Xue'er's figure suddenly flashed, appearing behind Li Mu, her clothes fluttering with a hint of coolness.
"Li Dage, are we really letting them go to the Tianhuang Mountain Range like that? That's a famous Jedi in the Eastern Region of Central State. Should we follow them?" Xue'er asked with some worry.
Li Mu frowned. If he didn't secretly follow, he would also be a bit uneasy. Xiaojin and Xiaowa had been with him since they were young, for over a thousand Years, never leaving his protection. But if he followed secretly, how could they truly Breakthrough their Bloodline shackles between life and death?
"The path of cultivation, after all, must be forged by oneself. Although the Tianhuang Mountain Range is extremely dangerous, it is also the best place for them to temper themselves," Li Mu hesitated.
"But what if they really encounter a Ninth-rank Yao Emperor, or accidentally enter an ancient killing array?" Xue'er reminded him.
"If I am by their side, they will always have a sense of reliance. True transformation can only be stimulated in desperate situations. The Talisman I gave them can save their lives if they truly encounter a life-and-death crisis," Li Mu said with a stern expression, "But unless it's absolutely necessary, I will not intervene!"
Upon hearing this, Xue'er's eyes lit up, and she pointed out, "Li Dage, you're still going to follow them secretly, aren't you?"
Li Mu turned his head, too lazy to bother with her.
Xue'er chuckled, saying no more, only a hint of slyness flashing in her eyes. Li Mu ultimately couldn't bring himself to be ruthless; he still couldn't let go of Xiaojin and Xiaowa, who had accompanied him for a thousand Years.
On the other side, the Green-Eyed Golden Ape and Ink Jade Rock Lizard, after leaving Li Mu, headed east. After a burst of excitement, their mood couldn't help but feel a little down.
As they left, Li Mu used his spell to retrieve the Spirit Control Contract Seal he had left on them, severing the bond with their master, which left them feeling empty.
"Xiaowa, do you think Master doesn't want us anymore?" Xiaojin scratched his head, a hint of confusion flashing in his golden eyes.
"What are you talking about! Master wants us to find our own Opportunity, Break through our Bottleneck as soon as possible, and once we reach a higher Realm, we'll be able to return to Master's side!" The Ink Jade Rock Lizard glared at Xiaojin irritably, saying firmly.
The two fellows traveled in silence, the barren plains beneath their feet gradually replaced by rolling mountains. In the distance, the Tianhuang Mountain Range lay like a ferocious beast prostrate on the horizon, and the roars of Yao Beasts could vaguely be heard in the wind.
"Hey, you think..." Xiaojin suddenly lowered his voice, looking back furtively, "Will Master actually be hiding somewhere, watching us?"
The Ink Jade Rock Lizard's pupils constricted slightly. He tried his best to release his Divine Sense, but did not perceive any familiar Qi.
"There's no Qi of Master's," Xiaowa shook his head, then affirmed, "However... since Master prepared a large number of Dao Pills and Daoist robes for us, it means he hasn't truly abandoned us."
Xiaojin rubbed his head and grinned, "Hehe, you're right! Even though Master seems strict on the surface, he's definitely still thinking of us in his heart!"
Xiaojin and Xiaowa no longer hesitated, accelerating their pace towards the Tianhuang Mountain Range.
As the two delved deeper into the Tianhuang Mountain Range, the surrounding Spiritual Qi became increasingly dense, and the pervasive Demonic Qi grew more violent. The Yao Beasts along the way, sensing the Qi of the two Seven-rank True Spirits, retreated far away.
"It seems our strength is still quite formidable in this outer region," Xiaojin smiled proudly, his golden fur shimmering in the sunlight.
Xiaowa, however, was much more cautious: "Don't be careless. This is just the outer perimeter. We've already encountered so many high-level Yao Beasts here. The depths of the Tianhuang Mountain Range must be extremely dangerous."
Just as he was speaking, a commotion suddenly came from the forest ahead. Dozens of Sixth-rank Gray-backed Azure Wolves fled in a panic, as if something terrifying was chasing them.
"Huh? Why are those guys running?"
Xiaojin couldn't help but be curious, vigilantly staring at the area behind the Gray-backed Azure Wolf pack.
Suddenly, the ground began to tremble violently, and a huge black shadow burst out from the forest. It was a massive, pitch-black python, a hundred zhang long, a Seven-rank Yao Spirit—the Mystic Dark Black Python!
Seeing Xiaojin and Xiaowa, a hint of hesitation flashed in the Mystic Dark Black Python's eyes, and she turned to flee.
"You came and now you want to run?"
Xiaojin's golden pupils flared, his fur bristled, and his figure suddenly transformed into a golden lightning bolt, chasing after her. He shouted, "It's rare to meet an opponent of equal strength; it's a good chance for me to stretch my muscles!"
Seeing this, Xiaowa immediately and tacitly spread out their formation. A yellowish spiritual light emanated from his body, and he slammed his hands onto the ground: "Earth Vein Lock!"
In an instant, dozens of rock pillars suddenly rose from the ground within a hundred zhang radius, forming a natural cage that completely blocked the Mystic Dark Black Python's escape route. The Black Python furiously swung her giant tail, snapping several rock pillars in half, but her breakout speed had already greatly decreased.
"Well done!"
Xiaojin laughed loudly, his figure suddenly expanding in mid-air, transforming into a five-zhang tall golden Golden Ape. His fists, like drums, heavily pounded the Black Python's vulnerable seven-inch spot.
The Mystic Dark Black Python cried out in pain, violently twisting her snake body and spitting out a cloud of foul-smelling poisonous mist. Xiaojin was already prepared; the Talisman on his neck glowed faintly, forming a light golden cover on his body, completely isolating the poisonous mist.
"Is that all you've got?" Xiaojin grinned, his fists glowing even brighter as he threw a direct punch.
"Boom!"
This punch landed squarely on the Black Python's head, actually smashing half of her head into the ground.
The Mystic Dark Black Python roared in pain, her scales suddenly glowing with an eerie black light, and her body actually expanded by another third.
"Be careful! She's fighting for her life!" Xiaowa immediately warned, simultaneously forming hand seals rapidly and casting a spell: "Rock Armor Protection!"
Streams of earthy yellow spiritual power condensed around Xiaojin, forming thick rock armor. Almost simultaneously, the Mystic Dark Black Python's massive tail swept over with a whooshing sound, heavily striking Xiaojin's body.
"Bang!"
The rock armor shattered with a crack, but it successfully absorbed most of the impact. Xiaojin used the momentum to leap back, his Battle Intent growing stronger in his eyes when he landed: "Good fellow, that's more like it!"
"Hiss—two ignorant brats!" The Mystic Dark Black Python suddenly spoke human words, and rolling black mist rose from her body. In the twisted Demonic Qi, she actually transformed into a seductive woman dressed in black gauze.
The Mystic Dark Black Python sneered repeatedly, her fingernails suddenly growing three feet long, glowing with an eerie blue poisonous light: "This venerable one has cultivated in this Tianhuang Mountain Range for four thousand eight hundred Years. Today, I will let you outsiders know the rules!"
"Pah!" Xiaojin spat, pulling out a golden light from his ear, "A mere long worm dares to put on airs in front of this young master?"
The golden light grew with the wind, transforming into a golden staff with nine lifelike Dragon patterns coiled around its body, and a ferocious snake head carved at its tip. As soon as this staff appeared, the plants and trees within a ten-zhang radius were all pulverized by the sharp Protective Aura.
A hint of apprehension flashed in the Mystic Dark Black Python's eyes. She suddenly formed a strange hand seal: "Nether Poison Domain, open!"
In an instant, within a hundred zhang radius centered on her, viscous black liquid seeped from the ground, and a nauseatingly sweet smell permeated the air. A thousand-year-old ancient tree that had miraculously survived was touched by the black mist, its bark instantly festering and peeling off, revealing a skeletal trunk.
"Beware of Domain erosion!" Xiaowa roared, spitting out a pitch-black stone seal from his mouth. The seal grew with the wind, instantly becoming the size of a house, and the two ancient seal characters "Zhen Yue" at its base burst forth with earthy yellow light.
"Black Rock Square Seal, rise!"
At Xiaowa's command, the Square Seal crashed to the ground, forcefully blocking the spreading poison three zhang away. The earthy yellow halo emanating from the seal formed a barrier, creating a pure land around Xiaojin.
"Good teamwork!" The Mystic Dark Black Python smiled sinisterly, her figure suddenly flickering like a ghost in the poisonous mist, "But unfortunately, within my poison Domain, you are dead for sure!"
Before the Mystic Dark Black Python finished speaking, Xiaojin had already swept his staff horizontally: "Noisy!"
"Clang!"
The golden staff heavily struck the Mystic Dark Black Python's poisonous fangs, producing the sound of metal clashing. The Mystic Dark Black Python was forced back more than ten steps, a look of horror flashing in her eyes. She hadn't expected the Golden Ape's strength to be so terrifying, shaking her arms numb.
"Take this!"
Xiaowa seized the Opportunity, controlling the Square Seal to smash down from the air. The Mystic Dark Black Python hastily transformed into black mist and scattered. Where she had stood, a three-zhang deep giant pit had been smashed, and the rocks at the bottom of the pit had turned molten.
"You're courting death!" The Mystic Dark Black Python was utterly enraged. She suddenly bit her tongue and spat out a mouthful of Essence Blood, roaring, "Myriad Poisons Devour Heart!"
The Essence Blood transformed into a sky full of poisonous needles, each glowing with an eerie purple light, tracing strange arcs in the air. Xiaojin wielded his long staff to form a golden barrier, but seven or eight poisonous needles still penetrated his defense.
"Ugh!" Xiaojin grunted, his right arm instantly turning an abnormal bluish-purple, and his muscles began to wither at a visible rate.
Seeing this, Xiaowa's eyes were about to split. The Square Seal suddenly split into twelve illusory images: "Twelve Zhen Yue Array!"
The twelve great seals formed a mysterious array, trapping the Mystic Dark Black Python firmly in the center. At the same time, Xiaojin endured the severe pain, bit the index finger of his left hand, and smeared it on the staff: "Golden Protective Aura Nine Transformations, Dragon Snake Kill!"
The Dragon patterns on the golden staff suddenly came alive. Nine Dragon-shaped Protective Aura roared out, each Dragon Qi entwined with a snake-shaped phantom, weaving into a net in the air!
"Ah—" The Mystic Dark Black Python let out a shrill scream. Under the tearing of the Dragon Protective Aura, her semi-human form could no longer be maintained, and she reverted to her giant python true form. However, her scales were shattered all over, and a shocking wound was torn open at her seven-inch spot, greenish-black blood gushing out like a spring.
Xiaojin gasped for breath, about to deliver a fatal blow, when his expression suddenly changed drastically.
The heavily wounded Mystic Dark Black Python suddenly raised her head to the sky, letting out a piercing shriek that echoed through the clouds. This shriek contained a special rhythm, reverberating layer by layer among the Peaks of the Tianhuang Mountain Range.
"Oh no! She's summoning companions!" Xiaowa hastily urged the Square Seal, exclaiming, "Quickly finish her off!"
However, it was too late. In the mountains within a hundred li radius, a chorus of hissing responses suddenly rose and fell. From the nearest valley, a black shadow, even thicker by a third than the Mystic Dark Black Python, was rapidly slithering over, causing rocks to crack and trees to fall wherever it passed.
Xiaojin struggled to stand up, but found his right arm had completely lost feeling. Even more terrifying, the poison was spreading towards his heart. He bared his teeth and looked at Xiaowa: "You go first, I'll cover your retreat!"
"Nonsense!" Xiaowa cursed, then suddenly pulled out a Dao Pill bottle from his embrace, poured out a Dao Pill, and urged, "Soul Return Dao Pill can detoxify, quickly take it!"
Xiaojin swallowed the Dao Pill in one gulp, and immediately a cool sensation flowed from his throat directly to his right arm. The bluish-purple poison was forced back by the medicinal power, retreating step by step, condensing into fine black crystals on the skin surface and falling off with a rustling sound.
"How dare you!"
A voice even colder than before came from the direction of the valley. A larger, purple-patterned lightning python burst out of the forest, with a pair of ferocious bone horns on its head, and purple lightning wrapped around its body. The ground trembled as it moved; it was the Peak Eighth-rank "Zi Dian Jiao Python"!
Xiaowa's expression changed dramatically, and the Black Rock Square Seal in his hand buzzed: "This is trouble..."
The Zi Dian Jiao Python's cold vertical pupils swept across the battlefield. When she saw the heavily wounded, dying Mystic Dark Black Python, her pupils suddenly constricted into a thin line: "Third Sister!"
"Big Sister... avenge me..." The Mystic Dark Black Python's breath was like a faint wisp of smoke. Her snake tail twitched weakly twice, then stopped moving.
"You all—deserve to die!" The Zi Dian Jiao Python roared to the sky, and the bone horns on her head suddenly burst forth with dazzling purple light. In an instant, the sky within a thousand zhang radius abruptly darkened, and lightning snakes danced wildly in the dark clouds.
"Boom!"
A purple lightning bolt, as thick as a bucket, struck down, hitting the barrier formed by the Black Rock Square Seal directly. Xiaowa grunted, a trace of blood overflowing from the corner of his mouth, and eight of the twelve illusory seals instantly shattered.
"Golden Protective Aura Body!" Xiaojin struggled to swing his golden staff. Nine Dragon-shaped Protective Aura spiraled upwards, weaving into a golden barrier above their heads. The second lightning bolt struck, and four of the Dragon-shaped Protective Aura instantly dissipated. The aftershock shook Xiaojin back seven steps.
The Zi Dian Jiao Python moved her hundred-meter-long body, and wherever she passed, plants withered and scorched. She suddenly opened her mouth and spat out a purplish-black poisonous mist. This mist was completely different from the Mystic Dark Black Python's previous poisonous mist; it actually contained fine lightning.
With sizzling sounds, the rocks touched by the poisonous mist actually melted like wax!
"Go!"
Xiaowa suddenly roared, forming hand seals like lightning. A yellowish spiritual light burst from his body, and the ground beneath his feet rippled like water. He grabbed Xiaojin's arm, and their figures instantly sank into the ground.
"Earth Escape · Thousand Rock Layers!"
As Xiaowa cast the spell, the two rapidly moved through the earth veins. The rock layers behind them continuously closed, forming dozens of thick rock walls as obstacles. Ancient earth-element Talisman appeared on each rock wall, emitting powerful spiritual energy fluctuations.
"Cough cough..." Xiaojin spat out a mouthful of black blood in the earth veins, "This poison... is quite potent."
"Don't talk!" Xiaowa's expression was grave. His left hand maintained the Earth Escape technique, and his right hand rapidly calculated their position: "That Demonic Python's lightning escape speed is extremely fast; we must..."
Before he finished speaking, a violent tremor suddenly came from the rock layer above!
"Boom!"
Suddenly, a purple lightning bolt arrived in an instant, piercing through dozens of zhang of thick rock layers, striking directly at their location.
Xiaowa hastily sacrificed the Black Rock Square Seal to block, and the Square Seal was struck, sending sparks flying.
"I've found you, little mice~" The Zi Dian Jiao Python's chilling voice came through the rock layers, making one's hair stand on end.
Xiaowa's pupils constricted, and his hand seals suddenly changed: "Earth Vein Roaming Dragon!"
Their figures suddenly accelerated underground, moving like swimming Dragons through the complex earth veins. Every time they passed a spot, Xiaowa would leave several earth-element Talisman. These Talisman would instantly dissolve upon landing, forming small maze barriers.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Loud explosions of rock layers continuously came from behind. Through his Divine Sense, Xiaowa was horrified to discover that the Zi Dian Jiao Python had actually transformed into human form, with purple lightning wrapped around her body, moving through the rock layers like a fish in water. Those maze barriers could at most delay her for only a moment.
"We can't escape like this..." Xiaojin bared his teeth, roaring, "Let me out, I'll hold her off!"
"Shut up!" Fine beads of sweat seeped from Xiaowa's forehead. He suddenly bit his tongue, spitting a mouthful of Essence Blood onto the Square Seal, "Earth Vein Return to Origin, escape!"
The characters "Zhen Yue" on the Square Seal suddenly glowed with dazzling light. Their figures instantly merged into the spiritual energy torrent of the earth veins, and their speed increased threefold. The rock layers along the way automatically separated, forming a straight passage.
"Huh?" The pursuing Zi Dian Jiao Python suddenly stopped, a look of surprise on her face, "She can actually draw upon the Origin of the earth veins... Interesting."
She sneered, forming hand seals, and the bone horns on her head glowed intensely with purple light: "Lightning Domain · Thousand Snakes Chasing Souls!"
"Sizzle sizzle sizzle—"
Hundreds of hair-thin purple lightning bolts burst from around her body. These lightning bolts, like living creatures, drilled into the rock layers, rapidly spreading along the direction of the earth vein's spiritual energy flow. Wherever they passed, the rocks vaporized, forming countless tiny lightning tunnels.
"Oh no!" Xiaowa's Divine Sense detected the anomaly behind them, and his face changed dramatically: "She's polluting the earth veins with lightning!"
Indeed, the purple lightning quickly caught up to the two, releasing terrifying destructive power. Xiaowa had to frequently change direction to dodge, and his escape speed immediately decreased greatly.
"Boom!"
A thick lightning pillar suddenly struck down from diagonally above. Xiaowa hastily dodged, but his right shoulder was still grazed, instantly turning charred black.
"I've got you!"
The Zi Dian Jiao Python's figure slowly emerged from the rock layer ahead, her ten fingers wrapped in deadly lightning. (End of Chapter)
