Chapter 1473: Tiger King's Fury

Long Kun sneered, responding to Xu Yang. Unbeknownst to him, he already considered the colossal Sky-Shattering Black Tiger King as good as caught, destined for the chopping block.

"I never thought it would be a few paltry human mercenaries daring to set an ambush here," the Sky-Shattering Tiger King scoffed. "You must have a death wish. Do you not realize that not just four of you, but even four hundred people would be mere ants, mere food, before me?"

Frankly, the Sky-Shattering Tiger King wasn't entirely boasting to Xu Yang and his companions. Against other mercenary warriors of ordinary strength, even four hundred of them attacking simultaneously would likely end in a crushing defeat or even complete annihilation.

However, this time was entirely different. Each of these four individuals possessed strength equivalent to tens of thousands of ordinary mercenaries, not to mention Xu Yang himself, a formidable presence revered across the continent, was personally here. The Tiger King remained oblivious to the true nature of the fate awaiting him.

"Heh, strength isn't something determined by mere words," Ling Yao retorted. "I will soon make you understand the true meaning of your boast."

Ling Yao drew her long sword, but Long Kun, standing beside her, immediately stopped her.

"Sister Ling Yao, there's no need to rush," Long Kun said. "This fierce tiger truly annoys me, and I genuinely wish to teach it a lesson. On our continent, those who can battle a tiger bare-handed are always revered as great heroes.

Today, I, Long Kun, will also be a great hero. I will use no techniques or weapons, only my body and my bare fists, to slay you, this Level Eight Sky-Shattering Black Tiger King. I will make you understand that humanity can no longer be equated with mere ants. In fact, before me, you seem even less significant than an ant."

As his words faded, Long Kun slammed his feet against the ground, launching himself into the air. When he reappeared as a streak of light, his entire aura seemed to have undergone a profound transformation.

While he had possessed a somewhat naive demeanor previously, the current Long Kun appeared like an unyielding overlord. His aura, as he hovered in the void, not only matched the Sky-Shattering Tiger King's ferocity but subtly seemed to overwhelm it.

Witnessing this transformation in Long Kun, Xu Yang was genuinely pleased. This shift in Long Kun's aura indicated significant internal progress, which Xu Yang recognized as an impending opportunity for Long Kun to achieve a new breakthrough.

As expected, Xiao Hua quickly noticed these changes, subtly turning her head to look at Xu Yang.

"Boss, could it be...?"

Xu Yang, of course, understood Xiao Hua's unspoken question. Before she could finish, he smiled faintly and nodded.

"Indeed, as you suspect, this young man is on the verge of a breakthrough," Xu Yang replied. "However, because he received a unique life force blessing in the previous epoch, a certain degree of cosmic energy still remains in his body, not yet fully purged.

Although he has regained his past memories with my assistance, even I cannot say for certain what realm and level Long Kun will reach in his next transformation. What is destined to happen will happen eventually; let us simply wait and observe."

No sooner had he spoken than Long Kun suddenly unleashed a thunderous roar, channeling all his strength into his fists, then lunged fiercely at the Sky-Shattering Black Tiger King.

It's important to note that few top-tier demon races throughout the Kunlun Abyss could instill fear in the Sky-Shattering Tiger. After all, a Level Eight Tiger King's combat prowess could already rival that of a Level Nine Demon King. Such a being was exceedingly rare in the Kunlun Abyss, which teemed with billions of demon creatures.

Very few top-tier demon races in the entire Abyss surpassed the great tiger in strength. As a perennial apex predator, the tiger exuded an overwhelming aura of supremacy. When he and Long Kun clashed, it was like needle point to awn, a collision of equals, neither willing to concede.

Yet, when he felt Long Kun's reckless, all-consuming aura up close, a profound and inexpressible fear stirred within him for the very first time.

Despite this, the Tiger King's dignity would not permit him to retreat even an inch. Gritting his teeth, baring his ferocious fangs, he too let out a muffled roar, and the two collided violently in the void.

The power in Long Kun's fists was unimaginably terrifying. Even Xu Yang, observing, noted that it was not far inferior to his own power in his prime. The tremendous force from both fists exploded instantly, shattering the Tiger King's protective aura in the void.

"Damn, does this guy have to be so domineering?" Xiao Hua exclaimed. "He completely shattered its protective aura in just one round! That's a Level Eight Tiger King, you know! When this kid goes wild, it's truly no easy feat for anyone but you, Boss, to rein him in."

Xiao Hua gave a helpless, bitter laugh. Xu Yang, however, spoke again, his expression calm.

"Now is not the time to cheer for him," Xu Yang said. "This Level Eight Sky-Shattering Tiger King is far more formidable than it appears. If Long Kun wishes to defeat it without resorting to specialized techniques, he will still need to exert considerable effort."

True to Xu Yang's words, his foresight was far beyond anyone else's; it would not be an exaggeration to call him prescient.

Shortly after he spoke, Long Kun's second attack was severely disrupted. The black light and shadow in the Tiger King's pupils re-emerged, and the moment it struck Long Kun's eyes, his body immediately succumbed to an indescribable sensation of numbness and paralysis.

"How is this possible?" Long Kun wondered. "Has even my physical body been affected by this black light?"

Such a question formed in Long Kun's mind, yet he showed no hesitation as he gathered his strength. When the light from his right fist once more erupted with the purest primal power, Xu Yang finally discerned the key.

"I see," Xu Yang murmured. "The black light from the Tiger King, upon entering Long Kun's bloodstream, seems to have subtly activated the stellar power within him as well.

The cultivation system of primal power originally draws strength from Long Kun's cells. Upon colliding with the stellar power, an exceptionally unique bloodline mutation will occur. Even I find it difficult to imagine the precise outcome of such a change."

Xu Yang's expression seemed to grow more solemn. After all, this was his steadfast brother-in-arms facing such a formidable challenge. For any cultivator, every advancement, every transformation to a new realm, is an entirely unknown process.

Whatever form the transformation takes, that is what it will become. If the transformation is unsuccessful, or if it's interrupted by external factors midway, then the resulting stage will mark the pinnacle of that cultivator's lifelong practice, making further advancement impossible.