31: Chapter 31 Ironclad Pig

After getting rid of an insignificant small-fry like Zhu Yue, Baili Yunche did not spare him another glance and continued on his journey.

The mountain wind howled, fluttering his sleeves.

He followed the mountain path all the way east, his pace growing faster and faster until he finally turned into a blur, disappearing into the boundless mountain forest.

Three days later.

When the first ray of morning light pierced through the clouds and shone upon the endless rolling mountains, Baili Yunche stopped in his tracks.

The Sunset Mountain Range had arrived.

He stood atop a hill, overlooking the scenery ahead.

At the edge of the horizon, a black Dragon spanned across the earth, winding for who knows how many tens of thousands of li.

The mountain range undulated like a Dragon's spine, its highest peak piercing straight into the clouds and hiding within the rolling sea of clouds.

Countless peaks pierced into the sky like sharp swords, and the mountain waist was shrouded in clouds and mist, obscuring their depth.

This was the Sunset Mountain Range.

The largest gathering place of Yao Beasts near the Xuanyang Sect, the Holy Land for countless immortal Cultivators to hunt for treasures and undergo trials, and also the burial ground for countless wandering souls.

Baili Yunche took a deep breath. The air was filled with the fresh fragrance of vegetation, along with a faint, lingering scent of blood.

"Cannot delve too deeply into it."

He muttered to himself, his gaze sweeping across the rolling hills on the outer periphery of the mountain range.

As far as he knew, it was rumored that Golden Core Stage and even Nascent Soul Stage Yao Beasts entrenched the depths of the Sunset Mountain Range; with his current strength, going in was simply courting death.

But the outer periphery was different; it mostly contained Qi Refinement Stage and Foundation Establishment Stage Yao Beasts, which were just right for practicing.

"First, find a suitable place."

Baili Yunche casually chose a direction, and after confirming it was correct, he strode into the mountain range.

...

In the outer periphery of the Sunset Mountain Range, a secluded valley.

The trees in the valley were lush and blocked out the sky, with only sporadic rays of light filtering through the gaps in the branches and leaves, casting mottled light and shadow on the ground.

The air was damp and muggy, mixed with the smell of rotting fallen leaves and Yao Beast feces.

Baili Yunche lightened his footsteps and shuttled through the forest.

His Divine Sense continuously scanned his surroundings, searching for suitable Yao Beasts to train with.

About half an hour later.

He stopped his footsteps.

Thirty zhang ahead, at a natural rock cave, a massive Yao Beast was lying down.

That was an Armored Wild Boar.

Its body length reached two zhang, and it was about as tall as a person. Its entire body was covered in pitch-black scales, and the surface of the scales was covered with fist-sized protrusions, resembling pieces of iron spliced together.

On its spine, dozens of black spikes stood upright, each as thick as an arm, their tips gleaming with a faint cold light.

Two huge white tusks protruded from its mouth, over a foot long, resembling two scimitars.

At this moment, it was dozing in its lair, and its heavy breathing could be heard from far away.

"Foundation Establishment Third Layer." A trace of light flashed in Baili Yunche's eyes.

This Armored Wild Boar had a cultivation level comparable to his, making it a good sparring partner.

Simply perfect!

The corners of his lips curved up slightly as he quietly drew the chiyang sword. A slight trembling hum came from the sword body, as if it too was yearning for a hearty and thorough battle.

"Let you be the first battle after my Foundation Establishment Breakthrough."

Baili Yunche said softly, Battle Intent igniting in his eyes.

Combat was the fastest way to grow.

Combat on the line of life and death could stimulate potential to the greatest extent, refine magical power, and temper Sword Intent.

The Pure Yang Sword Immortal had repeatedly emphasized this point within the Legacy.

To be an invincible Sword Cultivator who looked down upon the world, dueling experience was indispensable.

He did not hesitate; with a touch of his toes, his figure swept out like a ghost.

The distance of thirty zhang arrived in the blink of an eye.

The moment he stepped into the range of the Armored Wild Boar's lair, that sleeping Yao Beast suddenly opened its eyes.

Those were a pair of scarlet eyes with vertical pupils, resembling burning charcoal fire.

It abruptly stood up, its entire body of scales rustling loudly, and the spikes on its spine stood up one by one, instantly entering a combat state.

"Hmph hmph hmph—"

The Armored Wild Boar let out a low roar, its scarlet eyes staring dead at the intruder, its four hooves scraping the ground as soil splattered everywhere.

Baili Yunche stopped three zhang away, confronting it.

One man and one beast, their eyes met.

A tense Aura permeated the air.

The next instant—

"First Form of the Setting Sun Sword Technique!"

"Setting Sun Like Blood!"

Baili Yunche let out a fierce shout, and the chiyang sword clanked out of its sheath!

The sword body was as crimson as a burning sunset, and the sword hum was crisp and clear, resounding through the valley.

He twisted his wrist, and magical power frantically poured into the sword body. In a split second, a blood-red sword qi shot out from the tip of the sword, a zhang long, carrying a heaven-destroying and earth-shattering Aura as it slashed down directly towards the head of the Armored Wild Boar!

The sword qi emitted a sharp piercing sound through the air.

The Armored Wild Boar roared to the sky, its hind legs fiercely kicking the ground, its massive body rushing out like an arrow leaving the string, crashing head-on toward the sword qi!

At this instant, the scales all over its body burst forth with pitch-black light, all its defensive power was mobilized, and the protrusions on the surface of the scales became even more prominent, resembling putting on a true suit of iron armor.

Rumble!

The blood-red sword qi fiercely slashed onto the Armored Wild Boar's body, producing a deafening roar!

Sparks flew in all directions!

The wave of air surged!

Several bowl-thick trees around were cut off at the waist by the air wave, crashing down to the ground and stirring up a sky full of dust and smoke.

The Armored Wild Boar's massive body was shaken back several steps by this sword strike, each step leaving deep footprints on the ground.

But it did not fall. Although a few shallow cracks appeared on the scales of its body, it successfully blocked this sword strike.

"As expected of a Yao Beast famous for its defense." Baili Yunche narrowed his eyes, a trace of surprise flashing in them.

With this sword strike, an ordinary Foundation Establishment Third Layer Cultivator could not take it at all; even if they didn't die, they would be heavily injured.

But this Armored Wild Boar actually only suffered damage to its scales?

However, upon second thought, he also understood.

Apart from the Armored Wild Boar's own powerful defense, his lack of dueling experience was also one of the reasons.

After all, this was the first battle after his Foundation Establishment Breakthrough, and his magical power circulation during the attack was not skilled enough; the power of the sword technique was not fully unleashed.

"Hmph—"

The Armored Wild Boar steadied its figure, its scarlet eyes staring dead at Baili Yunche, the anger in its eyes almost gushing out.

The spikes on its spine suddenly shook, making a rustling sound.

The next instant.

Swish swish swish!

Countless black spikes shot out from its back, like a sky-filling rain of black arrows, shrouding downward toward Baili Yunche.

The arrow rain covered the sky and earth, almost sealing off all space for dodging.

Baili Yunche, however, did not budge at all.

He sneered coldly, holding the chiyang sword horizontally across his chest, and infused magical power into it.

In a split second, a light-red protective barrier propped up from in front of him, resembling a translucent barrier that enveloped his entire person within it.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Countless spikes landed on the protective barrier, producing dense metal collision sounds and splashing sparks.

The spikes nailed onto the protective barrier, unable to advance even a fraction of an inch, and ultimately lost their force, falling to the ground one after another.

After the spikes fell completely, the protective barrier remained as stable as before.

"Just this little capability?"

Baili Yunche raised his eyes to look at the Armored Wild Boar, a trace of disappointment flashing in his eyes.

The Armored Wild Boar also seemed to sense that something was amiss; its scarlet eyes flickered slightly, and its massive body slowly retreated, actually giving birth to the intention of retreating.

But it was already too late.

The moment it retreated, Baili Yunche moved.

His figure flashed, his speed shockingly fast.

Almost in the blink of an eye, he had already appeared by the side of the Armored Wild Boar, and the chiyang sword in his hand stabbed straight out.

The chiyang sword stabbed into the neck of the Armored Wild Boar with absolute precision.

There was precisely the weakest spot of the Armored Wild Boar's entire body defense!

Rip!

The sword blade entered the flesh.

Scalding fresh blood gushed out, carrying a strong fishy stench.

The Armored Wild Boar let out a miserable screech, its massive body convulsing violently, its four hooves kicking wildly and carving deep gullies into the muddy ground.

Baili Yunche withdrew his sword and retreated, quietly watching it struggle.

As more and more fresh blood flowed, the Armored Wild Boar's struggle gradually grew weak, and finally it collapsed heavily to the ground, splashing up a ground full of dust.

It convulsed a few times, its scarlet eyes gradually losing their luster, completely losing all signs of life.

The valley returned to silence.

Baili Yunche sheathed his sword, walked over to the corpse of the Armored Wild Boar, and lowered his head to look at this behemoth.

"That's it?"

He frowned slightly, a look of disappointment appearing on his face.

He was still counting on this Armored Wild Boar to accompany him for some more practice to temper his dueling experience.

He didn't expect it to only last for two moves.

"It really can't take a beating."

He shook his head, squatted down, felt for a dagger from his waist, and began to dismember the corpse of the Armored Wild Boar.

Although the Armored Wild Boar had ordinary combat power, its entire body was a treasure.

The scales could be used to refine defensive Magical Artifacts, the spikes on its spine could be used to refine offensive Magical Artifacts, the tusks were also excellent Materials for refining Talismans, the flesh and blood could be used for Alchemy, and the blood could even be used to draw Talismans or Cultivate certain special Cultivation Techniques.

These were all shiny Spirit Stones!

Baili Yunche gripped the dagger and skillfully began to dismember it.

About the time of one incense stick later, the entire Armored Wild Boar had been dismembered by him.

The scales, spikes, tusks, flesh and blood, and blood were categorized and packed into the Storage Pouch.

He weighed the Storage Pouch in his hand and estimated its value.

"Taking these Materials and selling them at the Wanbao Pavilion in the market town can exchange for at least several hundred Spirit Stones."

Baili Yunche nodded with satisfaction and tied the Storage Pouch back to his waist.