"After you take this pill, you'll immediately step into the Innate realm, your strength will skyrocket, and then you'll even have a fighting chance against an Innate Martial Master."
"As for the manual you just used to defeat me, I can pretend none of this ever happened."
"Hmm?"
Hearing this, Zhou Yan's eyebrows twitched slightly. His gaze flickered with indecision. After a moment of thought, he reached out and took the porcelain bottle.
"Haha, you took the bait. This pill is for you." The man in the green robe let out a triumphant laugh, feeling incredibly pleased with himself.
"This pill is fake." Zhou Yan's expression was as calm as a still lake, his voice indifferent.
This Nine Dragon Yuan Breaking Pill was clearly mixed with many inferior medicinal ingredients, and its medicinal effects were even diluted. It was nowhere comparable to a genuine Grade Nine Spirit Gathering Pill.
"What? How is that possible?"
At this, the man in the green robe's expression changed drastically. He looked at Zhou Yan in astonishment, disbelief etched on his face as he retorted, "How could you tell?"
"Hmph, I've already investigated. You people sell pills every two to three months."
Zhou Yan let out a cold snort, his tone chilling. "Your lies are too clumsy; they won't fool me."
"In this world, nothing is impossible."
Zhou Yan's face was expressionless, but his gaze grew increasingly stern. "I'll give you three seconds to consider: either kneel down and kowtow to apologize, or die here."
"You..."
The man in the green robe's face contorted. He glared at Zhou Yan with resentment. He, a dignified Innate Martial Master, was being ordered to kowtow to a mere Body Tempering realm Martial Disciple.
"One, two, three!" Zhou Yan's patience ran out, and he prepared to strike.
"Wait a moment."
The man in the green robe panicked. His mind raced as he weighed the pros and cons. Finally, he gritted his teeth and said in a deep voice, "I'm willing to return the manual to you. Please let me go."
"Heh heh..."
Zhou Yan grinned and said, "Do you think I'm an idiot? If I let you go, will you just let this matter rest?"
"Uh..."
The man in the green robe was speechless. Naturally, he wouldn't leave easily, but staying here meant certain death.
"We can sign a Life and Death Contract!" After a long period of hesitation, the man in the green robe finally spoke.
"Life and Death Contract?" Zhou Yan was momentarily stunned. This was a rule on the Profound Star Continent. Once masters who reached the Innate realm and above signed a Life and Death Contract, they could not violate it. Doing so would result in severe punishment.
"That's right. Once we sign the Life and Death Contract, we will share the same fate, bound together. If you die, I die too. You will only live as long as I do," the man in the green robe said solemnly. "Unless, of course, you're not afraid of death."
"Why should I be afraid?"
Zhou Yan shrugged carelessly. "Besides, even if you die, I'll still gain experience points. What's there to worry about?"
Experience points?
At this, the man in the green robe's face instantly turned pale.
"Zhou Yan, let's make a deal!"
"I can help you lift the ban and allow you to cultivate at the North Nether Mountain Estate. That way, your strength will grow rapidly, and you can become a formidable figure in the future, renowned throughout the entire Eastern Yue Prefecture." The man in the green robe quickly tried to persuade him.
"Do you think I'm short of money?"
Zhou Yan glanced at him with disdain and said slowly, "Furthermore, do you think you, a mere Innate Martial Master, are qualified to negotiate with me?"
Upon hearing this, the man in the green robe was stunned.
This good-for-nothing was actually this arrogant!
A sentence came to his mind:
Zhou Yan, this is the nature of a good-for-nothing.
In the North Yue Estate, Zhou Yan was a complete weakling, not only mediocre in cultivation but also prone to petty theft, bullying, and acting as a notorious prodigal.
"Zhou Yan, are you sure you want to kill me?" the man in the green robe roared.
"If you kill me, you'll never succeed!"
Zhou Yan stared at him coldly, his eyes sharp and filled with killing intent. "I guarantee this matter will absolutely not end here."
"Fine, Zhou Yan, you're ruthless!"
The man in the green robe gritted his teeth, his fists clenched so tight they creaked. His hatred was immense. Finally, he took a deep breath and said, "You've won this time, but I'm telling you, our North Nether Mountain Estate is not to be trifled with."
"I hope you don't regret this in the future, or else, the entire Eastern Yue Prefecture will have no place for you."
With that, the man in the green robe turned and left hurriedly, his expression grave.
Zhou Yan's strength was too terrifying, and he didn't want to stay and be humiliated.
"I won't regret it!"
Zhou Yan stood in place, watching the man in the green robe disappear into the distance, a cold snort echoing in his heart.
In this life, he would absolutely not allow the tragedy to repeat itself. In his previous life, he was forced to drop out of school due to his insufficient strength, but now, with the Vajra Indestructible Technique, how could he fear a mere North Nether Mountain Estate?
Boom!
Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed in Zhou Yan's head, as if he had been struck by lightning. His body trembled violently, and his expression flickered.
"What... what is happening?"
Zhou Yan's heart was filled with dread. He felt as if a colossal beast was awakening within his body, fierce and unparalleled, filled with destructive power.
"Could it be that the Vajra Indestructible Technique has broken through again!?" Zhou Yan was greatly shocked. He hadn't expected the Vajra Indestructible Technique to erupt so suddenly.
"No!"
Immediately afterward, Zhou Yan shook his head, feeling something was wrong. Although the Vajra Indestructible Technique was powerful, it shouldn't cause such an abnormal reaction.
"It's not the Vajra Indestructible Technique!"
Zhou Yan's brow furrowed, and he carefully examined his physique but found no issues.
"Eh..."
Suddenly, Zhou Yan noticed a wisp of peculiar light appearing in his dantian, emitting a dazzling radiance, like a firefly dotting the darkness.
"It's this!"
Upon clearly seeing this wisp of peculiar light, Zhou Yan's eyes lit up, filled with excitement.
This wisp of light was precisely the first level of the "Devouring Technique," named "Soul of Devouring"!
The "Devouring Technique" had seven levels, and with each breakthrough, one could master a divine ability.
Zhou Yan was very lucky. In his previous life, he had stumbled upon this cultivation technique in an ancient ruin, and from then on, he rose to prominence, his fame spreading throughout the Southern Ridge, becoming a regional overlord.
It was a pity that in his previous life, Zhou Yan's lifespan ran out when he reached the fourth level, and he died. Returning to life, everything was no longer the same.
"Little brother, let's make a deal. As long as you spare my life, I can grant you one wish, including any woman you desire. I can help you with that," the man in the green robe continued to persuade him.
"Hahahaha..."
Zhou Yan threw his head back and laughed, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world, mocking him. "I, Zhou Yan, am the Nine Nether Saint Emperor, who roamed the myriad heavens and conquered the eight desolate regions. What kind of beauties haven't I seen that I would need your help?"
"Moreover, do you really think you are my opponent?"
"I don't care who you are. Since you dared to murder my wife and children, you must pay the price in blood!"
As his voice fell, a cold glint flashed in Zhou Yan's eyes, revealing his killing intent. Without a moment's hesitation, he struck.