Slim figures darted through the grey shadow, a shadow that swiftly enveloped them, determined to ensnare Shi Yan and Cui Bi.

Within the strange, ashen gloom, the slender figures gradually resolved into definite shapes—a unique type of monstrous beast, possessing the pale, eerie face of a human infant, yet lined with vicious fangs.

The beast was about three meters long, serpentine in body, with an infant’s face, stark white, and long, horrifyingly sharp fangs, utterly ghastly.

An intense fluctuation of Yin energy emanated from these Ghost Infants; their souls were exceptionally peculiar, seemingly protected by a specialized membrane in their neural area, which shielded them against all manner of soul attacks.

They moved with frightening speed; a mere ripple of their serpent bodies allowed them to traverse dozens of zhang across the void in an instant.

In a blink, three Ghost Infants materialized, baring fangs and brandishing claws, bearing down upon Shi Yan and Cui Bi.

Cui Bi’s soul strength rivaled that of a Celestial rank expert, yet facing the Ghost Infants, she was utterly distressed, refraining from launching any soul attack, only dragging Shi Yan, desperate to flee the area quickly.

“You can’t get away; clearly, you aren't faster than these specialized beasts.”

Shi Yan stood firm, his composure settling in this moment of crisis. In his view, while the Ghost Infants were bizarre, they were not without weakness. Their bodies radiated heavy, chilling Yin energy; though their life force was potent, they were, at best, fifth or sixth-tier demonic beasts, comparable to human warriors at the Nirvana Nest Realm.

Shi Yan held no fear for beasts of this rank.

“Wuwuwu…”

The three Ghost Infants emitted cries resembling those of infants, and their stark white fangs suddenly elongated, becoming razor-thin. Traces of crimson blood seeped from the corners of their mouths, an exceedingly evil and terrifying sight.

“These Ghost Infants are immune to the soul restraints of our Yin Charm Tribe; they are our sworn natural enemies! Once they appear, we must hide within the city!” Cui Bi cried out in panic, her face drained of all color.

The three Ghost Infants were now close to Shi Yan, spreading out to encircle him and Cui Bi in a triangular formation.

The infants hovered, sketching arcs of grey mist. Their speed was so immense that even Shi Yan’s eyesight struggled to track them; he relied entirely on the perception of his divine sense to determine their direction.

Perhaps sensing the intense Flame Power within Shi Yan’s body, the three Ghost Infants surged forward, but they did not immediately strike, instead circling Shi Yan and Cui Bi, seemingly awaiting something.

Cui Bi’s delicate face, framed by her beautiful palace attire, was etched with terror under the gaze of the infants’ emerald-green eyes. This usually assertive young woman, so dominant when dealing with Shi Yan, showed fear when confronted by their true nemesis.

“Don’t worry. Did you forget why I accompanied you? These three Ghost Infants are probably only fifth-level Yin Beasts. While you Yin Charm Tribe members have no way to deal with them, it’s not too difficult for me.” Shi Yan’s eyes were cold; he faced the three infants without the slightest trepidation. “Leave it to me,” he said calmly.

“Wuwu! Wuwuwu!”

The three Ghost Infants shrieked incessantly, their cries echoing. From a cave somewhere in the Yin Beast Mountain, answering calls occasionally sounded.

“They are calling for more Yin Beasts!”

Cui Bi suddenly realized the danger. “The restrictions around Yin Beast Mountain must truly have weakened. I feel like something major is about to happen! No, we must return to the Ancient City immediately; the city is protected by various barriers and restrictions that can repel any Yin Beast invasion!”

“I must first fulfill my promise.” Shi Yan frowned. “Do not use any soul attacks on me. I’m making my move now!”

With that, Shi Yan instantly connected with the Earth Core Fire within his Blood Pattern Ring.

Streams of scorching Flame Power abruptly surged out of the Blood Pattern Ring, instantaneously infusing every meridian in Shi Yan’s body. In a mere moment, Shi Yan’s entire body turned crimson, faint wisps of flame beginning to escape from his skin.

Having shared the essence of the Sun’s energy with the Earth Core Fire, the latter evolved rapidly, its recent sentience increasing swiftly. Its Flame Power output was far beyond Shi Yan’s previous imagination, subtly gaining the capacity to contend equally with the Profound Ice Cold Flame.

Under the searing of the Sun’s Fire, Shi Yan’s physical body also underwent a marvelous transformation, now capable of enduring even greater quantities of the Earth Core Fire’s energy. These streams of Flame Power penetrated his entire network of meridians, and Shi Yan felt a comforting warmth throughout his body, finally free from the agony of his internal organs being burned.

With a shift of his mind,

Tendrils of flame suddenly erupted from his body. As soon as these flames flew out, they instantly gathered, transforming into clusters of fire clouds that enveloped the area around Shi Yan. Each cluster of fire cloud was imbued with Shi Yan’s mental consciousness. Under his focused control, these clouds drifted outwards, winding toward the three agile Ghost Infants circling him.

“Jiji! Jiji!”

The three Ghost Infants let out bizarre, sharp shrieks. Seeing the fire clouds approaching, their emerald-green pupils flashed with expressions of extreme terror, and they scrambled to dodge them desperately.

“Stay!”

Shi Yan let out a cold, soft roar, his focus shifting again.

Those fire clouds suddenly exploded outward, shattering into countless points of fiery light that engulfed the surrounding space. The scattered points of light, though slightly weaker in individual power, were innumerable, leaving the three swift Ghost Infants with absolutely nowhere to hide.

“Chichichi! Chichichi!”

The evil bodies of the Ghost Infants, upon contact with those fiery light spots, immediately began to emit plumes of white smoke.

For bodies condensed from Yin Cold Qi, these fiery points were tantamount to the world’s most potent sulfuric acid, instantly corroding their flesh. Even a single touch from a stray spark caused gaping holes to appear in the infants’ bodies.

The Ghost Infants’ bodies were naturally suppressed by the fiery light points originating from the Earth Core Fire. With sparks of flame flying everywhere, the three infants wailed in agony, their movement severely restricted as smoke billowed from them.

“The demon cores of these three Ghost Infants should still be solid enough, right?”

Shi Yan turned to look at Cui Bi, only to find her eyes darting away, consciously creating distance between them. Only when he asked did she seem to snap back to attention, nodding quickly. “The demon cores are all extremely durable.”

Heavenly Fire! It must be the power of Heavenly Fire!

A tidal wave of shock surged through Cui Bi. Her clear pupils were filled with fear; she was beginning to dread Shi Yan. She knew the power of the Ghost Infants; as fellow Yin Beasts, these infants were somewhat resistant to Flame Power among their kind. Ordinary flames tossed onto them wouldn't deter them; they could continue rampaging and attacking the Yin Charm Tribe members without fear.

Yet, the light spots of flame Shi Yan unleashed, merely upon touching the infants’ bodies, caused corrosion, nearly reducing them to ash instantly. What kind of power was this?

Only the Flame Power of Heavenly Fire, the legendary bane of Yin Beasts, could achieve such results!

Although Cui Bi had never witnessed Heavenly Fire, she knew of its legends and its counteraction against Yin Beasts from her father. The scorching Heavenly Fire was the most terrifying thing for Yin Beasts.

And for the Yin Charm Tribe, was it not equally terrifying?

The bodies of the Yin Charm Tribe members were inherently inclined towards Yin and coldness. Although their souls were immensely thick and powerful, once the scorching Heavenly Fire fell upon them, the effect would be little different from landing on a Yin Beast.

This meant that these fiery light spots originating from Shi Yan, if they struck her, she would be rapidly corroded just like the Ghost Infants; the inherent softness and Yin essence of the Yin Charm Tribe body could offer no resistance to the scorching of Heavenly Fire.

If the Yin Charm Tribe did not possess an innate advantage in the soul realm, and if Shi Yan were immune to the shackles and restraints of their soul attacks, he alone, relying on the Heavenly Fire in his body, could act with impunity within the Ancient City!

He could even use the power of Heavenly Fire to slaughter the entire Yin Charm Tribe!

Unless the Yin Charm Tribe members possessed secret artifacts imbued with cold attributes capable of defending against the intrusion of Heavenly Fire, their bodies, under its blaze, would be like vapor, easily evaporated by it.

Cui Bi shivered internally.

Watching Shi Yan manipulate the Flame Power from the Earth Core Fire to burn the Ghost Infants—the natural enemies of the Yin Charm Tribe—until they screamed in agony, a strange light flickered in Cui Bi’s beautiful eyes, and a thought suddenly surfaced.

Should I kill him now?

Cui Bi’s gaze flickered uncertainly, growing more convinced that eliminating Shi Yan immediately might be the wisest decision. Otherwise, should Shi Yan one day discover a method to become immune to the Yin Charm Tribe’s soul attacks, his very existence would become a nightmare for their people.

“It’s quite simple.”

While these turbulent thoughts raged within her, Shi Yan calmly finished exterminating the three Ghost Infants. Three emerald-green demon cores floated in the air, and under the traction of his vital essence, they rapidly drifted over and settled into his palm.

“Here, take these three demon cores. Don’t worry, I will gather enough demon cores for you.”

Shi Yan smiled, noticing Cui Bi’s dazed expression. “This world is strange, isn't it? Your Yin Charm Tribe’s profound mastery of the soul allows you to effortlessly destroy me. But these Ghost Infants are your natural enemies, capable of tearing you to shreds easily. Yet, I am the Ghost Infants’ natural enemy, able to effortlessly slay them with Flame Power. One thing conquers another; this is the rule of nature.”

Cui Bi’s expression was complex as she reached out and accepted the three emerald-green Ghost Infant demon cores. “These three cores are even more valuable than typical Yin Beast demon cores. The cores of Ghost Infants are heavily infused with Yin Qi and Yin Souls, which are highly beneficial for our cultivation. Merely relying on the power of the Yin Charm Tribe, we cannot acquire them. Only the Winged Tribe can hunt Ghost Infants, and they trade the cores for the most precious things our Yin Charm Tribe possesses…”

“I will gather enough demon cores for you.” Shi Yan frowned slightly. “As long as you honor your promise. Though being forcibly constrained by you is immensely irritating, I know how to assess the situation.”

“Do you hate us?” Cui Bi suddenly asked.

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