instant, sweeping across the entire Douluo Plane like an invisible tide.
A moment later, he opened his eyes, a cold glint flashing in his pupils.
"Oh? So they're hiding in the Dou Ling Continent."
Fang Yang grabbed Gu Yuena's hand, and their figures transformed into two streaks of flowing light—one black, one silver—speeding off in the direction of the Dou Ling Continent.
They were so fast that they left only two faint, fleeting trails of light in the sky.
...
Dou Ling Continent.
Inside a hidden valley, Chen Xinjie and Qiangu Zhangting were hiding out in a wooden cabin.
"Master... how can we get our revenge?" Qiangu Zhangting's voice was hoarse, his eyes bloodshot.
Ever since the Qian Clan's destruction, he had been living in the shadow of hatred.
Chen Xinjie sighed, his expression grave. "With our current strength, revenge is impossible."
He had taken Qiangu Zhangting in as a disciple purely because of the Sin God Medusa's artifact—the Soul-Stealing Token.
"Fang Yang's strength has surpassed our imagination. Even the Spirit Pagoda and the War God Temple are powerless against him."
"Master, are we just going to let that bastard Fang Yang act so arrogantly?" Qiangu Zhangting clenched his fists, his nails digging deeply into his palms.
"Zhangting, don't be anxious."
Chen Xinjie patted his shoulder. "We just need to wait for the Ancestor Sea God to lead the gods back. A mere Fang Yang can be wiped out with a flick of a finger. What we need to do now is conserve our strength and wait for the right moment."
"Oh? Is God King Tang really that strong?"
A cold voice suddenly echoed in the wooden cabin, causing both of them to stiffen.
The wooden door silently swung open. Fang Yang, holding Gu Yuena's hand, walked in slowly, his gaze as cold as a blade.
Qiangu Zhangting shot to his feet, his eyes filled with murderous intent. "Fang Yang, I will avenge the Qian Clan!"
"Qiangu Zhangting, you?"
Fang Yang glanced at him dismissively, his tone dripping with unconcealed contempt. "Your grandfather was no match for me, so what the hell are you?"
"Fang Yang, I'll kill you!"
Qiangu Zhangting roared. His soul power erupted, and nine soul rings instantly lit up beneath his feet.
However, before he could even make a move, a terrifying pressure pinned him firmly to the spot. He couldn't even move a single finger.
Chen Xinjie's expression drastically changed as he likewise felt the suffocating coercion.
He struggled to lift his head, looking at Fang Yang with eyes full of shock.
"Your strength..."
Fang Yang was merely standing there, yet it was as if he had merged with the surrounding heaven and earth, exuding an aura that made one's heart palpitate.
"Alright, you can go die now."
Fang Yang spoke faintly, slowly raising his right hand.
"Ah..."
Qiangu Zhangting let out a furious roar, a trace of madness flashing in his eyes.
He expended the last ounce of his strength to unleash the Sin God Medusa's artifact—the Soul-Stealing Token.
A pitch-black token, dark as ink, floated in mid-air, radiating an eerie glow.
Chen Xinjie didn't dare to be careless either. He hurriedly donned the Sea God Helmet.
An azure light radiated from the helmet, forming a protective barrier that barely resisted the pressure radiating from Fang Yang.
Watching their dying struggles, a cold sneer tugged at the corner of Fang Yang's mouth. "A mantis trying to stop a chariot. Overestimating yourselves."
With a casual wave of his hand, the black light on the Soul-Stealing Token instantly shattered.
Qiangu Zhangting let out a miserable shriek as he was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string, slamming heavily into the cabin wall.
Meanwhile, the Sea God Helmet on Chen Xinjie's head let out a strained whine, its azure light flickering erratically.
Gu Yuena stood quietly to the side, her silver hair gently fluttering in the breeze.
Her gaze remained fixed on Fang Yang the entire time, as if the battle before her wasn't even worth her attention.
Fang Yang stepped forward slowly. Every step felt as though it were landing directly on their heartbeats.
The shadow of death completely enveloped the cabin in this moment.
Chen Xinjie gritted his teeth, a look of resolve flashing in his eyes. He fiercely slapped his own chest, spitting a mouthful of essence blood onto the Sea God Helmet. The azure light instantly blazed brightly.
"Sea God's Blessing!"
A phantom, azure figure appeared behind Chen Xinjie, emanating a faint divine might.
This was a sliver of the Sea God's will left within the Sea God Helmet, activated at the cost of Chen Xinjie's life force.
Qiangu Zhangting also struggled to his feet, his eyes completely consumed by madness. "Fang Yang, even if I die, I'm dragging you down with me!"
His soul power burned wildly as his entire body transformed into a streak of bloody light, charging directly at Fang Yang.
This was his final strike, paid for with his life.
Fang Yang merely shook his head.
"Futile."
He extended his right hand, his five fingers spreading open.
Instantly, the surrounding space seemed to freeze entirely.
The bloody light that was Qiangu Zhangting froze in mid-air, and the Sea God phantom behind Chen Xinjie halted as well.
Time, in this moment, stood still.
Fang Yang's palm slowly closed.
"No—"
Amidst Chen Xinjie's despairing scream, Qiangu Zhangting's body shattered inch by inch, dissipating into dots of light in the air.
The Sea God phantom also burst like a bubble under Fang Yang's grasp.
Chen Xinjie collapsed to the ground, the light on his Sea God Helmet completely extinguishing.
He looked at the slowly approaching Fang Yang, his eyes filled with terror and unwillingness.
"The Sea God Ancestor... will avenge me..."
Fang Yang looked down at him from above, his gaze completely indifferent.
"Then let him try."
A flash of black light descended, and Chen Xinjie's consciousness plunged into eternal darkness.
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