Chapter 95: Bear Gallbladder Tonic Soup

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"Gray!" Layton felt as if his jaw would never close again. He had seen some impressive figures before, but none could compare to this man before him, who just kicked a bear-ox into the ground with his bare hands!

"Get up. I know you’re not dead!" Ye Tian’s voice was as cold as the depths of hell, devoid of any warmth; even Layton at the side shivered at the chill.

"Gray!" Layton couldn’t help but call out. Was this the same servant boy who used to be bullied by girls every day? Why did it feel like the devil himself had descended? Layton made up his mind—whatever happened these days, he would take to the grave.

"Get up!" Ye Tian’s body crackled and popped as power gathered within him. The old man’s gourd, the most precious gourd—how dare this beast crush it! Ye Tian was truly angry, furious beyond words.

"Get up!" Ye Tian stomped on the ground, and the giant bear-ox’s body was forced out of the earth. "Tyrant Fist!" Ye Tian drew back his right hand. "Impact!" He struck with all his might, landing squarely on the bear-ox’s gut. With a bang, the once bulging belly caved in, and the massive body was sent flying.

"Roar!" After the relentless assault, the bear-ox went berserk, lifting its head to the sky and howling. It dropped to all fours and lunged at Ye Tian. "Cloud Hand!" Ye Tian spread his legs, braced his wrists, and with a "Lift the Moon," pushed the beast’s paw aside, dodging a fatal swipe. Then with a swift grab, he seized the bear-ox’s wrist and slammed it down hard. "Great Monument Throw!"

Bang! The bear-ox was slammed to the ground with a resounding crash. Ye Tian pressed his advantage, stomping on the bend of the beast’s arm—bones cracked, and the bear-ox’s agonized howl shook the earth.

"Roar!" The bear-ox swung its snout, smashing Ye Tian aside. Slowly rising, Ye Tian swallowed the blood welling up inside, exhaled a shaky breath, and fixed his gaze on the howling beast.

"This is the price," Ye Tian declared, his body flashing forward to appear before the bear-ox. "Wind God Kick!" A heavy whip-kick landed on the beast’s head, then his legs whirled like a storm—one kick after another, raining down in a frenzy.

"Roar!" The bear-ox was stunned by the brutal onslaught, unable to do anything but endure. At last, with its uninjured arm, it swept at Ye Tian, tearing his shirt to shreds and sending a piece of roasted meat tumbling out.

"Here." Ye Tian scooped up the meat and tossed it to Layton, who caught it just in time to notice that what Ye Tian had been carrying inside his shirt was actually a snow-white squirrel!

"Roar!" The bear-ox panted heavily, its wounded arm throbbing with pain. Opposite, Ye Tian stood expressionless, but his clothes were tattered, blood still seeping from the wound on his chest.

A cold smile curved Ye Tian’s lips as he silently touched his chest. The bear-ox grew enraged—did this human really intend to kill it? As a boss monster, its pride was immense; it would never flee. From Ye Tian’s eyes, it understood: today, only one of them would walk away.

"Roar!" The bear-ox, seething with fury, supported itself with its good arm and charged at Ye Tian, suddenly slamming the ground—instantly, sharp spikes erupted everywhere: the bear-ox’s magic!

Though angry, Ye Tian kept his composure. With a sweeping motion, he kicked the spikes into the air, then with lightning speed, he launched them at the bear-ox. Bang, bang, bang! It was ineffective, but the bear-ox was enraged to the extreme—its own magic used against it! Was there anything more humiliating?

The bear-ox straightened up. This opponent was formidable, faster than itself, dodging most of its attacks. The beast decided not to waste more energy—it would go for a killing blow.

Slowly approaching Ye Tian, the bear-ox gathered its strength. "Oh? One move to decide the outcome? I’ll play along!" Ye Tian grinned madly. "I’ll make sure you die comfortably!"

When only two meters separated them, both—vastly different in size—glared at each other with raw fury. Suddenly, the bear-ox roared and lunged, its massive paw slashing at Ye Tian’s head—a killing strike!

"Roar!" They brushed past. The bear-ox’s claws raked five bloody gashes into Ye Tian’s side. At such close range, it was impossible to dodge—its gamble had paid off. Twisting around, the bear-ox saw Ye Tian’s wicked smile, and the red, pulsing object in his hand.

Thump, thump—it was a dripping, bloody heart, still beating. The bear-ox suddenly felt a searing pain; glancing down, it saw a gaping hole in its chest, blood gushing like a fountain.

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"Roar!" The bear-ox charged at Ye Tian in terror, trying to reclaim its heart, but its strides grew heavier and heavier. Finally, just as its paw was about to touch Ye Tian, it could hold on no longer. The massive body crashed to the earth, sending leaves flying.

"Gray!" Layton looked at Ye Tian in horror. He hadn't seen what happened—just that man and beast brushed past, and then there was Ye Tian’s wicked smile and the heart in his hand. "Tonight, we’ll have soup—Bear Gallbladder Tonic Soup!" Ye Tian grinned, and Layton’s head lolled to the side as he fainted.

A delicious aroma drifted under Layton’s blanket, rousing him instantly. He sat up with a start. "Awake?" Ye Tian was tossing a few sticks under the ‘pot,’ then got up to stir. "Mmm, almost done. Want a taste?"

"I’ll pass," Layton said nervously, glancing around. "Where’s that magical beast?" "Which one? The living one or the dead one?" Ye Tian asked, stirring the broth. "Wait, there’s still a living one?" Layton asked, puzzled.

"Oh, the one that was thrown aside was only playing dead. It left later. As for the dead one, over there." Ye Tian nodded toward a small mound nearby. "You buried it?" Layton looked at him in disbelief.

"Mmm." Ye Tian got up and ladled a bowl for Layton. "Try it—it's a great tonic," he said with a smile. "It smells wonderful!" Layton praised. Whatever Gray cooked was always delicious. "I won’t be polite, then!" He took a spoon and began to eat.

"Delicious!" Layton beamed, gulping down spoonfuls. "What’s this?" he asked, chewing on a tough, fibrous chunk. He spat it out and saw it was a piece of seasoning. "Eat it, I prepared it especially for you," Ye Tian replied.

"It’s tough, but rather sweet," Layton said, chewing it. A bit dry, but the sweetness wasn’t bad. "What is it?" he asked. "Oh, that’s ginseng," Ye Tian said, pulling a root resembling a radish from his bag. "Ginseng? Is that something only alchemists use?" Layton asked, still chewing.

"Heh, as long as it’s useful. By the way, don’t eat too much of it." "Why not?" Layton was curious. "It tastes good." "Layton, remember: all medicines have some toxicity; too much does more harm than good," Ye Tian instructed.

"But alchemists’ potions all enhance strength. I’ve never heard of side effects," Layton persisted. "I don’t know about that, but I think no harm is impossible—perhaps the effects are minor or take time to show. In the end, you always pay a price," Ye Tian said seriously.

"I wouldn’t know. I’ve only seen one alchemist before," Layton mused. "Oh? You have?" Ye Tian was curious—it was a career as rare as a national treasure.

"Heh, just kidding," Layton said awkwardly. "Gray, another bowl, please! I want more!" "Alright, there’s plenty!" Ye Tian turned away with a sly grin, hiding his expression from Layton, who didn’t notice his little vice.

"Uh, Gray, your squirrel seemed to move just now," Layton said, glancing at Ye Tian’s overstuffed pack. He never understood what Ye Tian was busy with every day, tinkering endlessly with herbs. Layton would have been bored out of his mind.

"Really?" Ye Tian placed the roast meat on his pack—holding it to his chest all the time wasn’t good for the squirrel. "I think so." A breeze rustled the camp, and Layton thought he saw the squirrel’s ears twitch. Usually, it was as lifeless as a stone, no matter how you poked it.

Delighted, Ye Tian handed Layton the bowl and scurried over to gently pick up the roast meat, fiddling with it carefully. In the end, he sighed and shook his head, gently putting the roast back on his pack.

"Gray, tell me your story," Layton said, moved by Ye Tian’s care, seeking to lighten the mood. "There’s nothing worth telling—it’s all in the past," Ye Tian replied quietly, then got up to ladle another bowl. "Here, eat this," he said, placing a piece of meat in Layton’s bowl.

"What’s this?" Layton asked nervously. "Bear gallbladder—a powerful tonic," Ye Tian said with a mischievous smile. "No thanks, you have it," Layton said, trying to hand it back. "Heh, look at you! With your build, you need the boost—hurry up and eat it!"

Layton eyed the brown gallbladder, gritted his teeth, and swallowed it in one gulp. "That’s better!" Ye Tian grinned, finishing his own broth, then poured a bowl for the green-haired turtle still gnawing on roast meat. That creature ate more enthusiastically than anyone!

"Full and content, not missing home at all!" Ye Tian lay back comfortably on his pack, placing the roast on his chest. "Gray, why do I feel so warm?" Layton asked. "Oh, the medicine’s taking effect," Ye Tian replied, turning toward the fire. "Good night!" "Hey!" Layton watched him fall asleep, pursed his lips, and lay down as well.

"So comfortable!" At dawn, Ye Tian stretched with a satisfied groan and saw Layton beside him, looking exhausted. "Morning!" "Morning?" Layton turned, his face full of grievance as he moved closer. "It’s plenty early—I didn’t sleep a wink last night!"

"What happened?" Ye Tian turned his head away. "What happened? Gray, I suspect you did it on purpose!" Layton fumed. "I was burning hot all night, and that green-haired turtle howled nonstop. Yet you slept like a log!"

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"Heh, isn’t it nice to feel warm?" Ye Tian chuckled. "Nice? Not at all!" Layton was nearly in tears. "I was burning up—it didn’t help to soak in water. When I got out, the breeze made me cold again, so I had to exercise just to cope!"

"That’s not my problem," Ye Tian said, glancing away. The green-haired turtle’s head drooped too, looking exhausted from its night of excitement. "Don’t say it’s not your fault; I—I..." Layton blushed, unable to finish his sentence.

"Alright, go wash your face," Ye Tian said, patting Layton’s shoulder. "You’re not a kid anymore." "What?" Layton didn’t catch his meaning. "Never mind, I’ll make breakfast. I’ll teach you later!" With that, Ye Tian dashed into the woods.

"Hey!" Layton washed his face, then jumped onto the plum blossom stakes. The green-haired turtle, seeing Layton on the posts, wobbled over and spat a magic sphere at him. "First step!" Layton recalled Ye Tian’s teachings and dodged the attack.

"Good! That’s it!" Layton was delighted and began practicing the steps Ye Tian had taught him to evade the magic spheres. Thankfully, the turtle was tired from the previous night and attacked halfheartedly. Otherwise, Layton would have been overwhelmed.

"Haha, haha!" As Layton grew more adept, he became increasingly excited. "Oh, not bad, not bad!" Ye Tian appeared, a Frost-Eyed Rabbit slung over his shoulder. "Gray! I’ve got it!" Layton exclaimed with joy.

"Not so fast," Ye Tian smiled, picking up a stick and tossing it at Layton. "I can dodge it!" Layton said confidently, twisting his body and evading with ease. But before he could celebrate, a sudden jolt to the back of his head sent him tumbling down.

"What happened?" Layton lay on the ground, staring at the stick in confusion. "That’s why I said you’ve got a long way to go—keep practicing," Ye Tian laughed, turning to the lake to skin the rabbit.

Unwilling to give up, Layton climbed back up and continued training—his pride wounded. But worse was yet to come. After breakfast, the green-haired turtle was full of energy, launching magic spheres like a barrage, sending Layton into a frantic scramble.

Ye Tian watched in amusement, then turned to his own tasks. There were herbs that needed careful grinding, and with some free time, he intended to prepare them all. "I wonder how Charles is doing?" Ye Tian mused, then buried himself in his work.

That night, Layton lay motionless on his blanket, gazing at the bright stars above. Compared to them, he felt so insignificant. He closed his eyes, breathing deeply, and felt his spirit stretch out into the vast forest. Slowly, he opened his eyes and said with a bitter smile, "Gray, I’ve advanced again."

"Oh!" Ye Tian replied absently, still focused on his work. "You’re not surprised at all?" Layton asked. "Oh, surprised," Ye Tian replied. "Honestly, spending time with you, I feel my heart has grown old. Nothing excites me anymore."

"How could that be? Why don’t you go catch me some fish from the lake?" Ye Tian grinned. "No way!" Layton glanced nervously at the strange fish corpse hanging nearby, shuddered at the memory, and refused outright.

"Come on," Ye Tian laughed. "Didn’t you say you wanted excitement?" "Forget it—that’s way too exciting!" Layton glanced at the fish’s razor-sharp teeth and shuddered. "Why don’t you go?"

"I don’t have time," Ye Tian replied with a smile. "Right," Layton muttered. "By the way, Layton, with your current strength, you should be able to use fourth-level magic now, right?" Ye Tian asked. "I think so." Layton had advanced to the verge of becoming a Mage, but he’d never actually cast a fourth-level spell before.

"Why not give it a try?" Ye Tian suggested. "Try?" Layton hesitated. Though he could cast third-level spells with ease and had learned fourth-level ones, he was still a bit apprehensive. "Go on, give it a shot," Ye Tian encouraged as he packed away his things.

"Alright, I’ll try." Layton decided to cast the fourth-level spell, Ice Arrow, to see how much of the lake he could freeze. "O great Elemental God, your most devoted servant prays to you—grant me the power of ice to pierce my enemy’s heart! Ice Arrow!"

In an instant, a rain of icy arrows fell upon the lake, gradually freezing the water into a small patch of ice. "I did it!" Layton exclaimed with delight. "Well, I don’t really understand," Ye Tian said, scratching his nose.

"O great Elemental God, your devoted servant prays once more—grant me the power of fire, to burn all before me! Wall of Fire!" Instantly, a wall of flames a yard high and ten feet long appeared on the lake’s surface. "I did it! I did it!" Layton leaped with joy. "I did it!"

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