### Chapter 20: The Wolf Head Mercenary Group, He Meng

The setting sun bathed the forest in a golden glow, the leaves swaying gently with a rustling sound.

High atop a towering tree that would take two adults to encircle, Xiao Yan was currently picking the tenth herb needed for refining the Burning Blood Elixir.

Looking at the blood-red, fist-sized mushroom growing on the tree trunk, Yao Lao smiled slightly and said, "Red Fire Mushroom. It only grows on trees that are over a hundred years old. I thought it would take more effort to find it, but we found it on the first day. Your luck is not bad, little one."

Xiao Yan chuckled, his sharp senses suddenly detecting a powerful aura approaching. His delicate face turned serious. "A magical beast is coming, and it's at the second rank."

Yao Lao nodded approvingly at Xiao Yan's vigilance in the Magic Beast Mountain Range.

"It's a Flame Tiger of the second rank, and it seems to be heavily injured. You've already found the crucial Red Fire Mushroom and might obtain a second-rank magic core. That's why I said you have pretty good luck."

Considering Xiao Yan's extraordinary physical constitution, Yao Lao had concluded that the blood of a second-rank fire-type magical beast might not have the desired effect.

Only a magic core would provide Xiao Yan with the best cultivation results.

Stowing the Red Fire Mushroom safely, Xiao Yan activated the "Breath Concealment Technique," further hiding his aura completely. His dark eyes focused on the ground below, and he began circulating his Dou Qi, ready to strike at any moment.

Before long, a large magical tiger appeared within Xiao Yan's sight.

This beast had a ferocious and terrifying head. Its eyes burned like lava, gleaming with a heart-palpitating glow. Each step of its four sturdy paws left a huge imprint on the ground as if corroded by molten lava.

However, its body bore numerous wounds from swords, spears, and other weapons. It was unclear which mercenaries it had fought.

Xiao Yan was no saint. If he had to confront a second-rank magical beast at its peak state, he would need to go all out.

Magic cores were not something every magical beast possessed. In his time hunting in the Magic Beast Mountain Range, he had killed five beasts and only found a fire-type magic core in the first one.

Since such things were hard to come by, they should be conserved whenever possible.

Now that this second-rank beast was severely injured, it was the perfect opportunity.

Take it down while it's weak!

The Flame Tiger dashed forward, blood pouring from its wounds. Even with its formidable body, the beast had lost its former might.

After a vigilant glance around to ensure there was no danger, the Flame Tiger lay wearily on the ground.

After waiting for several breaths to pass, and once the tiger had lowered its guard to its minimum, Xiao Yan suddenly pushed off from the ancient tree, springing down like an arrow aimed at the Flame Tiger.

Yellow Dou Qi enveloped his fist as Xiao Yan struck with nearly all his strength.

The Flame Tiger reacted swiftly, rising from the grass in rage and disbelief. Its tiger eyes were filled with fury as it thought, "Despicable, cunning human!" But before it could respond, a massive fist landed squarely on the "king" mark on its forehead.

"Eight Extremes Collapse!"

The force, as immense as a tidal wave, instantly slammed the tiger's massive head into the ground.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Three dull sounds followed in quick succession, reverberating inside the Flame Tiger's head. A terrifying hidden force exploded, causing its brain to burst and blood to flow from its seven orifices. The mighty beast died instantly.

Its enormous body, just barely risen, collapsed lifelessly onto the ground.

With his Dou Qi significantly depleted, Xiao Yan exhaled a heavy breath. Looking at the second-rank Flame Tiger he had effortlessly defeated, a joyful expression flashed across his face.

"Already injured, and then ambushed. This Flame Tiger's death is indeed somewhat unfortunate," Yao Lao remarked, smiling at the fallen beast.

"Let's hope it has a magic core." Xiao Yan grabbed the hilt of the Heavy Black Ruler and swung it down on the massive body of the Flame Tiger.

Although the Heavy Black Ruler was smooth and lacked a sharp edge, Xiao Yan had grasped the technique of focusing power along a line, an insight he gained from practicing the "Eight Extremes Collapse." He was more than proficient in this skill.

With one swing, a crack appeared on the Flame Tiger's back, its flesh splitting open to reveal the beast's stark white bones.

To be able to use the heavy sword so proficiently within a single day, Yao Lao nodded in approval. "You're getting better at mastering the techniques of this heavy sword."

"Oh, I almost forgot. You've started calling it the Heavy Black Ruler," Yao Lao added.

"Not bad, it has a magic core!" Picking up the fiery red core, Xiao Yan smiled and said, "I'm eagerly waiting for you to teach me the powerful Dou Techniques related to this Heavy Black Ruler, teacher."

"Wait until your Dou Qi level increases a bit more. Even if I taught you now, you wouldn't have enough Dou Qi to perform it," Yao Lao replied with a smile.

Increase my Dou Qi level?

Although his current cultivation technique couldn't advance at the moment, who said he needed to improve his Dou Qi level to possess more Dou Qi?

After "spirit possession," who cares about Dou Qi levels?

Rubbing his nose, which was irritated by the strong stench of blood, Xiao Yan's understanding of how to expand his Dou Qi capacity had become increasingly clear.

After storing away the magic core, Xiao Yan left the forest, intending to find more herbs while it was still daylight.

After nightfall, the magical beasts would become even more rampant, doubling the danger of the Magic Beast Mountain Range.

Although Yao Lao could help locate herbs, he wouldn't help deal with magical beasts.

Not long after setting out, Xiao Yan came across a group of mercenaries rushing towards him.

A quick glance revealed that there were about thirty of them, and they seemed quite strong. Each one wore a badge on their chest.

The badge was engraved with the head of a one-eyed wolf.

Xiao Yan blinked. So, it's the Wolf Head Mercenary Group from three or four years ago?

The mercenaries had seen many young people like Xiao Yan who came to the Magic Beast Mountain Range seeking encounters with hermits.

However, most of these youngsters ended up with broken arms, broken legs, or buried in the stomachs of magical beasts.

"Kid, did you see an injured magic tiger?" A mercenary with a monkey-like face asked.

Could it be these guys who wounded the Flame Tiger? Xiao Yan pondered this with a trace of doubt before smiling quietly. He did owe these guys some thanks.

Of course, Xiao Yan wasn't about to tell the truth.

"No," Xiao Yan shook his head slightly and prepared to move past them.

"Hold on!" Just as Xiao Yan was about to leave, a tall man nearing two meters shouted, "Leave that bag of herbs tied to your waist."

As the third leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group, He Meng was not only strong but also had sharp eyes.

From just the glimpse of the Red Fire Mushroom poking out of the bag's opening, he knew it was worth more than three thousand gold coins. Dealing with a lucky youngster was far easier than facing a second-rank magical beast.

(End of Chapter)