C6 Fire Rat King Demonic Core

Despite the sword being a piece of junk, Lin Yaoyang couldn't be bothered to squander any more time on such trivial matters. He fixed a stern gaze on the weapon shop owner and stated firmly:

"We both know the value of this sword. 3 silver coins! That's a steal for you. If you keep haggling, you won't even get that."

Lin Yaoyang's expression conveyed his impatience, pressuring the shopkeeper to make a decision.

The owner, Fatty Soong, recognized a savvy customer when he saw one—not someone easily duped. He was slightly disappointed but consoled himself with the thought of making an extra silver coin.

A sly grin spread across Fatty Soong's face as he chuckled, "It's a deal!" He snatched the silver coins from Lin Yaoyang and tossed a roughly made scabbard his way.

Lin Yaoyang didn't bother catching it; he simply walked away with the sword. The worthless thing was more of a burden than anything else.

Clutching the iron sword, Lin Yaoyang hurried to a deserted corner of the market and held the weapon tightly.

"Disassemble!"

With the mental command given, he felt a warmth in his hand as the sword predictably turned to ash.

But the mental prompt that followed left Lin Yaoyang feeling disappointed.

"Disassembled a non-graded weapon. No points awarded."

Even though Lin Yaoyang hadn't held much hope for the endeavor, merely testing the waters, the outcome still left him feeling somewhat dejected.

Well, it would be odd if it were that easy. Better to go buy a Demonic Core! Lin Yaoyang murmured to himself, then made his way to the vendor selling Demonic Cores.

"What!? A Fire Rat Demonic Core of such poor quality for 300 gold coins?" Lin Yaoyang exclaimed in disbelief, questioning the seller with a look of astonishment.

"Exactly! 300 gold coins, take it or leave it. Do you have any idea what we went through to get this Demonic Core? We lost several good men to a Fire Rat King for it."

Across from him, a mercenary clad in ragged armor lounged on a wooden chair, his body rocking gently as he spoke with an air of nonchalance.

"Fire Rat King?" Lin Yaoyang's expression shifted upon hearing the mercenary's words. Could this haphazard-looking Demonic Core actually be from the Fire Rat King? He was somewhat perplexed.

"May I have a look?" Lin Yaoyang inquired of the mercenary.

"Go ahead! Take a gander! What, you think I'd deceive you?" The mercenary tossed the Demonic Core to Lin Yaoyang with a carefree shrug. He wasn't worried about Lin Yaoyang taking off with it—not with so many of his comrades nearby.

As for damaging it, the Demonic Core was the very essence of a Demonic Beast. It wouldn't be an overstatement to say it contained all of the creature's power. It wasn't something that could be easily damaged.

Who in Qingye Town could possibly have the strength to damage a Demonic Core? And who would bother competing with him over a mere ordinary Fire Rat's core?

With this thought, the mercenary's face twisted into a sly grin. Indeed, this was a Demonic Core from a common Fire Rat, albeit a flawed one. Yet, he insisted it was from the Fire Rat King.

Much like Fatty Soong, this mercenary was simply looking to trick those who couldn't tell the difference.

Lin Yaoyang turned the Demonic Core over in his hands, admiring its exquisite craftsmanship. It was covered in countless tiny prismatic facets, and a slight warmth emanated from it—characteristic of the Fire Rat, a fire-attribute Demonic Beast.

A question formed in Lin Yaoyang's mind, "Is this truly the Demonic Core of the Fire Rat King?"

An answer came promptly.

"No, this is the core of an ordinary Fire Rat, and it's sustained damage, with over 20% of its energy leaked."

"Would using this in weapon crafting be impacted?"

"Not at all!"

The voice responded swiftly to Lin Yaoyang. Realizing he was dealing with yet another con artist, Lin Yaoyang was momentarily taken aback. But the assurance that the core's condition wouldn't affect weapon crafting reignited his enthusiasm.

Attempting to pass off an ordinary Demonic Core as that of a Fire Rat King, Lin Yaoyang frowned and spoke with a heavy tone, "This is merely a Fire Rat's Demonic Core, and it's even damaged at that."

The mercenary's face fell upon hearing Lin Yaoyang's words. Guilt was evident, yet he managed to feign composure, retorting, "You little rascal! Spouting such nonsense! Give me back the Demonic Core, now!"

Nonchalantly, Lin Yaoyang tossed the Demonic Core back to the mercenary, whispering so only they could hear, "You're well aware of the true state of this Demonic Core. 60 gold coins! I'll take it off your hands."

Thinking Lin Yaoyang was clueless, the mercenary saw an opportunity to exploit what he assumed was a wild guess meant to drive the price down. "250 gold coins! That's as low as I'll go," he declared, adopting an indifferent take-it-or-leave-it stance.

Lin Yaoyang simply turned and walked away, realizing that the market was no place to acquire a Demonic Core. After all, under normal circumstances, Demonic Cores were priceless commodities, quickly snapped up by the prominent families of the town as soon as they became available.

It would never have been Lin Yaoyang's turn to inquire about the price if the Demonic Core hadn't been flawed.

It seems I have no choice but to fend for myself! Lin Yaoyang gazed at the distant Demonic Beast Mountain Range, his eyes glinting with determination.

It was common knowledge that without the strength of a First Grade Martial Master, most wouldn't dare set foot in the Demonic Beast Mountain Range. If word got out that Lin Yaoyang, a mere First Grade martial artist, was planning to venture into the mountains, people would surely laugh themselves silly, treating it as nothing more than a tall tale.

Seeking solitude, Lin Yaoyang found a secluded spot to finally delve into the Power of the Ant King skill he had recently acquired.

He reviewed the skill's description in his mind: Intermediate Basic Cultivation Method, Power of the Ant King. Its corresponding rank was Black Grade, Middle Tier. Cultivation techniques were categorized into Heaven, Earth, Black, and Yellow grades, each with subdivisions of upper, middle, and lower tiers. The legendary Heaven Grade techniques were a tier above these four.

Proficiency: 1/1000

Description: The potential for growth with the Power of the Ant King is immense! Upon initial mastery, you gain a strength boost that doubles your power with no ceiling—meaning the later you learn this technique, the more substantial the benefits!

There are two attack methods: one harnesses raw strength for assaults, while the other utilizes qi!

Attacks channeling qi have a chance to afflict the enemy with a debilitating condition known as Ten Thousand Ants Bound!

Good heavens!

Lin Yaoyang was utterly astonished by the capabilities of the Power of the Ant King. It's widely acknowledged that the most advanced technique in the Lin Family—and indeed, all of Qingye Town—is the Town Marshal's Mid Yellow Grade technique: Wood Escape Technique.

No other family possesses anything higher; they all practice techniques of the low Yellow Grade without exception. And yet, by merely crushing an ant, he had stumbled upon a technique of such formidable power?

It's common knowledge that the most potent effect of the family's techniques is to rapidly concentrate Qi throughout the body to amplify inflicted damage.

Not a single person had the ability to wield special skills, but here he was, capable of launching attacks directly with Qi?