"The Spiritual Fist? What's that…" Ni Yinghong's eyes wandered about, then she asked abruptly, "Is the fist technique related to mental power?"

Ni Yinghong sounded like she was in disbelief when she raised the question; the big yellow dog was not much better too because it widened its eyes dumbfoundedly.

Nonetheless, the fuss they were making was not uncalled for because they were truly shocked by Ou Yangming's answer.

The Spiritual Fist, as the name suggested, was a combination of mental power and fist technique. Despite that, mental power was mental power while a martial arts fist art was a martial arts fist art. The two of them belonged to completely different systems, so how could they be merged?

At the very least, Ni Yinghong had not heard of anything similar because Ou Yangming brought it up.

There seemed to be an invisible barrier between mental power and martial arts cultivation base, and it was a natural moat that could not be broken by even Elder Universe, who was a powerhouse at the peak of Extreme Grade.

Ou Yangming smiled and explained, "Elder Sister Ying, I saw many fist arts in the spiritual world, and I carried out preliminary practices inside."

"What?" Ni Yinghong was shocked. "You practiced fist arts inside?"

"Yes," Ou Yangming answered honestly, "Practicing fist arts in the spiritual world feels different from practicing it in the outside world, but I could clearly spot the arts' flaws and shortcomings. After practicing a few times, I realized that mental power can be attached to fist techniques."

Ni Yinghong and the big yellow dog looked at each other. They previously entered the mental world, but they felt enormous spiritual pressures inside. Besides, a lot of energy was consumed for them to maintain their virtual existence inside as much as possible. As for learning and immediately applying techniques in the spiritual world…

Not everyone had such an absurd ability.

Ou Yangming was still agitated, and he could not wait to show Ni Yinghong what he had learned.

"I attached my mental power to a fist technique, so apart from the fist art, it could also post enormous spiritual pressure on other people. Heh, the spiritual pressure is only an addition, but it can definitely result in an unbelievable effect."

"I know, and I've experienced it." Ni Yinghong looked deeply at him and was soon struck with a thought. "I understand it now. Your fist force is not that mighty, but our feelings tricked us."

Ou Yangming's punch earlier seemed powerful, so much so that even the big yellow dog—a great-ancestor-level half-spirit beast—could not help but flee.

How could a punch like that be made by a Yin Grade martial artist?

"Elder Sister Ying, it didn't exactly trick you. After all, the pressure was real." Ou Yangming chuckled.

Ni Yinghong scoffed because the thought of Lil' Ming tricking her made her feel displeased, and she was not resigned to it. Nevertheless, the young lady was still quite amazed.

How exactly powerful was Ou Yangming's mental power? Perhaps he was able to accomplish the magnificent feat of attaching his mental power to a fist art because of his great mental power.

Ou Yangming flashed to Ni Yinghong and looked at her with his bright eyes, causing her heart to beat fast.

Without any warning, Ou Yangming opened his arms to hug Ni Yinghong.

Ni Yinghong was stunned. Just as she was about to struggle, she felt something unordinary from Ou Yangming's sudden move. As such, the young lady decided after hesitating for a while to quietly lean against him.

"Lil' Ming, are you leaving?"

"Yes, I'm leaving," Ou Yangming answered firmly, "I'm going to the capital."

"Why?" Ni Yinghong asked softly, "I'm almost done, so don't you want to stay to keep me company?"

"Elder Sister Ying, a spirit beast appears once in every hundred years. Is this… Considered God's will?"

"Mm, it was probably predestined…"

"Predestined? Heh, but I don't believe in destiny!" Ou Yangming hugged her even tighter than before. "Even if it's God's will, I'll defy the natural order and change it! So what if it's a spirit beast? I'll kill one if one gets in my way, and I'll kill a pair if there are two of them! I only want you to stay alive!"

Ni Yinghong looked up at him fearfully.

Although Ou Yangming had said something similar in the past, he did not have a murderous look on his face.

Ou Yangming lowered his head to look into her eyes. "The imperial family from the capital has an Almighty Being who can resist spirit beasts, so I'd like to see how exactly powerful the person is."

Ni Yinghong finally understood why Ou Yangming insisted on leaving.

If he stayed in the Land of Inheritance, even if he entered the spiritual world every day, it was near impossible to grow in a short period to be able to resist a spirit beast.

However, the trip to the capital was an uncertain one.

Moreover, Ni Yinghong vaguely noticed a possibility from Ou Yangming's statement.

If he could invite the imperial family's Almighty Being, who kept watch in the capital, to kill the spirit beast in the immense forest, He Liangce and Ni Yinghong might not need to sacrifice themselves.

That said, if things were that simple, why did the people from Changlong and Linlang not adopt the method during the previous disasters?

Ou Yangming and Ni Yinghong did not say a word after that, but the look in their eyes spoke volumes.

The young fellow lowered his head again after a long time to plant a kiss on the red lips in front of him.

They began to breathe heavily, and they hugged each other tightly. It was evident that their thirst for each other had arrived at its peak at that moment.

Just as Ou Yangming almost lost control of himself, hurried barks filled the air.

The barks were like ice-cold water that was poured down on their heads and instantly put out the fire in their hearts, which were burning with desire.

Ou Yangming looked up and glared at the big yellow dog.

The big yellow dog looked around, then it stopped and tucked its tail to escape with the wind.

In any case, the interference from Big Yellow caused the lovely atmosphere to vanish into thin air.

"Pfft…" Ni Yinghong could not help but purse her lips and laughed when she saw how annoyed Ou Yangming was.

Ou Yangming pouted his lips, but he became more resolute. He slowly let go of Ni Yinghong and said, "Elder Sister Ying, I'm leaving now. Wait for my good news!"

He gazed at her eyes one last time, then he turned and fluttered toward the entrance as he shouted, "Big Yellow, send me out!"

A yellow figure zoomed toward him at once, and it left together with Ou Yangming.

Ni Yinghong's vision eventually became blurry, and she had mixed feelings as tears streamed down her face.

※※※※

Ou Yangming and the big yellow dog traveled at the speed of light in the passage, and they almost arrived at the Chaos Cave's exit.

The young fellow stood still and exhaled deeply, then he suddenly expressed his gratitude, "Big Yellow, thank you."

Big Yellow took a step back without a sound, and it became alert.

Ou Yangming grinned. "Big Yellow, if it wasn't for your reminder just now, I might've done something that'll disappoint Elder Sister Ying."

The big yellow dog barked softly, but it did not understand what Ou Yangming meant.

Ou Yangming approached the big yellow dog and bent over a little to hug it. "Big Yellow, I'm entrusting Elder Sister Ying to you, so please take good care of her."

"Woof!" This time, the big dog barked without any hesitation.

Ou Yangming beamed as he was at ease, and he rubbed Big Yellow's head as he uttered, "Wait for my return!"

Following that, he jumped out like a spring and left the Chaos Cave in a flash.

Nobody was outside the cave.

Ni Xuetian brought Ou Yangming here, but he was not going to wait for him to leave.

Ou Yangming took a deep breath after he exited the mysterious cave, then he swayed his body and headed swiftly toward the prefecture.

As he traveled on the main path, his consciousness became livelier.

An intense flame seemed to be dancing in Ou Yangming's heart. He did not want to part with Ni Yinghong, but he was forced to leave for the sake of a longer-lasting life in the future.

The young man accelerated as though he wanted to vent his discontent.

There were many travelers and carriages on the road, but Ou Yangming overtook them easily.

Just as Ou Yangming was going to increase his speed again, he was suddenly alarmed.

Without any hesitation, Ou Yangming turned and flew toward the left promptly because a flash of a figure appeared in front of him. If he had not turned away, he would certainly have crashed into that person.

Ou Yangming's face changed when he halted and turned to look.

He was familiar with the person who hindered him because it was the elder who was always by He Liangce's side.

Back when the young fellow appraised raw gemstones with He Liangce at the Yi Pavilion, the elder was not very friendly toward him. After taking a close look at Ou Yangming's face, the elder raised his eyebrows and said, "It's you."

Ou Yangming found his footing and responded with a smile, "Yes. I'm aware that you're from the He family, but how should I address you?"

"I'm He Defu, the He family's steward." The elder scoffed and looked at Ou Yangming sinisterly. "Young Master Ou, why are you in such a hurry? Where are you going?"

"Of course I'm going back to the prefecture." Ou Yangming showed a faint smile. "Elder He, why are you stopping me halfway?"

"I'm escorting a batch of resources to the prefecture, and I thought you wanted to rob the carriage because you traveled so hastily. Heh, it's a small misunderstanding, so please don't blame me, Young Master Ou." He Defu had a strange look in his eyes when he spoke, and he suddenly changed the topic. "Young Master, I heard you're quite familiar with the Ni family's eldest young lady."

"Heh, I'm not just familiar with her," Ou Yangming replied to the elder with a smile, "Elder Sister Ying and I are in love with each other."

He Defu looked fierce right away, and he remarked with a deep voice, "Young Master Ou, you should think it through."

Ou Yangming put his hands behind his back and asked, "I've thought it through. Do you have a suggestion for me, Elder He?"

He Defu's eyes glowed, and he looked around him before he requested coldly, "I've long heard of your name, and I'd like to learn a thing or two from you, so I hope you won't refuse to give me some kind advice, Young Master Ou."

As soon as the elder's voice died away, he took a step forward to grab Ou Yangming.