"So the weak spot is the throat!" Li Xiaoyao's eyes locked onto the Hell Ghost Wolf, and he took a small step forward.

But even that small step made Jingxiang and the others' hearts leap into their throats. What was Li Xiaoyao thinking? This was a ninth-level demonic beast, the Hell Ghost Wolf, the most savage beast below spiritual beasts. Even many Qi Martial Realm cultivators at the ninth stage would only flee upon encountering it.

Before they could think further, Li Xiaoyao's actions provided an answer. He started to sprint towards the Hell Ghost Wolf, barehanded, and his speed increased rapidly.

Seeing this, Jingxiang and the others stood frozen, their hearts pounding wildly.

"Awooo!" The Hell Ghost Wolf, seeing the human running toward it, had its sinister, ghastly eyes grow even colder, as if the chill came from the depths of the abyss.

A miserable cry echoed as the Hell Ghost Wolf's claws stomped heavily on Han Feng, turning its body into a black streak. Its claw, blocking its throat, glowed with a black and white light.

"Li Xiaoyao, come back!" Jingxiang screamed, but it seemed too late. Li Xiaoyao's speed suddenly surged, moving like a flash of lightning, so fast it was almost impossible to track.

Qing Jiu and Han Kui opened their mouths, hearts seemingly stopping, with only one thought in their minds—Li Xiaoyao was doomed!

A streak of light flashed by, brilliant and dazzling, gone in an instant. When the light faded, everything seemed to freeze. Li Xiaoyao stood still, and the ninth-level Hell Ghost Wolf collapsed to the ground.

Jingxiang covered her mouth with her fists, her eyes filled with fear and despair. Was Li Xiaoyao dead?

A soft dripping sound echoed, breaking the eerie silence. Then, the Hell Ghost Wolf's body slumped sideways, revealing a thin line across its throat. Blood oozed out, forming a thin crimson thread.

"The Hell Ghost Wolf... is dead!" Han Kui and Qing Jiu stood with mouths agape, shocked by what they had just witnessed. That flash of lightning... what was that?

"Li Xiaoyao, are you alright?" Jingxiang asked softly, her gaze fixed on the unmoving Li Xiaoyao.

As her words fell, Qing Jiu and Han Kui anxiously watched him. This was, without a doubt, the most intense and nerve-racking moment of their lives.

Finally, Li Xiaoyao moved. He turned slowly, revealing a bright, clear smile in his clean eyes.

"I'm fine." Li Xiaoyao spread his hands, as if lost in thought about the sword strike he had just performed. The Sword Drawing Technique—like lightning—it certainly had enough power, but only if his speed reached its peak.

"Phew!" Jingxiang and the others exhaled deeply, the tension in their hearts easing, as if they had been pulled back from the edge of a cliff.

Yet, no one spoke. Instead, they stared at Li Xiaoyao as if he were some sort of monster.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Li Xiaoyao scratched his head awkwardly, feeling that their gazes were a bit odd.

"You're a freak!" Han Kui squeezed the words out through gritted teeth, and to Li Xiaoyao's frustration, Jingxiang and Qing Jiu nodded in agreement, sharing the sentiment.

"Li Xiaoyao, are you a sword cultivator?" Qing Jiu asked, already aware that the lightning flash was a sword strike—only a sword could produce such brilliance.

"Not really, I've just practiced a sword technique," Li Xiaoyao shook his head. A true sword cultivator was someone who possessed a sword martial soul and had extraordinary strength.

"Not really? So, your martial soul isn't a sword?" Qing Jiu asked, confused.

"No," Li Xiaoyao confirmed, and Qing Jiu gasped. If he wasn't a sword martial soul, yet could use a sword with such lightning speed, then his understanding of martial techniques must be terrifyingly high. Just like his mastery of Nine Waves, which he had fully perfected.

"I'm starting to think you can master any martial technique," Qing Jiu laughed bitterly, not asking further about Li Xiaoyao's martial soul. After all, some people possessed rare or powerful martial souls and were reluctant to reveal them. Since Li Xiaoyao hadn't even used his martial soul thus far, Qing Jiu speculated it must be something extraordinary.

Li Xiaoyao just smiled. So far, it seemed like he could master any martial technique with remarkable proficiency.

"The beast core of a ninth-level Hell Ghost Wolf—this is a big haul!" Han Kui grinned and pulled out his knife, preparing to extract the core. He added, "Li Xiaoyao, you killed the Hell Ghost Wolf by yourself. If it weren't for you, we might not have survived. This beast core should belong to you."

"Jingxiang, Qing Jiu, you don't mind, do you?"

Qing Jiu and Jingxiang smiled and shook their heads. Without Li Xiaoyao, they might have perished in the Black Marsh Forest.

"I disagree. The spoils should be divided equally among all four of us," Li Xiaoyao shook his head. When they thought he was weak, they still included him, letting him take a share. Although killing the Hell Ghost Wolf was entirely his achievement, Li Xiaoyao was not one to abandon principles for profit.

Seeing the determination in Li Xiaoyao's eyes, the others nodded firmly. "Alright!"

"You all seem to have forgotten me." A voice called out, unmistakably from Han Feng, who lay on the ground, unable to stand after the Hell Ghost Wolf's strike had broken several bones in his back.

"Get lost!" Han Kui, the most hot-tempered of the group, cursed loudly. This scoundrel not only abandoned them during their fight with the Wild Dragon Ape, but he also led the Hell Ghost Wolf toward them, nearly causing their deaths.

"Let's leave. His life or death is up to fate," Jingxiang said furiously.

Just as they were about to leave, Han Feng's sinister voice rang out. "Don't forget my older brother. He knows I entered the Black Marsh Forest with you. If I die and you come out alive, what do you think he'll do?"

Han Kui and the others halted and turned back to glare at Han Feng.

"You'd better take me with you. Give me half of the beast core, or I'll make sure you all die," Han Feng snarled viciously.

"What's going on?" Li Xiaoyao asked, puzzled as to why this half-dead guy was still acting so arrogant.

"His older brother is Jingyan, ranked sixth among the outer disciples and at the peak of Qi Martial Realm. He also possesses a sword martial soul and is incredibly powerful," Qing Jiu explained. Li Xiaoyao immediately understood.

Stepping forward, Li Xiaoyao approached Han Feng, his gaze cold and mocking.

"Help me up," Han Feng ordered arrogantly.

Li Xiaoyao paused, then chuckled, his eyes filled with disdain. "I admire your courage."

With those words, his soft sword flashed out, casting a cold gleam.

"What are you doing?" Han Feng's body stiffened in fear.

"Li Xiaoyao!" Qing Jiu shouted. Jingyan was formidable, and although Li Xiaoyao was strong, Qing Jiu didn't believe he could contend with someone like Jingyan.

Li Xiaoyao glanced at Qing Jiu and the others. "Do you really think, based on his personality, that saving him means he'll let us go?"

The others froze, cold sweat dripping down their backs. Indeed, from Han Feng's behavior so far, even if they saved him, he would likely still seek revenge.

"He tried to betray us. His current fate is of his own making. Yet he shows no remorse, instead demanding we save him and give him half the beast core. Do you still want to take him back?" Li Xiaoyao calmly explained. Though the people of this world matured quickly, Jingxiang and the others were still only fifteen or sixteen, far from as experienced as Li Xiaoyao, who had lived two lives.

The three of them shook their heads. If they took Han Feng back, it would likely be the moment Jingyan came for revenge.

Li Xiaoyao turned to Han Feng, whose eyes finally showed fear.

"I swear, if you take me back, I won't seek revenge. I don't even want the beast core," Han Feng pleaded, crawling backward.

"Too late." The cold light flashed. One strike to the throat. Promises made under threat of death were never to be trusted.

As Li Xiaoyao looked at the lifeless Han Feng, he exhaled deeply, feeling a brief surge of emotion. But it passed quickly. He knew that the path to the pinnacle of martial strength was paved with blood and bodies. It was an unavoidable rule.

"If Jingyan comes after you, just tell him the truth. Say I killed Han Feng," Li Xiaoyao said with a carefree smile, showing no concern. How could he speak of reaching the peak of martial arts if he feared a mere ninth-level Qi Martial Realm warrior?