With half a game of chess, I vanquish all demons!

At the foot of the desolate rock mountain, at the only pass on the way up, Zhao Yao swallowed all the pills left behind by Yan Rouyun.

He sat cross-legged on a large rock, closed his eyes, and used the jade chess piece to continuously contain the primordial energy generated within his body.

After a long while, the effects of the medicine wore off.

From an internal perspective, the amount of primordial energy stored in the jade chess piece is clearly displayed.

The first layer of flame filled the space, outlining a small figure of primordial energy.

The second layer of flames filled the space, outlining the second primordial energy figure.

In the third layer of flame, a third primordial energy figure is outlined.

In the fourth layer of flame, the fourth primordial energy figure is outlined.

Yan Rouyun, oh Yan Rouyun, I wonder what her identity is, that she is so rich. With the few remaining pills, she not only replenished the vital energy she had previously consumed, but also gained two more lives.

Zhao Yao sighed inwardly, then possessed the four Yuan Qi figures one after another. He clenched his fists, feeling that his strength had surpassed that of a normal Black Iron Realm Warrior.

He excitedly sensed it for a moment, then withdrew the primordial energy figure and stood up from the stone.

He walked to the bundle, took out a measuring tape, and measured his own height.

Two meters and one or two inches!

He has reached a height of 2.12 meters.

In the past few days, he has grown a full ten centimeters.

Is the rapid growth of the body due to the moment of life and death, or is it because the two primordial qi figures collapsed?

After thinking for a moment, Zhao Yao immediately began the experiment.

"The flow of Qi, when deep, accumulates; when accumulated, it expands... Following the natural flow brings life. Going against it brings death."

He practiced the Warrior's Breathing Technique, allowing his vital energy to permeate his entire body, while simultaneously striking his body repeatedly to simulate the previous situation where his vital energy combined with external forces and collided within his body.

A day passed amidst these strange actions.

The next day, Zhao Yao measured his height again and found that he had indeed grown by about three centimeters.

This is a major discovery!

If one maintains this pace and has sufficient vital energy, wouldn't one's progress in practicing the "Warrior Breathing Method" be rapid?

Zhao Yao felt a surge of joy, but when he looked around, there was no one to share this feeling with.

He started walking and went up the mountain path for a while, looking into the distance, but he didn't see a single person.

Why haven't the military officers who are supposed to escort us arrived yet...?

Helpless, he could only continue to wait while practicing the "Warrior Breathing Technique".

As the sun rises and the moon moves on, another day has passed.

Zhao Yao measured his height again and found that he had grown another five centimeters, reaching a height of 2.2 meters.

The Hercules' breathing technique is progressing rapidly!

In the Jade Man Chess game, the vital energy supplied for cultivation is also rapidly depleted.

The primordial energy of the fourth flame layer has now decreased by eight-tenths. If it continues to be consumed, the third primordial energy figure will no longer be able to be drawn.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Yao immediately stopped practicing the "Warrior Breathing Technique".

My vital energy is being depleted too quickly; I'll continue later when I obtain more pills.

He stood up and started walking up the mountain again along the path.

This time, he went even further up the mountain, to a vantage point where he could see the surrounding area below, but still did not see the military officer who was supposed to guide him.

"Did I come to the wrong place?"

Zhao Yao couldn't help but have doubts.

He returned to the foot of the mountain and immediately took out the mission scroll to check it. Just then, several people came into his view.

"...Three people."

Zhao Yao looked at the three of them, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Two people followed behind, each about 2.5 to 2.6 meters tall.

The one who was walking in front was over 3.33 meters tall!

As the man approached, his figure, once seen by Zhao Yao, appeared extremely striking.

With a strong body over three meters tall, eyes like burning embers, massive muscles in his chest, and skin as black as iron, he looked as if he had been cast in molten iron, like an iron statue that had come to life!

All the unusual physical characteristics he exhibited indicated that he was a Black Iron Realm Warrior.

The three men looked like they were heading up the mountain, and when they passed by Zhao Yao, they gave him a wary look.

It was this one glance that made the three of them stop in front of a large rock after walking some distance.

Three men huddled together. Black Iron Warrior pulled out a bounty poster and said to his companions:

"Look, doesn't it look like him?"

Zhao Yao stood to the side and nodded in confirmation:

"It looks like it; it must be the same person."

"Holy crap..."

Zhao Yao's sudden appearance and voice startled the three of them, causing them to scatter in a flash.

The leading Black Iron Realm warrior looked at Zhao Yao warily, sized him up, and then asked:

"Are you Zhao Yao, a student from Wangzhou County School?"

"It's me. You were looking for me?"

Zhao Yao nodded in agreement.

He looked at the three men and saw the wanted poster they were holding.

That's the kind of cheap paper that's posted in places like gambling dens.

They must have received bounties to kill me... Now even gambling dens have their own bounties.

Did Su Shangtao do it...?

Zhao Yao's eyes flickered, and a thought crossed his mind.

Perfect timing! I was just thinking of testing my skills against a Black Iron Realm warrior.

"I am Wu Wei, a Black Iron Realm Warrior. I greet Young Master Zhao."

Surprisingly, Wu Wei, who had the advantage in both numbers and height, did not make a move immediately. Instead, he politely bowed to Zhao Yao.

"...You are too kind, sir."

Zhao Yao stared at him in surprise, wondering what was going on. Why was he being so polite? Wasn't he here to kill me?

Damn it! I've been scammed!

When the reward was offered, the middleman clearly stated that Zhao Yao was a scholar with little martial prowess.

But looking at his expression now, with the three of us standing right in front of him, he doesn't seem scared at all. There must be something seriously wrong here!

We must not be careless.

Wu Wei, observing the expressions and demeanor, made a judgment. His mind raced, but he remained calm, smiling as he spoke:

"Young Master Zhao, to be honest, my two brothers and I came here on your offer of a reward."

Logically speaking, they should have killed the young master.

But just now, when I saw Young Master Zhao's appearance, I was reminded of a deceased friend, and I really couldn't bear to kill him.

However, since the bounty has already been offered, it's not good to just leave it at that... How about this, I'll have a fight with Young Master Zhao, and if I win, Young Master Zhao will come with us.

There is a reward for capturing the young master alive.

If I lose, the money on the three of us can be chosen by you, young master, as an apology.

What do you think, young master?

"Brother, why are you being so polite to this pretty boy..."

One of Wu Wei's henchmen was very puzzled.

"Shut up!"

Wu Wei's smile froze, and he turned around to sternly reprimand his underling.

Fortunately, he was Black Iron Warrior, whose skin was naturally dark, so his dark complexion was not noticeable.

"He makes a good point. There's no need to be so polite. Just bring it on."

Zhao Yao nodded in agreement.

"...No, no, no, we have no deep-seated hatred for each other, how can we joke about the young master's life?"

Let's decide this by having the two of us fight it out.

Wu Wei quickly waved his hand, changing the fight back to a duel.

"If you want to fight, then fight; if you want to kill, then kill. Why make things so complicated?"

Come on, all of you, come at me together.

Zhao Yao wanted to be straightforward, so he directly challenged Zhao Yao to a duel.

"Let's not talk about killing... Let's be gentle and decide the outcome through a contest."

Wu Wei wore a forced smile.

Let's put aside the question of whether they're on opposing sides.

Is it possible that if I fight all three of you and kill you, all the money on you will be mine?

Is it a bit too much to think that you're using money that rightfully belongs to me as a bargaining chip in our gamble?

"You are polite, but utterly shameless."

Zhao Yao smiled faintly, feeling that the current situation was strangely absurd.

This strongman is really thinking things through. He doesn't want a direct confrontation or the risk of death, nor does he want to spend any extra money, yet he still wants to get things done.

How can so many good things in the world fall into your lap?