Deep in the hole, the Uugang Panther released a violent aura.
Crack—crack—crack…
Its bones seemed to break and reform again and again.
That was the effect of the Hundred-Forged Ironbone Pill—
a Sixth-Grade body-refinement pill.
It didn't just reshape humans.
Feral beasts benefited just as much.
Its medicinal force was brutal.
Overbearing.
It was forcing a complete transformation.
Lin Ye waved his hand and sealed the surroundings with mystic energy, preventing others from probing with spiritual sense.
Most cultivators would sense that barrier and retreat immediately.
Forcing a probe would mean declaring war.
Xia Wei's eyes widened.
"Xiao Hei is… breaking through?"
She still hadn't fully recovered.
She'd been unconscious for only a short time—
yet the inn had become ashes.
The battle must have been terrifying.
And she survived it.
Even she felt like it was pure luck.
Across Thousand Spirit City, countless people witnessed Lin Ye killing Seven-Star's elders.
Two Star River Seventh Layers…
slaughtered casually.
The city turned cold.
People's scalps tingled.
Some Star River cultivators, who had just been proud of their new realm—
now sat in silence, suddenly terrified.
If Star River Seventh Layer could die like that…
What did Star River even mean?
They all made the same decision:
Keep their heads down.
Or die.
City Lord Manor
Tu Jinsong and Wang Kun stared at the direction of Wutong Inn, their expressions grim.
They had believed Tianming Sect's "youngsters" would be killed.
But now…
the ones dead were Seven-Star's elites.
This made the situation extremely dangerous.
Because now the beast egg sale would continue.
And now that seller was very much alive.
Tu Jinsong said in a low voice,
"This person must be watched."
"Absolutely cannot be provoked."
"If it truly is Tianming Sect, then there may be hidden experts nearby… waiting for Seven-Star to reveal themselves."
Wang Kun nodded.
"We need sect experts here."
"The Sixth-Grade pill is too tempting. Tianming Sect might risk everything."
It was about reputation.
If they were robbed during their own convention…
Hundred Spirit Medicine Sect would lose all face.
But strangely…
their intelligence department still detected no Tianming movement.
Then—
BOOM!!!
A terrifying aura surged again from the ruins of Wutong Inn.
Half the city trembled.
Horses screamed.
Birds scattered.
Even livestock collapsed in fear.
People looked up in shock.
"A beast aura…!"
"It's breaking through!"
"Wait… this isn't Fourth Rank."
"It's Fifth Rank!"
A Fifth-Rank feral beast was being born—
right inside the city.
And from the same location Seven-Star attacked.
Everyone was stunned.
Seven-Star attacked and got slaughtered.
And now their target also gained a Fifth-Rank beast.
What kind of absurd fate was this?
The Uugang Panther — Fifth Rank
The panther's body expanded, growing a full meter taller.
Its muscles thickened.
Its limbs became brutal.
Its tail whipped gently and left deep grooves in the ground.
Its injuries were mostly healed—
but scars remained, adding killing aura.
When it looked at Lin Ye—
that terrifying pressure softened instantly.
It lowered its head.
Submitting.
Lin Ye's pill did more than heal it.
It forced its breakthrough into Fifth Rank.
Even devouring the Cloudsteel Grass it once guarded could never have achieved this.
A Sixth-Grade pill…
was worth countless Sixth-Grade herbs.
The panther's loyalty changed completely.
Before, it had been beaten into obedience.
Now…
it was truly devoted.
Beasts respected strength as much as humans did.
Lin Ye glanced around.
"Find another inn."
Then his gaze sharpened.
"And… go find the rest of Seven-Star's people."
Those protectors never traveled alone.
There were always disciples.
Easy to track.
The panther lowered its head and sniffed the air—
Then its eyes flashed.
Its body became a black streak—
and vanished.
Xia Wei only saw a shadow.
Then nothing.
"So fast…"
Lin Ye glanced at her.
"Even it reached Fifth Rank."
"You need to improve your cultivation."
Xia Wei stiffened.
She had nearly been killed…
And he still didn't comfort her.
Only criticized her weakness.
But she bit her lip and nodded.
"Yes."
"I'll work harder."
Because she understood.
In Wind-Thunder River Domain, she could rely on her family.
Out here?
Only strength mattered.
Another Inn — Seven-Star Disciples
Dozens of Seven-Star disciples had been watching the battle from afar.
When they saw two Earth Sword Hall Protectors die…
their blood ran cold.
They crowded around their highest-ranked senior brother.
"Senior Brother! What do we do?!"
He forced himself to stay calm.
"Don't panic."
"Don't panic!"
"There are only two of them. They might not find our location."
"We stay here."
"It's Thousand Spirit City. Hundred Spirit Medicine Sect controls this place. They won't let anyone kill freely."
"Yes!"
"We still have time!"
"Send a message to the sect!"
A disciple raised a jade slip.
Just as he was about to transmit—
A huge black shadow swept across the window.
Everyone froze.
Silence.
Dead silence.
Someone whispered shakily,
"Did you… hear that?"
Creeeeak.
The window slowly opened.
A massive head pushed inside.
A pair of deep black eyes stared at them.
"It's… it's…"
"It's the panther!!!"
Someone screamed.
The next second—
BOOM!
The panther smashed through the wall and lunged in.
Its claw came down like a guillotine—
CRACK!
A skull shattered.
In the past, it couldn't face Ling Shuanghe head-on.
But now?
Now it was Fifth Rank.
And it could slaughter.
The inn shook violently for a moment.
Then silence returned.
Lin Ye's Next Stop
While searching for lodging, Lin Ye saw a large estate.
Wide land.
Grand gate.
Even the walls were carved red brick.
Lin Ye nodded.
"This one looks good."
"We'll live here."
Xia Wei's jaw dropped.
"B-But… that's someone's home!"
Lin Ye shrugged.
"It's fine."
"Tell them to move out."
Xia Wei's brain almost short-circuited.
This wasn't finding an inn.
This was robbery.
Two guards stepped out.
"Qing Marquis Manor territory. No visitors. Leave immediately."
"Qing Marquis Manor…?"
Xia Wei's face turned pale.
"Lin Ye, this one is dangerous. We should go—"
Lin Ye waved.
"It's fine."
He looked at the guards calmly.
"If he won't come out…"
"Then I'll go in."
"You dare!"
The guards reached for their blades—
Lin Ye's palm slammed out.
BOOM! BOOM!
Both were blasted through the gate and rolled into the courtyard.
Instantly—
shadows emerged.
Fourteen figures landed, surrounding Lin Ye.
All Earth Transformation Ninth Layer, and the leader was even at Heaven Phenomenon Realm.
Xia Wei's eyes widened.
"Qing Shadow Guards!"
Then—
a black streak landed.
The Uugang Panther returned.
Its jaws and claws were still dripping blood.
The moment it touched ground—
a Fifth-Rank aura crushed outward like a demon god.
The Qing Shadow Guards retreated instinctively.
Too much pressure.
Then a warm laugh echoed—
and like a soft wind, it swept away the panther's killing aura.
The guards instantly relaxed.
A white-haired young man stepped out wearing green robes, holding a bamboo scroll.
He radiated gentle warmth.
But the panther sniffed once…
and its gaze turned hostile.
Among everyone here…
only this man felt dangerous.
All guards bowed immediately.
"Greetings, Lord Prefect!"
The white-haired youth waved casually.
"Stand down."
"Guests are guests. This is no way to treat visitors."
This was Wanqing Marquis.
A famed powerhouse in Spiritwater River Domain.
Decades of reputation.
Yet his appearance was eternal—
no one could guess his age.
But Xia Wei felt uncomfortable, even nauseous.
Something about his aura disgusted her.
Lin Ye stared once.
And immediately understood.
This man's so-called "youth-preserving art"…
was fueled by the essence of newborn infants.
Lin Ye had seen this evil method in his past life.
He originally planned to simply pay, buy the estate, and part peacefully.
Even if he was stronger, he didn't bully others without reason.
But now…
after seeing Wanqing Marquis's true nature—
Lin Ye couldn't even stomach the idea of paying.
Wanqing Marquis smiled gently.
"I heard you wish to purchase my estate."
"To be honest… I only moved in yesterday."
"If you like it, once the convention ends, I'll gift it to you."
"You may also stay here as you please. There are many guest rooms."
His tone was smooth.
His manner impeccable.
His staff were stunned.
Anyone else would've cursed Lin Ye out.
But Wanqing Marquis offered him an entire estate?
Xia Wei was shocked too.
A mansion worth millions—given away?
Because Lin Ye owned a Fifth-Rank beast?
Wanqing Marquis wanted to befriend him.
Xia Wei's mind even sparked with a dangerous "business idea."
The panther shivered as if sensing something.
Lin Ye spoke calmly.
"I was planning to pay."
"But after seeing you…"
"I'm not paying anymore."
"Everyone cultivates."
But you walk a filthy path."
"You think your face is worth that many babies?"
Wanqing Marquis froze.
"…What did you say?"
Lin Ye's eyes were cold.
"Bite him."
With a roar—
the panther became a black arrow.
Wanqing Marquis moved instantly.
His cultivation surged—
Star River Ninth Layer, perfect completion.
Star River Peak.
A green mystic armor formed as star power descended—
But the panther's explosive force was overwhelming.
BOOM!
Wanqing Marquis was slammed backward, forced to retreat step after step.
His eyes widened.
"Impossible."
"This beast just broke through Fifth Rank… why is it this strong?!"
Lin Ye's aura erupted.
He swept his qi outward—
blasting Qing Shadow Guards away like leaves.
Cold-Iron Sword appeared in his hand.
Star River Sixth Layer surged.
He stepped forward—
and phantom afterimages formed as he pursued.
Xia Wei stood frozen.
"W-Why are they fighting?!"
Even though she witnessed everything…
she still didn't understand what just happened.
Two star bridges ignited.
The city, which had just finished its last round of gossip—
erupted again.
"It's starting again?!"
"Damn… that aura… it's nearly Moonwheel Realm!"
Tu Jinsong and Wang Kun rushed to the rooftops again.
Their faces went pale.
"That direction…"
"That's Qing Marquis Manor!"