Chapter 137: Heroic Spirit Abundant Domain

Jiang Yan’s short-sleeved shirt was torn with a large hole, revealing a faint red mark on his exposed skin.

“You really…”

His gaze turned icy as he looked down in the direction from which he had just been attacked.

On the ground, a large hole had been torn open. The unknown object had retreated deep underground, clearly having realized through experience the gap in combat power between them.

Jiang Yan descended to the ground, quietly observing the dark hole below.

It was bottomless.

Releasing his spiritual power, an outline of the underground space formed in his mind.

It was a worm, somewhat resembling a maggot, surrounded by long tentacles. The earlier attack had likely come from one of those tentacles.

So, it was a tentacled creature.

“Squeak~”

A sharp, strange cry echoed from below—deliberately emitted by the tentacled creature.

It seemed to be mocking Jiang Yan’s helplessness.

Earth Calamity.

A common creature in the Hundred Prisons Hunting Ground, often lurking in dark underground spaces, launching surprise attacks on passing beings. It was nearly impossible to guard against.

These creatures were generally not strong in combat power but were extremely annoying. Once they failed in an attack, they would hide in deep holes, leaving their victims seething with hatred yet powerless to retaliate.

Low in aggression, but highly insulting.

This Earth Calamity, having gained intelligence, clearly believed Jiang Yan could do nothing to it, hence its audacity.

“Chaotic Void Domain.”

“Fire Incineration: World-Ashing Flames.”

A fiery inferno descended as Jiang Yan channeled endless saber Qi deep into the ground.

“Sizzle!”

A sharp, agonized shriek erupted from the earth, filled with misery and resentment.

Trapped and roasted—this Earth Calamity had dug its own grave.

The ground churned as the creature attempted to burrow away to another location.

“Wind Erosion: Formless Slash.”

A tornado surged into the earth, lifting dozens of towering sand pillars. With absolute force, it uprooted the creature below, hurling it into the sky and trapping it within the sandstorm.

Boom!

The ground completely collapsed, turning the area where the Earth Calamity had been into a deep depression. Its body was flung into the sky, struggling frantically but unable to break free from the powerful tornado’s grasp.

As its battle intent faded, Jiang Yan watched it give up completely before indifferently waving his hand for a final strike.

A massive surge of saber Qi sliced through the air.

The air exploded with a burst of thick slurry, but Jiang Yan’s protective barrier perfectly deflected the foul liquid raining down.

“The fierce beasts here are quite interesting.”

Jiang Yan offered his assessment before turning to leave the devastated area.

“Damn, did you see that? That guy is seriously fierce. He’s probably on the same level as Prodigy Yuan Tianjiao.”

“Obviously. He’s the one who killed a Demon Lord. I’ve never seen a demon myself, but anyone capable of slaying such a being can’t be ordinary.”

“Should we report that matter to Jiang Yan, then? The Hundred Prisons Hunting Ground has been getting harder and harder to survive in lately. If we don’t do something soon, we might not even earn back the entrance fee next time.”

“Yeah, we could. Given his temper, he’d probably challenge Yuan Tianjiao to a duel. If they end up injuring each other, wouldn’t we get to enjoy the blessings of the Heroic Spirit Abundant Domain?”

At the mention of “Heroic Spirit Abundant Domain,” both their eyes burned with intense desire.

The Heroic Spirit Abundant Domain, due to long-term exposure to the techniques and residual souls of ancient mighty beings, had undergone geological mutations. This terrain produced an extremely rare type of Qi.

Wraith Essence.

Wraith Essence has both advantages and disadvantages. The advantage lies in its ability to assist in the cultivation of Spiritual Power, while the disadvantage is that it contains a trace of vengeful soul will. If not thoroughly purified during use, a single moment of carelessness can lead to Qi Deviation and loss of reason.

However, as long as one possesses strong Talent in Spiritual Power and a solid Spirit Platform, the benefits often outweigh the risks, provided one is not careless.

Currently, the Heroic Spirit Abundant Domain in this area has been monopolized by a man named Yuan Tianjiao.

That’s right, his name is Yuan Tianjiao—not a title or alias.

It is said that Yuan Tianjiao hails from Myriad Pottery Academy, one of the four major academies in Heart Origin City. Upon graduation, he comprehended Martial Intent and achieved a breakthrough into the True Intent Realm.

In this Secret Realm, the True Intent Realm is already considered a formidable power and one of the top-tier Combat Powers. It is only reasonable for him to monopolize a Heroic Spirit Abundant Domain.

However, monopolizing such a precious place naturally stirs dissatisfaction among others. Thus, many Martial Artists in the vicinity intend to defeat this autocrat to share in the spoils.

Jiang Yan’s conjecture was correct.

Although the treasures in the Hundred Prisons Hunting Ground have largely been plundered by predecessors, the legacy left behind after the ancient war remains countless.

This place is not only a battlefield for Prodigies but also a land of Opportunity.

…

Heroic Spirit Abundant Domain.

“Junior, my Spiritual Power is on the verge of a breakthrough to the Cave Heaven Realm. I hope you can act as my Protector. Once I break through, I will surely repay you generously.”

A tall and burly man patted the shoulder of the slightly smaller man in front of him as he gave his instructions.

“Don’t worry, Senior. I have already comprehended a trace of Martial Intent, reaching the Half-Step True Intent Realm. I guarantee no one will disturb you. As for the promised matter…”

“Hahaha, I, Yuan Tianjiao, keep my word. Once I break through, you may freely use this Heroic Spirit Abundant Domain for three days!”

The man was overjoyed and bowed deeply. “Thank you, Senior!”

Yuan Tianjiao smiled with satisfaction, stepped into the center of the Heroic Spirit Abundant Domain, sat cross-legged, and quickly entered a cultivation state.

…

“Brother!”

“Brother Jiang!”

Just after Jiang Yan had slain a Fierce Beast that attacked him, he heard two unfamiliar male voices calling from behind.

Turning around, he saw two men quickly running toward him.

Jiang Yan paused his steps and calmly watched as the two approached.

He was not at all surprised that his identity had been recognized. After all, the incident of slaying Pei Qin had caused too great a stir, and the name “Jiang Yan” had gained significant fame across Tianyuan Star.

“What is it?” he asked.

As the two drew near, they spoke bluntly.

“Jiang Yan, we know there’s treasure nearby!”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yan thought to himself: Hah, if there’s treasure, why wouldn’t they take it themselves instead of calling others? They’re either fools or have ulterior motives.

Jiang Yan leaned toward the latter.

He condensed a Saber blade in his hand and looked at the two with a faint, ambiguous smile.

“You’d better tell the truth, or I can’t guarantee where this Saber will end up next.”

Thump!

The two knelt simultaneously, catching Jiang Yan off guard.

Encountering such cowardly, life-fearing individuals in the Hundred Prisons Hunting Ground was truly bizarre.

“Brother, we just wanted to sneak into the Heroic Spirit Abundant Domain for a share. There’s really no need to kill us!”

“Heroic Spirit Abundant Domain?”

Jiang Yan retracted his Saber and asked in return.

“Tell me everything you know.”

Thus, the two eagerly spilled all the details about the Heroic Spirit Abundant Domain, making Jiang Yan grow increasingly eager as he listened.

“A Heroic Spirit Abundant Domain… There’s actually such a treasure trove?”

“Exactly, but that Yuan Tianjiao acts tyrannically, relying on his strength in the True Intent Realm to monopolize such a vast Heroic Spirit Abundant Domain, even forbidding anyone from entering.”

“The previous occupant of the Heroic Spirit Abundant Domain allowed ten people to share the Wraith Essence together. Sometimes, when we brothers joined forces, we could still get a share. But as soon as Yuan Tianjiao arrived, he directly claimed this treasure land all for himself!”

The more they spoke, the angrier they became, clearly harboring deep hatred for the Yuan Tianjiao they mentioned.