The giant crab lunged straight forward, its massive pincers glinting like steel blades in the cold light. “Watch out!”

Zhang Yang roared, quickly leaping to the side. The great crab was aggressive, but its speed wasn't impressive; crabs were not known for swiftness among spiritual beasts. Zhang Yang, Shandian (Lightning), and Wuying (Shadowless) all dodged clear.

Even if the great crab wasn't dead, it had sustained heavy damage from their combined onslaught. Its vulnerable spots had been repeatedly struck. Zhang Yang was certain the crab suffered severe internal injuries, compounded by the poison from Shandian, meaning it was now only clinging to life.

The crab was clearly fighting with desperation now, but they certainly weren't going to engage it head-on. Rushing in now would be utterly foolish. The great crab passed straight through the space Zhang Yang and the others had occupied, not pausing, and continued surging ahead. “Damn it!”

With just one glance, Zhang Yang’s expression shifted sharply, and he sprang forward, heading directly for the giant crab. “Squeak, squeak, squeak!” “Chirp, chirp, chirp!”

Shandian and Wuying also cried out, both small creatures leaping toward the crab. Zhuifeng (Wind Chaser) paused for a beat, then a flicker of anger crossed its face. The great crab’s true target wasn't them; it was the Fire Dragon Fruit resting in the lava pool. This great crab, without defeating them first, was attempting to forcibly seize the Fire Dragon Fruit.

“Boom!”

Zhang Yang reached the great crab first, slamming a heavy punch into its shell. As he closed the distance, the crab twisted one of its pincers back. To stop its motion, Zhang Yang deliberately braced himself against the pincer strike. “Bang!”

A massive force sent Zhang Yang flying backward involuntarily. The crab’s strength was indeed immense, but thankfully, Zhang Yang’s physical body had been augmented by the system, so this impact did not injure him. “Boom, boom!”

Wuying’s internal energy and Zhuifeng’s hooves struck the great crab almost simultaneously, causing its massive body to list to one side, failing to reach the Fire Dragon Fruit. Zhang Yang breathed a small sigh of relief. If the crab had managed to seize the fruit, even if he took it back, the treasure would inevitably be damaged. The Fire Dragon Fruit was a celestial treasure that took six thousand years to mature. Such artifacts were exceedingly rare. That wasn't even the main point. Most importantly, the Fire Dragon Fruit could be used to concoct several potent elixirs, one of which was incredibly important and rare, with the Fire Dragon Fruit as its primary ingredient. This particular elixir was not very useful for general Inner Energy practitioners. For Zhang Yang, or even Long Feng, it was practically useless—a dry piece of chicken bone. But for ordinary people, or low-level cultivators like Long Cheng or Qu Meilan, this elixir was priceless; they would move heaven and earth to obtain it. This elixir was called the Marrow Cleansing Pill.

Marrow Cleansing Pill. Its purpose was clear from the name: to cleanse the marrow, reshape the bones, and effect a complete physical transformation. It could fundamentally change a person’s constitution, granting them the physical aptitude required for cultivation, allowing them to practice Inner Energy. The Marrow Cleansing Pill was an elixir capable of turning an ordinary person into a cultivator. Furthermore, the Marrow Cleansing Pill was not constrained by age; even older individuals could restart cultivation, though their future achievements would likely be less than those who possessed superior aptitude from childhood. Even so, this was a heaven-defying elixir. Possessing it meant anyone could cultivate the notoriously difficult Inner Energy. For Zhang Yang, having it meant he could enable Mi Xue to cultivate, granting her strength and easing his worries.

Moreover, an abundance of this elixir within any aristocratic family would be a treasure fought over fiercely. Every Inner Energy cultivator had, to some extent, relatives who could not cultivate Inner Energy or possessed poor aptitude. If they were distant relatives, it might be one thing. But if it was a child, or a sibling—a close relation—who could not cultivate, indifference would be impossible. Everyone wished that those close to them could cultivate Inner Energy as they did. Especially for millennium-old clans like the Four Great Families, there were strict elimination systems for disciples lacking cultivation talent. For one’s own son to be barred from cultivation due to physique, thus becoming a commoner or even a servant—no matter who it was, even if they outwardly agreed, their hearts would ache. This is where the value of the Marrow Cleansing Pill manifested. With the Marrow Cleansing Pill, these relatives gained a constitution suitable for Inner Energy cultivation, removing the fear of becoming mere mortals or servants, allowing them to live alongside their elders and kin. Another benefit: a large supply of Marrow Cleansing Pills meant a greater number of Inner Energy practitioners within the clan, directly increasing the family's overall strength. Such was the immense value of the Marrow Cleansing Pill. Beyond the Marrow Cleansing Pill, the Fire Dragon Pill and the Blood Transformation Pill also used the Fire Dragon Fruit as their core ingredient. The Fire Dragon Pill was an incredibly potent, high-tier elixir that could greatly enhance Inner Energy, remaining effective even for those at the fourth layer of Inner Energy. The Blood Transformation Pill was the nemesis of all cold poisons, capable of neutralizing any cold toxin. Given the immense value of the Fire Dragon Fruit, it was an object Zhang Yang was determined to acquire, which is why he worried so much about the great crab destroying it.

Under their combined efforts to block it, the great crab finally failed to reach the edge of the lava pool. Zhang Yang rushed forward again. The crab was large, and its claws were sharp, but its cumbersome movement was its fatal weakness. This was the flaw Zhang Yang exploited.

“Boom, boom!”

With continuous, deafening impacts, Zhang Yang poured his Inner Energy into the great crab’s body as if it were free. Without a divine weapon, he could only resort to this brute-force method. Since Wuying was present, even if his energy was depleted, Wuying could replenish it. At this moment, Zhang Yang truly wasn't worried about energy consumption. “Bang, bang!”

Zhuifeng charged over, its hooves constantly seeking opportunities to kick the great crab. Several times, its hooves struck the pincers the crab used to defend itself. Each time, it was knocked back, but each time it returned. Zhuifeng clearly sensed that the great crab’s power was significantly diminished compared to before. The first time it kicked the pincer, the rebound left it numb; now, only a faint vibration remained, leaving its body unharmed. This realization made it even more excited, and its movements became more agile. “Squeak, squeak, squeak!”

Shandian shrieked loudly. Unable to pierce the crab’s defenses with its claws, it resorted to shouting encouragement from the sidelines, cheering on Zhang Yang and the others. Though Shandian was only yelling, it wasn't holding back its exertion. The great crab’s eyes and the blood it expelled slowly began turning black, and its entire body gradually darkened. The continuous heavy blows, combined with the crab’s critical condition and the poison Shandian had inflicted, were finally taking their toll.

“Whoa—”

A sharp, piercing shriek tore from the great crab’s maw. It understood then that it stood no chance against this man and the three beasts; its demise today was sealed. A savage look flared in its eyes, and its body convulsed violently. Its carapace was split in multiple places, and several of its supporting legs had snapped; the creature could no longer move. This was thanks to Shandian and Zhang Yang. Even with its hard shell, under the desperate assault from Zhang Yang and Zhuifeng, its defenses were breached. Zhang Yang was, after all, a fourth-layer master, and using full-force Inner Energy continuously resulted in terrifying levels of attack power.

The great crab extended one of its claws, stretching it straight forward. There was no one in front of it, only the lava pool, emitting an alluring aroma, still holding the unplucked Fire Dragon Fruit. “Not good!”

Zhang Yang’s face changed drastically, and he leaped quickly toward the great crab’s pincer. The instant he jumped, the thin filament hidden within the crab’s pincer shot out again. “Chirp, chirp, chirp!”

Wuying also sensed the danger, unleashing a jet of internal energy. Shandian and Zhuifeng sprang into action as well. The great crab, facing imminent death, was making a desperate move to destroy the Fire Dragon Fruit. They all knew the power of the filament in its pincer; if it struck the fruit, the result would be the fruit being knocked off. The place it would fall was the lava. Fruit falling into the lava would quickly burn to ash.

“Bang!”

Zhang Yang’s fist struck the great crab’s pincer first. He put every ounce of strength he possessed into this blow. “Boom, boom!”

Zhuifeng struck the crab’s body again. It aimed for the ruptured areas of the carapace, and after its kick, Wuying spat out another stream of internal energy, striking the soft interior directly through the crack. Under the overwhelming force, the great crab’s body was blasted backward again.

“Snap!” “Bang!”

The filament from the great crab’s pincer ultimately shot past the Fire Dragon Fruit, striking the wall behind it. Seeing the Fire Dragon Fruit was safe, Zhang Yang raised his fist again and slammed it down onto the just-landed great crab. This time, he aimed directly for the crab’s head, hitting it with terrifying force. The great crab lacked the strength to lift its pincers to defend its head. After two successive blows, the hard shell on the crab’s forehead finally cracked open slightly. Zhang Yang sent a surge of potent internal energy through the fissure, probing inside. After the internal energy vibrated everything inside the great crab’s head into powder, Zhang Yang retreated to the side.

The battered and wounded great crab, still holding its massive pincers aloft, twitched them a few times before finally crashing to the ground, still. This powerful great crab had finally been dealt with by their small group.

Zhang Yang collapsed onto the ground, breathing hard. The continuous fierce battle had severely depleted his Inner Energy, especially since he lacked a divine weapon and had to rely solely on his augmented physical form; even a fourth-layer expert would find this taxing. Wuying walked to Zhang Yang’s side and bit gently at his ankle. A massive wave of energy instantly flooded Zhang Yang’s body. Wuying’s ability was truly abnormal; no matter the exhaustion, replenishment was instantaneous. The Inner Energy Zhang Yang had expended in the preceding battle was almost entirely restored.

Zhuifeng and Shandian stood near the edge of the water, vigilantly watching the surface. They both understood the fight was not over. They had eliminated one enemy, but a far more dangerous foe remained hidden beneath the water, ready to deliver a fatal strike at any moment. That White Jade Snake was still in the water, and its target was also the Fire Dragon Fruit. It would never stand by and watch Zhang Yang and the others harvest it. (First update, recommend the book, "Online Gaming: The Grand Archmage," book number... To be continued.)RQ