Translator: yikaii Editor: yikaii

Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had heard that Demon Suppression Pass was notorious for its rampant looting, with people often getting robbed after buying things from the association and venturing into the dense forest.

Their original plan was to underreport their cultivation level to lure in robbers.

However, instead of attracting robbers, they ended up attracting a group of self-proclaimed bodyguards.

We are the most highly rated bodyguards among the Foundation Establishment stage. Our prices are reasonable, our service is thorough, and we have long-term cooperative relationships with several half-step Golden Core stage demon beasts, maximizing safety and intelligence transmission in the dense forest.

If the noble families or sects of you, two young masters, have assigned training tasks, we can customize three plans for you to choose from without any extra charge.

The hook-nosed leader continued to enthusiastically promote their bodyguard services.

How many spirit stones would it cost to hire you? Meng Jingzhou asked with great interest. They needed to gather as much information about the dense forest as possible, and these local experts knew a lot.

They didnt need bodyguards but could use guides.

Seeing their extraordinary demeanor and refined speech, the hook-nosed leader guessed that they had a significant background and held up five fingers.

Five hundred thousand spirit stones? Thats not expensive.

The hook-nosed leader was taken aback. He had meant fifty thousand spirit stones and was willing to lower the price if needed.

He didnt expect this wealthy young master to raise the price tenfold without batting an eye.

Meng Jingzhou took out twenty thousand spirit stones, forming a small pile: Heres twenty thousand for now. Well pay the rest afterward. If your service satisfies me, Ill increase the payment.

Rest assured, our service is worth every spirit stone! The fives eyes lit up at the sight of so many spirit stones.

They had never met such a wealthy client before.

Strange, do you feel its getting hotter here? Meng Jingzhou fanned his chest, feeling increasingly warm.

I feel it too, Lu Yang replied, puzzled.

The hook-nosed leader remarked softly, Could it be that the seven of us are in a dungeon, and the air is running out?

The dungeon was underground and airtight. With the seven of them talking, the oxygen was quickly depleting.

Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou released the technique binding them, and the seven returned to the surface.

Old Turtle, come out. The deal is settled, the hook-nosed leader called out.

A large turtle, the size of a millstone, slowly crawled over from not far away, emanating an unusual Foundation Establishment stage power.

Lu Yang guessed that when the Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain mentioned fighting with a half-step Golden Core stage, they were referring to this old turtle.

They even have a demon beast in their act.

This is Old Turtle. Theres a small lake ahead, and Old Turtle is the lord of one-fifth of it, the hook-nosed leader explained.

Old Turtle shook its head: Little Eagle, Ive told you many times that your sales pitch sounds like robbery and easily leads to misunderstandings. I saw from a distance that these two young masters are geniuses capable of using Draw a Prison From The Ground. They dont need your bodyguard services.

So, it really was Draw a Prison From The Ground? The five were shocked. They had only speculated earlier, not daring to confirm, thinking it might have been a life-saving technique provided by their sect.

After all, the Draw a Prison From The Ground technique is not only legendary but also incredibly difficult to cultivate, almost impossible for a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator to master.

This turtle has a keen eye. Indeed, what I used was Draw a Prison From The Ground, Lu Yang quickly admitted, earning a roll of the eyes from Meng Jingzhou.

Young masters, may I ask your purpose in the dense forest?

To challenge demon beasts. Weve heard that this place is teeming with powerful ancient beasts, and we wish to hone our skills by fighting them.

The hook-nosed leader nodded. It was a fairly common reason.

What level of demon beasts do you wish to challenge, young masters? Are you looking for those who have just entered the late Foundation Establishment stage, or the seasoned late Foundation Establishment ones?

Golden Core stage.

Golden Core stage?! The five people and the old turtle all exclaimed in shock.

Dont boast, young masters. The gap between Foundation Establishment and Golden Core stage is like a chasm, impossible to cross easily. Moreover, both humans and demon beasts living in the dense forest are extremely ruthless; they cant be taken lightly! The old turtle reminded them. It also knew these two were wealthy clients, and protecting them well would undoubtedly earn a lot of spirit stones.

Forget about the Golden Core stage. You might not even be able to defeat me! The old turtle said confidently. It had been at the half-step Golden Core stage for a long time, with incredible defense. Even if the tiger demon that refined specters were resurrected, it wouldnt break its defense.

Then lets try. Meng Jingzhou smiled, stretching his muscles and bones.

Without showcasing their strength, the demon beasts the group would find for them wouldnt be strong enough to be effective for their training.

The group came to the lakeside, with the old turtle and Meng Jingzhou standing on opposite ends.

Begin! Lu Yang announced.

The old turtle took two deep breaths, activating the bloodlines inherent techniques. A golden mark faintly appeared on its shell, indicating its lineage from the ancient demon beast, the Sky-penetrating Turtle. The ancient Sky-penetrating Turtle was known for its defensive power, a trait it had fortunately inherited.

If you cant even break my defense, then dont mention

Arhat Fist!

Meng Jingzhou took a big step forward, his legs like a drawn bow, and his upper body like the arrow. His body tensed and then released forcefully, striking the turtle shell. The golden mark shattered, and the old turtle was sent flying far away.

It skipped across the lake like a stone, bouncing several times before plunging into the water.

The Five Heroes of Eagle Mountain watched this scene with their mouths agape.

The old turtle was known for its defense. Even when the five of them combined their efforts, they couldnt break its defense. Yet, Meng Jingzhou had toppled it with one punch?

This small lake was also home to four other half-step Golden Core stage demon beasts, who, along with the old turtle, were the lakes rulers. Seeing the old turtle being knocked away, they were all shocked.

Arhat Fist? Ive never seen you use it. Is it new? Lu Yang asked curiously.

Master said part of his Heaven Shaking Six Forms was inspired by the Arhat Fist and suggested I learn it to help with practicing the Six Styles.

Its said that cultivating the Arhat Fist to its highest level can grant the Arhats ariya-phala. Maybe youll succeed, Lu Yang teased.

Oh, please, the Arhats ariya-phala? You might as well suggest I become a monk.

Youre practically a monk already.

Shut up. Once I become an immortal, Ill break all my vows and indulge myself.

Breaking the Pure Yang state would mean a significant slowdown in cultivation speed. Becoming an immortal is the peak of cultivation, so speed would no longer matter.

Arhat Fist, huh Everlasting Fairy, who had been silent for a while, seemed to recall something upon hearing the keyword.

Fairy, do you know the Arhat Fist? Lu Yang was curious about learning a new fist technique, as he currently only knew the Shape-Imitating Fist.

Everlasting Fairy sneered, Whats the Arhat Fist? Never heard of it. I know a more advanced fist technique that directly leads to Arhats ariya-phala. Do you want to learn it?

What technique?

Monk Fruit Fist.

Lu Yang: Does it help with clearing heat, moistening the lungs, and soothing the throat?

(TL Note: In Chinese, the word for ariya-phala () contains the same word used for fruit (), so the Arhats ariya-phala () can also refer to the monk fruit, () hence the joke above)

(End of the chapter)