SNORT—

The Wild Boar Demon Beast, stung by the pain, grew even more furious. Its crimson eyes locked onto Fang Han.

Two streams of hot, white steam shot from its nostrils as it pawed restlessly at the ground like a bull about to charge.

Fang Han’s expression was serene. With his Cyan Blade Sword pointed toward the ground, the aura around him became both ethereal and sharp.

Man and beast faced off in the moonlit Medicinal Garden.

The surrounding guards had long since retreated to a safe distance, their eyes filled with awe and anticipation as they watched Fang Han’s back.

SNORTLE—

Suddenly, the Demon Beast let out a piercing shriek and charged forward with its massive body.

It appeared clumsy, but its speed was astonishing. Like an out-of-control war chariot, it barreled toward Fang Han, trailing a foul stench.

Fang Han’s eyes narrowed. He executed Gale Step, his figure drifting backward and to the side like a willow catkin.

BOOM!

The Demon Beast brushed past the corner of his robes and crashed headfirst into a tree with a bowl-sized trunk behind him. The tree snapped on impact, sending splinters flying.

Its attack having missed, the Demon Beast grew even more agitated. It spun around and charged again.

This time, a faint silver light glowed on its crescent-shaped tusks, which tore through the air with a sharp HISS.

Fang Han didn’t dare to be careless. The qi and blood of his Late Stage of Bone Refining surged, and his Cyan Blade Sword radiated a terrifyingly sharp aura.

He no longer focused solely on dodging. Instead, with a flick of his wrist, he met the attack head-on with Gentle Breeze Through the Forest.

The tip of his sword aimed precisely for the Demon Beast’s left eye.

CLANG!

The Demon Beast unexpectedly jerked its head, blocking the blade with its hard skull.

A jarring screech of metal on bone rang out as sparks flew. The sword left a shallow, bloody gash on its forehead.

Fang Han felt a tremendous force travel up the sword, making his arm tingle. He used the momentum to slide back several yards.

’It’s far more cunning than a normal wild boar!’

Fang Han was inwardly alarmed.

Not only was this Demon Beast’s hide thick and its bones hard as iron, but its reflexes and combat instincts were also far beyond his expectations.

It actually knew to block an attack with its sturdy skull.

The pain thoroughly provoked the Demon Beast’s ferocity. It kicked off with all four hooves and charged at Fang Han with even greater madness.

Fang Han focused his attention and responded by combining his Perfection Qingfeng Swordsmanship with his Minor Achievement Gale Step. His sword flashes were like a gentle breeze brushing the willows—ethereal and unpredictable. He moved as swiftly as the wind, weaving and dodging through the Demon Beast’s frenzied assault, narrowly avoiding fatal collisions at every turn while watching for opportunities to counterattack.

SHLICK!

A flash of the sword, and a gash appeared on the Demon Beast’s flank, bright red blood seeping out.

But the wound wasn’t deep. It only served to further incite the Wild Boar Demon Beast’s savagery, and it attacked Fang Han with even more frenzy.

For a time, the Medicinal Garden was a whirlwind of flashing sword light and stomping hooves. Qi Force spilled in all directions as dirt and grass flew through the air.

The air was filled with an unending cacophony of roars, shrieks, and the clang of metal on bone.

Watching from a distance, Fang Lu and the other guards were terrified, their palms slick with cold sweat.

Only now did they understand how terrifyingly strong the Demon Beast was, and by extension, just how frighteningly powerful Fang Han had to be to fight it to a standstill.

THWIP, THWIP, THWIP—

In the thick of the fight, Fang Han gradually gained the upper hand. The Cyan Blade Sword in his hand left gash after gash on the Wild Boar Demon Beast’s body.

None of the wounds were particularly deep, but after accumulating dozens of them, the boar had lost a great deal of blood. Its movements were no longer as swift as before.

WHOOSH—

Fang Han seized the opportunity. The body of his sword hummed and vibrated, transforming into a flash of cyan lightning that seemed to tear through the night sky.

Focusing all the power of his Late Stage of Bone Refining, he stabbed with unerring precision at the Wild Boar Demon Beast’s neck.

The strike was faster than the eye could follow.

SQUELCH—!

With the muffled sound of a blade sinking into flesh, half of the sword disappeared into the Wild Boar Demon Beast’s neck.

AWOOOO—!

The Demon Beast let out a final, bloodcurdling howl, its charge coming to an abrupt halt.

Its massive body began to twitch violently, and the light in its crimson eyes quickly faded.

It staggered forward a few more steps before collapsing with a thunderous crash that made the ground tremble slightly. Then, silence.

The scene fell utterly silent.

Moonlight spilled down, illuminating Fang Han’s back as he stood with his sword, and the enormous carcass of the Demon Beast.

’Looks like with pigs, you really do have to go for the neck!’

Fang Han was breathing lightly, sweat beading on his temples. He slowly withdrew his Cyan Blade Sword. The blade was pristine, not a single speck of blood on it.

"It’s... it’s dead?!"

Watching from afar, Fang Lu rubbed his eyes and muttered in disbelief. An instant later, his face flooded with ecstatic joy.

"It’s dead! The Demon Beast was killed by Young Master Han! Quick! Let’s go!"

As if waking from a dream, the guards cheered and swarmed forward. Their gazes, fixed on Fang Han, were filled with boundless reverence and fervor.

"Young Master Han, are you all right?"

Fang Lu ran over, panting, and asked repeatedly. His attitude was now infinitely more respectful than before.

"I’m fine."

Fang Han shook his head and pointed at the Demon Beast’s carcass.

"Deal with this beast. Tomorrow morning, you’ll help me transport it back to the mansion."

"Yes, sir! I understand!"

Fang Lu hastily agreed and directed the guards to begin processing the carcass. The men looked at the huge Demon Beast, a mixture of excitement and fear on their faces.

The following afternoon, Fang Han returned to the Fang Mansion with a carriage carrying the Demon Beast’s carcass and went directly to Elder Fang Yuan to report.

"Well done."

Inside the Quiet Chamber, Elder Fang Yuan listened to Fang Han’s brief account of the battle. A hint of appreciation appeared on his otherwise impassive face.

"You flatter me, Elder. How should this Demon Beast’s carcass be handled?"

Fang Han asked.

Elder Fang Yuan’s gaze swept over the massive carcass in the courtyard. After a moment of thought, he said to Fang Han,

"You may dispose of this Demon Beast’s carcass as you see fit. There’s no need to hand it over to the family."

"The Essence Qi contained in a Demon Beast’s flesh and blood is far superior to what ordinary Qi Blood Pills can offer. It will be of great benefit to your current Cultivation. Make good use of it; don’t let it go to waste."

Fang Yuan said with a smile.

"This disciple understands!"

Hearing this, Fang Han no longer refused and bowed solemnly.

Fang Yuan nodded slightly. "Go on, then. Cultivate well, and don’t slack off."

"Yes, sir!"

Upon returning to Tingyu Pavilion, Fang Han immediately ordered his servants to fetch several cooks from the Fang Mansion’s kitchens to help butcher the Wild Boar Demon Beast.

Fortunately, the hide and flesh of the Wild Boar Demon Beast had started to soften after its death; otherwise, even carving it up would have been extremely difficult.

That evening, they stewed a pot of demon boar soup that steamed with rich qi and blood.

The soup was a pale amber color and had an unusual, fragrant aroma that far surpassed any ordinary medicinal cuisine.

Fang Han took a sip and immediately felt a scorching, pure energy surge into his limbs and bones. A pleasant warmth spread throughout his body, and the feeling was indescribably comfortable.

The effects were indeed more direct and potent than taking Qi Blood Pills.

From then on, Fang Han’s daily diet consisted mainly of this Wild Boar Demon Beast meat. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

His Eightfold Root Bone Talent was already terrifyingly effective, and now, nourished by this potent supplement, his Cultivation speed became even faster.

When he practiced the Crane Form, his qi and blood surged like a great river breaking its dam, the roaring sound echoing faintly in the Martial Arts Room.

The speed at which the bones throughout his body were being tempered visibly increased. Their jade-like luster grew more apparent each day as he steadily advanced toward the Late Stage Bone Refining Limit.

He could clearly feel himself growing stronger with each passing day.

With such a cultivation speed, he believed it wouldn’t be long before he reached the Late Stage Bone Refining Limit!