In Martial Universe, Signed in at the Start with Yao Lao's Ring

At this moment, Lin Dong's Fire Python Tiger was being pinned down and ruthlessly thrashed by the Nine-Colored Devouring Python.

Its fiery red rear had turned an even deeper shade of red due to the relentless whipping from the python's tail.

With every strike from the Nine-Colored Devouring Python, Lin Dong's Fire Python Tiger let out wretched howls, sounding like a pitifully wronged creature.

"This… How is this possible?"

Lin Xiao, who had just arrived and witnessed this scene, was utterly dumbfounded.

His jaw dropped wide open as he watched in disbelief, as if he had just seen a ghost.

He simply couldn't comprehend how a Fire Python Tiger, a beast with the potential to reach the Heavenly Yuan Stage, could be getting mercilessly beaten by the small snake raised by Lin Yan.

Even though this Fire Python Tiger had yet to reach its full potential, its strength was at least on par with a practitioner at the sixth or seventh level of the Tempered Body Stage. How could it be so overwhelmingly defeated?

"Brother Lin Yan, is your little snake… also a demonic beast?"

Lin Dong suddenly recalled his previous conversation with Lin Yan. Hadn't he advised Lin Yan to raise a demonic beast? Yet, Lin Yan had already done so— and not just any beast, but an incredibly powerful one!

Thinking of this, Lin Dong couldn't help but ask.

"Yes, she's a little beast I've been raising."

"Apologies, her temper can be a bit fiery. I'll make her stop now."

Lin Yan nodded in response, then turned to call out to the Nine-Colored Devouring Python. The little snake, upon hearing Lin Yan's call, immediately ceased its attack. In a flash, it slithered onto Lin Yan's shoulder, rubbing its head affectionately against his face.

Lin Yan let out a helpless sigh at the sight.

This little snake had a rather peculiar temperament.

When with him, she behaved like an obedient and harmless pet. However, when facing other people or beasts, she showed no mercy.

She had already rampaged through the back mountains of the Lin Clan, frequently clashing with other demonic beasts—sometimes even outright slaughtering them.

Lin Yan had never intervened before. After all, this was a Nine-Colored Devouring Python—arrogance was natural.

However, he hadn't expected her to suddenly pick a fight with Lin Dong's Fire Python Tiger today.

"Lin Dong, my apologies. I should have kept her under better control."

Lin Yan sincerely apologized to Lin Dong.

Putting himself in Lin Dong's shoes, if his own beast had suddenly been attacked, he would have been furious as well. So, he felt that an apology was only appropriate.

Lin Dong was taken aback and quickly waved his hands.

"Brother Lin Yan, there's no need to blame yourself. It's normal for demonic beasts to be hard to manage."

"Besides, I've already checked over Xiao Yan's injuries just now. They're just superficial wounds—nothing serious."

Lin Yan, seeing Lin Dong's generous attitude, felt grateful.

"Thank you, Lin Dong, for your understanding."

He let out a helpless sigh and shot a glance at the little snake, but she merely gazed back at him with innocent, affectionate eyes, making it difficult for him to scold her.

Lin Yan turned his attention to the Fire Python Tiger, which still seemed frightened, shivering slightly at the sight of the Nine-Colored Devouring Python perched on Lin Yan's shoulder.

Only after Lin Yan instructed the python to stay back did the Fire Python Tiger finally relax.

"Here, Xiao Yan, eat this."

Lin Yan retrieved a healing pill from his interspatial ring and fed it to the Fire Python Tiger.

As soon as the beast swallowed the pill, its medicinal effects took hold. The wounds on its body rapidly healed, and the lash marks left by the Nine-Colored Devouring Python gradually faded away.

"Roar! Roar! Roar!"

Sensing its injuries healing, the Fire Python Tiger let out excited roars.

Both Lin Dong and Lin Xiao were equally astonished.

"What an incredible pill! Its effects are truly remarkable!"

After a brief moment of amazement, Lin Dong hesitated slightly before speaking in an embarrassed tone.

"Brother Lin Yan, I feel bad for making you use such a precious pill..."

Lin Yan shook his head.

"My beast was the one who caused the trouble. As her owner, I should take responsibility."

Seeing that it was getting late, Lin Yan bid farewell to Lin Dong and Lin Xiao.

Neither Lin Dong nor Lin Xiao harbored any resentment over the incident.

After all, Lin Yan had done too much for them—such a minor issue wasn't worth affecting their friendship.

Moreover, Lin Yan's handling of the situation had been exceptionally appropriate.

So, after Lin Yan left, not only did Lin Dong hold no resentment, but even Lin Xiao couldn't help but remark:

"That boy Lin Yan really is an outstanding person."

"If it had been someone else, they might have tried to use their friendship as an excuse and shirk responsibility."

"But he voluntarily took responsibility and was generous in his response. He's a man of character!"

"I can rest assured entrusting Qing Tan to his care."

Lin Dong nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, if it's Brother Lin Yan, then there's nothing to worry about!"

On the other side—

After returning home, Lin Yan resumed his cultivation.

And for the following period, this was all he did.

His cultivation method had already undergone a breakthrough. Now, he possessed the advantages of both the Battle Qi Continent and the Martial Universe. By merging the two, Lin Yan's cultivation speed had reached an entirely new level.

Thus, for the next several weeks, Lin Yan immersed himself in relentless cultivation.

And his training efficiency was astonishing.

After approximately half a month of intense cultivation, Lin Yan finally sensed his internal energy reaching a bottleneck.

Without hesitation, he mobilized his Yuan Power to break through. After a series of forceful impacts, he shattered the barrier in his path.

As a result, Lin Yan's strength advanced from the middle stage of the Earthly Yuan Stage directly to the late stage.

"Congratulations, little friend!"

"Your cultivation has advanced yet again."

Yao Lao appeared at the right moment, smiling as he addressed Lin Yan.

Lin Yan responded with a smile.

"This is all thanks to Senior Yao Lao's assistance."

This time, he wasn't just being humble—Yao Lao had indeed provided him with an abundance of alchemical support during his cultivation, significantly boosting his training speed.

"If you take another step forward and reach the Heavenly Yuan Stage, your Eight Extremes Collapse may reach perfection." Yao Lao stroked his beard as he continued.

Lin Yan's Eight Extremes Collapse had been stuck at the greater mastery stage for some time.

This was primarily because his current realm was still too low. His Yuan Power was insufficient, preventing him from grasping the hidden force behind the technique.

If he could elevate his cultivation to the Heavenly Yuan Stage, there was a real possibility that he could master it.

"I see…"

"Then I need to train even harder."

Lin Yan's eyes lit up upon hearing this.

The difference between perfection and greater mastery might seem minor, but in reality, it was worlds apart.

Once Eight Extremes Collapse reached perfection, the force of eight layers of hidden strength stacking together would rival an Earth Tier Battle Technique.

Without those eight layers, it was merely an ordinary High Rank Profound Tier technique.

Thinking about this, Lin Yan became even more eager to cultivate.

However, this time, he suppressed his training impulse and quickly stood up.

"Little friend, do you have something else planned?"

Yao Lao looked at him with curiosity.

Lin Yan smiled and nodded.

"Yes, there's something I need to take care of."