Chapter 76: Instant Kill

Clang!

In the Magic Beast Mountain Range, Xiao Yan brandished the Heavy Black Ruler, forcefully knocking away a Rank 1 magical beast, the Swallowing Wood Fox. 

He glanced at the surrounding group of Swallowing Wood Foxes that had encircled him and calmly said, "I don't wish to engage in senseless killing. Please leave."

As if understanding Xiao Yan's words or fearing his power, the group of Swallowing Wood Foxes scattered in a panic, disappearing from his sight in the blink of an eye.

Xiao Yan put away the Heavy Black Ruler and approached the unconscious Swallowing Wood Fox that he had struck. 

He crouched down, lifted its tail, and shook it. 

The fox slowly opened its eyes, startled by Xiao Yan's movements. 

When it saw Xiao Yan, it panicked and frantically moved back and forth. 

Xiao Yan then released its tail, and the Swallowing Wood Fox immediately disappeared from his line of sight upon landing on the ground.

This series of actions by Xiao Yan elicited a comment from Yao Chen in his ring.

"You really do show mercy to everything. Humans are one thing, but sparing magical beasts too?"

"I merely choose not to engage in meaningless slaughter. If there comes a day when I need materials from the Swallowing Wood Fox for a certain purpose, I won't hesitate. Please rest assured, Senior Yao," Xiao Yan replied, understanding the reason behind Yao Chen's comment. 

This reassurance eased the dissatisfaction in Yao Chen's mind.

"Well... if that's the case, then do as you wish."

Xiao Yan smiled calmly, took out the map given to him by Boss Yao from his pocket, determined the correct direction, and continued on his way.

"However, even though I've taken on this task, I still have some concerns," Xiao Yan said as he followed the map, perplexing Yao Chen, who raised an eyebrow.

"What are you worried about?"

"Because Rank 2 magical beasts are equivalent to Dou Shi (Battle Master, 3rd Level), right?" Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow lightly and said matter-of-factly, "I am currently only a 3 Star Dou Zhe (Battle Practitioner, 2nd Level), and my Flame Mantra has yet to evolve. There are too many unfavorable factors stacking against me."

"...," Yao Chen was speechless.

Sometimes, she truly doubted if Xiao Yan was doing it on purpose.

Why the hell didn't he consider the level difference when facing that girl, Ruo Ling, back then? 

Now he suddenly remembers that he's a Dou Zhe (Battle Practitioner, 2nd Level)?

Yao Chen pinched the bridge of her nose with a headache. 

It wasn't just Xiao Yan; all the young members of the Xiao Clan brought out by Xiao Yan had this problem.

When they weren't engaged in battle, they would consider the level difference between themselves and their opponents. 

But once they started fighting, it didn't matter what level they were; they just fought!

Yao Chen felt that these young members of the Xiao Clan were using two brains—one for everyday use and one for battles—and they only shared their memories.

Faced with Xiao Yan's concerns, Yao Chen could only helplessly say, "Don't worry. Fight without any concerns. If anything happens, I'll bear the responsibility for you."

"Thank you, Senior Yao. However, unless it's absolutely necessary, please allow me to handle it myself," Xiao Yan replied. 

"Yes, yes, of course. Otherwise, there would be no room for growth, right?"

As the two were conversing, a commotion suddenly erupted in the distance. 

Xiao Yan furrowed his brows, put away the map, and headed over to see a group of mercenaries besieging an icy giant snake.

Xiao Yan recognized it; it was the Rank 2 magical beast, the Scarlet Ice Snake.

At that moment, Xiao Yan noticed that among the mercenaries fighting the Scarlet Ice Snake, there was a lone woman in white standing behind them, observing the battle. Xiao Yan had a rough guess about her identity. 

She should be the fairy mentioned by Boss Yao, the beloved Xiao Yixian of Qingshan Town.

Xiao Yan couldn't help but size up Xiao Yixian. 

To be honest, her appearance couldn't compare to Yun Zhi or Ya Fei's, but she was still a rare beauty. 

She exuded an ethereal temperament, like a lofty fairy, making people naturally look up to her.

The most eye-catching feature was her slender waist, bound by a ribbon. 

In terms of waist alone, it was the most delicate and fragile that Xiao Yan had ever seen in a woman. 

It evoked a strong protective instinct, which was no wonder she became the goddess of these men.

"Um..."

After silently evaluating Xiao Yixian in his mind, Xiao Yan suddenly froze. 

Then he slapped his forehead abruptly, feeling regretful.

(Oh no... How did I end up like this since leaving Wutan City? I see a beautiful woman and start evaluating her. Is it because Xiao Mei and Xiao Xun'er aren't by my side?)

Could it be that this is my true nature?

Xiao Yan furrowed his brows tightly, doubting his previously confident integrity.

However, Yao Chen chuckled.

(Lust is a human instinct. There's no need to feel guilty, Xiao Yan. Look at me, when I was alive, I was so powerful, yet I was also lustful, right?)

(...)

Somehow, Yao Chen's comparison made Xiao Yan feel a bit uncomfortable.

Could it be that if I continue down this path, I'll become as shameless as Senior Yao?

Xiao Yan shook his head vigorously, determined to avoid such a future!

Senior Yao has a captivating beauty; even if she were to make an ugly expression, she can still charm a lot of people.

With an average appearance that wasn't particularly good-looking or ugly, Xiao Yan couldn't even bear the thought of showing a lecherous expression. 

He couldn't tolerate it himself.

For the sake of his future image, he decided to make an effort to change.

Deep in his heart, Xiao Yan made this determination. 

Suddenly, his eyebrows twitched, and he saw a frosty snake head slowly emerging from the jungle behind the mercenaries who were fiercely battling the Scarlet Ice Snake.

It was the second Scarlet Ice Snake!

"Be careful behind you!"

Xiao Yan immediately shouted, and Xiao Yixian also heard the warning. 

She swiftly turned around and saw the Scarlet Ice Snake pouncing towards her, its large mouth open, with its sharp fangs barely half a foot away from her beautiful face.

"Quick, dodge!"

The mercenaries who witnessed this scene panicked, wanting to go support Xiao Yixian, but it was already too late.

Just when everyone, including Xiao Yixian herself, thought that she was about to meet her demise, a black figure suddenly flew by with a whistling sound, smashing the head of the Scarlet Ice Snake into pieces in an instant!

"Huh?"

This scene stunned everyone. 

Xiao Yan, who had just thrown the Heavy Black Ruler, flashed in an instant and arrived above the Scarlet Ice Snake that the mercenaries were targeting. 

He clenched his fist tightly and ruthlessly smashed it down onto the snake's head.

"Octadic Smash!"

Boom!

If the ambushed Scarlet Ice Snake had its head shattered at least, this Scarlet Ice Snake now looked quite miserable. 

From head to tail, it was completely crushed into ice particles, deader than dead.

"What?!"

Xiao Yan's attack left everyone in the mercenary group dumbfounded. 

They stared in horror at the sudden appearance of the young man before them, their mouths gaping open.

Could this... be a dream?

That was a magical beast! It was on the same level as a Dou Shi (Battle Master, 3rd Level)! But it was annihilated easely by this young man's attack?!

While everyone was in shock, Xiao Yan himself also stared in astonishment at the pile of ice debris beneath his feet, with countless question marks filling his mind.

That's it!?

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