As a once-in-a-generation talent, how could one lack battle strength?
Suddenly, with a loud bang.
Ling Qingshu's chest was kicked by Chen Kuangdao, and fresh blood instantly spurted from her delicate mouth. She was sent flying and landed beside Xu Yang.
"Sigh, these two are done for," someone sighed upon seeing this scene.
"Look, the Qi Refining Stage person is still standing there. I thought he ran away, but it seems he has some guts, he hasn't fled yet."
"He's been standing there without moving at all. I have a feeling he's been scared senseless."
"Are you kidding? A Qi Refining Stage cultivator actually gets to witness a fight between Golden Core Stage cultivators? Even if he dies, his life will have been worth it."
The crowd chattered in excitement, all looking on with interest.
Ling Qingshu struggled to rise, walked to Xu Yang's side, and said, "Ancestor, I'm sorry, I lost..."
"Do you know why you lost?"
"I couldn't defeat him." Ling Qingshu clenched her fists tightly.
"No, you simply don't use your brain." Xu Yang said lightly.
Ling Qingshu looked at Xu Yang in confusion, not understanding what her ancestor meant by this.
At this moment, Chen Kuangdao slowly walked over.
"Another Qi Refining Stage? I won't make things difficult for you. Just kill yourself."
Chen Kuangdao sized up Xu Yang. Upon realizing that Xu Yang was just a Qi Refining Stage weakling, he disdainfully said.
To him, Qi Refining Stage cultivators were like ants—he didn't even bother to talk to ants.
Xu Yang just smiled and said, "Today, I won't kill you. You're a good sharpening stone, your strength is just right, it would be a pity to kill you."
The people watching the scene were stunned.
A Qi Refining Stage cultivator actually dared to speak like this to a Golden Core Stage warrior. This was the boldest Qi Training Stage cultivator they had ever seen.
"You're very good, with a lot of guts. You're qualified to experience the most painful death in the world," Chen Kuangdao said with a smile.
In his eyes, there wasn't a shred of killing intent. Xu Yang was just too weak, too weak to provoke his killing intent.
What he felt instead was the twisted pleasure of torturing an ant.
Xu Yang still smiled faintly, feeling quite entertained.
"You think I'm an ant?"
"Unfortunately, the truth is quite the opposite."
"In this world today, only I am qualified to treat others as ants."
"Well, when it comes to bragging, you do have the right to treat everyone in the world as ants."
A trace of impatience flashed in Chen Kuangdao's eyes. He casually raised his hand and pointed a finger toward Xu Yang.
In Chen Kuangdao's eyes, killing Xu Yang could be done with just a single finger.
The onlookers all shook their heads, sighing. This farce was about to end. This Qi Training Stage cultivator, who was boasting without any preparation, would soon be reduced to minced meat.
Xu Yang sneered and threw out a punch.
Just as Xu Yang was about to teach Chen Kuangdao a lesson on how to act modestly, a sudden, urgent shout came.
"Wait, wait! That's my brother! I'll pay to redeem his life."
Before the words were even finished, a blazing red long blade crashed between Xu Yang and Chen Kuangdao, forcing Chen Kuangdao back with the intense heat.
It was Fang Yan's blade!
Xu Yang reluctantly withdrew his punch. If Fang Yan had been just a second later, Chen Kuangdao would have been meeting the King of Hell.
"Who are you?" Chen Kuangdao asked coldly.
"I'm Fang Yan, this man's brother," Fang Yan replied.
He then turned and patted Xu Yang on the shoulder, proudly saying, "Brother, I came just in time, didn't I?"
"Just in time. If you were one second late..." Xu Yang chuckled.
"Of course, if you had been a second late, we'd have been separated forever," Fang Yan said, even more pleased with himself after hearing Xu Yang's words.
"If you had been late by a second, I would have killed him," Xu Yang added, looking at Fang Yan helplessly.
Pfft...
The onlookers nearly choked on their spit after hearing Xu Yang's self-satisfied remark. They were ready to rush in and strangle him for showing off so calmly.
Did he really think that acting cocky wouldn't cost him?
A Qi Refining Stage cultivator actually dared to claim he would kill someone in the Golden Core Stage?
Fang Yan stared at Xu Yang, speechless, and sighed, "Forget it. Who told me to chat with you? I actually feel quite happy."
Fang Yan turned to Chen Kuangdao and said, "This brother of mine—his life, I've bought it. Now tell me, how much do you want?"
Chen Kuangdao sneered, "You really can't afford his life. Today, he must die."
"Can't afford it? There's nothing I can't buy. I've got money," Fang Yan replied.
"There are some things you simply can't buy."
Fang Yan rolled his eyes and said, "That's because you're poor."
Chen Kuangdao nearly choked in disbelief. In his entire life, he had never encountered such strange individuals as today.
Xu Yang grinned. Fang Yan's boldness was even more outrageous than his own.
Still, a person who had only met him once and was willing to come out and save him in such a "critical" moment—Xu Yang felt genuinely touched.
"Alright, since you've said so, I'll make an offer. Let's see if you can afford it," Chen Kuangdao sneered.
"How about three bottles of Broken Spirit Pills?" Chen Kuangdao asked.
The crowd around them stiffened. Taking one Broken Spirit Pill could increase the success rate of breaking through to the next small realm for a Golden Core cultivator. Broken Spirit Pills were incredibly valuable and rarely found on the market.
When Chen Kuangdao asked for three bottles, anyone with any sense would know Fang Yan couldn't possibly agree to such a request unless he was a fool.
"Deal."
Without even batting an eye, Fang Yan handed three ceramic bottles to Chen Kuangdao.
Opening them, Chen Kuangdao confirmed that they were indeed Broken Spirit Pills.
He licked his lips, and greed flashed in his eyes.
After looking around at the surrounding crowd, he laughed loudly and said, "A deal's a deal. I'll let this little brother go."
The onlookers were stunned. This was a masterclass in extreme self-preservation.
Everyone looked at Xu Yang with envy. How lucky was he to have such a good friend like Fang Yan?
Fang Yan truly was foolish with his wealth, to give away three bottles of Broken Spirit Pills just for a Qi Refining Stage cultivator who only knew how to brag.
"Brother, do you think I'm loyal enough?" Fang Yan walked up to Xu Yang and asked.
Xu Yang smiled. After today, he had definitely gained a good friend in Fang Yan.
"Very loyal. If I ever get into trouble, I'll rely on you to buy me back," Xu Yang joked.
In this world, no one could threaten him.
"Don't worry, brother. I've got plenty of money," Fang Yan said without a second thought.
Some of the bystanders, hearing Fang Yan's bold statement, were seriously considering asking to be friends with him.
"By the way, as a Qi Refining Stage cultivator, what are you doing here? This place is filled with Golden Core cultivators and above. You're in a lot of danger here," Fang Yan suddenly frowned and asked.
"I'm here to retrieve my treasure. What about you? If you're interested, I can give you a little something," Xu Yang replied.