C23 Flying Tiger!

After an indeterminate amount of time, Yang Chen found himself deep within White Tiger Mountain, though pinpointing his exact location was challenging. Nevertheless, he had come prepared.

Pulling a compass-like device from his pocket, Yang Chen checked his bearings and discovered he was still heading due south. White Tiger Mountain lay to the south of Jiangnan City, and by continuing in this direction, one could reach its innermost areas.

The main issue, however, was the dense white fog that shrouded the area, significantly diminishing Yang Chen's visibility. Despite his Grandmaster-level physique enhancing his eyesight, peering through the fog to see anything beyond a few hundred meters was nearly impossible. He could barely make out anything more than ten meters away.

"It's no surprise some A-class Ability Users have perished here," Yang Chen mused. With numerous A-class, and even S-class, Ability Users around, one would think they could avoid danger by sheer numbers. But the gap between S-class and Grandmaster was like a chasm, and even numbers couldn't always bridge it.

Yet, even so, a Flying Tiger had managed to kill an A-class Ability User and severely injure many others. The creature's strength was formidable, but the treacherous terrain played a significant role as well.

The white fog that hindered even Yang Chen must have been even more challenging for the A-class Ability Users. It made sense that they would struggle against the Flying Tiger, especially since it could take to the skies, adding to their woes.

Lost in thought, Yang Chen suddenly sensed impending danger. His body tensed, ready for action, as a faint trace of blood surfaced.

Then, a whooshing sound cut through the silence.

A streak of green light sliced through the mist, hurtling towards Yang Chen in an instant.

"Scram!" he bellowed, launching a punch that carried a subtle flame, flickering in and out of visibility within the fog.

With a resounding boom, the green light shattered. Yang Chen's eyes focused sharply as he propelled himself forward like a missile, his fiery aura bursting forth and scattering the fog.

Before him, a massive form began to coil—a python had revealed itself.

The triangular pupils were fixed on Yang Chen with an icy sharpness, void of any other emotion.

"Spirit Beast!"

Yang Chen paused, taken aback. It was his first encounter with a Spirit Beast; he hadn't even seen one on TV or a mobile phone before, only heard tales from others.

The python's aura wasn't particularly strong, barely scratching the surface of C-class. So, Yang Chen wasn't in a rush to make his move, instead watching the creature with a playful gaze.

When its initial strike missed, the python bared its fangs and flicked its tongue incessantly, filling the air with the stench of blood.

What a reek!

"Come at me!"

He taunted the python, his eyes dancing with mischief.

The python, catching on to Yang Chen's taunting, seethed with fury. Its pupils flared crimson as it reared its massive head and coiled body, launching itself at Yang Chen with a hiss.

The python hissed and roared, its green scales shimmering with increased intensity as it opted for a head-on confrontation with Yang Chen!

Yang Chen let out a sly chuckle as flames erupted from his fist. He threw a punch, reigning like a fiery emperor, with a heat so intense it surged straight toward the python!

Boom!

The fiery punch collided with the python's body, sending a shockwave that echoed across White Tiger Mountain, startling flocks of birds into flight.

The white mist was shredded as easily as paper.

The python let out a pained hiss.

Yang Chen's fist was no fragile weapon. With his A-class flame ability and the physique of a grandmaster, the formidable energy he wielded could challenge even an S-class Spirit Beast, let alone a C-class one.

The python's body burst open, spewing thick green blood that flowed from its massive form and sizzled as it hit the earth, corroding the soil.

"Poisonous, too? Impressive."

Yang Chen's smile was tinged with indifference. The poison posed little threat to him; his A-class fire ability meant that even the most potent C-class venom was merely fuel for his flames.

"Ding! For defeating a C-class Spirit Beast, you've been rewarded with a one-time C-class Spiritual Qi infusion!"

Yang Chen's eyebrows quirked up as he finally grasped the nature of the reward: defeating a person or Spirit Beast of the same level would grant him a dose of C-class Spiritual Qi irrigation.

Yet, this C-class Spiritual Qi seemed to have a negligible effect on Yang Chen.

"Oh well, a mosquito might be tiny, but it still offers a bite," he mused.

Instead of dwelling on the reward, Yang Chen turned his attention to the python's carcass, where he spotted a pale green object resembling an emerald nestled within the shattered remains.

With a keen gaze, he recognized the object. He had done his homework before arriving and knew this emerald-like treasure was the inner core— the essence of a Spirit Beast, useful for cultivation or as an ingredient in medicine-making.

Yang Chen pocketed the inner core and contemplated the python's remains. Suddenly, a surge of black energy erupted from his fingertips, striking the python's massive form.

A fearsome suction force unleashed chaos within the python, reducing its already fragmented body to mere chunks of flesh.

Then, strands of green energy, shrouded in black light, streamed into Yang Chen's body.

"Ding! Congratulations to the host for assimilating the superpower: Poison!"

Upon hearing the announcement, Yang Chen's face lit up with delight. Not bad at all—he had gained a new superpower, and his arsenal had just gotten a boost!

He extended his hand, and a streak of green brilliance emerged, instantly corroding the air around him, emitting a harsh, sizzling noise.

"This poison is formidable!"

The toxin coursing through Yang Chen's veins was far more potent than the python's. After all, his cultivation level was A-grade, while the python was merely at C-grade.

The gap between them was significant.

However, as the python's body lay in ruins, the scent of blood swiftly permeated the air. Yang Chen had carelessly overlooked one crucial detail.

He was in the wilderness, home to countless Spirit Beasts!

The python's blood could draw many of them to his location!

Roar! Roar! Roar!

A cacophony of roars abruptly snapped Yang Chen back to reality. He froze for a moment, then quickly grasped the gravity of the situation.

"This is bad, there are so many!"

The relentless roars of Spirit Beasts echoed around him, the sound waves building upon one another in a menacing crescendo.

"Damn it!" Yang Chen cursed under his breath, ready to make his getaway.

But just then, a thunderous roar of a tiger echoed across the heavens. A massive figure, striding upon the clouds with wings unfurled, soared from the depths of White Tiger Mountain!

It was none other than the legendary Flying Tiger!