Aow~

The Exotic Beast never dreamt that its killer blow would instead become its greatest blunder.

The pain from the severed tail pierced through its body in an instant, reaching straight to its brain, making its roar strange.

It sounded like a dying lament!

And Zhang Yuan’s counterattack had just begun.

The next moment, he swept to the right side of the Exotic Beast, swinging the Taowu Saber horizontally for a slash.

Armor fragments flew, blood spurted, and yet another deep sword scar, visible to the bone, appeared on the body of this powerful Exotic Beast.

Although its self-healing ability was extremely outstanding, the Blood Evil Blade Aura attached to the wound penetrated deep into the flesh like maggots in the bones, causing even greater damage.

The Exotic Beast, repeatedly severely wounded, fell into utter madness, constantly roaring and howling, desperately twisting its head, the blade-like teeth on its back clanging as it tried to retaliate against the culprit of its immense pain.

However, with his agility enhanced sixteen times, Zhang Yuan moved like a deceitful charm, constantly shifting around it.

Slicing through the hard scale armor with one cut after another, creating more and deeper wounds.

This tactic, relying on enhancements from the three Hosts, was one that Zhang Yuan had long since mastered and had shined brilliantly in battle after battle.

It was best suited for dealing with heavily armored targets with tough skin and thick flesh.

Every one of his strikes was imbued with tens of thousands of pounds of strength, as well as Primordial True Power and Blood Evil Qi.

Slicing through armor like cutting paper!

No matter how resilient its life force, the Exotic Beast couldn’t withstand such continuous bloodletting and exhaustion.

The fear of death outweighed the madness of anger.

It used its forelimbs to dig at the ground, attempting to burrow underground to escape Zhang Yuan’s brutal slaughter.

At that moment, Zhang Yuan leapt high behind the Exotic Beast.

Both hands gripping the Taowu Saber, he locked onto its head and fiercely slashed down!

Breaking Army·Overlord Slash!

This was a move from the Breaking Army Saber Technique, and it was Zhang Yuan’s first time using it in actual combat.

Before the saber could even strike, the fierce, sharp Sword Aura first broke through the hardest part of the Exotic Beast’s head, slicing cleanly through its thick skull and penetrating its entire brain.

The Exotic Beast shook violently, its two forelimbs still clawing at the dirt suddenly ceased all movement.

Immediately, the heavy body fell powerlessly to the right.

This slash completely ended its life!

Zhang Yuan landed on the ground, freed his left hand, and gently pressed it against the corpse of the beast in front of him.

Sacrifice!

[Source Material +853]

As the massive thousands-pound Exotic Beast carcass turned to ashes, Zhang Yuan received the hard-earned reward he deserved.

Not bad!

He nodded in satisfaction, then turned to excavate the Jade Heart Grass.

The reason Zhang Yuan used the Iron-Clad Bow to shoot the Exotic Beast earlier was precisely to preserve this heavenly treasure, lest it be destroyed by the battle, wasting Daoist Merit that was within reach.

The Jade Heart Grass in the rock crevice remained undamaged.

Upon closer inspection, Zhang Yuan discovered that a grass fruit had already grown in the middle of the grass leaves, showing a green-red hue, and exuded a faint and refreshing herbal fragrance.

The grass fruit was evidently not yet fully mature, and there was a high likelihood that the Exotic Beast was lurking below in defense, waiting.

This creature hid very well, yet it was still discovered by Zhang Yuan with the special vision of the Red-eyed Crow.

Destined for a tragic fate.

It didn’t take much effort to slay the Exotic Beast, but excavating the Jade Heart Grass consumed a fair amount of his time.

The grass leaves of the Jade Heart Grass growing on the surface measured only four or five inches, but the rhizome that drilled into the rock crevice was very long, extending downward over three feet into the ground.

Fortunately, Zhang Yuan had stored specialized herbal extraction tools in his storage space, allowing him to excavate the entire Jade Heart Grass, roots and all, and even retrieve a piece of bone in the end.

Because the end of the Jade Heart Grass root had drilled into this piece of bone!

Many medicinal herbs require complete integrity of stalks and leaves during extraction, with no damage, otherwise the medicinal properties might dissipate, significantly reducing their value.

The most typical example being Wild Ginseng, where none of the dense root hairs can be missing.

The Jade Heart Grass is similar.

Just as the Mo Yuan Atlas records, this spirit herb grows by relying on the corpse of a Fierce Beast.

Buried underground here was a beast skeleton.

The excavated Jade Heart Grass exceeded ten feet in length!

Zhang Yuan placed it into his storage space.

It’s undeniable, having storage space is incredibly convenient, otherwise preserving spirit materials like this would be troublesome.

Although it was still early, Zhang Yuan did not continue to explore Mo Yuan for more heavenly treasures.

He retraced his steps back to the top of the canyon.

This first solo exploration experience at Mo Yuan reaffirmed to Zhang Yuan that his luck attribute was indeed not just for show.

The earlier team with Xiao Hong also undoubtedly benefited from his fortune.

Only then could there be such abundant gains!

Of course, Xiao Hong wouldn’t know this, and Zhang Yuan had no intention of telling him.

After all, Zhang Yuan gained a lot of valuable experience while acting with the team.

Both sides owe each other nothing.

Taking the Jade Heart Grass out of the storage space again, he placed it into a specialized medicine box, and Zhang Yuan returned to the Martial Pavilion.

Identified by the appraiser in the Merit Hall, the Jade Heart Grass he excavated reached Fifth Grade level.

Regrettably, the grass fruit was not yet mature; otherwise, its value would be even higher.

Heavenly treasures like the Jade Heart Grass are purchased long-term by the Upper Scenic Celestial, so there’s no need to complete a Daoist Merit task to directly exchange it for Daoist Merit in the Merit Hall.

In the end, Zhang Yuan received two hundred and fifteen Daoist Merits.

Zhang Yuan was very satisfied.

This amount of Daoist Merits would sustain his learning and cultivation in the Martial Pavilion for a long time.

No need to venture into Mo Yuan for adventure any longer.

"Is it Junior Brother Zhang?"

To Zhang Yuan’s surprise, just as he exited the Merit Hall, a martial artist in tight-fitting attire blocked his path.

The opponent looked to be in his thirties, with a shrewd and powerful demeanor, yet his gaze towards Zhang Yuan bore an appraising look.

Not a very comfortable feeling.

Zhang Yuan spoke unemotionally, "What’s the matter?"

The martial artist in tight attire said haughtily, "My young master wishes to meet with you!"

Zhang Yuan shook his head, "No time."

What a joke, a mere Tier Four dares to act arrogant before him, with an air of command!

The martial artist in tight attire frowned, blocking Zhang Yuan again, speaking in a deep voice, "Do you know who my young master is?"

Zhang Yuan’s face immediately darkened, "Get lost!"

He was most annoyed by such bumbling fools.

The martial artist in tight attire flew into a rage, stepping back two steps and shouted, "Zhang Yuan, my young master Xiao Yan requests a meeting, this is your opportunity and luck, don’t be unappreciative!"

Xiao Yan?

So what!

Zhang Yuan plowed straight ahead, not willing to exchange further words with the opponent.

Though arrogant, the martial artist in tight attire possessed basic intelligence, hurriedly stepping aside.

Not daring to confront Zhang Yuan directly.

The rules in Upper Scenic Celestial were strict.

He initiated the obstruction, and should a conflict occur, the blame would undoubtedly rest on him!

Zhang Yuan snorted coldly and then strode away.