C5 Robbery!

Wisps of gray, enigmatic mist flowed through Yang Fann's palm, rapidly unfurling to shroud the towering form of the Vajra Giant Bear.

In the next instant...

A horrifying spectacle unfolded: the bear's flesh and blood appeared to be voraciously consumed by an unseen force, its body shriveling rapidly before the naked eye.

Simultaneously, rich blood energy flooded into Yang Fann's body, each circulation infusing his form with a surge of potent strength. His robust physique, refined muscles, and skin, all felt the impact against the blockages in his Heavenly Meridian.

More and more sludge-like black filth oozed from Yang Fann's pores, dirtying the ground and filling the air with a foul stench. Yet, with each expulsion of impurity, Yang Fann's body grew increasingly invigorated. Eventually, he felt as light as a feather, his mind crystal clear, his thoughts flowing effortlessly.

A minute later, the Vajra Giant Bear was reduced to a desiccated husk, its lifeblood completely drained. Yang Fann, now coated in a layer of black muck, reeked. But he seemed oblivious to the stench, erupting into a mad cackle, "Hahaha... It's all true! The Heaven and Earth Devouring Method can indeed consume the bloodlines of myriad beings, enhancing one's own. Hahaha... I am truly fortunate!"

His laughter boomed, a cathartic release of a decade's worth of suppressed indignation, startling the nearby birds into a frenzied flutter.

In that brief minute, he had cleared one-fifth of his Heavenly Meridian, an achievement that would have taken ten days of grueling practice. Most astonishingly, his bloodline had advanced—an incredible feat. In this world, while there are rare fruits that can enhance one's bloodline, they are treasures beyond price, seldom possessed by martial artists, many of whom might never even glimpse such wonders in their lifetimes.

"The Heaven and Earth Devouring Method is comprised of four volumes: the upper, middle, lower, and foundational sections. Should I master the final volume, I could devour the essence of billions with a mere thought. At present, I've merely scratched the surface, not even mastering the foundational text. Yet, even this grants me the power to absorb half the bloodline essence of beings on my level. Astounding!" Yang Fann's heart pounded with a newfound confidence, "With this miraculous technique, what's to stop me from ascending to an outer sect disciple? No, even becoming an Inner Sect or core disciple is within reach. Someday, I will step beyond the Great Tang Dynasty, and like a deity, I will have the power to obliterate the stars."

"I must keep the Heaven and Earth Devouring Method secret!" A resolute glint crossed Yang Fann's eyes. He knew all too well the danger treasures could bring, "And I cannot confide even in my parents."

It wasn't a matter of trust, but of safety—each additional confidant meant increased risk.

With a resounding "Boom!" his Spiritual Energy pulsed, pulverizing the Vajra Giant Bear's desiccated remains into dust, leaving no trace behind.

"One month until the Battle at Bronze Warriors' Lane!" Yang Fann's gaze pierced the horizon. Gone was any hint of hesitation or confusion, replaced by an endless wellspring of belief.

In an instant, Yang Fann's silhouette sprang into action, leaping and bounding until he vanished into the vast expanse of the dense forest.

In a modest clearing behind Ink Bamboo Peak, a leopard, its fur a blazing red and fangs exposed, had just slain a single-horned antelope. As it prepared to feast on its catch, it failed to notice the pair of bloodthirsty eyes fixed upon it from the adjacent underbrush.

Abruptly, a dark figure burst forth from the thicket, closing the distance of several meters in a mere blink. The Fire Leopard had no time to react before the shadow materialized a mere three meters away.

"Die! Wild Bull Mountain Opening Fist!"

The punch, reminiscent of a rampaging bull's charge, carried the might to shatter mountains. With a single blow, the ferocious head of the Fire Leopard was obliterated. As the beast collapsed, the identity of the shadow was revealed—it was none other than Yang Fann. Yet, the Yang Fann of this moment had shed his youthful naivety and shyness, replaced by a chilling composure.

He laid his hands on the carcass of the Fire Leopard, invoking the Heaven and Earth Devouring Method, greedily absorbing the creature's Blood Essence.

*Boom!*

A surge of inner force roiled within him, and with a thunderous roar, Yang Fann sprang to his feet.

Second Layer of Pulse Opening Stage!

Yang Fann's laughter echoed through the air. In under six hours, he had forged connections with three Heavenly Meridians and even shattered the bottleneck of the First Layer of Pulse Opening Stage. Who would credit such a tale? Who would even dare to believe it?

Consider that even prodigies with a Seventh-rank Bloodline might struggle to connect a single Heavenly Meridian in a day, much less advance an entire realm.

Moreover, Yang Fann had uncovered yet another formidable aspect of the Heaven and Earth Devouring Method—he could devour spiritual energy, catapulting his mental cultivation to new heights!

Now possessing the cultivation of the early Second Layer of Pulse Opening Stage and the mental realm of the Third Empyrean, he was truly a marvel.

"Dad, Mom! I will surely make you proud!" Yang Fann gazed out over the lush, dense forest, his heart swelling with boundless ambition.

Near the mid-slope of Ink Bamboo Peak stood a palatial structure sprawling across dozens of acres, serving as the dining hall for the servant disciples.

Just past 7 AM, the disciples began to trickle into the cafeteria, each selecting a plate of food. Among them were Yang Fann and Qin Hu. Yang Fann had returned to his modest abode at 3 AM, resisting the temptation to remain in the mountains hunting Exotic Beasts to enhance his cultivation. The servant disciples had their daily duties, and with the daytime bustle, any lapse in caution could lead to discovery.

Yang Fann and Qin Hu quickly settled at a table, their plates heaped with meat. Martial artists at the Pulse Opening Stage primarily relied on refining food to draw out Vital Energy, and meat, being richer in this energy than vegetables, was the preferred choice—especially the flesh of Exotic Beasts, which, even at the lowest tier, packed several times the energy of ordinary predators.

"Come get your Refreshing Soup!" A few minutes later, a call captured everyone's attention. Several elderly women, each maneuvering a cart, made their way into the cafeteria. The carts bore porcelain bowls brimming with a blood-red broth, its enticing medicinal scent so invigorating that a single whiff could rejuvenate the spirit.

The Refreshing Soup, crafted from century-old wild ginseng and a blend of numerous herbs, was designed to replenish Qi and blood. It served as an indirect form of compensation for the many servant disciples. Without it, they would be fortunate just to sustain their normal consumption of meat, let alone entertain the luxury of cultivation. The workload for servant disciples was immense each day.

Yang Fann and Qin Hu queued up before an elderly woman, each receiving a bowl of Refreshing Soup, intent on returning to their modest quarters to assimilate the soup's potent medicinal properties.

However, they hadn't gotten far when a group abruptly obstructed their path.

"Lei Bao!" Yang Fann's idle left hand instinctively clenched at the sight of the group's leader.

"Trouble's brewing!" The servant disciples, initially headed back to their rooms, no longer seemed in a rush. They halted, huddling in pairs, whispering among themselves with a collective gleam of anticipation for the drama to escalate.

"Useless. You're bound to be eliminated in a month anyway. Giving you the Refreshing Soup is just a waste. Luo Cheng, take his soup for me!" Lei Bao commanded, peering down at Yang Fann with a squint and a sharp tone.

"Yes, Senior Brother Lei!" Luo Cheng, Lei Bao's top henchman, stepped forward and barked at Yang Fann, "Scum, hand over the Refreshing Soup!"

Fury seethed within Yang Fann. The daily dose of Refreshing Soup was crucial for their cultivation. Lei Bao was deliberately hindering his progress!

To obstruct someone's cultivation was an unforgivable offense, akin to slaying one's parents—a hatred beyond reconciliation.

In that tense moment, Qin Hu stepped up, shielding Yang Fann. "Luo Cheng, you've gone too far," he said, his voice quivering slightly, betraying a lack of conviction.

"Brother Hu!" A surge of gratitude flashed in Yang Fann's eyes. Despite the danger, Qin Hu had unflinchingly taken a stand. He was a true friend indeed.

"Qin Hu, looks like you don't need your Refreshing Soup either!" Luo Cheng sneered, snatching the bowl from Qin Hu's grasp.

"Luo Cheng, you..." Qin Hu, livid, pointed at Luo Cheng, too incensed to find the words.

"Dare to point at me? Seems like you're asking for a beating!" Luo Cheng snarled, shoving Qin Hu, who stood with eyes blazing in fury.

"Luo Cheng, this is too much!" Qin Hu's teeth were clenched in anger, yet his gaze shifted away, revealing a hint of vulnerability. His talent surpassed Yang Fann's, having advanced to the Second Layer three months prior. But Luo Cheng was stronger still, and with Lei Bao and his cohort looming threateningly in the background, the power dynamics were clear.

"Qin Hu, be quiet. Do you really think I won't make you crawl back?" Luo Cheng shot Qin Hu a contemptuous look, then turned his attention back to Yang Fann, his gaze haughty and dismissive, "Worthless fool, didn't you hear me? Hand over the Refreshing Soup!"