Chapter Eighty: The Might of Foundation Establishment

Before the Taoist Pang could issue his warning, Fang Xiao had already sensed the disturbance rising from beneath the earth.

So when the monstrous creature, its size rivaling that of a leopard, burst forth from the ground before him and lunged with ferocious intent, Fang Xiao did not lose his composure. Instead, he retracted his weapon belt with utmost speed. In the blink of an eye, the belt coiled around his right arm.

The next moment, Fang Xiao confronted the snarling beast head-on, unleashing both fists with full force.

Demon-Suppressing Fist!

His lower body rooted like stone, feet deeply embedded in the soil, every joint in his body resonated with crisp, explosive sounds as he executed the technique. A vigorous, pure surge of energy, reminiscent of dragon and tiger, gathered instantly in his clenched fists. Suddenly, his fists radiated a fiery aura.

The attacking monster had just opened its gaping jaws when Fang Xiao’s blazing fist struck its skull with tremendous force.

Boom!

Despite the extraordinary hardness of the creature’s head, it could not withstand such a devastating blow; the sound of bone shattering rang clear. The black beast tumbled and was hurled backward.

Having repelled the assailant with his fists, Fang Xiao reached into his satchel and pulled out his refined black-iron spear.

Swish!

The spear extended in an instant. Gripping it firmly, Fang Xiao locked his gaze onto the leopard-like monster that had just landed and charged forward with fierce determination.

The refined black-iron spear sliced silently through the air, swift as lightning. Its tri-edged tip spewed forth a golden-red flame nearly a foot long, its dazzling brilliance piercing the endless darkness.

This was the lethal move from the "River at Sunset Spear": Piercing Rainbow in One Breath!

The monster’s reflexes were quick, but it could never have anticipated that Fang Xiao’s assault would be even swifter. The blazing light reflected off its black eyes, causing its pupils to contract violently.

With a squelch, the tri-edged spear tip penetrated the creature’s defensive hide without resistance, mercilessly tearing through muscle and bone, passing through soft organs and emerging from its lower abdomen, embedding deep into the earth.

Roaring in agony, the leopard-like monster writhed in pain. Dark red pus and blood sprayed from the wounds inflicted by the refined black-iron spear, staining the grass and vines, which immediately blackened and decayed wherever the blood touched.

Despite its tenacious vitality, the creature struggled and howled, attempting to retaliate. It wasn’t until Fang Xiao’s fourth thrust pierced its skull that its existence was finally ended.

[Experience +75]

Fang Xiao exhaled deeply.

“That was a Corpse Fiend Dog!” At that moment, Taoist Pang appeared at Fang Xiao’s side, his gaze fixed upon the rotting corpse of the monster. He frowned deeply. “How did this thing get here? Corpse Fiend Dogs belong to the category of corpse monsters. Originally, they were wild dogs adept at burrowing, who consumed evil-tainted corpses in the burial ground, triggering their mutation. For a wild dog to transform into a Corpse Fiend Dog, many conditions must be met, so their numbers in the burial ground are extremely few—rarely seen! These monsters mostly lurk underground, only emerging at night to hunt.”

Currently, Taoist Pang and Fang Xiao were at the outskirts of the burial ground. Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible to encounter a Corpse Fiend Dog here.

“Hm?” Suddenly, a grayish-white orb emerged from within the creature’s skeleton, catching Taoist Pang’s attention. With a wave of his horsetail whisk, the orb, soaking in foul corpse fluids, silently floated upward.

“A Yin Sha Pearl,” Taoist Pang chuckled. “We’re in luck!”

Much like the demon crystals, demon cores, and demon pills found in monsters, the bodies of evil corpse spirits can sometimes produce these pearls formed from condensed Yin Sha energy. They come in various sizes and grades, and are valuable materials for alchemy, forging, array formation, or practicing special techniques.

Taoist Pang admired Fang Xiao’s luck—“Fortune favors you!”

Just before the Yin Sha Pearl could be claimed, a voice called out from afar, growing closer: “Who goes there?” Three figures arrived like electric serpents, landing on either side of Taoist Pang and Fang Xiao. Each wore Taoist robes and wielded gleaming swords, subtly forming an encirclement.

“Three-Star Sword Formation?” Taoist Pang gripped the Yin Sha Pearl and barked sharply, “Are you blind? Don’t you recognize who I am?”

One swordsman stared intently, his expression changing to surprise. “Are you the renowned master from Little Jing Mountain Daoist Temple, Pang—?”

“Out of my sight!” Taoist Pang had no patience for conversation. With a sudden sweep of his whisk, a howling whirlwind engulfed all three, tossing them far into the distance.

“Ah!” “Ouch!” Despite not being weak cultivators, the trio were thrown about and landed heavily, groaning in pain. Though they had suffered a humiliation like never before, none dared harbor thoughts of revenge. After bowing respectfully from afar, they hurriedly departed.

For what Taoist Pang had just displayed was the power of a Foundation Establishment master—far beyond the capabilities of mere Qi Refining practitioners.

Taoist Pang turned to Fang Xiao, saying, “Those fellows are just patrols; a minor lesson suffices. The burial ground isn’t a dungeon reserved for you alone. In truth, any cultivator in Liuhe County with proper credentials may hunt evil spirits here. Those three assumed we were rogue cultivators poaching in secret, hence their rude attitude. For that reason, I punished only their disrespect and didn’t press the matter further. But then, even as a rogue cultivator, a Foundation Establishment master like myself can easily suppress Qi Refining practitioners—unbound by the rules here. In the end, strength determines respect in this world. Whoever holds power holds sway!”

Seeing Fang Xiao lost in thought, Taoist Pang chuckled, “Don’t overthink it. Get back to monster hunting and rack up more experience.”

“Understood!” Fang Xiao nodded with conviction, banishing all distractions from his mind.

He had not forgotten—in three days’ time, he would face Senior Brother Gao Hong, the so-called prodigy, in the arena of Liuhe Academy’s Martial Hall.

Fang Xiao had never considered defeat an option, and so he would prepare as thoroughly as possible.

Gripping his refined black-iron spear, he strode boldly into the depths of the burial ground.

Tonight, sleep would not come.