"Boom!!!"

At the moment this slash came down, the massive body of Zi Xu Old Demon exploded into pieces.

Yang Yan, panting heavily, stuck Star Night into the ground to support his nearly exhausted body.

The previous strike had drained all his energy.

Moreover, he had also borrowed Zi Xu's power at a critical moment.

But none of that mattered anymore.

"You're not dead?"

Yang Yan looked at the suddenly reappearing Zi Xu Old Demon and raised an eyebrow, his hand on Star Night ready to strike at any moment.

Zi Xu's face darkened as he looked at Yang Yan.

"I'm not a living thing, why talk about dying?"

Yang Yan suddenly chuckled and put away Star Night:

"What, finally came to your senses and decided not to show me that ugly mug anymore?"

As he spoke, Yang Yan boldly walked to the restored Zi Xu Old Demon, patted his shoulder familiarly, and said:

"Old man Zi Xu, I've passed all three trials. You have no reason to stop me, right?"

Zi Xu Old Demon raised an eyebrow, indignantly replying:

"Hmph! If it weren't for the rules..."

He stopped mid-sentence, slowly looking up at Yang Yan with an incredulous expression:

"So... you knew all along?"

Yang Yan grinned slyly and replied:

"You've been harping on about the rules yourself, it'd be hard not to know!"

He had long suspected that this Zi Xu Old Demon was following the rules of the Demon Cave.

Even if he skipped from the third trial to see him in the second, it wasn't against the rules.

Thus, having just defeated him, he considered the third trial completed.

Regardless, this guy couldn't and wouldn't continue to stop him.

"You're very clever."

Zi Xu Old Demon looked at Yang Yan and suddenly smiled with satisfaction.

The next moment, a faint glow appeared in his aged hand.

Squinting, Yang Yan realized it was the Demon Emperor Token.

"This is the reward for the third trial. Do you want it?"

Zi Xu Old Demon laughed eerily:

"Once this token is issued, none dares to disobey! As long as you hold the Demon Emperor Token, the entire Demon Race, regardless of rank, will bow to you!"

However, Yang Yan merely glanced at the Demon Emperor Token, then stuffed his hands in his pockets, eyes showing disdain.

"I don't need that."

Yang Yan said flatly:

"Besides, making the Demon Race bow? Sorry, I prefer them trembling at my feet!"

After saying that, Yang Yan calmly looked at the Zi Xu Old Demon across from him.

Sure enough, after a brief stupor, Zi Xu Old Demon was so enraged he seemed fit to burst, his face contorting.

He almost roared:

"Even if you've passed the third trial, I won't give it to you! Get out! The farther, the better!"

Yang Yan calmly asked:

"Where are my two friends?"

Zi Xu Old Demon suddenly burst into laughter:

"That brat named Ao Tian, he's accepted the Yin Wind's transformation and Blood Pool's energy! His strength now rivals yours!"

Bang!

Fuelled by rage, Yang Yan shouted and his right fist turned into a lightning strike, smashing directly into Zi Xu Old Demon.

Unprepared, Zi Xu Old Demon was blown apart, shattering into countless shadowy fragments that vanished.

In the vast space, only Yang Yan was left standing.

Soon, Zi Xu Old Demon's voice reappeared, trembling slightly:

"What... what are you doing?"

Yang Yan ignored him, glanced back at the Blood Pool, as if an idea struck him.

Bending his right fingers, he aimed at the Blood Pool.

Rumble—

The Blood Pool instantly boiled, waves surging.

A small vortex formed on the surface of the pool.

Soon, the Demon Energy Essence from within the pool was extracted by Yang Yan, with blood balls rich in pure demonic qi floating in the air.

Yang Yan waved his hand, accepting them all with a smile.

At this time, the Blood Pool visibly halved in volume, and its color seemed to dim.

Though Zi Xu Old Demon couldn't comprehend Yang Yan's actions, he couldn't approach to stop him, not even a word of protest.

When Yang Yan finished, he cooperatively waved his hand.

A hole suddenly appeared above Yang Yan's head.

"Old man Zi Xu, we'll meet again next time."

Pleased with his spoils, Yang Yan waved cheerfully at Zi Xu Old Demon.

The next moment, he shot upward directly.

After passing through the hole, Yang Yan reappeared outside the mountain.

Except now, he was at the peak.

Looking down, Yang Yan saw a group of people at the base of the mountain.

Ao Tian, Gongsun Ruyan, they were all there.

Elated, Yang Yan moved with extreme swiftness, arriving beside them almost immediately.

"Yang Yan, you're finally out!"

Initially ready to strike, Ao Tian and others stopped their attack upon seeing it was Yang Yan, complaining slightly.

"My lord!"

Gongsun Ruyan, Zhuge Wushuang, and Fu Changjian immediately greeted him respectfully.

Only Sass looked worriedly at Yang Yan, silently pondering something.

"How long was I in there?"

Hearing the slight complaint in Ao Tian's tone, Yang Yan rolled his eyes, replying irritably.

He had moved as quickly as possible, yet Ao Tian still nagged.

"Not long? Your men went in and out in two days. You've been in there four days, twice as long as them!"

Ao Tian pointed at Gongsun Ruyan, smirking coldly.

Four days?

Yang Yan was startled, instinctively turning to the three swordsmen, hoping for confirmation.

After all, Ao Tian wasn't always reliable; his words couldn't be taken at face value.

From his own sense, he hadn't been inside for more than three days.

But how could Ao Tian say he stayed four days?

However, as his gaze fell on the three swordsmen, they nodded in unison.

Yang Yan gave a helpless smile, glancing back at the stone mountain, suspiciously saying:

"This Demon Cave... there's something strange about it."

"Like you needed to say that."

Ao Tian cracked his neck, smirking dismissively:

"Of course! These past days I've rusted stiff waiting. Weren't we supposed to collect Blood Pills and activate the array to save people? What are we waiting for, let's go already!"

"Go? No rush!"

Yang Yan suddenly smiled, lightly slapping Ao Tian.

Even if he was relaxed, Ao Tian maintained a basic level of alertness.

Besides, Yang Yan's speed wasn't quick, as if allowing him time to react.

Yet, the strike carried considerable force.

Yang Yan used a good half of his strength.

Boom!

As Ao Tian clashed with Yang Yan's palm, his expression changed drastically, furiously shouting:

"Moonlight, what madness are you up to?!"

In the next instant, Fu Changjian and the other two swiftly stepped in front of Yang Yan.

They all drew their swords in unison, glaring at Ao Tian, ready to strike at any moment.