For the next few days, Shi Yan remained secluded within the carriage, no one knowing exactly what he was doing. The two carriages traveled through the forest for a total of nine days.

During these nine days, Zuo Shi and Wu Yunlian made their routine trips to the riverbank every night to wash and to fetch fresh water for everyone. Each time Shi Yan emerged, he would bury his head in eating and drinking, paying no heed to anyone once finished, returning straight to his carriage compartment.

It was deep night once more. Beneath rows of densely leaved trees, the two carriages rested in silence, the draft horses unhitched and grazing peacefully on the nearby grass.

Zuo Shi and Wu Yunlian, refreshed after their bath, lay chatting softly and lazily inside their carriage. Chu Ping, Han Feng, and Ku Long watched over the carriages and horses while exchanging insights on their cultivation practices on the grass.

Inside the Shi family carriage. Shi Yan's expression was solemn, his demeanor heavier than ever before.

After nine days of relentless, painstaking study, he had grasped a new insight. His right arm began to shimmer with crystalline light, peculiar white spots darting rapidly within his veins.

Threads of incomparably pure Jingyuan (Essence Energy) were being tempered again and again within his meridians, constantly being condensed through a specialized method. After seven cycles.

Shi Yan’s right arm began to visibly swell, the limb thickening by a full circumference! The muscles contorted, veins bulged, creating a terrifying sight.

"Hah!" With a low cry, Shi Yan stared fixedly at his right arm, his eyes heavy with concentration, a single thought flashing through his mind. His right arm suddenly emitted a strange peng-peng sound!

After the Jingyuan had been refined seven times, it surprisingly divided into seven streams within his arm; these seven streams separated clearly within the meridians, flowing distinctly apart. When he focused his entire attention to mobilize the Jingyuan, the seven streams suddenly intertwined at his wrist—in an instant, they fused into one, and a vibrant, burgeoning aura suddenly surged from the palm of his right hand!

Shi Yan’s eyes blazed like twin stars, and he urgently propelled the brilliance condensed from the seven streams of Jingyuan. "Boom!" The seven streams of Jingyuan slammed into his palm.

Brilliant crystal light suddenly erupted from Shi Yan’s palm. That peculiar condensed mass of Jingyuan actually exploded violently in his hand!

Countless motes of Jingyuan light instantly filled his palm, pouring into the lines of his palm, causing his hand to radiate multicolored light. Suddenly, countless light motes violently shot forth from the palm lines, the motes shimmering with crystal light, forming a bizarre hand seal.

One crystalline palm print shot out first! Immediately following, Shi Yan’s palm exploded six more times; six identical palm prints instantly materialized.

The seven palm prints, like wild horses escaping their tethers, impacted the carriage Shi Yan occupied without regard for sequence. "Boom-boom-boom-boom-boom-boom-boom!" The wooden carriage compartment shattered into pieces; the hard planks splintered into sawdust, flying everywhere.

Shi Yan, his expression grave, sat directly on the ground, staring in astonishment at the compartment instantly pulverized, at the swirling wood dust beside him. He clearly felt that one-third of the Jingyuan in his body had vanished with that single strike.

The seven "Life Seals" that erupted had instantly sucked dry the Jingyuan continuously gathering in his arm! Once the seven "Life Seals" had all been unleashed, his right arm returned to normal, though it felt somewhat sore and numb.

Zuo Shi and Wu Yunlian leaped out of the Zuo family carriage, their faces panic-stricken, staring blankly at the wreckage. On the grass, Chu Ping, Han Feng, and Ku Long were also stunned, confusion etched on their faces, unsure what had transpired.

Shi Yan sat on the ground, paused for a moment, then gave a slight cough and said lightly, "Uncle Han, it seems we'll be traveling by horse." Han Feng’s expression was strange; he nodded faintly, gazing at Shi Yan with confusion. "Young Master Yan, what exactly are you up to?" Wu Yunlian’s beautiful features showed bewilderment.

She and Zuo Shi approached together, looking curiously at Shi Yan. "Why did you suddenly destroy the carriage?

Can you give us an explanation?" "A deviation of Qi during cultivation," Shi Yan shrugged casually. "These things happen.

Don't worry, even though the carriage is gone, the horses remain; your journey won't be delayed." "You stayed inside the carriage the entire time you were out of sight, just to cultivate?" Zuo Shi's delicate face was full of surprise. "Mm." "So boring," Zuo Shi shook her head dismissively.

"Cultivation is the dullest thing. Your grandfather isn't forcing you; why work so hard?" "Interest." "Hmph, I don't believe that." "Young Master Yan, what exactly are you practicing?" Wu Yunlian hesitated, her expression gradually becoming serious.

"The power that erupted just now was immensely fierce and wild. That instant explosive force shouldn't be something a martial artist in the ordinary Human Realm can possess..." Wu Yunlian mused thoughtfully.

"Nothing much," Shi Yan smiled, not wishing to elaborate, so he said no more. He stretched, then turned to Han Feng, "Uncle Han, I’m hungry.

Get something to eat." "Oh." Seeing Shi Yan unwilling to elaborate, Wu Yunlian pressed no further, smiled, and led Zuo Shi away. After a ravenous meal.

Shi Yan said to Han Feng, "Uncle Han, I'm going to take a bath and will be back soon. Don't follow me." "Young Master..." Han Feng started but stopped himself.

"It's fine," Shi Yan waved his hand reassuringly. "I won't go far.

If I need anything, I'll shout. Rest assured." "Young Master, be careful." ...

Soon, Shi Yan reached the riverbank, jumped in, and enjoyed a thorough bath before changing into a fresh set of clothes. After climbing ashore, instead of rushing back to Han Feng's group, he actually put more distance between himself and them.

Beneath an ancient tree. Shi Yan’s expression grew solemn, and he suddenly mobilized the negative energy within his body!

The negative energies of Bloodlust, Terror, Slaughter, and Despair, stored in the acupoints throughout his body, all began to emerge. Under the guidance of his will, these negative energies surged into his left arm.

The withered left arm became enveloped in swirling white mist, the mist constantly shifting, resembling faint ghostly shadows. With a thought.

Following the successful method he used on his right arm, Shi Yan began to mobilize the negative energy within his left arm. Under his control, his already withered left arm shriveled further.

At a glance, his left arm looked as if only a layer of skin was stretched over the bone, appearing exceedingly bizarre. Yet, as the left arm withered, an extremely evil power began to slowly breed within it...

The thick white mist on his left arm rapidly turned dense black in a short time, the limb appearing terrifyingly dark, as if poisoned. A frantic power of malice and destruction rapidly condensed within his left arm.

After seven cycles, the power within his left arm flowed into his left palm via the same method and exploded there! "Boom-boom-boom-boom-boom-boom-boom!" Seven ink-black hand prints violently shot out from the palm lines along with the sound of the explosion.

That destructive power, imbued with a deep sense of death energy, slammed into the ancient tree before him. The ancient tree, as thick as two men and over ten meters tall, instantly crashed to the ground; the tree’s lush vitality was instantaneously severed!

Under Shi Yan’s gaze, black energy swirled around the ancient tree, and its leaves withered yellow at a speed visible to the naked eye. The vibrant, living tree seemed to have completed its cycle of reincarnation in a single moment, turning into a dead, dry husk; even the fallen leaves quickly lost any trace of life essence.

As the leaves hit the ground, the surrounding weeds also appeared affected, instantly withering in a highly eerie manner. The Death Seal!

Shi Yan’s eyes glowed with strange light, his heart filled with alarm. He knew this Death Seal must be extraordinary, but he had not anticipated that it would possess such astonishing destructive power!

This destructive power was not merely about overwhelming force; more importantly—the Death Seal carried an additional power of demise! It could even sever the vitality of plant life!

If the Death Seal was this terrifying, what would happen if the Life and Death Seals truly merged to form the ultimate Life-Death Seal? Shi Yan took a deep breath, realizing this was not the time to continue experimenting.

He heard footsteps approaching. Shi Yan immediately knew Han Feng and the others were coming.

His expression shifted, and he quickly retreated along the path he had taken. Indeed, Han Feng and Ku Long rushed over, exclaiming from afar, "Young Master, are you alright?" Wu Yunlian and Zuo Shi also poked their heads out from behind Han Feng, looking at him with some surprise, seemingly wanting to see what had happened.

They had all clearly heard the violent booming sound, and within the roar, there seemed to be a thread of malevolent energy. This secretly alarmed Han Feng and the others, filling them with confusion.

"I'm fine, let's go back," Shi Yan walked over calmly. "I had another deviation of Qi while cultivating; it seems to have caused some adverse phenomena, but it’s nothing serious; it won't happen next time." "Shi Yan, what kind of martial technique are you practicing?

It feels like what you're practicing isn't a normal technique," Zuo Shi could no longer hold back, her small face filled with curiosity. "Who cares if it's normal or not.

Any technique that can kill people is a good technique!" Shi Yan replied coolly. "You fellow, so mysterious, I wonder what you're really up to." Zuo Shi pouted, somewhat dissatisfied, and huffed, "Hurry up and let's go.

It's almost been a month; if we’re late, that woman surnamed Xia might not wait for us." "Xia Xinyan..." Shi Yan murmured the name, suddenly recalling the exquisite taste of that woman’s lips. His heart fluttered involuntarily, a trace of suggestive expression appearing on his face.

After a long moment, he nodded. "Mm, we do need to hurry up.

Don't worry, I won't hold us back." "Shi Yan, you aren't thinking of getting ideas about that woman, are you?" Wu Yunlian’s eyes were sharp; she detected something amiss from his subtle expression, crying out in alarm. "I advise you to behave!

That woman is no easy mark. From what I see, no man in our Merchant Alliance is qualified to have designs on her—not even Bei Ming Shang!" I’ve already tasted her.

Shi Yan snorted dismissively. "No matter how noble or beautiful a woman, in the end, they all end up lying in a man's bed.

Xia Xinyan is no exception!" "You fellow, you are truly crude and vulgar!" Zuo Shi’s face flushed red as she glared fiercely at him. "I never noticed this side of you before!

This must be your true nature! You're a lecherous man!" "Nonsense!" Wu Yunlian was also angered.

"I’ve never lain in anyone’s bed! You brat, you really can’t say anything decent!" "Uh, then that's truly pitiful for you," Shi Yan said, momentarily stunned.

"You stinking brat! Why do I find you so irritating now?" Wu Yunlian gritted her teeth fiercely.

She suddenly found herself missing the quiet days when Shi Yan stayed hidden inside the carriage. ...

Three li ahead of Shi Yan's group. Two giant men, built like iron towers, were seething with murderous intent, roaring furiously, "Miss, some scoundrel has been speaking ill of you!" Shi Yan’s voice had been quite loud; even though they were three li apart, the three individuals from the Misty Pavilion had heard him clearly.

"No matter how noble or beautiful a woman, in the end, they all end up lying in a man's bed. Xia Xinyan is no exception!" Xia Xinyan frowned, silently repeating Shi Yan's words in her mind.

A trace of coldness flashed in her bright eyes, and she said calmly, "That's people from the Zuo and Shi families. Don't mind them for now; we will meet them soon enough.

When that time comes, I will see who is so audacious as to gossip behind my back!" ...M