Insignificant tricks.

"All of you, get the hell away from here! Otherwise, I'll let you taste the might of the Great Immortal Pig!"

Zhu Ganglie hollered at the rogue cultivators who were kneeling and begging for mercy.

His plump body trembled like a sieve, yet it carried an unexpected aura of intimidation.

Han Yang looked at this bunch of cowards, a wave of disgust rising in his heart.

"Scud!"

A single word, imbued with supreme pressure, frightened the rogue cultivators so badly that they pissed their pants, scrambling and fleeing the scene in utter panic.

Han Yang tucked away his Golden-Winged Roc Wings and glanced sideways at Zhu Ganglie.

"Alright, cut the act. You made it look way too real."

"Hehe, Boss, wasn't I just playing along with you!"

Zhu Ganglie scratched his head, flashing a naive and goofy smile.

The man and the pig continued deeper into the Ten Thousand Mountains, where the air was thick with rich spiritual Qi, and all sorts of exotic flowers and rare herbs vied for beauty.

Suddenly, Han Yang stopped in his tracks, his brow furrowing slightly.

A strong demonic aura, mixed with painful roars, drifted over from a distance.

"Golden Eyes of Truth-Breaking!"

A flash of golden light crossed Han Yang's eyes, and his sight pierced through the layers of dense foliage, landing in a secluded valley.

A gigantic white ape, covered in wounds and injuries, was being besieged by a group of men in black.

These men in black were agile and executed ruthless moves, clearly indicating they were thoroughly trained.

"Scum of the Black Wind Stronghold!"

Han Yang recognized the origins of these men in black at a glance.

The Black Wind Stronghold was a notorious poaching syndicate that specialized in hunting demonic beasts to harvest their inner cores, stopping at nothing in their villainy.

Originally, Han Yang had no intention of meddling in other people's business, but the mournful cries of the white ape reminded him of his own past moments of weakness and helplessness.

"Sigh, whatever. Who made me such a kind-hearted person!"

Han Yang let out a helpless sigh.

"Brother Pig, go stand guard over there and make sure none of them escape."

"You got it, Boss!"

Zhu Ganglie excitedly rubbed his hooves, looking eager to give it a try.

Han Yang shook his wings, a flash of golden light erupted, and he instantly appeared inside the valley.

"Golden Roc Wing Slash!"

A fierce, golden sword Qi sliced through the open air; before several of the men in black could even react, they were cut in half at the waist, their blood splashing across the ground.

"Who goes there?"

The remaining men in black were instantly struck with panic, hurriedly summoning their magic treasures to attack Han Yang.

"Mere parlor tricks!"

Han Yang sneered, activating the Demon Lord's Body. He took several attacks head-on without sustaining a single scratch.

"Dragon Breath!"

A scorching torrent of dragon breath surged forth, instantly consuming several men in black, their miserable shrieks echoing throughout the valley.

The remaining men in black were scared out of their wits, daring not to linger in battle, and scattered in all directions to flee.

Han Yang did not pursue them; instead, he walked over to the white ape.

The white ape looked at Han Yang with gratitude, its eyes brimming with tears.

"Thank you, benefactor, for saving my life!"

"It was merely a matter of convenience."

Han Yang produced healing pills, had the white ape swallow them, and used his demonic energy to assist in its recovery.

The white ape's injuries gradually improved. It struggled to its feet and bowed deeply to Han Yang.

"Benefactor's great kindness, this white ape will never forget it! May I be so bold as to ask your esteemed name?"

"Han Yang."

"Benefactor Han Yang, the chieftain of the Black Wind Stronghold is a Nascent Soul stage cultivator with formidable strength. You must be careful!"

The white ape said with a solemn expression.

"Nascent Soul stage?"

Han Yang felt a jolt in his heart; he hadn't expected the Black Wind Stronghold to harbor such an expert.

"To repay benefactor's life-saving grace, this white ape is willing to lead you to the Black Wind Stronghold to eradicate this scourge!"

Han Yang pondered for a brief moment before agreeing.

The man, the pig, and the ape set off in the direction of the Black Wind Stronghold.

Along the way, Han Yang questioned the white ape.

"As a thousand-year-old white ape, how did you end up beaten into such a state by those small fries?"

The white ape sighed, a flash of sorrow crossing its eyes.

"Sigh, it's shameful to admit, but a few days ago, my tribulation to assume human form failed, and my cultivation was severely damaged. That's how those people from the Black Wind Stronghold managed to exploit my weakness..."

Upon hearing this, Han Yang immediately grew interested.

"Tribulation of human form? You were about to transform?"

The white ape nodded.

"If I had just a little more time, I could have completely transformed into a human. Unfortunately..."

"Unfortunately what? Once we wipe out the Black Wind Stronghold, I'll give you a hand and let you transform right on the spot!"

Han Yang patted his chest, speaking with grand boldness.

"Really?!"

The white ape widened its eyes in pleasant surprise.

"Of course it's real! I am exceptionally powerful, you know!"

Han Yang wore a smug expression.

Zhu Ganglie muttered softly from the side.

"Boss, your habit of bragging has acted up again..."

Han Yang glared at him.

"What do you know? This is called painting a grand blueprint for the future, understand?"

While they were talking, they had already arrived at the foot of the mountain where the Black Wind Stronghold was located.

The stronghold was built against the mountain, making it easy to defend and difficult to attack. Two gigantic lanterns hung at the entrance, emitting an eerie red glow.

"Boss, this place looks so gloomy. I have a bad feeling about this..."

Zhu Ganglie grunted uneasily.

"What is there to fear? With me here, every ghost and goblin has to kneel down and sing surrender!"

Han Yang wore an expression of utter disdain.

Right at that moment, the stronghold gates suddenly swung open, and a burly, bearded giant strode out.

He stared coldly at Han Yang, grinning to reveal a mouthful of yellow teeth.

"Hehe, heaven has a path you refuse to tread, but hell has no gate and you walk right in! I've been waiting for you lot for a long time!"

Han Yang narrowed his eyes, an ominous premonition rising in his chest.

The bearded giant was none other than Black Wind, the chieftain of the Black Wind Stronghold. He squinted at Han Yang, the flesh on his face twitching.

"Little bastard, you killed my men from the Black Wind Stronghold, and yet you dare deliver yourself to my doorstep. You're truly tired of living!"

Han Yang sneered, the golden light in his eyes flashing and vanishing.

"With just a bunch of ragtag rabble like you, you dare call this a stronghold? I'd say you lot are living in a dream!"

Enraged by these words, Black Wind waved his massive arm, and the stronghold gates flung wide open.

Countless lackeys poured out like a tidal wave, tightly surrounding the trio of Han Yang.

Every single one of these lackeys looked fierce and malevolent, wielding various weapons and exuding a reeking aura of blood.

"Get them! Hack these audacious fools into meat paste!"

Black Wind roared.

The lackeys swarmed forward in a frenzy, brandishing their weapons and charging to hack at Han Yang and his companions.

Han Yang curled his lip in disdain.

"Mere parlor tricks!"

With a single thought, he activated the Demon Lord's Body, and black demonic energy swirled around his entire form.

"Dragon Breath!"

A scorching wave of dragon breath spewed forth, instantly incinerating the lackeys in the front line into ashes.

"Ah!"

The remaining lackeys were frightened out of their wits, retreating in panic and not daring to take another step forward.

Seeing this, Black Wind was startled, not expecting Han Yang to possess such formidable strength.

Daring not to be careless, he summoned a massive black saber and charged fiercely at Han Yang to hack him down.

"Just in time!"

Han Yang summoned his own weapon as well, engaging Black Wind in a fierce battle.

For a moment, sword and saber lights flashed, sand and stones flew through the air, and the surrounding lackeys were driven back repeatedly by the shockwaves of the combat.

Zhu Ganglie and the white ape also joined the fray upon seeing this, assisting Han Yang in fighting the lackeys of the Black Wind Stronghold.

Zhu Ganglie wielded his Nine-Tooth Rake, sweeping across the field with unstoppable momentum, sending lackeys crashing to the ground wherever he went.

Although the white ape had failed its tribulation and its cultivation was severely impaired, dealing with these low-level lackeys was still more than enough.

Its fists were like iron hammers, sending a lackey flying with every single blow.

The battle raged on for a long time, and Han Yang, relying on his formidable strength, gradually gained the upper hand.