Once the formidable Gan Mu, who had been boasting with unshakable confidence, was suddenly trampled underfoot by others in this instant flash of action—this nearly 180-degree reversal not only left the several members of the Kagang team stunned but even Gan Mu's own subordinates, standing behind him, wide-eyed and speechless. On the broad road, numerous passersby stared in silence at the young man stepping firmly on Gan Mu's body, their minds still reeling. For a moment, the bustling street fell into a brief stillness. After a while, the Kagang group finally recovered from their shock, gazing at the young man who was firmly pressing Gan Mu beneath his feet, exchanging bewildered glances. This was indeed what he had described as "Eight Segments of Battle Qi"? Given the speed and strength he had displayed earlier, this young man's prowess likely rivaled even Gan Mu's nine-star Battle Qi level. "Ah well, it seems we've all underestimated him," Kagang sighed, shaking his head. Clearly, this young man had been concealing his true strength. Ling'er, hiding behind Kagang, was also shaken by the sudden turn of events. Her eyes fixed on the young man who effortlessly stepped over even her father—someone who, until now, had seemed invincible—his presence radiating an undeniable awe. She hadn't expected the boy she had mocked all day to possess such formidable strength. Reflecting on her own attitude toward him, a touch of self-mockery bloomed on her usually proud face. Perhaps, in his eyes, she was merely a clown performing a solo act. With a soft sigh, the young woman watched the boy standing over Ganmu, his figure appearing particularly tall and graceful under the morning light, his gentle smile suggesting not a battle at all, but rather a heartfelt conversation with a close friend. Staring at the young man, Ling'er suddenly turned her gaze toward the white-robed man by her side, Mu Lan, and felt, unexpectedly, that her admiration for him had somewhat diminished. "Ah, ah..." With a forceful cough that brought out streaks of blood, Gan Mu's slightly confused mind finally cleared. He stared fiercely at the young man above, his voice strained and rough, shouting, "You little brat—do you even know who I am?" "Second Commander of the Wolf-Head Mercenary Corps, right?" Nodding gently, Xiao Yan smiled. "I'm sorry, actually—I came to find you precisely because I knew your identity." Gan Mu's eyes narrowed slightly. He fixed his gaze on the calm, refined face, and after a moment, a sudden realization struck him—his memory of the young man from several months ago began to merge seamlessly with the figure before him. He gasped in astonishment, "You're Xiao Yan? But you weren't supposed to have been pushed deep into the heart of the Beast Mountains? How are you still alive?" "As Ganmu spoke, the crowd around him instantly gasped. Back then, the Wolf-Head Guild had poured all its strength to chase the young man named Xiao Yan deep into the heart of the Beast Mountains—only to find, today, that this very youth had not only survived but had emerged alive from the very region once considered a death zone? 'Xiao Yan? Is he really the one who had driven the Wolf-Head Guild into such a frenzy?' said Cagang, wide-eyed, amazed that he and his companions had now been brought together with this celebrated figure, so widely spoken of in the Beast Mountains. 'Kill him!' Ganmu's face grew even more fierce as he was publicly humiliated. With a thunderous roar, his subordinates swiftly drew their weapons and charged straight at Xiao Yan. At the same time, a pale green aura surged rapidly from Ganmu's body, intensifying until his two iron-fisted palms turned as dry and brittle as ancient wood. With a roar of rage, he swung them across Xiao Yan's lower leg. 'Explosive Step!' As the soft cry rose in Xiao Yan's mind, a delicate yellow energy surged rapidly from beneath his feet and then slammed hard against Gan Mu's chest, propelling his body forward toward the group of mercenaries riding horses. "Pfft!" The explosive force generated by the powerful stride shattered Gan Mu's chest, sending a surge of strong energy that forced him to cough up another mouthful of blood, his face pale as he wavered and staggered to his feet, drawing out a slender iron pole forged from refined steel, and charging at Xiao Yan with gritted teeth. Xiao Yan's swift, soaring figure pierced through the mercenaries' defensive lines in an instant. With his right hand gripping the Xu Zhong Chi resting on his shoulder, he suddenly pulled it sharply, causing the black cloth to peel away. The massive pole then crashed horizontally, instantly sending several mercenaries collapsing and spitting blood simultaneously. Within just two or three exchanges, Xiao Yan effortlessly defeated several mercenaries ranked among the five-star combatants. Then, he slowly turned to face Gan Mu, who now surged forward with a faint green aura radiating from his body, wielding the iron pole with fierce determination. Holding the massive black-heavy ruler diagonally in his right hand, Xiao Yan slightly stabilized himself, then forcefully planted his feet into the ground once more. A thunderous burst echoed as his body shot forward, reaching Gan Mu's presence in mere moments. With a subtle tightening of the ruler, he unleashed a surge of fierce, unyielding force, fiercely slashing it across Gan Mu's chest. "Crack..." With the increasing force of Xuan Zhong Chi, the iron staff in Gan Mu's hands, forged from refined steel, gradually began to show cracks. Moments later, the cracks rapidly widened, and finally snapped with a crisp sound. Once struck again, Gan Mu, already pale from before, grew even paler, spewing out a gush of blood. His body rolled like a barrel across the ground, covering over fifteen meters, looking extremely disheveled. On the main path, watching Gan Mu, who was nearly entirely on the defensive under Xiao Yan's attacks, everyone silently drew in a breath. While Gan Mu's earlier setbacks had been due to being unprepared, this series of direct confrontations now revealed that this seemingly young boy possessed strength far exceeding that of Gan Mu. "At his age, he's already defeating a Nine-Star Battle User—what will happen when he grows stronger? Truly astonishing talent. The Wolf-Head Mercenary Corps has truly drawn the short straw by encountering someone like this." Everyone, witnessing Xiao Yan's decisive and fluid combat, couldn't help but silently admire and sigh in envy. Rolling on the ground like a bundle of melons for over a dozen turns, Gan Mu finally staggered to his feet, gazing at the mocking glances around him. His eyes blazed red as he lifted his head, fixing his glare on the young boy holding the black ruler. The venom and fury etched on his face were so intense they sent a shiver of cold through the observer. "Little scamp," Gan Mu rasped, his voice cold and harsh, "if you fall into my hands, you'll suffer more than death!" "I think you won't have much chance of making it out alive," smiled Xiao Yan. The cold resolve in his eyes spoke volumes—having just defeated a Nine-Star Battle User, the blow to the Wolf-Head Mercenary Corps was significant. No matter what, he wouldn't let this boy live to return. A cold sigh escaped him, and indeed, a shiver ran through Gan Mu's heart. Xiao Yan's displayed strength had completely shattered his arrogance. Glancing around, as his eyes fell upon Ling'er, who stood not far from him, a grim smile appeared on his lips. Xiao Yan had seemingly been with Ka Gang and the others earlier—likely they knew each other well. To now attempt to escape from Xiao Yan without even thinking strategically seemed utterly impossible. With this realization, Gan Mu moved swiftly, charging straight toward Ka Gang and his companions. As soon as Gan Mu began to move, Ka Gang and the others noticed something was amiss. Yet Gan Mu's speed far surpassed theirs. Even as they had just formed their defensive stance, Gan Mu suddenly pivoted and launched a sudden attack on Ling'er, who was momentarily distracted. "Ling'er, watch out!" Ka Gang shouted, reacting to Gan Mu's abrupt change in direction. Hearing his roar, Ling'er finally turned her slightly dazed gaze from Xiao Yan and looked at Gan Mu, who was now charging fiercely toward her. Her face was filled with panic, yet her body remained rigid, motionless. "Little Ling'er, hehe, come on, let's go play with Uncle," Gan Mu said, his eyes gleaming with lust as he watched the girl's distressed expression. As Gan Mu closed in, Ling'er was suddenly knocked off her feet, her face pale and trembling violently. She was well aware of the fate that awaited the young girls Gan Mu had previously captured. Seeing the girl in this state, Gan Mu grew even more excited. Yet, just as he reached out to seize her, a young man wielding a heavy ruler appeared like a ghost at her side. Lifting his eyes slightly, Xiao Yan shook his head gently and said, "The Wolf-Head Mercenary Corps truly produces a lot of trash." "Upon finishing, the Xuangong Zhi in Xiao Yan's hands suddenly tightened, then surged with powerful force, transforming into a streak of black shadow and crashing horizontally at lightning speed. 'Boom!' The heavy staff struck with unyielding force directly onto Gan Mu's chest, who stared in sheer terror. His eyes bulged, his chest collapsed inward, and fresh blood—intermixed with shattered internal organs—spilled from his mouth. His body, thrown backward, continued to collide with and snap several trees before finally coming to a halt. Gazing at the young boy's silhouette, gradually fading into the horizon as he carried his black giant ruler, Ling'er, who had collapsed to the ground, spoke in a voice still slightly trembling: "Yes... I'm sorry."