At this rate, it would take about ten more days to break through to the Seventh Rank of the Postnatal stage. Chen Xuan had already surpassed the normal pace of cultivation. According to his previous understanding, reaching the Seventh Rank from the Sixth Rank would take at least half a year. However, he hadn't expected to reach this point in less than ten days.

Chen Xuan continued his journey deeper into the Sunset Mountain Range, encountering and directly slaying Sixth and Seventh Rank magical beasts along the way, absorbing their spiritual energy with the Swallowing Heaven Technique.

Initially, it took half an hour to absorb one inner core, but after a day, Chen Xuan could absorb a Seventh Rank inner core in just over ten minutes. For beasts below the Sixth Rank, Chen Xuan spared them, as their absorption had little use for him.

His true strength was growing rapidly, approaching the Profound Realm. With just the power of his physical body, Chen Xuan's single fist attack could reach over two thousand jin.

He felt the urge to break through again, realizing only now how powerful the Swallowing Heaven Technique given to him by Li Lao was.

A small valley appeared before Chen Xuan's eyes, with towering ancient trees and a charming wild valley inside. Chen Xuan was captivated by the scene, surprised to find such a secluded paradise in the Sunset Mountain Range.

At that moment, Li Lao's voice echoed in Chen Xuan's mind.

"Kid, there's something strange about this valley. I sense a Ninth Rank magical beast lurking inside. A Ninth Rank is not something you can handle for now. It's best for you not to take risks. Wait until you break through to the Seventh Rank before exploring the valley. Places where Ninth Rank magical beasts reside often have genius treasures. Who knows what kind of spirit medicine this beast is guarding."

Chen Xuan bypassed the valley and came to a swampy area, continuing his search for Eighth Rank magical beasts.

"We're being watched, kid!" Li Lao suddenly exclaimed.

Chen Xuan was alert. He hadn't encountered anyone during his half-month in the Sunset Mountain Range, so being followed here was unexpected. He drew his steel knife from his back.

"Which friends are lurking? Show yourselves!" Chen Xuan called out.

"Ha ha ha..."

Three men in their thirties emerged from behind Chen Xuan.

"I didn't expect you to be so alert. You found us so quickly," one of them, a sleazy-looking man, spoke up.

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Chen Xuan realized that if Li Lao hadn't reminded him, he might not have noticed them. At this moment, he was solely focused on finding magical beasts and had neglected the possibility of being followed.

"Kid, hand over all the inner cores you've collected from the beasts, and kowtow to us a few times. We'll spare your life!" the sleazy man demanded.

"Looks like we've run into robbers!" Chen Xuan thought to himself.

Chen Xuan immediately communicated with Li Lao using his spiritual sense.

"Li Lao, what ranks are these three guys?" he asked.

"The sleazy-looking one is at the Eighth Rank of the Postnatal stage, and the other two are at the Seventh Rank. Their true strength is not as solid as yours. You know what to do!" Li Lao analyzed.

"What are you thinking, kid? Hurry up and hand over the inner cores!" the sleazy man continued to shout.

"If you want me to hand over the inner cores, let's see if you have the ability!" Chen Xuan hadn't finished speaking when his steel knife was already in front of the two Seventh Rank men.

"Wind Slash!"

A flurry of blade shadows trapped the two men in the middle, cutting through the surrounding flora and fauna. The two Seventh Rank men hadn't even had a chance to draw their weapons before Chen Xuan's blade sliced through their necks, and blood sprayed from their throats.

Their eyes widened in disbelief. How could a Sixth Rank dare to attack them? They hadn't even had the chance to retaliate, and now they lay on the ground, filled with resentment, before collapsing.

"My brothers!" the sleazy man shouted.

He picked up his weapon and charged, but it was too late. Chen Xuan's blade had already slashed the necks of the other two.

"Kid, I'll tear you apart to avenge my brothers!" the sleazy man roared.

The reason Chen Xuan chose to attack the two Seventh Rank men was to prevent them from joining forces. He wanted to attack the Eighth Rank as well, but he wasn't confident he could land a decisive blow, so he chose to ambush the other two instead.

With two out of the way, Chen Xuan couldn't handle the remaining one. It should be safe for him to retreat. Normally, Chen Xuan wouldn't be able to take down two people in one strike, but these three had underestimated him from the start, thinking a Sixth Rank kid would be easy prey. Little did they know they were in over their heads.

"What are you thinking, kid? Come at me again!" the sleazy man taunted.

Chen Xuan took the initiative this time, slashing with full force. Each strike of his blade became more refined, both in speed and angle, making it increasingly difficult to defend against.

The sleazy man grew more and more shocked as they fought. This kid was indeed a freak. His swordsmanship was at least of high-level Profound Rank. He was refining his swordsmanship in actual combat. The sleazy man began to show signs of retreat.

Though they started at the same rank, Chen Xuan's swordsmanship became more proficient over time. He felt as if he and the sword were one entity, reaching the realm of unity between man and sword.

As Chen Xuan's attacks became more numerous and faster, coupled with the sleazy man's growing intention to retreat, Chen Xuan's strikes became more fierce. The sleazy man became increasingly clumsy, facing frequent crises.

"Puff!"

A slash landed on the sleazy man's left shoulder, chopping off his entire arm, and blood gushed out.

The sleazy man turned and fled, ignoring his two fallen comrades on the ground.

"You think you can escape? No way!" Chen Xuan chased after him, his blade against the sleazy man's shoulder.

"Please spare me, young hero! I was blind and didn't recognize Mount Tai. Please spare my life!" the sleazy man pleaded on his knees.

"Shoo!"

Chen Xuan's blade sliced through the sleazy man's major artery, and blood flowed from his neck, staining the ground.

"Be a good person in your next life and stop being a robber!" Chen Xuan muttered.

He sheathed his steel knife and approached the bodies of the three men, searching for anything useful. He searched the sleazy man first but found nothing. Chen Xuan was puzzled. How could they be so clean after robbing someone?

Chen Xuan didn't give up and searched the other two bodies, finding only a book, several vials of pills, and a stack of silver notes totaling one hundred thousand taels. These silver notes must have been their loot from robbery.

Chen Xuan opened the book and glanced at it. It was the "Falling Leaf Blade Technique," a lower-grade mysterious technique, divided into three styles: the first style, Falling Leaves in Autumn Wind; the second style, Whirlwind of Falling Leaves; and the third style, Returning Leaves to Their Roots.

He tucked the book into his robe and decided to practice it when he had time. It would be a valuable addition to his family's strength once he returned and shared it with them.

Sitting cross-legged, he activated the Swallowing Heaven Technique to absorb the dissipating spiritual energy from the three corpses.