Chapter 158: Rising and Falling
As the powder fell, the poisonous bees seemed to take fright, their piercing cries rising and falling.
BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ...
The poisonous bees had occupied the valley for a long time, but under the potent effects of Lin Feng's powder, they finally turned and fled.
Seeing the poisonous bees depart, Lin Feng finally breathed a sigh of relief and gazed into the distance.
The powder he had just scattered came from specially formulated Insect-Repelling Pills, which could quickly drive away the venomous creatures in the valley.
He hadn't ventured into these deep mountains completely unprepared.
HISS~
Suddenly, a piercing hiss echoed through the air, and Lin Feng frowned.
'I can't believe I've run into something strange just after entering Wo Hu Mountain.'
Lin Feng slowly took a step back. Although he was now at the Peak of Mid-Stage Innate, a realm where ordinary beasts couldn't even get close to him, this was a place where Heart-devouring Powder and Red Flame Fruit had been found. It was always best to be cautious.
A moment later, a rustling sound came from the dense forest. A giant python emerged from the trees. Its tail was thick, about ten feet long, and its body was covered in black scales that shimmered with an eerie blue light. It was clearly no ordinary creature.
HISS~
The giant python flicked its forked tongue, its crimson tip tasting the air for scents as its pupils locked onto Lin Feng.
'Heh, looks like it sees me as prey.'
A smirk touched the corner of Lin Feng's lips as he saw the giant python.
ROAR!
With a low shout, Lin Feng shot toward the giant python like an arrow. But the python's reaction was incredibly swift; with a twist of its body, it dodged his attack.
A cold sneer appeared on Lin Feng's lips.
Hmph.
Lin Feng snorted, kicked hard off a tree trunk, and used the momentum to leap into the air. He then plummeted downward like a cannonball.
Not to be outdone, the giant python surged toward Lin Feng.
BAM!
Man and serpent collided in an instant. Lin Feng staggered slightly, but the giant python was sent flying back several meters.
Lin Feng's eyes glinted. 'I didn't expect this thing to be so intelligent.'
'This goes beyond mere hunting instinct. It's consciously dodging and attacking. I've seen this kind of thing before, back in my sect.'
Lin Feng was rather surprised to find a creature of such intelligence in the mortal world.
'No wonder Li Yuan said Wo Hu Mountain was fraught with danger. A creature like this is indeed formidable.'
HISS~
After steadying itself, the giant python's serpentine eyes locked onto Lin Feng as it hissed.
WHOOSH!
It then shot into the air before swooping down, its gaping maw snapping at Lin Feng.
"Pathetic tricks!"
Lin Feng sneered, crouched slightly, then lashed out with a powerful kick aimed at the python's belly.
THUD!
A loud thud echoed out as Lin Feng's whip kick landed squarely on the giant python's belly.
The giant python recoiled in pain, its body curling up, but it immediately opened its gaping maw again and lunged at Lin Feng.
But Lin Feng was already prepared. As the python lunged, he drew the dagger from his waist and viciously hacked at the creature's vital point.
CRACK!
The crisp sound of breaking bone rang out. With a final, agonized wail, the giant python crashed to the ground, its body going limp.
Lin Feng gazed coolly at the giant python. 'Its fighting strength was nothing special, but its senses were incredibly sharp, and it was also venomous.'
Lin Feng shook his head. Such a venomous creature might be a threat to ordinary people, but it was laughably weak against someone who cultivated Martial Arts. After all, once a Martial Artist's Inner Strength reached a certain level, they became immune to all poisons.
The python's ferocity didn't just come from its venom.
What was more terrifying was its thick, tough hide; ordinary weapons could hardly harm the beast. Most critically, its serpentine nature allowed it to conceal its presence, which greatly amplified its advantages.
HUFF... HUFF...
Lin Feng took two deep breaths. Even though the python was dead, he didn't let his guard down. This creature was, after all, completely different from an ordinary beast.
He figured his earlier actions must have provoked the beast, leading to this whole mess. Realizing this, Lin Feng couldn't help but feel a little exasperated.
RUSTLE... RUSTLE...
Just then, an unusual sound came from the grass near Lin Feng.
It was followed by a faint rustling, a sound made all the more eerie by the silence of the mountain forest.
Lin Feng raised an eyebrow, his gaze turning cold as he stared at the patch of grass. The grass trembled twice, then fell still. Apparently, the unknown creature was not going to show itself.
After waiting silently for two or three minutes and confirming that no new beasts were appearing, Lin Feng slowly let out a breath and continued deeper into the mountain range. All the while, the rustling in the grass quietly followed him.
Lin Feng had walked quite a distance, but the thing in the grass was still following him. He couldn't help but be a little surprised. 'This thing certainly has patience.'
'But it's all pointless,' Lin Feng thought. 'I'll definitely be able to react before it makes a move. As long as I'm careful, there's no real danger.'
Still, the existence of such a creature meant there must be other extraordinary things in these mountains, a thought which excited him.
Besides, he wanted to see just how powerful the beasts in this mountain range truly were.
Lin Feng forged ahead. The vegetation grew increasingly lush, with a vibrant array of flowers and trees vying for attention. Yet, there was an oppressive feeling in the air, as if danger lurked in every shadow.
At the end of the mountain range lay a lake. Its emerald waters were as clear and translucent as jade, a breathtakingly beautiful sight.
At the same time, Lin Feng noticed the lake was ringed with towering, ancient trees, their dense canopies blocking out nearly all sunlight.
'The feng shui here is strange.'
'It should be a place where water gathers and life flourishes, but the dense forest surrounding it gives it a sinister, gloomy aura.'
Frowning, Lin Feng studied the terrain before him, finding it rather odd.
He had studied the principles of geomancy—of mountains, rivers, and earth veins—before. While not an expert, he knew a thing or two.
But while the scenery of this small mountain range was captivating, killing intent lay hidden everywhere. One careless slip, and you could easily meet your end here.
But that was precisely why Lin Feng dared to enter. Anyone else, even an Innate Powerhouse, would never have set foot in such a treacherous region.
Lin Feng pressed on, finally reaching the end of the small mountain range at sunset. There, a giant boulder stood conspicuously before him.