Battle Through the Heavens: Heavenly comprehension

Terrifying energy erupted, and with a loud bang, two mercenaries were instantly split in half, as if struck by their own vicious blades.

Amidst the blood mist, the residual power of the force continued to lash out at the mercenaries behind them.

The instant the scent of blood filled the air, four mercenaries sensed the threat of death. They yanked their reins, causing their unicorn horses to leap high in an attempt to shield themselves from the devastating attack.

The horses neighed in despair as their bodies were instantly torn apart.

The four mercenaries tumbled to the ground, stunned as they stared at their fallen comrades, who seemed to have died at their own hands.

They exchanged uneasy glances. Two of them began to retreat cautiously, while the other two gripped their sabers tightly.

"Pay with your life for our brothers!"

The blood-soaked scene turned the two remaining mercenaries into feral wolves, attacking Xiao Yan with ferocious determination, their eyes gleaming with murderous intent.

"Cycle of Tribulation!" Xiao Yan's hands moved in a circular motion once more. He grabbed one of the mercenaries by the arm and yanked forcefully.

The "Cycle of Tribulation" and the "Star Transformation" weren't merely battle techniques. They were more like theories or mental cultivation methods, with specific moves such as the "Wolf Fang Slash" and "Breaking Heaven and Earth" forming part of the set.

Against the two mercenaries, who had lost all reason, Xiao Yan didn't even need to resort to specific techniques to handle them.

As they watched yet another comrade fall to their own technique, the last two mercenaries, who had initially tried to flee, were trembling uncontrollably.

Even when facing the most fearsome second-rank magical beasts, they had never been this terrified.

"Using our own battle techniques against us—what kind of skill is that?"

"If you have the guts, defeat us with your own strength!"

Hearing the mercenary's taunt, Xiao Yan smirked faintly.

[You have used your experience with battle techniques and fire attribute Dou Qi to gain enlightenment. You have comprehended the "Pure Yang Palm."]

[Pure Yang Palm: A technique of pure and vigorous energy, it is especially effective against evil or unnatural forces.]

[Special Move: Fiery Sun of Exorcism!]

"Very well. Let me oblige you."

With a low shout, Xiao Yan's Dou Qi cyclone spun rapidly within him. The refined energy coursed through his meridians, and by the time it reached his palms, they were shrouded in a layer of tangible, blazing energy radiating pure strength.

"Fiery Sun of Exorcism!"

With a push of both hands, Xiao Yan unleashed a powerful palm strike toward the two mercenaries who had huddled together.

The energy from the Pure Yang Palm was like the blazing sun, radiating scorching heat. The attack instantly created an enormous explosion within the forest, with a massive burst of flames.

Had they known this would be their fate, the mercenaries might have chosen to die fighting alongside their brothers instead.

In just a few breaths, the once-imposing Wolf Head Mercenary Group had been completely annihilated.

The fact that all this had been done by a lone, black-robed teenager seemed like an unbelievable tale to Kagan and his group, leaving them utterly stunned.

"And they only had a few magic cores on them? What a bunch of paupers."

As Xiao Yan collected his spoils of war, his casual complaint shattered the eerie silence.

Kagan and the others finally snapped out of their shock. They stared at the chaotic battlefield.

The scorched ground and the ashes of two elite mercenaries were stark reminders of the carnage.

"It seems we've completely misjudged this boy," Kagan muttered with a wry smile, shaking his head.

Now, it was clear to him that this youth possessed unimaginable talent.

This unparalleled gift had granted him strength that was vastly disproportionate to his age.

Qing Lin, who had been hiding behind Kagan, was still in shock.

Gammu, a foe even her father couldn't defeat, had been effortlessly dispatched by Xiao Yan, who had also wiped out an entire squad of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group with ease.

The shock of it all was indescribable.

She couldn't believe that a young man, only slightly older than herself, could possess such overwhelming power.

Thinking about how she had previously invited him to join their Blood Battle Mercenary Group, Qing Lin's usually proud expression gave way to a rare self-deprecating smile.

It seemed that Xiao Yan's strength alone could rival half of their entire mercenary group.

Even Yao Lao was startled by Xiao Yan's display.

In just a few days of training, Xiao Yan had somehow managed to transform his alchemical techniques into a completely new form of battle technique.

The Dou Qi-driven Pure Yang Palm, enhanced by his Heaven and Earth Flame, made the deaths of those two mercenaries entirely justified.

"It seems we'll need to find another location for now," Xiao Yan said, flashing an innocent smile.

Kagan, no longer fooled by Xiao Yan's harmless demeanor, forced an awkward smile and began organizing their departure.

The forest at night was already perilous, and the scent of blood would only draw more magical beasts, multiplying the danger.

After quickly gathering their belongings, just as the group was about to leave, Xiao Yan's expression suddenly darkened.

"There are many auras approaching—it's the Wolf Head Mercenary Group again. And this time, they have a Dou Shi (Battle Master) level expert with them!"

"What?!" Kagan froze, his face turning pale. "If it's a Dou Shi, then it must be Mu She. He's recently broken through!"

"Uncle Kagan, let's hurry and escape before they catch up!" Qing Lin urged nervously.

"It's too late," Xiao Yan replied calmly.

As his words fell, a large number of mercenaries emerged from all directions, surrounding them.

Figures appeared layer upon layer, numbering around a hundred.

Mu She rode forward slowly on his unicorn horse, surrounded by his mercenaries. The earlier explosion had clearly drawn him here.

As his gaze swept across the scene, his expression darkened upon spotting the source of the bloodstains.

"Gammu!"

"Do you really think your Blood Battle Mercenary Group could kill my second-in-command?!" Mu She's sharp eyes, like those of a venomous snake, fixed on Kagan and his group, their badges revealing their affiliation.

Xiao Yan stepped forward. "No need for pointless talk. I killed both your second-in-command and your third-in-command. If you want to rob someone, you should at least consider whether you have the strength to back it up."

"You!" Mu She's eyes narrowed as he stared at the black-robed teenager, who was younger than his own son.

If not for Gammu's headless corpse lying on the ground, Mu She would never have believed that the Wolf Head Mercenary Group's two elite squads had been annihilated by a boy.

After a moment of silence, a glimmer of greed flashed in Mu She's eyes, as though he were gazing at a walking treasure trove.

"It seems you've gained quite the fortune—Xuan-tier techniques, Xuan-tier Dou Qi skills—these must only be the start. Hand them over!"

For someone like Mu She, who had risen from humble beginnings, techniques and skills were still his Achilles' heel.

If he could acquire advanced techniques and skills, with his talent, he was confident he could rise far beyond his current position as the leader of a small mercenary group in Qing Shan Town.

(End of Chapter)

────────────────────────────────────

"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [One Piece: General Blue]."

"If you're interested, please support me in my other novel [Naruto: Starting with Tsunade-san]."

"If you want an early access join my patreon:- patreon.com/BaDwYGaMeR"