Chapter 015 The Tree Stands Out in the Forest

Yang Zhen left, contentedly carrying his spoils, without releasing Big Beard and company. There were still quite a few things he hadn't taken, so Yang Zhen wasn't technically breaking his promise.

"You… you untrustworthy bastard, we gave you all the martial skills and cultivation methods, now free us immediately!" Big Beard and his companions yelled out in angry desperation.

Yang Zhen turned around and explained, with a serious face, "Brother, I promised to untie your ropes, but I never mentioned when. Isn't it embarrassing for a practitioner not to be able to untie some ropes?"

Everyone paused upon hearing this. Indeed, it would be quite disgraceful for a practitioner if they couldn't even untie ordinary ropes.

Spit, what kind of crappy logic was that? Everyone suddenly realized and cursed out loud.

With the way Yang Zhen had tied them up, they could barely muster any strength, let alone try to escape. Their internal True Essence had even been sealed; they had no strength left. So, how were they supposed to untie anything?

With only the distant back of Yang Zhen to look at, Big Beard and his companions were left looking at each other in dismay, moaning incessantly.

...

Yang Zhen was living his best life. Every time he ran into a person, he would trick and rob them before departing. He had acquired so many martial skills and cultivation methods that he could barely remember them all. As for weapons, elixirs, rare treasures, he had a huge bundle that was even larger than him.

When he was alone, Yang Zhen would find a remote place to practice his cultivation. He had no guilt in robbing these people, who were out to exchange him for a three-star Spirit Treasure. He managed to balance between practicing and robbing perfectly.

The Nether State Convention was a fun event, way more interesting than being stuck in the Shangyuan Sect.

What surprised Yang Zhen was that he actually managed to steal a one-star-level long sword. He was immediately intrigued, refined it a bit, and experienced a surge in his power.

Yang Zhen's sudden appearance threw the entire Nether State Convention into chaos. Those who were once determined to catch Yang Zhen and exchange him for a three-star weapon at Duan Langcai's place now began to tremble with fear.

...

"Have you heard? Not only has Yang Zhen appeared, but he's also specifically targeting those who are trying to catch him. He steals their martial skills, cultivation methods, elixirs, and Spirit Treasures. He knocks out the women, ties the men to trees, and has been given the nickname 'Yang Bapi' (Yang the Skin-peeler)."

"What do you mean he knocks out the women? I've heard Yang Zhen ties them to trees too."

"Sss! Yang Zhen is incredibly heartless, even the women can't escape his clutches. Truly worthy of the name Yang Bapi."

"Indeed, I've heard. He doesn't even spare women. It's unknown where Yang Zhen is now, but more and more people are starting to look for him. Apparently, after Duan Langcai heard Yang Zhen tell him to clean his neck, he was enraged and raised the bounty to 5000 crystals, insisting Yang Zhen must be captured alive."

"What?!" A surprised voice suddenly came from the side. "Already raised to 5000?"

The two men who had just been talking nodded and were about to say something when their eyes widened, and they instinctively turned towards the direction of the voice.

"Who are you?"

"Yang Zhen!"

Bam!

Demon Gang Fist was extremely fierce, and one punch could kill any practitioner below the Foundation Establishment stage.

Yang Zhen wasn't interested in their lives anyway, as they wouldn't give him any experience upgrade. Killing too much was ultimately not good.

Watching the carefree departing figure of Yang Zhen, the two men tied to the tree felt a chill down their spines and broke out in cold sweat.

Who could think that Yang Bapi would appear so unpredictably? Who else would dare to mess with such a guy?

At a location in the Nether Mountain Range, Duan Langcai's face was ashen, and he repeatedly flew into a rage.

"A bunch of useless idiots! They can't even catch one person at the eighth level of the Nascent Stage. Are they expecting me to raise the bounty even higher?"

Next to Duan Langcai, a skinny young man snickered, saying, "Senior Brother Duan, don't be angry. With just that brat Yang Zhen, how is he worth your time? I heard Heiyan Sect's Yu Qimu is also interested in Yang Zhen and is already looking for him."

"What?" Duan Langcai was surprised at his words, asking in disbelief, "Why would that madman be interested in Yang Zhen?"

The skinny young man shook his head, hesitated, and said, "Perhaps Yu Qimu is planning to breakthrough the Foundation Establishment stage and needs a good weapon and crystal stones. However, since that madman Yu Qimu has taken an interest in Yang Zhen, Yang Zhen doesn't have much time left."

Duan Langcai smirked snidely and said, "Yang Zhen, Yang Zhen, who would have thought that you've caught the attention of that madman. I don't know whether I should admire you or pity you."

Saying this, Duan Langcai said to the skinny young man beside him, "Find Yu Qimu for me. Remember not to offend that madman. Just tell me his location. That madman is so crazy he even fights with his own master. We don't want him to accidentally kill Yang Zhen."

"Yes, Senior Brother Duan, I'll go and keep an eye on Yu Qimu."

Duan Langcai shook his head in wonder. Although he would have loved to see how Yu Qimu would torment Yang Zhen, he had more important things to do for now. Once he finished his own business, he could easily subdue Yang Zhen, even if Yang Zhen was only left with one hand.

...

Zhen Ping'er stopped in a picturesque mountain and turned to look at her Senior Sister Fang, who was gathering information, asking, "Senior Sister, did you find any news?"

Senior Sister Fang gritted her teeth and said, "That bastard Duan Langcai even had the audacity to issue a reward notice publicly. It seems he has a death wish."

Zhen Ping'er's face turned cold, asking, "Has there been any news of Duan Langcai?"

Senior Sister Fang's face was not much better as she nodded, "Somebody saw him at Gujian Chou, and there was a disturbance of vital energy there. We should go there now."

Zhen Ping'er sneered, saying, "Duan Langcai, if I don't chop you to pieces myself, then my name is not Zhen Ping'er!"

After saying this, Zhen Ping'er laughed, "This Yang Zhen is quite interesting, charging into the Grand Assembly alone under such circumstances. I think it's time we meet him."

Senior Sister Fang nodded, saying, "The name 'Yang Bapi' is well known at the Grand Assembly. I just don't know if he deserves to be called a youth leader."

"We'll know if we go and see. I'm very interested in him."

...

At the same time, a young man dressed in black stood against the wind, a violent aura like a blood wave emanating from him. He looked like a wicked ghost who crawled out from the depths of hell. A bloodied practitioner lay beside him, bizarrely, without his clothes on.

The young man asked softly, "Which direction did Yang Zhen go?"

The practitioner on the ground trembled and quickly replied, "He was heading toward Gujian Chou. He must have heard about the disturbance of vital energy and went to check it."

The young man nodded, sighed softly, squatted down before the practitioner, and murmured, "I really don't know where people like you get the courage. The Nether State Grand Assembly is not a place for garbage like you."

Fear flashed in the practitioner's eyes and he stammered, "Don't…don't kill me!"

The young man laughed, extending a pair of bloody hands to grasp the practitioner's throat. A glint of bloodlust flashed in his eyes. "Remember, the one who kills you is named Yu Qimu!"

Crack!

With a crisp sound, the practitioner lying on the ground passed away without even managing to scream.

"What a beautiful sound!" Yu Qimu went to the side and picked up the clothes on the ground to wipe off the blood on his hands, then began to walk toward Gujian Chou.

Gujian Chou was a place at the edge of the Nine Nether Mountain Range, a bush-filled canyon. It was said that every full moon night, you could hear the wailing sounds of ghosts and wolves, eerie and horrifying, chilling to the bone.

If anyone could stand in the air and look down from above Gujian Chou at this moment, they would see countless practitioners heading from all directions, among whom was a silhouette carrying a large bundle. It was none other than Yang Zhen, who had reaped a harvest.