Chapter 90: An Acquaintance

Yin Tianfang slipped out of the cave like a shadow, darted through the waterfall, and emerged into the open. In the distance, two frantic figures—a man and a woman—were fleeing straight toward him. Their faces were steeped in terror, glancing back repeatedly as if some ancient, monstrous beast were pursuing them.

Suddenly, the earth trembled. A colossal shadow entered Yin Tianfang’s sight: an enormous beast, its body towering like a mountain, exuding a dense, ferocious aura. Even the most accomplished experts in the Condensation Stage could not rival the intensity of its presence.

Yin Tianfang’s gaze lingered upon the fleeing pair. They seemed oddly familiar. He frowned, his eyes reflecting a moment of contemplation.

“Go! Quickly!” the man abruptly stopped, turning to face the monstrous beast. His hands, gripping a sword, trembled ever so slightly.

To claim that he was not afraid would be a lie. Yet, despite his fear, he stood his ground, determined to give the woman behind him time to escape.

“I’m not leaving. If we go, we go together!” the woman stopped as well, standing behind him, tears brimming in her eyes.

“One of us has to survive. Go!” the man shouted, his sword flashing like a beam of light, aiming straight at the mountain-like beast. At the same time, he charged forward, his aura formidable—though still insignificant compared to the beast’s overwhelming might.

It was a reckless, desperate act, akin to throwing an egg against a stone. Yet he did not hesitate.

Clang!

The sword struck the beast’s body, emitting a metallic crash and scattering sparks. Its defense was terrifyingly formidable.

“Roar!” The beast’s enraged cry shook the heavens. Its aura whipped up tempestuous winds, swirling like clouds and chilling the soul. Its blood-red eyes glowed with savage intent, and its enormous claw crashed down upon the sword.

Crack!

The sword shattered, and the beast’s colossal claw, undiminished in momentum, slammed mercilessly toward the man.

“No, Ge Bin!” the woman cried out in anguish, her face pale as she watched the man enveloped in the beast’s mighty claw. Her heart fell into despair, and she sank weakly to the ground.

“Ge Bin!” In that instant, Yin Tianfang’s eyes blazed with light. With a tap of his toe, he became a streak of radiance, rushing toward the monstrous beast.

Suspended in midair, Ge Bin was locked by the beast’s deadly gaze, the shadow of its claw enveloping him completely. Hearing the woman’s voice, he turned, a forlorn smile appearing on his pale face.

“Wretched creature, courting death!” Just then, a cold command rang out. A figure swept in, waving his sleeve, invoking the Art of Gravity to bind the beast with an invisible hand. The massive claw halted, mere inches from Ge Bin.

“Roar!” The beast bellowed furiously, its blood-red eyes filled with violent rage. It struggled, its immense body writhing, yet it could not break the invisible restraint.

The figure landed atop the beast’s giant head, tapped lightly with his toe, and the beast let out a piercing howl before its head exploded.

The mountain-sized body collapsed with a thunderous crash, blood gushing like a stream and staining the ground red.

Ge Bin stared, stunned by the sight before him, his throat tightening, eyes wide with shock at the fallen beast.

This creature was already at the peak of the Condensation Stage, its defense nearly impregnable. Even cultivators of equal rank could not kill it without breaking its defenses, often forced to retreat lest they perish from prolonged battle.

Yet the white-haired man before him had slain the beast with a single blow. Such power could never belong to a mere Condensation Stage cultivator.

“A Foundation Establishment powerhouse,” Ge Bin whispered in awe.

The woman soon reached Ge Bin’s side. Together they bowed deeply to Yin Tianfang, saying, “Thank you, elder, for saving our lives.”

The man was Ge Bin; the woman, too, was familiar, none other than Qing Luo, who had left together with him before.

Yin Tianfang turned slowly to them. “It has been a long time.”

“Brother Yin!” Both their eyes widened in astonishment, mouths agape as they stared at him, unable to believe their savior was Yin Tianfang.

“Your hair…” As they landed, Qing Luo gazed at Yin Tianfang’s snow-white hair, puzzled. “And where is Sister Nuolan? Wasn’t she with you?”

“Nuolan…” At her words, Yin Tianfang’s heart trembled. Though two years had passed, the pain remained as sharp as ever whenever he remembered.

Seeing his desolate expression, Ge Bin immediately understood. Qing Luo’s face paled, her small hand covering her mouth as tears streamed uncontrollably down her cheeks.

“I failed Nuolan. One day, I’ll make those responsible pay for her death,” Yin Tianfang said softly, his words laced with chilling resolve.

Whoosh, whoosh—

Several streaks of light tore through the air, stopping in midair nearby. The leader, a young man, glanced at the beast’s headless corpse below, his expression darkening.

The young man’s gaze swept over the three, finally settling on Yin Tianfang. He barked coldly, “Did you kill my mount, the Mountain Titan?!”

“Go now,” Yin Tianfang said to Ge Bin and Qing Luo, then turned to face the airborne youth, his voice calm. “And if I did?”

“And if you did? Ha!” The youth threw back his head in furious laughter. As his laughter faded, his gaze turned icy, fixing upon Yin Tianfang. “Then I’ll have to kill you!”

“My mount, and you dare lay hands on it? You must have nerves of steel! Seize him!” With a wave, several figures behind him immediately charged toward Yin Tianfang.

“Brother Yin, don’t fight them head-on!” Ge Bin and Qing Luo, still present, cried out anxiously. To possess such a powerful mount, the young man’s cultivation must be extraordinary, and his followers radiated terrifying strength.

Even though their aura wasn’t directed at Ge Bin and Qing Luo, the two felt their spirits quiver, faces turning pale.

“Go!” Yin Tianfang waved his sleeve, enveloping them in a gentle force that sent them far away.

“No one leaves.” In the air, the youth—Yang Bo—glanced over coldly. Without moving himself, one of his men abandoned Yin Tianfang and pursued Ge Bin and Qing Luo.

Yin Tianfang’s expression remained tranquil. As the man closed on Ge Bin and Qing Luo, a silent purple light pierced through space, instantly penetrating the man’s heart.

Splurt!

Blood sprayed from his mouth. He looked down in bewilderment, watching the blood gush from his chest as his pupils faded. Lifeless, his body plummeted to the ground.

Yang Bo’s pupils contracted, his stare fixed on Yin Tianfang as a flash of astonishment flickered in his eyes. His followers were no ordinary men, each at the Foundation Establishment realm. Such formidable strength, and yet one died without understanding how—this was beyond reason.

Yin Tianfang raised his hand, and a rhombic purple shard fell into his palm. Hands clasped behind his back, he regarded the others nearby with calm indifference.

“I underestimated you,” Yang Bo said, descending slowly to the ground. He looked at Yin Tianfang and spoke coldly, “What are you waiting for? Attack!”

The remaining followers exchanged uneasy glances. Their comrade’s bizarre death had filled them with deep apprehension toward Yin Tianfang. Hearing Yang Bo’s command, they steeled themselves and charged at him once more.