At this moment, the hunter with octopus-like arms fumbled around in his pocket and surprisingly pulled out a wriggling, pitch-black earthworm.
He handed the twisted black earthworm to Zhang Chu and his companions, saying, "Brothers, don't be shy. This is the treasured medicine of our Wuliu Village. Take it!"
"Treasured medicine?" Zhang Chu and his companions felt a chill down their spines. How could this thing be considered medicine?
The captain of the hunting team, however, proudly declared, "That's right, this is the treasured medicine bestowed upon us by our Willow Tree God. After consuming it, your strength will greatly increase!"
He then shouted enthusiastically, "Our Willow Tree God is very generous. It hopes everyone can become stronger. Whether you're from our village or not, you can have the treasured medicine."
"Take it with you on your journey. In case you encounter danger, it might just save your life."
Though it was a disgusting thing, Zhang Chu and his companions could sense the hunter's goodwill.
Of course, Zhang Chu and his companions couldn't accept it.
At this moment, Tong Qingshan quickly waved his hand, "No, it's alright..."
The captain of the hunting team wasn't angry and tucked the earthworm back into his pocket.
Then, using his normal arm, he cupped his hands towards Zhang Chu and his companions, "In that case, we won't disturb you any longer. Please!"
With that, they stepped aside to clear the path.
Zhang Chu and his companions hurriedly passed through.
Those who were corrupted, however, continued to shout from behind Zhang Chu and his companions, "Brothers from Zaoye Village, be careful. The strange python in Mangdang Mountain is no ordinary creature!"
"If you encounter danger, come to our Wuliu Village. We're all trying to survive in Yaoxu and should help each other!"
Zhang Chu and his companions ran away, fearing they might be pursued.
Even though they were physically strong, they ran until they were out of breath, not daring to stop.
While running, Tong Qingyu kept glancing back.
After about half an hour, they had already left the vicinity of Wuliu Village. Only then did Tong Qingyu relax, "They didn't follow us!"
The group finally collapsed onto the ground, gasping for air, each with a lingering fear on their faces.
"That was terrifying!" Tong Qingyu clutched the bow's back tightly, his wrist still trembling uncontrollably.
Tong Qingshan then asked Zhang Chu, "Sir, what exactly is this corruption? It's so bizarre."
Zhang Chu recalled their behavior and finally said, "From their appearance, they don't realize they've become like that. In their minds, they believe they're still normal people."
"How could anyone live like that!" Gang Zi exclaimed.
Zhang Chu sighed, unable to comprehend it at all.
To be honest, if these corrupted villagers had directly attacked them, they could have accepted it.
But their enthusiasm and "normalcy" made Zhang Chu feel even more creeped out.
"Forget it, let's just stay away from them. As long as we don't get corrupted ourselves," Zhang Chu said.
...
Mangdang Mountain.
This is the most spiritually endowed mountain within a thousand miles.
When the sun rises, Mangdang Mountain is bathed in radiant light, and the immense spiritual energy erupts from the ground, making the herbs and animals in the vicinity grow more vigorously than in other places. Visit novelping(.)com for the full chapter.
At this moment, Zhang Chu and his companions quietly looked towards the summit of Mangdang Mountain.
At the highest peak, a gigantic strange python coiled around the mountaintop, seemingly embracing the peak in slumber.
Its entire body was jet black, as if forged from steel, and even from a distance, one could feel an unparalleled beauty of strength.
Upon closer inspection, there was a milky white horn on its forehead, crystalline like jade, with divine light flowing, appearing extremely mystical.
At this time, Zhang Chu whispered, "I've heard that this strange python once transformed into an old man and wandered through the surrounding mountain villages. Its true cultivation is terrifying."
Zhang Chu had read related records in "The Great Demon Technique." It's extremely difficult for demons to transform, and only in the late stage of the "Spirit Foundation" realm can they take human form.
"Spirit Foundation" is the first major realm in the cultivation of all living beings, encompassing many sub-realms such as opening the Life Well, surging the Life Spring, expanding the Life River, and opening the Four Seas.
Currently, Tong Qingshan had just opened a few Life Wells and was nowhere near capable of contending with the old serpent.
Therefore, they could only rely on wit.
Tong Qingshan, carrying a long spear, lay in the grass, gazing at the strange python from afar, and whispered, "The more I practice, the more I feel this strange python is unfathomable. Its power feels like an endless mountain range, vast and majestic, beyond comprehension."
Tong Qingyu whispered, "This is a true Great Demon. I've heard that many outsiders don't dare to provoke it. When they see it, they can only take a detour."
However, when Zhang Chu saw this strange python, he had a peculiar feeling in his heart.
He even swallowed a mouthful of saliva, wondering what the meat of this strange python and its demon core would taste like...
Simultaneously, the Shanhai Map within Zhang Chu's body trembled slightly, as if it had discovered prey.
But in the next second, Zhang Chu bit his tongue hard.
What was he thinking? The strange python's meat might be delicious, but it was definitely not something they could hunt!
At this moment, Zhang Chu tried hard to suppress the urge to eat the strange python and whispered, "Don't be afraid. There's always a way to deal with it. We've already prepared."
Then, Zhang Chu looked at Tong Qingyu, "Are you ready?"
Tong Qingyu immediately nodded, "Ready!"
"Go to the upwind position. Remember, after placing the bait, run immediately," Zhang Chu instructed in a low voice.
"Okay!" Tong Qingyu agreed.
In the hunting team, Tong Qingyu had a special skill, which was running extremely fast.
At this moment, Zhang Chu handed the prepared bait to Tong Qingyu. It was a "Serpent Lure Pellet" made from demon meat and some "snake mint."
This was a bait recorded in "The Great Wilderness Scripture," possessing a deadly allure for snakes.
Even a Demon King who had broken through the first major realm would find it hard to resist its charm. Upon encountering it, they would eagerly consume it.
After consuming it, the Great Demon would fall into a state of confusion, unconsciously dancing. It could even become addictive to snakes, acting as a forbidden drug.
Soon, Tong Qingyu, carrying the "Serpent Lure Pellet," arrived at a hill.
This hill was about ten miles away from the strange python and was upwind of it.
The Serpent Lure Pellet was wrapped in the leaves of Qiong Fire Hemp, which could isolate its scent.
Tong Qingyu first placed the Serpent Lure Pellet on a high boulder, then peeled off the Qiong Fire Hemp leaves, releasing a peculiar stench that immediately spread.
In the next second, all the snakes around the small hill seemed to have been injected with a stimulant, freezing simultaneously.
These snakes suddenly seemed enlightened, and the surrounding environment became clear to them.
Subsequently, all the snakes sensed the scent of the Serpent Lure Pellet and desperately crawled towards it.
Tong Qingyu turned and ran, intending to escape completely before the strange python detected the scent.
Zhang Chu, meanwhile, waited cautiously with Tong Qingshan.
After about ten minutes, the massive head of the strange python on Mangdang Mountain suddenly lifted and turned towards the distance.
In the next second, a pair of bone wings sprouted from its back. With a gentle flap, the strange python flew directly towards the Serpent Lure Pellet.
"Quick!" Zhang Chu urged.
Tong Qingshan, like an arrow leaving the bow, rushed eagerly towards the mountaintop.
Zhang Chu and Gang Zi followed closely behind.
In the blink of an eye, the strange python found the Serpent Lure Pellet. Without a second thought, it swallowed it whole, even consuming many large snakes along with it.
Then, the Great Horned Python began to dance wildly among the distant mountains.
It soared into the sky, rolled in the forests, and even emitted a series of low sounds, like the distant and deep whistles of a ship at sea.
At this moment, the Great Horned Python was in a state of confusion.
The ground trembled, countless forests were crushed, and large areas of woodland were violently ravaged.
Meanwhile, Zhang Chu and Tong Qingshan had reached the Great Horned Python's dwelling, where there was a white pool.
Zhang Chu took a careful look at the white pool and broke out in a cold sweat. It was actually a Bone Pool.
The Bone Pool was formed by the skulls of humans or other creatures, with countless white bones exuding an inexplicable murderous aura. Who knows how many beings it had killed to assemble such a Bone Pool.
In the center of the Bone Pool, there was a treasure herb as tall as a person: the Dragon Scale Orchid.
The Dragon Scale Orchid's leaves were sparse, with only twenty-three leaves, but each leaf had a completely different shape.
Some resembled lotus leaves, some willow leaves, some human faces, and some living creatures. Each leaf had a distinct color and form.
Without any hesitation, Zhang Chu pointed to a silver needle-shaped leaf, "Eat it!"
Tong Qingshan didn't hesitate for a moment, reaching out to grab the leaf, gently pulling it off, and swallowing it whole.
"Run!" The group sprinted towards the distance without looking back.
The ground swiftly receded beneath their feet, and soon, everyone regrouped, completely leaving the range of Mangdang Mountain.
Half an hour later, on the distant Mangdang Mountain, the Great Horned Python's consciousness transmitted into the minds of countless creatures through some mysterious means:
"Who stole my treasure herb? If I find out, I'll annihilate your entire clan!"
Boom! Several mountain peaks were flattened as the Great Horned Python vented its rage...