Chapter 43 : Chapter 43
Chapter 43: The Blood Spirit Fruit in Hand, and Li Xingge’s Deal with the Blood Spirit Flame Python
Under Zou Jin’s guidance, the group entered the Qinghe Mountain Range under cover of night, carrying torches.
They had only just entered the mountain when a shrill wolf’s howl rang out.
At night, the deep mountain forests were a paradise for savage beasts.
Because it was the middle of the night, the group’s pace was very slow.
After traveling for half an hour, Li Xingge suddenly raised a hand.
The Li Clan cultivators immediately drew their sabers and warily guarded against all directions.
Awoooo!
A long, mournful wolf’s howl echoed through the forest and lingered without fading.
Then, pairs of red-glowing eyes emerged from the darkness.
They stared at these intruders who had stepped into their territory, their eyes flickering as they itched to make a move.
The Grand Elder stepped forward and released his aura without the slightest reservation, frightening the wolves into tucking their tails and fleeing in panic.
The group continued onward, advancing through the darkness for who knew how long.
Only when dawn was about to break did Zou Jin slowly point at the waterfall ahead and say, “We’ve arrived. The Blood Spirit Fruit is in the valley behind that waterfall.”
Li Xingge glanced at A-Liang.
The latter nodded. “My lord, he didn’t lie to you. But there is one thing he didn’t say. That Blood Spirit Fruit is guarded by an extremely powerful demonic serpent!”
Li Xingge shot Zou Jin a cold glance.
The latter was clearly feeling guilty and turned his head away.
“Lead the way.”
Thinking of the demonic serpent’s power and savagery, Zou Jin’s face became rather ugly, but he did not dare disobey Li Xingge’s command.
He could only steel himself and jump into the pool. The others followed him in.
Passing through the surging waterfall, they saw the narrow ravine path beyond it.
Li Xingge had Zou Jin and A-Liang walk in front.
The group entered the valley in orderly succession.
As they looked upon that endless sea of medicinal herbs before them, even though they had long prepared themselves mentally, they were still deeply shaken.
When they walked farther in, they finally saw the legendary Blood Spirit Fruit Tree.
The strange fragrance drifting on the wind caused the qi and blood within everyone’s bodies to churn.
“Family Head, it is indeed the Blood Spirit Fruit without a doubt!”
The Grand Elder said with an excited face.
Li Xingge inhaled the strange fragrance deeply, almost intoxicated by it.
If he ate even one of these Blood Spirit Fruits, it would equal several months of bitter cultivation.
In an instant, Li Xingge’s gaze toward the Blood Spirit Fruit turned burning hot with greed.
He leapt into the air, his body coming to a halt atop the great demon’s skeleton. Looking at the enticing Blood Spirit Fruits above him, he reached out, preparing to pluck them.
But at that very moment, a sudden change occurred.
HISSS!
An angry serpent’s hiss came from the depths of the cavern.
In the next instant, the demonic serpent’s enormous body burst out of the cavern with overbearing violence.
Li Xingge immediately retreated.
The demonic serpent coiled its body and guarded the Blood Spirit Fruit Tree. Yet, contrary to expectations, it did not launch an attack. It merely continued flicking its tongue and issuing warning hisses.
Its intelligence was far from low. From Li Xingge, it had sensed a dangerous aura.
This furless monkey was not easy to provoke.
Li Xingge narrowed his eyes and sized up the massive creature before him.
Compared to it, the human body was as tiny as an ant.
At the side, the Grand Elder recognized the beast’s origin at a glance.
With a solemn expression, he said to Li Xingge, “Family Head, be careful. It is an adult Blood Spirit Flame Python! It excels at controlling fire. An adult Blood Spirit Flame Python possesses strength comparable to a human Qi-Blood Realm cultivator. But according to the Record of Myriad Demons, an adult Blood Spirit Flame Python should not grow this large.”
Li Xingge guessed, “It should be because it consumed the Blood Spirit Fruit, causing it to undergo a mutation. That is why its body has grown so enormous.”
“That should be the case. This Blood Spirit Flame Python will not be easy to handle.”
The Grand Elder’s tone was heavy.
“In the end, it is only a beast.”
Li Xingge’s voice was filled with confidence.
With those words, Li Xingge’s figure shot into the sky. A powerful and peerless pressure spread out from him at the center, sweeping across the entire valley like a tidal wave.
Under that terrifying pressure, everyone felt as insignificant as ants.
As they looked at the figure hanging high in midair, the awe in their eyes deepened further.
Even the Grand Elder, who was also a Qi-Blood Realm cultivator, felt a sense of powerlessness rise in his heart.
The Family Head’s strength had likely reached a level he could not even imagine.
The Grand Elder stroked his beard in amazement.
Li Xingge’s gaze turned sharp. Zhanxu left its sheath at his waist, and gripping the blade that could cut iron like mud, he slashed downward from high above. The sword qi descended like thunder, striking toward the demonic serpent.
HISSS!
Facing this murderous blow from the heavens, the Blood Spirit Flame Python’s bronze-bell-sized eyes showed unmistakable wariness.
It opened its mouth, and blazing flames poured out endlessly from within, like an erupting volcano capable of melting all things.
Sword qi and flame collided, the two clashing ceaselessly.
Yet in the end, Li Xingge held the upper hand.
The tyrannical sword qi broke through the flames, split them apart, and slashed heavily across the Blood Spirit Flame Python’s body.
Sparks burst everywhere. Its hard scales were torn open by the sword qi, leaving behind a vicious wound as scorching demon blood gushed out like a spring.
The Blood Spirit Flame Python cried out in pain, releasing a miserable wail that echoed throughout the valley.
Stung by pain, its serpent eyes filled with ferocity.
With a violent sweep of its thick tail, it smashed it against the stone wall. The terrifying force shattered the wall, and countless stones rained down.
Seeing this, the Li Clan cultivators hurriedly raised their sabers to block.
Yet one boulder weighing several thousand jin came crashing down with the force of Mount Tai pressing overhead.
That was no longer something a Physical Body Realm cultivator could face.
Fortunately, the Grand Elder stepped forward in time. His powerful qi-and-blood power erupted as he leapt up and clenched both fists, smashing one punch into the several-thousand-jin boulder. The giant rock exploded apart on the spot.
Meanwhile, another round of combat between Li Xingge and the Blood Spirit Flame Python had already begun.
One wielded a sword, the other spewed fire, and for a short time the two were locked in a fierce stalemate.
After its mutation, the Blood Spirit Flame Python’s strength was astonishing. Even Li Xingge, who had reached Minor Accomplishment in the Qi-Blood Realm, could not defeat it quickly.
“Family Head, let me assist you!”
The Grand Elder roared and joined the battle in a flying leap.
Under the siege of two Qi-Blood Realm cultivators, the demonic serpent found itself unable to fend off both front and rear. More and more wounds appeared on its body, and it gradually fell into a disadvantage, its aura weakening.
With its high intelligence, it knew very well that if the fight continued, it would lose its life.
Though it was extremely unwilling to part with the Blood Spirit Fruit, its own life was ultimately more important.
After forcing the two men back once again, the Blood Spirit Flame Python let out a hiss, then, under their surprised gazes, swiftly shrank back into the cavern.
“This demonic serpent is rather clever.”
Li Xingge returned his sword to its sheath and smiled.
“What do we do now? Shall we press the advantage and kill the serpent demon?”
The Grand Elder suggested.
Li Xingge shook his head. “No. Inside the cavern, our movements will be restricted. It will be difficult to kill it there.”
“That demonic serpent really is cunning.”
The Grand Elder said angrily.
“It does not matter. Our goal was never to kill it, but to obtain the Blood Spirit Fruit. And now, the Blood Spirit Fruit belongs to us.”
Looking at the heavy fruits hanging from the Blood Spirit Fruit Tree, Li Xingge said with a smile.
“Hurry and pluck every Blood Spirit Fruit. Be careful with your movements.”
The Grand Elder gave the order in a deep voice.
Two Li Clan cultivators immediately began picking the Blood Spirit Fruits with utmost care.
Before long, every Blood Spirit Fruit on the tree had been picked clean.
There were seventeen in total.
A single spirit fruit was worth ten thousand gold.
This time, the Li Clan had made an immense profit.
Li Xingge looked over the Blood Spirit Fruit Tree, and a thought suddenly flashed through his mind. “Grand Elder, if we only take the fruits, that would be too much of a loss. Why not transplant the Blood Spirit Fruit Tree back to the clan? That would be a lasting enterprise.”
The Grand Elder was somewhat tempted as well upon hearing this.
But he quickly shook his head. “This Blood Spirit Fruit Tree has extremely harsh requirements for its growing environment. It must grow on the flesh and blood of a great demon.”
“That great demon has already rotted away, and its flesh and blood seeped into the earth, continuously providing nourishment to the Blood Spirit Fruit Tree and allowing it to bloom and bear fruit. If we move it, the Blood Spirit Fruit Tree will certainly die.”
“What a pity.”
Li Xingge said with some regret.
If they could not move it back, then it might one day benefit someone else.
But if they destroyed it, that would be far too wasteful.
As he was worrying over it...
Li Xingge looked into the depths of the cavern, where a pair of scarlet eyes were glaring at him with hatred. Suddenly, a smile curved his lips.
He slowly said, “Flame Python, I know your intelligence is quite high, and that you can understand me. How about I make a deal with you?”
No response came from within the cavern. The Blood Spirit Flame Python continued hiding inside and refused to emerge.
“If you still refuse to come out, then even if I must expend a little more effort, I will kill you. At that time, it will only be a pity that your hundred years of bitter cultivation will be ruined in a single stroke.”
Li Xingge threatened in a cold voice.
HISSS!
The Blood Spirit Flame Python unwillingly crawled out of the cavern, its eyes fixed on Li Xingge with extreme caution.
A cheap creature that only responds to force and not to kindness, Li Xingge cursed inwardly.
He took out two Blood Spirit Fruits. “Flame Python, let us make a deal. Two Blood Spirit Fruits, in exchange for you guarding this valley for me. How about it?”
The Blood Spirit Flame Python’s eyes nearly went straight when it saw the two Blood Spirit Fruits in Li Xingge’s hand. Saliva dripped uncontrollably from its mouth.
It flicked its long tongue and instinctively wanted to snatch them.
“Hm?”
Li Xingge gave a cold snort.
The Blood Spirit Flame Python instantly came to its senses.
This furless monkey was too strong. It could not beat him!
“You only get them if you agree.”
Li Xingge said with a smile.
After an intense struggle in its heart, the Blood Spirit Flame Python nodded.
HISSS!
Lord Flame Python agrees, but it definitely is not yielding because of violence.
Li Xingge casually tossed the two Blood Spirit Fruits to the Blood Spirit Flame Python. It swallowed them in one gulp and revealed a look of blissful enjoyment.
“Flame Python, I know you are a clever snake. You should understand the consequences of breaking our agreement.”
HISSS!
The Blood Spirit Flame Python lightly nodded its head.
Li Xingge was quite satisfied with how sensible it was.
He drew out a command token from his sleeve. The token was black, with twin dragons twined around it, and in the center was a striking golden character: Li.
“Those who carry this token may freely enter and leave the valley. Anyone without it is to be killed without exception. No mercy, no retreat.”
The Blood Spirit Flame Python stared fixedly at the token, as though carving its appearance into its memory.
HISSS!
Lord Flame Python remembers it.
A smile returned to Li Xingge’s face.
On the surface, it seemed like a loss to buy off the Blood Spirit Flame Python with two Blood Spirit Fruits.
But in truth, Li Xingge had exchanged two Blood Spirit Fruits for a bodyguard comparable to Minor Accomplishment in the Qi-Blood Realm, a Blood Spirit Fruit Tree, and a natural medicinal field that could be harvested again and again.
“To celebrate the success of our cooperation, I’ll give you these few little snacks as well.”
Li Xingge said with a light laugh.
Behind him, A-Liang, Zou Jin, and Zou Jin’s young son were shoved forward, all three utterly bewildered.
When the Blood Spirit Flame Python saw A-Liang and Zou Jin, it first froze for a moment.
Then it recognized them as the two furless monkeys who had escaped from its jaws the day before.
And it was precisely because those two escaping furless monkeys had brought back this accursed evil star, who had stolen the Blood Spirit Fruit it had guarded for so many years.
Damn them!
The Blood Spirit Flame Python instantly flew into a fury.
“Hiss...”
Zou Jin immediately felt that something was terribly wrong.
His teeth chattered as he stammered, “M-My lord, what do you mean by this? I... I already helped you find the Blood Spirit Fruit.”
“That’s true. But the problem is that you know too much, and that makes me uneasy. I only trust the dead to keep secrets.”
Li Xingge said expressionlessly.
“You promised me you would spare my life. You can’t go back on your word!”
Zou Jin roared, his face flushed red.
“I made the promise. That doesn’t mean someone else did.”
Li Xingge sneered repeatedly.
“I was truly blind as a dog to believe your nonsense!”
Zou Jin burst into manic laughter, his eyes full of despair.
“You are ruthless and vicious. One day, you will die a terrible death!”
He pointed at Li Xingge and spat out a venomous curse.
Li Xingge paid Zou Jin’s curse no mind at all.
If curses were of any use, he would already have died countless times over.
“Even if that day comes, you won’t be around to see it. So, Flame Python, what are you waiting for?”
The Blood Spirit Flame Python, which had long been unable to wait any longer, opened its bloody maw and swallowed all three of them in a single gulp. Full and satisfied, it let out a contented belch.
And before Zou Jin died, what he thought was this:
If only he had not let greed cloud his mind, if only he had not been tempted by avarice, then perhaps he would not have ended up with his family destroyed and his household ruined.
But sadly, there was no medicine for regret in this world.