Chapter 1474: 乱拳战虎

The more intense and fierce this battle became, the greater the challenge for Long Kun. Xu Yang began to contemplate whether to intervene immediately, instantly defeating the Level 8 Tiger King to provide Long Kun with a safer environment for his breakthrough.

After much deliberation, Xu Yang ultimately decided not to intervene. He believed that such an action might prevent Long Kun from unleashing his full potential. While the process was inherently dangerous for Long Kun, no cultivator experiences an absolutely safe breakthrough. This was Long Kun's personal trial and opportunity, so Xu Yang ultimately refrained from interfering.

Even if Long Kun were to suffer a serious mishap, Xu Yang, with his formidable strength and profound capabilities, was confident he could rescue and restore him. Possessing such assurance, Xu Yang naturally remained composed, no matter what unusual circumstances arose.

In a flash, no sooner had the thought crossed his mind than Long Kun, sensing the surge of power within him, executed a powerful lunge. Propelled by incredible speed, he effortlessly landed squarely on the back of the enormous Black Tiger King.

For the tiger species, being mounted by an opponent is a profound humiliation. Naturally, the Black Tiger King would not yield easily and launched into a furious struggle. Yet, after considerable effort, its struggles proved largely ineffective. How could a Level 8 Beast King easily escape the overwhelming physical might of Long Kun?

"Hahahaha, stop wasting your energy, you brute! Let me show you what it means to beat a mighty tiger senseless with a barrage of punches!"

As he spoke, Long Kun seemed to surge with renewed vigor, his fists relentlessly pummeling the tiger's back and head. Very quickly, despite its immense power, the Level 8 Tiger King found it exceedingly difficult to withstand the terrifying physical onslaught from Long Kun. Not only was it howling in agony, but its internal anatomy began to twist and vibrate violently under the relentless, ferocious external impacts.

"Hehehe! How are you feeling, little tiger? If you surrender to me now, perhaps you won't have to suffer so much!"

Long Kun's temperament had remained unchanged over the years; he always delighted in taunting and mocking his opponents once he gained the upper hand. Unbeknownst to Long Kun, the moment he made this move, Xu Yang immediately sensed danger. "No! Quickly focus your mind on defeating your opponent, or you will find yourself in an extremely passive situation. Don't dig your own grave; this process is crucial for you."

Xu Yang immediately projected a mental force into Long Kun's mind from above. Upon receiving his leader's urgent warning, Long Kun instantly shed his carelessness and refocused his mental energy.

Unfortunately, the tiger was no easy foe and paid no heed to such taunts. Suddenly, every pore on its back erupted, turning into sharp, needle-like quills that pierced through a large portion of Long Kun's body. Simultaneously, blood continuously flowed from Long Kun, making him appear as if he had been pierced like a sieve. While not yet severely wounded, this sudden and radical damage to his body structure undeniably disrupted the breakthrough he was on the verge of achieving.

"You damned beast, how dare you play such a trick on me? Don't blame me for showing no mercy now!"

Enraged, Long Kun unleashed a punch that utterly shattered the Black Tiger King's spine, instantly annihilating its formidable self-control. Its massive body crashed heavily back to the ground, carving out a deep crater. Long Kun then descended from the air, stepping firmly onto the Tiger King's head. By now, the beast was severely wounded and utterly incapable of mounting any significant counterattack in the short term.

After all, given Long Kun's power, the relentless barrage of over a hundred punches had already pulverized the internal structure of the Black Tiger King's bones and joints. The mere fact that it was still drawing breath was the ultimate testament to the beast's immense strength.

"Young man, I admit defeat in this fight. But do not presume to conquer me. Even if my tiger clan faces extinction, we will do so with the utmost dignity."

As it spoke, black flames erupted around the Black Tiger King, indicating its intent to self-destruct in this manner. If it succeeded, the Level 8 demonic beast would leave Xu Yang's four-person team with absolutely nothing.

"Heh, you're dreaming. You're going to die anyway, so why die without providing any value?"

Xu Yang sneered from the side and suddenly raised his hand. A potent force instantly enveloped the Black Tiger King, completely suppressing all energy flow within its body and effectively incapacitating it entirely.

As Xu Yang intervened, the Tiger King instantly fell into despair. "So that young man isn't even the most powerful member of your team. To be able to cripple all my strength and mobility in an instant… you must be the most terrifying one in this group! No, it would be difficult to find anyone stronger than you in the entire Divine Path of Heavenly Eyes!"

The Tiger King, possessing considerable discernment, immediately recognized the immense power radiating from Xu Yang, a power that even surpassed that of the exalted Saints.

"Heh, you guessed correctly. One of my identities is the First Saint of the Divine Path of Heavenly Eyes. So, does falling by my hand bring you any comfort?"

Xu Yang's rhetorical question carried a subtle hint of sarcasm, yet it utterly convinced the Black Tiger King of its defeat, leading it to completely abandon all resistance. Unlike Long Kun's pure and potent power, which allowed for some degree of resistance, Xu Yang's power represented an overwhelming suppression on a vastly superior plane. Any force he unleashed, regardless of its form, rendered the opponent utterly defenseless. This inherent disparity highlights the insurmountable gap between a mere strong individual and a legend who has reached the apex of power.

"To fall at the hands of a cultivator of your caliber, I have no complaints; I shall submit to your will. However, I must caution you: with only four of you, no matter how formidable your individual strength, attempting to roam unchecked through the Kunlun Abyss, which has slumbered for countless years, is utterly impossible. Further west, you will enter the true forbidden territories of the Kunlun Abyss. Should you provoke its leader, an unimaginable fate awaits you."

These were the Black Tiger King's final words. Following this, it voluntarily entered a state known as "Vein Severance"—a self-imposed termination of residual life force while preserving the physical body. Only Beast Kings of Level 7 or higher are capable of ending their lives in this manner, considered a dignified demise for a top-tier demonic beast. Often, leaders of large demonic beast tribes choose this method to conclude their lives when they are old and their lifespan is nearing its end. Furthermore, choosing to perish in this manner before an enemy is considered a gesture of respect from a top-tier demonic beast. While the Black Tiger King had no such intention when facing Long Kun, the moment it perceived Xu Yang's power, it unhesitatingly abandoned all thoughts of resistance.