Chapter 105 - 101: Ink Python
"This is the place."
In a remote corner of Ghost Cloud Valley, Bai Xiaohan pointed to a hidden cave.
Through the lens of his Qi Observation Skill, Lü Zhong saw a faint wisp of Spiritual Qi seeping out from within.
There wasn’t much of it, but it was exceptionally pure.
Upon entering the cave, they found themselves in a network of interconnected stalactite-filled caverns.
"This way."
Bai Xiaohan led Lü Zhong into one of the passages, and they navigated through a series of caves, large and small.
As they ventured deeper, the concentration of Spiritual Qi in the air grew steadily higher. It soon surpassed the levels in Yanling Mountain Market and showed no signs of stopping, continuing to rise.
Immersed in such a rich Spiritual Qi environment, Lü Zhong felt as though his cultivation was rising with every breath.
’Perhaps it’s just my imagination,’ he thought. ’But if I could stay and cultivate here, my progress would likely be incredibly fast, not much slower than taking a Pill.’
When Lü Zhong and Bai Xiaohan stepped into a new cavern, they were startled by the sight before them.
In the center of the cavern, a small, pale blue grass with translucent, jade-like leaves swayed despite the lack of wind. It shed specks of Spiritual Light and emitted a calming fragrance that soothed the soul.
"What is that?" Lü Zhong asked in astonishment.
In his Qi Observation Skill’s vision, the Spiritual Light emanating from the small blue grass was incredibly intense—comparable, even, to the glow of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. It was unbelievable.
"Profound Ice Grass, the main ingredient for the Foundation Establishment Pill." Bai Xiaohan’s gaze was fixed ahead, the smile gone from her face. She warned, "Don’t focus on the Spirit Medicine. Be careful of the Ink Python lurking in the shadows beside it."
Her reminder made Lü Zhong look closer, and he finally noticed a massive, jet-black python, dozens of feet long, lurking in the shadow of the Profound Ice Grass.
It was watching them with cold, equally black eyes.
"HISSSS..." Its forked tongue flickered in and out, making a threatening sound.
"This beast won’t be easy to deal with. It’s a rare variant born with Divine Sense. Even with my Concealing Breath and Traces skill combined with Invisibility, I can’t escape its detection. If we want to get that Profound Ice Grass, we have to take care of the python first."
’Born with Divine Sense?’
Lü Zhong’s heart sank at her words. ’So this is the monster I have to fight?’
With Divine Sense, the Ink Python had a 360-degree field of vision with no blind spots, giving it an absolute intelligence advantage in combat.
This meant that to land a hit on the Ink Python, they would have to compete with its reaction speed. Otherwise, the beast would either parry their attacks or simply slither out of the way in advance.
’Trouble!’
Meanwhile, Bai Xiaohan summoned a Magical Artifact: a silver spear covered in inscribed runes.
Her expression wary, she held the spear and watched the restless Ink Python, adding, "When we make our move, don’t let it spit its venom. The poison... is extremely difficult to deal with. If you see it start to open its mouth, strike it seven feet down its belly to interrupt the action. That should stop it from spitting!"
"No problem." Lü Zhong felt that would not be too difficult.
At that moment, as if its patience had run out, the Ink Python stirred. Its body, as thick as a water vat, scraped against the stone floor with a RUSTLING sound as it shot toward the two cultivators.
"Let’s attack together!"
Bai Xiaohan threw her spear, its silver light instantly illuminating the entire cavern, while simultaneously calling out to Lü Zhong.
In the next instant, a golden sword shadow, though launched second, arrived first.
Lü Zhong had been waiting for this moment. The Sword Mantra he formed with his hands changed continuously.
Under his control, the Golden Devourer Sword’s flight path was erratic, leaving a golden trail in the air and causing the Ink Python’s successive tail whips to miss completely.
Then, with a loud hum, the sword shadow suddenly blazed with golden light and chopped straight down.
Seeing this, Bai Xiaohan immediately provided support.
Changing her Technique Mantra, she redirected the Silver Spear to strike at the Ink Python’s vulnerable underbelly, attempting a pincer attack so it couldn’t defend both ends.
"HISSS!"
The Ink Python roared, threw its head back, and knocked the Silver Spear away with a single whip-like motion.
At the same time, it whipped its iron-like tail toward a blind spot its eyes couldn’t see.
With a loud CRACK, scales and blood flew as the Golden Devourer Sword was viciously swatted away.
’So this is the power of Divine Sense?’ Lü Zhong frowned.
Without the aid of its Divine Sense, this Ink Python wasn’t actually that strong—probably weaker than the Wood Spirit he had killed not long ago.
’It’s only because of its Divine Sense...’
Just then, the Ink Python reared its head, about to open its mouth.
Having witnessed the Demon Beast’s prowess, Lü Zhong wasn’t about to foolishly let it spit venom. Without waiting for a reminder from Bai Xiaohan, he proactively changed his Sword Mantra.
The Golden Devourer Sword carved an arc through the air, stabbing straight for the seven-inch mark on the Ink Python’s belly.
Just as it was about to hit, a tail suddenly whipped out from the side, precisely striking the Golden Devourer Sword and knocking it away again.
Fortunately, Bai Xiaohan was there to act.
The Ink Python seemed extremely wary of the Silver Spear. It immediately snapped its gaping maw shut and slithered away to dodge.
The Silver Spear landed but did not pierce the ground.
Instead, a pillar of light about a foot wide erupted from where it touched down.
The pillar shot into the ceiling of the stone cavern, leaving behind a cylindrical hole several feet deep.
’What kind of Magical Artifact Divine Technique is that?’
Lü Zhong took note of this. ’No wonder the Ink Python is so afraid of it,’ he thought.
’Getting hit by that pillar of light would mean death or crippling injury.’
Seeing the Ink Python preparing to spit venom again, Lü Zhong harassed it with his Golden Devourer Sword to interrupt it while asking Bai Xiaohan, "Fellow Daoist Bai, why aren’t you using your Fine Silk Magical Artifact? Can it not restrain the python’s movements?"
"I can’t."
For once, Bai Xiaohan wore a wry smile and spread her hands. "My Wandering Spirit Threads are tough, but they can’t trap this beast. It can easily break free with its raw strength."
If her Wandering Spirit Threads could have restrained the Ink Python, she wouldn’t have needed to ask Lü Zhong for help in the first place.
Hearing this, Lü Zhong thought, ’Looks like I’ll have to use that move after all.’
"Cover me."
"No problem!" Bai Xiaohan didn’t know what he was planning, but she agreed immediately.
Her slender fingers formed a series of Technique Mantras, and she immediately controlled the Silver Spear to launch a torrential assault.
Though a spear Magical Artifact lacked the versatility of a Magic Sword’s techniques, it still had various moves like Spear Splitting, Drilling Spear, Beng Spear, Cannon Spear, and Crossed Spear. Unleashed at full power, the display was still dazzling.
Unfortunately, in the face of Divine Sense, it was all just for show.
The Ink Python dodged the entire barrage with minimal effort.
But just then, Lü Zhong, having finished his own mantra, suddenly moved.
His speed exploded in an instant, leaving a trail of clear afterimages as he moved too fast for the Ink Python to fully react, striking its body with his sword.
He had simultaneously cast the Light Body Skill, activated his Dharma Robe’s Wind-Avoiding Divine Technique, and executed the Star-Stepping Step—Meteor Technique.
The sword’s blade, blazing with golden light and empowered by the Armor-Piercing Divine Technique and extreme speed, sliced through the Ink Python’s tough scales as if they were tofu, cutting its body in two.